Voluntariato Internazionale Per Sviluppo (VIS) is an international NGO founded in Rome, Italy, in 1986. VIS operates programme MSEs of international cooperation with a particular focus on education, technical and vocational training, social inclusion of vulnerable groups, development of local communities; as well as sensitizing the Italian public on issue of solidarity, human rights and the right to development.
Currently, VIS is implementing a project entitled the “Job Creation for Potential Migrants in Addiss Ababa” under the framework of Stemming Irregular Migration in Northern and Central Ethiopia jointly with People in Need (PIN), Concern World Wide (CWW), and Organization for Child Development and Transformation (CHADET) in sixteen selected migration prone woredas located in four sub-cities of Addis Ababa i.e. Addis Ketema, Arada, Kirkos and Yeka. The project is funded by the European Union Trust Fund for Africa through the Embassy of Italy in Ethiopia. The main goal of the project is to contribute to the reduction of irregular migration from Northern and Central Ethiopia by improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable population, including potential migrants and returnees with specific focus on youth and women. Furthermore, the specific objective of the project is to establish inclusive economic programmes that create employment opportunities for potential migrants, returnees and refugees, especially women and youths, in the most migration prone sub-cities of Addis Ababa by strengthening the capacities of local technical and vocational education and training (TVET) providers and promoting public private partnerships (PPPs) in strategic economic clusters.
In order to, realize the anticipated programme goal, one of the key strategies designed is to carry out a study on feasibility of and barriers to subcontracting arrangements between Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and large private companies in the metalwork sector. The ultimate objective of this study is to develop rigorous evidence based information to inform VIS and its development partners, including GOE, NGOs, and MSEs, and large private companies on appropriate, effective and sustainable strategy that could improve the cooperation and sub-contracting conditions between MSEs and large private companies in the metalwork sector, and promote win-win partnerships to create additional employment opportunities for potential migrants, returnees, and refugees in the project intervention areas.
2. Objective of the Consultancy Service
The study on feasibility of and barriers to subcontracting arrangements between MSEs and large private companies in the metalwork sector will provide key information that will allow the project/ VIS to assess the feasibility and identify the major constraints or barriers impeding collaboration between MSEs and large private companies by providing information on: 1) existing relationships, incentives, past experiences and entry points to strengthen this collaboration and recommendations, and recommendations on how to improve such collaboration; 2) appropriate, effective and sustainable strategy that would help to improve the cooperation and subcontracting arrangements between MSEs and large private companies in the metalwork sector; 3) the type of arrangements that could be created, and mechanism to be introduced to improve private companies’ managers’ awareness about feasible arrangements in metalwork sector; and 4) how to improve potential partnerships between MSEs and large private companies emphasizing the mutual benefits, production capacities, creation of job opportunities, etc..
3. Specific Tasks
The consultant will systematically assess and collect relevant information in order to complete the study on feasibility of and barriers to subcontracting arrangements between MSEs and large private companies. Specifically, the consultant will:
o Review relevant document to understand background and context of assignment.
o Conduct a field visit in the target sub-cities of Addis Ababa (i.e. Addis Ketema Arada, Kirkos, and Yeka) to understand the socio-economic and institutional context.
o Mapping, identification of MSEs and interested large private companies engaging in metal work sector in the study areas to carry out the assessment.
o Systematically examine and identify the constraints and barriers impeding collaboration (sub-contracting arrangements) between MSEs and large private companies.
o Systematically identify common interests of MSEs and large companies to work in collaboration.
o Explore and determine the validity of sub-contracting arrangements between MSEs and large private companies engaged in the leather sector.
o Identify possibly ways to continue sub-contracting in sustainable way (contribution of money by private companies.
o Indicate effective and viable strategy/mechanism to establish a strong and sustainable sub-contracting arrangement that is a win-win for the parties involved.
o Recommend viable solution for the programme that would help to improve the sub-contracting arrangements between MSEs and large private companies in metalwork sector.
o Submit a proposal/inception report clearly stating the proposed methodology, team, detailed timetable, and steps for the study/assessment to VIS for approval.
o Present the major preliminary findings of the feasibility study on sub-contracting arrangement for consortium members and stakeholders ahead of writing the report to incorporate important comments and feedbacks.
o Present the findings for validation and revise the study based on the feedback and inputs provided from project stakeholders.
4. Duration of Assignment
The consultancy services or the feasibility study on subcontracting arrangements among MSEs and the private companies along with barriers analysis should be completed within 45 consecutive days from the date of the assignment/as of signing the contract agreement with VIS.
The duration of the assignment includes preparations, fieldwork, report writing, validation workshop and submission of final report.
Starting Date of the Study: – October 25, 2018
End Date of the Study: December 8, 2018
Qualification, Skills and Experiences
o A minimum of post graduate degree in social science related discipline and possess more than five years of extensive experiences track in conducting feasibility study on sub-contracting arrangement in between MSEs and large private companies (preferable in metalwork sector).
o Proven knowledge and understanding of the metalwork sector in the Ethiopian context;
o In-depth understanding of public-private partnership, MSEs and large private companies working modalities in the context of Ethiopia.
o Technical and financial proposal with CV of the consultant(s) including details of similar experiences along with renewed license and/or certificate.
o Reliable and effective consultant(s) with reasonable experience in conducting similar studies.
o Ability to provide samples and testimonial of different studies and feasibility studies in sub-contracting arrangements is an advantage.
o Strong analytical, report writing and facilitation skills.
o Proven experience with qualitative and quantitative researches and data analysis.
o Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English language.
o Ability to deliver quality work on tasks within tight deadline.
o Conduct her/him in an ethical manner at all time.