Government of Antigua and Barbuda Public and Social Sector Transformation Project (Ln 8269-AG) Programme Coordinator for the Antigua and Barbuda Skills Training and Empowerment Programme (ABSTEP) (PP 4.4.1) Labour Department, Ministry of National Security and Labour Antigua and Barbuda Terms of Reference 1.0 Background On August 14, 2013, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda signed with the World Bank a loan in the amount of US$10,000,000 (ten million dollars) for the implementation of the Public and Social Sector Transformation (PSST) Project. The objectives of the project are to: (i) strengthen the management of the public sector and make more efficient use of its human resources; (ii) enhance the government capacity to develop coherent and efficient social sector policies and interventions on the basis of evidence; and (iii) strengthen and increase the coverage of intermediation services and competency-based training programs to enhance its effectiveness in increasing the ability of person between the ages of 17 to 50 years to find and maintain a job. 2.0 General description of ABSTEP The Labour Department will transform its existing One Stop Job Centre into a fully functioning One Stop Employment Centre (OSEC) with interventions to increase the employability of the low-income unemployed population between the ages of 17 to 50 years. Under the PSST Project, the Labour Department is introducing the Antigua and Barbuda Skills Training and Empowerment Programme (ABSTEP) with the objective of improving the income and employability of the vulnerable population through temporary employment and training programmes. ABSTEP includes two interventions: Temporary Employment Programme (TEP) and Training Programme (TP). The TEP will provide income support to the less experienced, low-income and unemployed through a temporary job plus life-skills training module, while the TP will provide re-training and competence certification to the more experienced among the lowincome unemployed population.
3.0 Purpose and Objectives The purpose of the consultancy is to help the Ministry of National Security and Labour implement the ABSTEP. The objectives are: 1. To position the ABSTEP as a transparent and targeted programme based on international principles for active labour market programmes;
PSST Project – TOR for Programme Coordinator Comp 4 (29 Nov 2013)
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2. To assist in building capacity in OSEC to implement the TEP and TP in accordance with the ABSTEP Operational Manual and international guidelines for public employment services; 3. To provide support to local organisations and training institutions, so that they can participate in ABSTEP; 4. To assist the Labour Department Technical Unit (LDTU) to design and execute publicity events and to launch the OSEC and ABSTEP; 5. To keep procedures up-to date to ensure consistent and quality OSEC services. The consultant must also ensure that the OSEC operations and the ABSTEP comply with international guidelines and standards. 4.0 Specific Activities To realise these objectives, this consultancy will contract a Programme Coordinator for the implementation of the TEP and TP. The main activities to be conducted by the Programme Coordinator are: OSEC (a) Guide and support implementation of the recommendations to strengthen and rebrand the OSEC; (b) In collaboration with LDTU, assist with selection of appropriate staff for OSEC; (c) Train OSEC staff in the delivery of services; (d) Train OSEC staff to use targeting instrument to select beneficiaries; (e) Participate in the launch of OSEC; ABSTEP (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l)
Manage the implementation of ABSTEP in collaboration with the LDTU; Update the ABSTEP Operational Manual when required to do so; Submit to the Labour Department quarterly reports on the operations of ABSTEP; Conduct and report on tracking surveys of the beneficiaries; Participate in the launch of ABSTEP; Participate in meetings to discuss the ABSTEP; Make recommendations to improve the efficient and effective execution of ABSTEP.
Local Organisations (m) Coordinate the selection of local organisations to execute ABSTEP-TEP subprojects; (n) Conduct training for selected local organisations to execute ABSTEP-TEP; (o) Publish requests for proposals (RFP) for the TEP sub-projects;
PSST Project – TOR for Programme Coordinator Comp 4 (29 Nov 2013)
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(p) Prepare and facilitate training to local organisations on preparing RFPs; (q) In collaboration with the LDTU, coordinate the receipt, evaluation and approval of subprojects submitted by local organisations; (r) Plan and coordinate spot checks at selected local organisations; Training Institutions (s) Coordinate the selection of training institutions to implement ABSTEP-TP; (t) Collaborate with the training institutions to develop requisite curricula for the ABSTEP-TP; Institutional Relationships (u) Collaborate with Social Security Board and the Statistics Division to provide data to support the ABSTEP; (v) Collaborate with the Ministry responsible for Social Transformation to harmonise a targeting instrument for social protection; (w) Participate in meetings of the Social Sector Transformation Task Force; (x) Participate in World Bank missions when required to do so; The Programme Coordinator will carry out these activities under the general direction of the Ministry of National Security and Labour, in collaboration with the Project Management Unit in the Ministry of Finance, the Economy, Public Administration, Public Broadcasting and Information. 5.0 Deliverables (a) A programme to launch the OSEC and ABSTEP; (b) Periodic reports on the local organisations that are participating in TEP including status of executed subprojects; (c) Periodic reports on training institutions that are participating in the TP; (d) Impact reports from tracking surveys; (e) Evaluation reports at the end of every cycle of completed subprojects; (f) Updated versions of the ABSTEP Operational Manual; (g) Technical assistance to relevant entities in line with the requirements of the ABSTEP; (h) Trained OSEC staff; (i) Public outreach to explain ABSTEP and to provide updates on implementation progress.
PSST Project – TOR for Programme Coordinator Comp 4 (29 Nov 2013)
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6.0 Qualifications Masters degree in Economics, Public Administration, Public Policies, Social Services or Business Administration or a relevant discipline; or A first degree in Economics, Business Administration, Public Policies or relevant disciplines with strong evidence of practical work in public or private employment services and/or implementing active labour market programmes and/or project management; Specific professional experience of at least three (3) years with active labour market programmes, public or private employment services or social protection programmes; General professional experience of at least five (5) years in public or private programme management; Experience in using Microsoft Office Suite and ability to use the Internet and electronic email; Good facilitation skills; excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to adapt to dynamic environments. 7.0 Reporting Requirements The Programme Coordinator will report directly to the Assistant Labour Commissioner in the Ministry of National Security and Labour. The Programme Coordinator will, as required, submit written reports to the Assistant Labour Commissioner and the Project Coordinator of the PMU. 8.0 Contract Duration The contract duration will be for twelve (12) months in the first instance for a fixed monthly salary. The contract may be subject to extension for a period of time and subject to terms and conditions agreed to between the Bank, the Government and the Consultant.
PSST Project – TOR for Programme Coordinator Comp 4 (29 Nov 2013)
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