Skills for Prosperity in South East Asia Programme (SfP-SEA) – Malaysia

Terms of Reference (TOR) for

International Consultancy - Development of National Skills Registry in Malaysia

(Service Contract)

Duty Station:                         Home-based/on-line.

Languages Required:           English

Duration of contract:            Tentatively the assignment will commence from 5 July 2021 to 4 November 2021. The date will be finalised after the completion of the hiring process.

1. Background

The Skills for Prosperity in South East Asia Programme (SfP-SEA) aims to contribute to increasing national capacity to achieve sustained and inclusive growth through the enhancement of skills development and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

To achieve this objective, the programme works with government agencies, employers’ organisations, trade unions, TVET and skills institutions and other partners in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines to facilitate review and reform of the countries’ skills development and TVET system strategies and policies. In the region, the SfP-SEA provides opportunities for mutual learning among the three countries and the other ASEAN nations, and beyond—not only showcasing the results of the pilots and lessons learned from the programme but also facilitating the sharing of best practices in the region and other parts of the world.

In Malaysia, the Programme focuses on increasing skills development and TVET systems’ readiness to meet the skills needs of the future of work and those of vulnerable groups, through enhancing four areas of the TVET system and delivery:

• Equity:  Inclusiveness in skills development and TVET systems
• Quality: Future-ready & coordinated skills development and TVET systems
• Relevance: Demand-driven skills and TVET/skills recognition
• Cost-Effectiveness: Improved skills/TVET financing models

The SfP Malaysia Project focuses on TVET inclusiveness, quality, relevance and readiness whilst addresses skills mismatch issues in the area of critical needs for skills development and TVET to support industry development and socio-economic progress. It intends to assist national partners in improving policies to ensure industry-led TVET in public and private sectors and increase employment and career progress opportunities for TVET students at national and sub-national levels. The national and sub-national activities at two states, namely Sabah and Kedah, will target:

• The primary beneficiaries: youths (ages 16-25) and women; and
• Other beneficiaries (vulnerable groups):
  • Members of the B40
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Individuals Not In Employment Education or Training (NEET)
  • Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
  • Workers in the informal economy
  • Self-employed individuals
  • individuals employed in the gig economy

Under the programme area of “Quality”, the SfP Malaysia aims to increase national capacity for inclusive economic growth by supporting the development of future-ready and coordinated skills and TVET systems. This includes the development of a big-data supported skills demand analysis system to address skills mismatch between industry demand and TVET/skills supply at a national level.

The SfP Malaysia is assisting the Government of Malaysia in developing the National skills Registry (NSR), an on-line database that will contain comprehensive information about occupations and skills, as a part of the Labour Market Information Analytics Platform (LMIAP).

1. Objective

In order to assist national partners in developing the NSR, the SfP Malaysia seeks an international contractor who have expertise in developing and administering the nation-wide occupation and skills database. The objectives of this assignment are to:

• Promote an understanding of international preceding examples of national occupation and skills databases.
• Provide technical input to refine the framework of the NSR.
• Assist the national partners of the SfP Malaysia in developing feasible work plans and roadmaps for the development of the NSR in close consultation with stakeholders, including government agencies, employers' organisations, and other social partners.

1. Outputs

Under the supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor and with guidance from Senior Programme Officers, regional specialists of the ILO, the international contractor is required to produce the following outputs:

Output 1 – Work plan and the outline of the presentations for the knowledge-sharing workshop developed.

Output 1.1 Work plan developed.

1. Draft the work plan for all tasks, which includes:
2. Detailed plan of activities with a timeline.
3. Names of external partners for relevant activities.
4. Implementation structure, including the responsibilities of team members.

Output 1.2 The outline of presentations on international preceding examples at the knowledge-sharing workshop developed.

1. Draft the outline of presentations on international preceding examples on national occupation and skills data bases, namely:
2. Singapore’s experience of Skills Framework under SkillsFuture
3. The United States’ Experience with the Occupational Information Network (O*NET)
4. European Skills、Competences、Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO)

Output 2 - The presentation on international preceding examples delivered and technical input provided for the NSR development strategy and plan.

Output 2.1 Presentations on international preceding examples delivered.

1. Develop the presentations in a suitable format (i.e., PowerPoint) for two or three international examples, preferably Singapore’s Skills Framework, US O*NET, and ESCO. Each presentation should include but is not limited to:
2. Background and objective.
3. Concept & framework: Definition of skills framework, structure, functions, approach, and methodology (e.g. linkage between occupation and skills, taxonomy).
4. Implementation processes: governance structure (including policies and industry partnerships); data gathering, sharing and classification; data mapping, analysis and visualization; platform maintenance, data security and ecosystem development.
5. Key learnings achievement, challenges and risks, timeline and cost factors.
   1. Include comments on the draft design and work plans for the development of NSR in a presentation where possible.
   2. Submit the presentation for inputs from the SfP Malaysia team and the national partners (TalentCorp, Economic Planning Unit (EPU), and Malaysian Bureau of Labour Statistics (MBLS)).
   3. Refine the presentation based on inputs from SfP Malaysia team and the national partners.
   4. Deliver the presentations at the knowledge-sharing workshop, which is tentatively planned in the mid July 2021.
   5. Provide a list of relevant references and resources for the workshop participant’s further reading.

Output 2.2 Technical inputs provided to refine the current strategy and plan for the NSR provided.

1. During the workshop, provide strategic advice and technical inputs to improve:

• The framework of the NSR.
• The work plan to develop the NSR.

Output 2.3 Workshop report submitted.

1. Submit the workshop report, which contains:
2. Key findings on presentation delivered by national partners, Q&A, and discussion.
3. Strategic advice and technical inputs to improve the framework and the work plans of the NSR.

Output 3 - The framework of the NSR refined.

Output 3.1 Technical inputs provided through consultation meetings with national partners.

1. Organise consultation meetings with national partners, in close cooperation with TalentCorp, in order to follow up the discussion at the knowledge-sharing workshop.
2. Provide strategic advice and technical inputs for the improvement of the framework of the NSR.
3. Draft meeting summary notes of the consultations, which should be included in the written proposal (see below) as an appendix.

Output 3.2 Written proposal on the improvement of the NSR framework submitted.

1. Draft and submit the written proposal to improve the NSR framework by incorporating the results of consultation meetings.

Output 4 - The work plan and roadmap for the development of NSR refined.

Output 4.1 Technical inputs to the NSR development work plans provided.

1. Organise consultation meetings with national partners, in close cooperation with TalentCorp, in order to follow up the discussion at the knowledge-sharing workshop.
2. Provide strategic advice and written-technical inputs to the NSR preliminary work plans.
3. Identify areas of capacity building for the development of the NSR.
4. Draft meeting summary notes of the consultations, which should be included in the written proposal (see below) as an appendix.

Output 4.2 Written proposal on the improvement of the NSR work plan submitted.

1. Draft and submit the written proposal to improve the NSR work plan, which should include the capacity development activities for national partners, by incorporating the results of consultation meetings.

Output 4.3 The roadmap towards the full-fledged NSR developed.

1. Organise consultation meetings with key national partners, including TalentCorp, EPU, and DOSM, in order to draft the medium or long-term roadmap for the NSR development and operation.
2. Draft meeting summary notes of the consultations, which should be included in the written proposal (see below) as an appendix.
3. Draft and submit the proposed roadmap towards the full-fledged NSR. The roadmap should include the areas of capacity building towards the full implementation of the NSR.

Output 5 - The sectoral pilot activities for the NSR in the construction and manufacturing (food processing) sectors are refined.

Output 5.1 Technical inputs to the design and work plans of sectoral pilot activities.

1. Organise consultation meetings with national partners who will lead sectoral pilot activities, in close cooperation with TalentCorp, in order to follow up the discussion at the knowledge-sharing workshop.
2. Provide strategic advice and technical inputs to NSR sectoral pilot activities for:
3. Reconfirming the sectoral focus, which include the construction and manufacturing (food processing) sectors.
4. Identifying the occupational focus.
5. Refining the draft work plans that national partners will develop during and after the knowledge-sharing workshop.
   1. Draft meeting summary notes of the consultations, which should be included in the written proposal (see below) as an appendix.

Output 5.2 Written proposal to improve design and work plans of the sectoral pilot activities submitted.

1. Draft and submit the written proposal to improve the work plan for pilots by incorporating the results of consultation meetings.

Output 6 - The final report submitted.

Output 6.1 The final report submitted.

1. Provide the final report, which contain key achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendation to develop and maintain the NSR in a sustainable manner. The listed deliverables should be submitted in soft copy.

1. Indicative Timeline

The total duration of the assignment is 4 months with the expected contract period from 5 July 2021 to 4 November 2021 with 39 estimated working days. The starting date will be finalized after the completion of the selection process.

Phase

Output Name

Work Days

Start Date

End Date

Output 1 – Work plan and the outline of the presentations at the knowledge-sharing workshop developed.

Output 1.1 Work plan developed.

1

5-Jul-21

6-Jul-21

Output 1.2 The outline of presentations on international preceding examples at the knowledge-sharing workshop developed.

2

6-Jul-21

8-Jul-21

Output 2 - The presentation on international preceding examples delivered and technical input provided for the current framework and action plans for the development of NSR.

Output 2.1 Presentations on international preceding examples delivered.

5

8-Jul-21

15-Jul-21

Output 2.2 Technical inputs provided to refine the current strategy and plan for the NSR provided.

1

15-Jul-21

16-Jul-21

Output 2.3 Workshop report submitted.

2

16-Jul-21

21-Jul-21

Output 3 - The framework of the NSR refined.

Output 3.1 Technical inputs provided through consultation meetings with national partners.

5

21-Jul-21

12-Aug-21

Output 3.2 Written proposal on the improvement of the NSR framework submitted.

2

12-Aug-21

21-Aug-21

Output 4 - The work plans and roadmap for the development of NSR refined.

Output 4.1 Technical inputs to the NSR development work plans provided.

5

21-Aug-21

3-Sep-21

Output 4.2 Written proposal on the improvement of the NSR work plan submitted.

2

3-Sep-21

9-Sep-21

Output 4.3 The roadmap towards the full-fledged NSR developed.

5

9-Sep-21

22-Sep-21

Output 5 -The sectoral pilot activities for the NSR in the construction and manufacturing (food processing) sectors are refined.

Output 5.1 Technical inputs to the design and work plans of sectoral pilot activities.

5

22-Sep-21

4-Oct-21

Output 5.2 Written proposal to improve design and work plans of the sectoral pilot activities submitted.

2

4-Oct-21

9-Oct-21

Output 6 - The final report submitted.

Output 6.1 The final report submitted.

2

9-Oct-21

15-Oct-21

Total Workdays

39

1. Required Qualifications

The assignment should be carried out by the contractor who should have team members with the following expertise/qualifications:

Education:

• Advanced university degree in social sciences, education and public administration, with expertise in the field of TVET/skills development and labour economies. 

Experience:

• A minimum of ten years of experience in TVET/skills development in terms of policy and framework development.
• Experience in:
  • Developing and administering national on-line occupation and skills database or equivalent in Asian or developed countries, in particular US O*Net, Singapore’s SkillsFuture, and ESCO.
  • Policy-making for national on-line occupation and skills database or its equivalent in Asian or developed countries.
  • Providing high-level policy advice and technical input in the field of TVET/skills development, in particular about the development and management of national on-line occupational and skills database; experience in Southeast Asian countries preferred.
  • Working for international organisations.
  • Working with senior and technical officers in Government.
  • Facilitating and presenting in high-level Government workshops.

Qualifications:

• Excellent understanding of situations related to national on-line occupational and skills database from planning to implementation in Asia and/or developed countries.
• Excellent understanding of gender and social inclusion issues in Southeast Asia; understanding of Malaysian landscape preferred.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills in English.
• Excellent understanding of international trends in national on-line occupational and skills database.
• Excellent skills as a facilitator and presenter.

Languages: Excellent command of English.

1. Application

Interested companies or organizations must submit the proposals, which include following documents/ information to demonstrate their qualifications.

• Curriculum Vitae of team members
• Technical proposal describing: (i) how a contractor will approach and conduct the listed tasks and deliver outputs; and (ii) the tentative list of selected international examples and the presenters for the knowledge-sharing workshop (5 pages maximum).
• One writing sample related to the national on-line occupational and skills database, skills framework, occupational or skills clarification, and other relevant issues in TVET.
• Estimated budget (financial proposal), i.e., professional fees (daily rate and expected number of working days) and additional expenses (e.g., transportation costs) for completing the work.

The interested companies or organizations are requested to submit the above documents electronically to [email protected] and [email protected] by 30 June 2021 by 4:00 pm MYT. 

1. Contract duration

The contract will commence tentatively from 5 July 2021 to 4 November 2021. The actual date will be finalized after the completion of the contract process.

1. Indicative Payment terms

Payment terms will be as follows: 

• First payment: 15% upon the delivery and acceptance of Output 1.
• Second payment: 15% upon the delivery and acceptance of Output 2
• Third payment: 20% upon the delivery and acceptance of Output 3.
• Fourth payment: 20% upon the delivery and acceptance of Output 4.
• Fifth payment: 20% upon the delivery and acceptance of Output 5
• Final payment: 10% upon the delivery and acceptance of Output 6.

Attachment

• Terms and conditions applicable to contract for services.