Labor Market Assessment – JSH Zambia – USAID CHECKUP II Activity

Background

The USAID Controlling HIV Epidemic for Key and Underserved Populations (CHEKUP II) Activity was awarded on September 13, 2022, with implementation through September 6, 2027.  USAID CHEKUP II is implemented by John Snow Health Zambia (JSH) in partnership with JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) and Media 365. The Activity aims to support the Ministry of Health in mitigating and attaining HIV epidemic control by increasing equitable access and use of person-centered, community-driven, and high-quality HIV prevention services for key and underserved (priority) populations. USAID CHEKUP II Activity operates in seven districts with the highest HIV-burden in Zambia. These include: Chirundu, Lusaka, Kabwe, Kapiri-Mposhi, Kasama, Chipata, and Nakonde. 

Rationale

USAID CHEKUP II targets a diversity of sub-populations, including adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in the 10-24 age band and adolescent boys and men aged 10 – 34 years. Implementing robust and evidence-based economic strengthening (ES) interventions is a priority for CHEKUP II to decrease AGYW’s reliance on transactional sex and strengthen AGYW’s self-efficacy and decision-making power in relationships. The Activity also targets adolescent boys and young men (ABYM) in the same age groups and men in the 25-34 year age band to build their resilience against HIV. With the foregoing, CHEKUP II has prioritized two economic strengthening pathways, namely, self-employment/entrepreneurship, and wage employment. The Activity has been supporting AGYW to acquire knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship and set up or grow their business ideas. In this light, USAID CHEKUP II has also supported AGYW in acquiring vocational skills training using the Siyakha model^[1]. This increases their chances for employment after graduating. The Activity intends to roll out a similar pilot initiative for ABYM in the next few months.

The 2020 Labor Force Survey Report (Zambia Statistics Agency, 2020)^[2] found that the male labor force participation rate was higher than the female at the national level. This is a measure of the proportion of the labor force in relation to the working-age population. The survey also found that only 39.8% of the female population was employed compared to 60.2% of males at the national level.  Of this population, 44.3% were self-employed, and 40.3% in paid or wage employment. The male proportion among the youth^[3] in the labor force was higher than the female. The 30-35 year age band was the highest at 35.7% and had the most significant proportional levels of the employed at 39.6%. The 15-19 years band had the lowest proportion in the labor force at 7.2% and the lowest employed at 6%. The 20-24 age band employment proportion was 20% and 34% for the 25-29 age band. CHEKUPII aims to increase the proportion of AGYW, ABYM (aged 15-24) and men aged 25-34 years old in the employed bracket.  

The purpose of the assignment is to conduct a Labur Market Assessment (LMA) to inform the implementation of the Siyakha model targeting AGYW and ABYM (aged 15-24). It will also inform the identification of priority labor value chains for economic strengthening targeting men in the 25-34 years age band.

[1] ‘Siyakha’ means ‘building’.  Layered with linkages to essential health and social protection services, Siyakha prepares vulnerable adolescent girls and young women for formal, informal or self-employment

[2] https://www.mlss.gov.zm/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2020-Labour-Force-Survey.pdf

[3] The Zambia National Youth Policy defines a youth as a person aged 15-35 years old (https://www.mlss.gov.zm/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2020-Labour-Force-Survey.pdf)

Objectives

The overall objective of this assignment is to identify priority labor value chains that offer the most significant employment opportunities for each target sub-population. 

The specific objectives are:

1. 1. To establish the relevance of the current vocational and entrepreneurship training opportunities provided, through the Activity, for a wage as well as self-employment;
   2. Identify alternative opportunities for wage and self-employment with high potential for job creation and enterprise development.

Scope of Work 

The first part of the Labour Market Assessment will entail a job market landscape in which the Consultant/ consultancy firm will identify a minimum of three sectors per district that are potential pockets of growth for AGYW/ABYM.  This will include an overview of current labor market trends and snapshots of businesses’ opinions on training and strategic skill needs, as well as an overall assessment of economic, social and technical drivers of market growth including an analysis of the projected growth of the industry within the formal and informal sectors. The second part of the Labour Market Assessment will entail a detailed analysis of the three sectors identified in the previous stage. The detailed analysis will include mapping specific value chains, assessment of vocational training opportunities and curricula, development of value propositions for companies/artisans that could offer internships/apprenticeships, and a detailed list of companies/artisans that the project could target for engagement.

The consultant/ consultancy firm will work with project officers throughout the assignment – data collection, data analysis, and report generation.

JSH is seeking an individual consultant/ consultancy firm to:

• Identify and document the current and potential micro value chains that have a high potential for employment opportunities for AGYW, ABYM and Men aged 25-34 in CHEKUP II target districts (Lusaka, Chipata, Chirundu, Kabwe, Kapri Mposhi, Kasama and Nakonde)
• A mapping of value chains linked to identified pockets of growth, detailing the opportunities (employment, self-employment, or group businesses) available for AGYW and ABYM.
• Assess the demand-driven skills set needed for identified key occupations in the priority value chains in consultation with key employers in the identified sector;
• Establish effective demand for selected vocational and entrepreneurship skills acquired by graduates from the Siyakha program in the past 12 months;
• Identify and document key public and private Technical Educational Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training service providers in the target districts providing training in the key occupations identified in (2) above; Also assess their willingness and capacity to provide tailored three month courses informed by results of the LMA.
• Establish and document employment opportunities in the prioritized value chains and how this potential could be unlocked among the target beneficiaries in the target districts;
• Identify and document the number of jobs created by entrepreneurs graduating from the “Enterprise Your Life curriculum”.

Methodology

The consultant/ consultancy firm is expected to employ qualitative and quantitative assessment methods and suggests participatory approaches to develop the data collection tools, data collection and report writing. In addition, the consultant/ consultancy firm is expected to gather information and views from all key stakeholders in the selected labor value chain. This includes but is not limited to relevant Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the private sector, especially employers and employees, employer/employee unions and federations, and TEVET service providers in the public and private sector as selected beneficiaries of USAID CHEKUPII.

The Consultant/consultancy firm will work within formal and informal enterprises, including chambers of commerce and industry federations and associations. The Consultant/consultancy firm will also visit and hold discussions with private employers, small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs within the identified pockets of growth to explore their attitudes and perceptions towards the provision of internships and recommend ways to create stronger linkages between these potential employers and the Siyakha program.

Deliverables

1. Draft inception report highlighting the detailed methodology to be followed and the corresponding work plan;
2. A draft 30-page report highlighting key findings, recommendations and conclusions focusing on priority micro value chains with the highest potential for AGYW, ABYM and Men (25-34 years) wage or self-employment opportunities.
3. A list of all public and private TEVET institutions with potential capacity for partnership with the CHEKUPII project.
4. A list of companies in growth potential areas willing to provide mentored internships to AGYW, ABYW
5. A list of all private and public institutions with funding and other capacity-strengthening opportunities for AGYW, ABYM and Men (25-34 years) owned or run enterprises.
6. Recommendations for priority focus areas for the Siyakha vocational skills training curriculum vis-a-vis the value chain analysis for each identified sector. Conduct a review of the relevant vocational skills training curricula to provide recommendations for alignment with the findings of the value chain analysis. This will ensure that the training offered by Siyakha speaks to the job market situation. These should be classified into:
   • • • Specific types of jobs available and locations.
       • Level and kind of skills required, including attention to aspects of gender (the project will target AGYW & ABYM) and location (rural v urban) to inform finalization of the adaptation process of the model and curriculum
       • The types of and relevance of skills training that AGYW/ABYM will require to enter into the identified market and job opportunities.
7. Mentorship value propositions for companies, SMEs and Entrepreneurs within each industry where AGYW/ABYM could be interned. Developing sector-specific value propositions that promote companies’ uptake of beneficiaries for internships. (For mentorship to be effective, a convincing value proposition that defines the altruistic, social and strategic benefits of mentorship must be articulated. The Consultant will define sector-specific and nuanced value propositions to mentors in the identified sectors, within formal and informal sectors.
8. Produce a detailed checklist for companies/artisans to be targeted for internships in each of the identified pockets of growth. Development of a checklist with host company minimum requirements, in each of the three industries, for interning AGYW. Key requirements for uptake of AGYW/ABYM for internships should include the host companies’ ability to house the beneficiaries, support their interest areas and enhance their skills
9. Establish the best practices among these entrepreneurs and recommend what can be replicated and scaled up among AGYW, ABYM and Men.

Required competencies

The consultant/consultancy firm must have proven and demonstrated experience, knowledge and skills in the following:

• • • Conducting labor market assessments in the past three years;
    • Micro and Small enterprise development and micro value chain development;
    • Working with AGYW, ABYM and Men (aged 25-35) in economic empowerment and strengthening activities and job creation intervention in the past five years;
    • Strong analytical, writing and reporting skills;

Qualifications and experience

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in Economics, Development, Social Sciences, or a related field from a recognized academic institution with at least seven years of relevant professional experience;
• Proven experience in analysis, consulting and/or labor market research;
• Strong knowledge of the local economic and labor market context in the target districts

Submission of bids

Interested consultants are invited to submit a technical and financial proposal. The technical proposal should outline the methodology and provide information on the qualifications and experience of the consultant/team members (attach the resumes). The financial proposal should provide the breakdown of all expected costs of the consultancy for the duration highlighted above. These documents should be sent to procurement_chekupii@jsh-z.com by 17:00 hours on 11^th April 2023.

Please note that you do not need to apply if you don’t meet the minimum requirements. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks after the closing date, kindly assume that your application was not successful.

Closing Date: April 11, 2023

JSH is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer committed to workplace diversity. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, disability, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual preference, genetic information or political affiliation.