Jordan: Market Assessment for Combatting the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Jordan (2023-2025)

1. About Plan International

Background: 

Now entering its twelfth year, the conflict in Syria continues to have a drastic impact on Syrian refugee children as well as Jordanian children living in host communities. Children continue to experience different forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation in their communities. Increasing levels of poverty and lack of access to quality education among families have put an alarming number of girls and boys at risk of child labour and child marriage. Adolescents and youth have limited educational and economic opportunities and experience a sense of hopelessness and lack a future perspective. To address these risks and prevent the long-term harmful consequences on an entire generation of children, Plan International implements an integrated child protection, education, and economic empowerment program aimed to empower children and young people, in particular girls.

The Organisation: 

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child, but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood, and enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We place a specific focus on girls and young women, who are most often left behind. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Plan International Jordan is established in 2016 and has programmes throughout the country (Amman, Irbid, Mafraq, Jordan Valley, Karak, Jarash, Ajloun, Azraq camp, and Zarqa). Working in partnerships with local, national and international organisations, Plan aims to support the recovery and resilience of Jordanian host populations and Syrian refugees.

2. Project Background: 

Funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), Plan International, in partnership with JVDRA and Tamkeen, will implement a 3-years project starting in October 2023. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labor in hazardous sectors through comprehensive and inclusive child protection prevention and response services. The specific objective is that By 2026, ensure that girls and boys (6 to 17 years old, at least 50% of girls) are less at risk or removed from the worst forms of Child Labor in the hazardous sectors in Zarqa and Balqa Governorates.

The project is aiming to achieve the following results:

1. Children at risk from the targeted communities (6 to 17 years old, at least 50% of girls) after participating in the project, have improved knowledge, attitudes and practices to protect themselves from the WFCL hazardous sectors. The target is 700 girls and boys.
2. Targeted adolescents, parents and caregivers refrain from engaging in or sending their children to the WFCL in the hazardous sectors after participating in Plan’s Parenting for Protection Programme and/or benefit equitably from enhanced access to sustainable, dignifying livelihood skills-building opportunities. The target is 280 parents/ caregivers.
3. Targeted communities and civil society representatives, key national actors (National CLTF), local authorities, and employers in the targeted communities are better enabled to prevent and respond to the WFCL in the hazardous sectors. The target is 4200 community members reached through initiatives and awareness sessions.

The above results should be achieved through the following project activities:

• 1.1 Review and identify the available services according to the following criteria: gender responsive and aged tailored services in the targeted locations through our community partners.
• 1.2 Identify and strengthen the capacity of community volunteers/ facilitators on the technical thematic areas of intervention.
• 1.3 Identify vulnerable households (including children engaged or at risk of WFCL) as per vulnerability criteria following PI interagency CL toolkit guidance with close coordination in line with ministries (MoL, MoSD, MoE) and service providers.
• 1.4 Deliver Plan’s age-tailored and gender-sensitive Structured Play and Psychosocial Support Package (ages 6-9) and Plan’s Holistic Life Skills for Protection Package (ages 10 to 17) to vulnerable boys and girls.
• 1.5 Conduct/ provide informal education for identified vulnerable children with referral process to formal education.
• 1.6 Refer vulnerable children to specialized service providers including case management, education (non-formal education), or health services (regular health screening) as appropriate through the National CP, GBV SOPs.
• 2.1 Provide parents and caregivers in the identified HHs with structured sessions on child protection risks, including child labour, through Plan’s Parenting for Protection Programme.
• 2.2 Identify market needs and available livelihoods opportunities in the targeted areas along with matching it with career aspirations for the selected beneficiaries.
• 2.3 Refer identified households to the available training centres according to their needs.
• 2.4 Link supported parents, caregivers and older adolescents (particularly adolescent girls) to relevant livelihood opportunities.
• 3.1 Establish/revive the Community-Based Child Protection Committees (CBCPC) depending on the needs.
• 3.2 Implement community-based awareness-raising initiatives on child labour in hazardous sectors with support from the CBCPC.
• 3.3 Identify and train identified media personnel on the production of media materials and gendered messages on child labour.
• 3.4 Hold national media competitions on the production of child labour articles and media material with participation from the local communities including children, adolescents, and parents.
• 3.5 Provide technical support to the CLTF to implement its action plan of the national strategy.
• 3.6 Carry out advocacy through national campaigns, targeting national, and private sector actors in Balqa and Zarqa.

3. Purpose of the Study: 

The purpose of the study is to design effective and sustainable livelihood interventions by thoroughly understanding the economic landscape of target areas, including current opportunities and challenges in Zarqa and Balqa. This involves analysing market needs and potential barriers, identifying required goods or services, and considering social-cultural factors impacting economic initiatives. The study aims to assess existing training programs (The targeted groups shall be involved into two trainings (the technical training is about code of conduct, professional ethics, life skills, and developing own micro-businesses) and the vocational training. Targeted groups will be skilled and have opportunity to be linked later with market available opportunities or to be linked with one of developmental projects to open home businesses) and identify in-demand skills and knowledge gaps through comprehensive market analysis, addressing potential obstacles to training or employment and relevant socio-cultural influences. The ultimate goal is to utilize these findings to create impactful and long-lasting interventions tailored to the unique needs and aspirations of beneficiaries, aligning opportunities with their career goals, skillsets, entrepreneurial potential, and resource access, as well as tackling the issue of competition between the different nationalities in the selected areas. Additionally, the study seeks to identify service gaps and collaboration opportunities with existing providers to enhance the overall effectiveness of livelihood programs.

Furthermore, as a result of the low participation of females, key informative interviews and FGDs will be held with key stakeholders to detect the main reason of the unemployment of households.

The market-assessment will also provide orientation on the mapping of the training centres and specialised CBOs based on pre-identified criteria which is based on the interest of the beneficiaries, required skills in the labour market, and the availability of the vocations inside the centres of the targeted areas.

4. Users of the Study:

The primary users and audience of the market assessment study will be Plan International, JVDRA, and Tamkeen. The secondary audience of the study will be the donor, the French Development Agency (AFD), who will use the findings and recommendations to strengthen their programme; and potentially the local and international community at large.

5. Proposed Methodology and Scope of Work: 

The methodology of the study will depend upon the logical framework of the project. The study should be linked to the gender responsive and inclusive needs assessment study that is currently being conducted, qualitative data collection to gain more in-depth insights regarding the market needs and barriers- especially for women, to allow triangulation and thus ensuring the rigor of the findings, as well as to provide depth to the survey data by covering why and how questions.

Further to that, below are the three main principles that the study will be built on:

1. Inclusiveness—the methodology will include a wide range of viewpoints, specifically age, nationality, and disability-sensitivity when applicable.
2. Gender lens—focus on girls and women, especially barriers that lead to low participation of women.
3. Rigor of evidence—gathered information will be reliable and transparent.

The sample size should be adequate and representative in both governorates. The study will draw on the following sources:

• Desk review: Gender responsive and inclusive needs assessment for the project, review of project documents, logical framework and other relevant plan sources of data to complete the assessment.
• Key informant interviews: Interviews will be conducted to gather in depth information on key questions with community leaders, service providers, and other stakeholders.
• Focus group discussions: To gather in depth information regarding the key purposes mentioned above.

The data collection is the responsibility of the consultant; however, the project partners will help in facilitating the communication between them and project stakeholders.

6. Ethical and Safeguarding Statements: 

Plan International is committed to ensuring that the rights of those participating in data collection or analysis are respected and protected, in accordance with the Ethical MERL Framework and our Global Safeguarding Policy. All applicants should include details in their proposal on how they will ensure ethics and safeguarding in the data collection process. Specifically, the consultant shall explain how appropriate, safe, non-discriminatory participation of all stakeholders will be ensured and how special attention will be paid to the needs of children and other vulnerable groups. The consultant shall also explain how confidentiality and anonymity of participants will be guaranteed.

Additionally, all parties involved in the data collection will be requested to provide their consent to participate in this study.

7. Key Deliverables: 

1. the consultant should submit an Inception Report, which clearly, the study’s methodology, such as clear outlines for the focus group discussions, KII questions, and research timeline with specific deadlines for each deliverable. The inception report should also clearly explain the sampling methodology and sample along with a clear and logical number for the FGDs and KIIs. This should be submitted within Ten days from signing the contract.
2. A draft report to be submitted within 10 days of the completion of the data collection phase for review and comments from Plan International team. The review and feedback of the report could be more than one round depending on the quality of the report and the extent to which the comments and suggestions from first round have been incorporated.
3. A final report to be submitted after incorporating the comments of Plan International. The report should be written in English, and could consist of:
   • Cover page.
   • Table of contents, list of acronyms, abbreviations and list of tables and charts.
   • Executive summary of key findings and recommendations.
   • Background information and context analysis presented per key criteria with a brief description.
   • The methodology with clear explanation of sampling and limitations, KIIs, participants’ selection and data analysis approach.
   • Analysis of market needs and potential barriers, identifying required goods or services, and considering social-cultural factors impacting economic initiatives in Zarqa and Balqa. Special emphasis should be placed on finding safe value chains for refugees, where their entry into the labour market will not cause tension with host communities (due to competition) and where international labour standards are generally respected.
   • Conduct a quick feasibility assessment and value chain analysis of key types of business ideas identified in Zarqa and Balqa Assessment of existing training programs and identify in-demand skills and knowledge gaps through comprehensive market analysis, addressing potential obstacles to training or employment and relevant socio-cultural influences. Identification of service gaps and collaboration opportunities with existing providers to enhance the overall effectiveness of livelihood programs.
   • Mapping out the training centres and specialised CBOs based on pre-identified criteria which is based on the interest of the beneficiaries, required skills in the labour market, and the availability of the vocations inside the centres of the targeted areas.
   • In-depth analysis of the factors contributing to low participation rates of women in the labour market.
   • Conclusion and Recommendations on how best to equip the participants with the necessary skills.
   • Appendices should include detailed description of the methodology with research instruments, list of interviewees and consent forms, tools, list of key documents.

The report should be submitted electronically in a MS – Word document. The consultant is responsible for English editing and proofreading of the final report which should be well formatted. The report will be credited to the evaluator and potentially placed in the public domain at the decision of Plan International.

All handwritten and electronic transcripts of interviews and KIIs, hard copies of survey questionnaires, photographs taken during the assessment and any equipment received from Plan for the purpose of the study should be submitted to Plan. Furthermore, all information generated during the study will be the sole property of Plan and is subject to submission to Plan, along with the final report, prior to the end of the contract.

8. Budget: 

The consultant should submit the total budget in the proposal with detailed breakdown including applicable government taxes.

9. Evaluation Criteria: 

The proposal will be scored on technical (technical approach/methodology, previous experience, and team capacity), financial (budget), and gender responsiveness aspects weighted at 65%,30%, and 5% respectively.

• The distribution of technical grades will be as outlined below:
• Technical proposal quality, encompassing the workplan (20%)
• Past performance and similar assignments (15%)
• Proposed working methodology (20%)
• CVs of key staff (10%)

10. Expected Qualifications: 

The Consultant should have the following competencies and qualifications:

• Minimum Master’s Degree in social studies, International Development or any other related field. Minimum 10 years’ experience in undertaking similar assignments in contexts similar to Jordan. (Minimum 10 years of relevant experience-e.g. private sector development, the entrepreneurship development, and market assessment and research).
• Experience working in Jordan, preferably in the project’s target areas.
• Knowledge of Jordan labour law
• Knowledge of refugee issues
• Demonstrated expertise in carrying out market assessment studies
• Demonstrated expertise in child labour topics.
• Demonstrated experience in incorporating a gender & inclusion lens into research and deliverables.
• Demonstrated experience of facilitating research with participatory methods and tools, particularly with children and young people.
• Competency in managing, organizing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data and information.
• Relevant experiences in the response to humanitarian crisis, preferably in the areas of education, protection, and livelihoods.
• Solid experience in the development of tools involving vulnerable populations such as refugees and children.
• Excellent report writing skills in Arabic and English.
• Ability to communicate effectively to a range of different stakeholders.
• Availability to work in the project areas for the duration of the data collection.

Note that the consultant is required to identify, recruit, contract and train enumerators and data collectors. No support can be provided on this matter by Plan International. The consultant must respect the rights and dignity of participants as well as comply with relevant ethical standards and Plan’s Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct. The research must ensure: appropriate, safe, non-discriminatory participation; a process of free and un-coerced consent and withdrawal and confidentiality and anonymity[1] of participants. The informed consent of each person (including children) participating in data collection should be documented.

Plan International Jordan has appointed an overall focal point for the research that will keep primary contact with the consultant

[1] Confidentiality and anonymity can never be 100% assured to participants, especially when working with children. If children disclose a need for protection by revealing alleged historical child abuse, current child abuse or the abuse of other children, action must be taken, even if this means breaching confidentiality. These limits of confidentiality must be clearly communicated to the participants before starting the data collection process.

How to Apply: 

Interested applicants should provide a proposal covering the following aspects:

• Detailed response to the TOR.
• Proposed methodology.
• Ethics and safeguarding approaches, including any identified risks and associated mitigation strategies.
• Proposed timelines.
• CVs.
• Example of previous work.
• Detailed budget, including daily fee rates, expenses, etc.

Please send your proposal, as one PDF document with the above-mentioned points to jordan.procurement@plan-international.org by 16/07/2024 referencing “JOJUL24-007 Market Assessment for Combatting the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Jordan ”

Plan International defines a gender-responsive business as one that meets criteria for integrating gender equality and women’s empowerment principles in its policies and practices, and which is aligned to international norms and standards. The consultant must fulfil at least one of the following criteria to get 5 points:

• A woman-owned business i.e., “a business [which is] owned in whole, or at least more than half, by one or more women”
• Women occupy more than 35% of management positions in the organisation
• At least 55% of the workforce are women
• There are robust gender equality initiatives in place, e.g., a gender equality procurement policy, women empowerment principles are implemented in the organisational policies, etc.