TOR for STE-Assignments /
Advisory / Services Contract /

Project:Establishing dual-like VET pilots in tourism and agriculture in Gabala, Ismayilly and Gakh districts (ED VET)

PN:16.21796-004.00

AV/TL: Katja Kammerer/ Mithilan Subramaniam

Activity:Advisory support in the area of Vocational Education and Trainings

Period:May, 2018 – December 15, 2018

  1. Brief information about the project

Establishing dual-like VET pilots in agriculture and tourism in the Gabala, Ismayilly and Gakh districts (ED VET) is attached to Private Sector Development and Technical Vocational Education and Training Programme which has been developed jointly with the Public partners and private sector in the South Caucasus Countries, aims at promoting the private sector development with a high attention to employment impacts and a close integration of vocational education and training.

The ED VET project is focusing on the fields of agriculture and tourism. These sectors are included in the priority areas of the Strategical Road Map for 11 sectors. Both sectors have a high relevance for the economy and the employment in the target districts. Their importance is also acknowledged by the Government of Azerbaijan for further economic diversification.

Therefore, the overall objective of the project is to increase the attractiveness and labour-market relevance of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the fields of agriculture and tourism. The specific objective of this project is to establish dual-like VET pilots in the field of agriculture and tourism at 3 VET centres in the Gabala, Ismayilly and Gakh districts.

The four selected priority occupations (profiles) for long term training in agriculture and tourism sectors are the following:

1)Wine growing and production specialist

2)Agro-service specialist

3)Hospitality generalist

4)Veterinary Assistant

Beyond the long-term training, the project will also address specific vocational needs of prospective entrepreneurs and selected vulnerable groups (youth and adults who have not learnt any profession, with a special attention to women, unemployed and underemployed people). Based on an in-depth assessment of actual self-employment opportunities, suitable training formats for 10 short courses will be developed.

The project will adopt the integrated approach of German development cooperation in employment promotion. It will address both the supply and demand side of the labour market to lay a better foundation for employment. Development assistance will focus primarily on involving the private sector in vocational training.

The project is scheduled for a term of 2,5 years from September 2017 to February 2020.

  1. Context and current situation in the field of assignment

VET in Azerbaijan does not yet adequately meet the requirements of the Azerbaijan labour market. Employers are rarely involved in the political or strategic orientation of the VET system, standard and curriculum development, the delivery and assessment of VET programs. As response, the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan accords high priority to VET reform and to integrate employers into VET (Strategic target 1) in order to increase the availability of skilled workers in the medium and long term (Strategic roadmap for vocational education and training sector in the Republic of Azerbaijan). Dual-like Training aims at increasing the involvement of companies in the planning, organisation and delivery of VET programs. This includes the development of labour market-oriented and up to date competency standards and curricula through the active participation of trade and industry practitioners, as well as the joint organisation and delivery of VET programs by two training providers, the company and the vocational centres.

3. Design of individual measure

To achieve the objective of the project, there are following pillars foreseen:

  • Providing continuously support in the area of VET, considering existing situation including legislative and institutional framework, skills required for the VET sector, conditions for HR development, level of cooperation with private sector and other relevant partners, level of learning environment and available learning materials.
  • Providing recommendations and consultancy on the required topics based on the needs of project activities.

General objective

The objective of this assignment is to provide the overall knowledge on the VET system in Azerbaijan and to provide continious support to project implementation in the area of VET.

Specific objectives, scope and methodological approach of the mission

Specific objectives are to provide a tangible summary and overview about the relevant institutional VET settings.

  • Provide continuously support on the base of all relevant local and international available primary and secondary information (laws, regulations national and international studies concerning VET).
  • Provide information on the economic structure in the sectors tourism and agriculture and relevant for the skills needs analysis in the country.
  • Support with participatory development of Strategic Plans for targeted VET Centers.
  • Direct meetings with relevant players (in Baku and regions of Azerbaijan) for VET approach to discuss the existence and functioning of structures and institutions.

4. Scope of work (Tasks)

  • Gather and evaluate (summarize) relevant primary and secondary information and documents.
  • Organize, implement and moderate in close cooperation with the GIZ experts meetings with the potential stakeholders. Summarize meeting results, evaluate feedback, document them and analyze in English and/or Azeri language.
  • Develop required documents and materials (SPs, etc.) foreseen in implementation of Operational Plan of the Project.

5. Deliverables, project timeline, resources and contact/responsible person

5.1Conditions and payment terms

The assignment will take place in Baku and in the three pilot regions Gabala, Ismalyilly and Gakh in the timeframe May 2018 – December 2018 with total number of up to 100 days, including up to 100 working days in targeted regions Gabala, Ismayilly and Gakh.

The contractor shall assume and include the costs for daily allowance and accommodation allowance for him.

The contractor will be involved in developing of methodology, as well as conducting meetings and workshops with partners.

The contractor is expected to deliver a detailed and structured report that comprises the results of the meetings, needs assessment as well as schedule of the field trips, materials to be developed, and detailed overview of all used sources, contacted persons and institutions included. The working language will be in English. All reports and outputs will be developed in English and/or Azerbaijani language.

5.2Coordination and communication

All activities should be coordinated in close coordination with the ED VET Team.

5.3Submission Requirements

1At least 5 years of experience in the fields of consulting;

2Experience in data assessment and reporting;

3Knowledge about recent reforms and developments in VET sector in Azerbaijan (legislative and institutional framework);

4Experience in private sector especially in targeted tourism and agriculture sectors;

5At least on project whereas he/she was in charge of Development of Strategic Plans for a VET school;

6Proven trainer or moderator experience

7Excellent spoken and written English.

8Knowledge of Russian or Turkish language is a plus