TERMS OF REFERENCE
LMFS data collection, analysis and dissemination
1. Background Information AND PROJECT OBJECTIVE
The Government of Moldova is implementing a Moldova Skills Data Capacity Building Project, financed by the World Bank.
According to the Moldova 2020 National Development Strategy, skills development has been identified as a key priority for the country. The Moldova Skills Data Capacity Building Project (World Bank grant) is directly involved in reform agenda by supporting the collection and analysis of labor market data, the absence of which is currently hampering the reform efforts of the Ministry of Labor, Social Projection, and Family (MLSPF), NEA, and Ministry of Education (MoE).
The development objective of the Moldova Skills Data Capacity Building Project is to strengthen the Government of Moldova’s capacity for evidence-based policymaking in the area of skills and employment through supporting enhanced collection and analysis of data on workforce skills and labor market needs. The output will support the Government’s efforts to align the education system to labor market needs, thus promoting job creation.
The project consists of 3 inter-related components.
- Component 1. Revised Employer Surveys on Demand for Skills
- Component 2. Revised Surveys of the Resident Working-age Population on Supply of Skills and Barriers to Employment
- Component 3. Capacity building
This assignment is focused on the first component, which shall assess the quality of the existing Labor Market Forecast Survey (LMFS) and design and implement a module on the demand for skills.
Currently, the National Employment Agency (NEA) produces indicators on past and future occupational demand using a brief questionnaire implemented on a nationally-representative sample of around 3,000 firms (a census of firms with 100+ employees and a sample of smaller firms). This survey was designed with the support of the project “Consolidation of migration management capacities in the Republic of Moldova,” financed by the European Union and implemented by the Swedish Public Employment Service, but is now run by the NEA with much more limited assistance. The survey allows obtaining general data on labor market trends and it is used to construct the Professions Barometer, which is used by NEA employees to provide guidance to job seekers and to plan training activities. However, these data do not provide details on the level and structure of labor demand and they utilize employers’ estimates of future occupational demands rather than tracking retrospective trends, which are more reliable. Moreover, most of the survey questions are not utilized in the analysis or reporting, so the survey can be used to better address the needs of data users. Finally, the main output of the LMFS – the Professions Barometer – is currently not being disseminated very effectively, as most students and job seekers are not aware of this instrument.
Under the grant, the NEA would proceed with an assessment of the collection, analysis, and dissemination of the existing LMFS with the aim of improving the usefulness of this instrument in the future waves.
2. OBJECTIVE
■ The overarching objective of the assignment is to strengthen the Government of Moldova’s capacity for evidence-based policymaking in the area of skills and employment through supporting enhanced collection and analysis of data on workforce skills and labor market needs.
■ Specific objectives of the assignment are to:
a. Assess the quality of the existing Labor Market Forecast Survey (LMFS) implemented by the National Employment Agency (ANOFM)
b. Recommend improvements aiming to enhance the quality of results, their policy relevance, and utilization by stakeholders (policymakers and end-users – job seekers and students)
3. SCOPE OF WORK:
Broadly speaking, the consultancy shall encompass the following tasks:
1) Review of the existing processes involved in LMFS, including:
a) Survey instrument
b) Data collection
c) Data entry and processing
d) Data analysis and reporting
e) Dissemination of findings
2) Development of recommendations on how to improve the above processes in order to enhance the LMFS’ impact on evidence-based policymaking and its usefulness for end-users, including:
a) Proposals for revised survey instrument
b) Manuals with proposals for revisions in data collection, data analysis, and dissemination procedures
c) TORs for data entry / data analysis software
The task 1) above will include the following responsibilities:
i. Reviewing the existing survey instrument and recommending potential improvements to question format and response options, and/or limited additional questions (within the existing scope of the survey)
ii. Assessing the quality of the data collection procedures and recommending ways to improve their quality, such as strengthening enumerator training and preparation, supervision and cross-checks, non-response procedures, etc.
iii. Assessing the effectiveness of the data entry and processing software and recommending more effective software solutions. This includes:
– Preparing TOR for developing new, more effective, and flexible data entry and analysis software for future waves of LMFS
– Developing and documenting a procedure for incorporating future collection of additional modules within LMSF
iv. Assessing the quality of existing data analysis based on LMFS data and recommending ways to make the best use of collected information and enhance the policy relevance of the analysis
v. Assessing the quality of current dissemination activities and developing an effective dissemination strategy that:
– Provides relevant and customized information on skills demand to all stakeholders, including job seekers and students
– Increases the impact of findings on skills and employment policy.
4. METHODOLOGY
The Consultant will coordinate with the MLSPF and NEA the methodology used.
The consultant shall perform the work in close cooperation with the NEA staff or, at the NEA request, in consultation with other relevant institutions.
During the assignment the consultant will collaborate with the other consultant contracted for revision and improvement of sampling methodology for LMFS, and will agree on the final version of the sampling methodology for LMFS and sampling instrument for the new software.
Data:
Evaluation will be based on data provided by the NEA. The Consultant will get access to the data sets, other documentation and the existing software free-of-charge, but will treat them as confidential. Access to other necessary databases or reports that are not owned by NEA, will be facilitated by the NEA and the MLSPF.
5. SPECIAL TERMS. DELIVERABLES/SPECIFIC OUTPUTS EXPECTED FROM CONSULTANT
The assignment is expected to commence in May 2017. The estimated level of effort is 20-25 man-days. The Consultant will perform at least one working visit.
The consultant is expected to deliver:
· Inception report including preliminary findings, risks, adjusted schedule of activity will be submitted by the end of the 3rd week of the contract signing.
· Interim report that will cover all areas specified in para 3 of the ToR, aimed at high-level technical staff at MLSPF and ANOFM, is to be submitted by the end of week 9th of the contract signing. The report is expected to be not less than 30 pages and consisting of: executive summary with main findings and recommendations; description of existing processes; assessment findings and recommendations. The Consultant will present the report at a workshop with the Inter-Ministerial Working Group for the project
· Final report will provide the adjusted version of the assessment, incorporating feedback provided by the stakeholders, recommendations, as well as final ToR for the software (new data entry and/or data analysis software application) with detailed descriptions of all business processes that are to be taken into account on the application development, is to be submitted by the end of the 12th week from the contract signing.
In addition, before submission of the interim report, the Consultant, after completion of each of the 5 stages of the assessment will provide a brief report including methodology used for the assessment (i.e. desk review of documents, interviews, focus groups, etc.) and main findings of the assessment.
All the reported activities of the Consultants will be considered completed only upon the acceptance and formal approval by the beneficiary.
All reports and other outputs should be presented in the English language.
Qualification requirements
■ M.A. (or higher) in economics or related discipline.
■ At least 7 years of proven international experience with collection and analysis of labor market data, including unit-level (employer and/or household) data.
■ Familiarity with employer surveys, especially employer skills surveys.
■ Familiarity with data entry and processing software and statistical analysis software.
■ Expertise in the area of employment and skills policy reforms.
■ International experience in providing technical assistance in labor market assessment field.
■ Experience in drafting technical requirements for software development will be a strong asset.
■ Fluency in English is a must, knowledge of Romanian and/or Russian is an advantage.
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