Consultant to provide information and data collection at ILO employment office in Zaatari Camp

PROJECT BACKGROUND

General background

Overlapping drivers of displacement worldwide have coincided and increased the scope, scale and complexity of displacement. Approximately 25.4 million individuals are recognized as refugees who have fled their homes due to a well-found fear of persecution. This is alongside millions of internally displaced persons and those who have fled their homes but are not recognized as refugees by the 1951 Refugee Convention. In response to the considerable challenges posed by forced displacement, a new strategic partnership, named PROSPECTS, was established by the Government of the Netherlands, IFC, UNICEF, ILO, UNHCR and the World Bank. The partnership spans eight countries and covering a five-year period (2018-2022).

Through the Prospects partnership, the World Bank, IFC, UNICEF, UNHCR and ILO aim to leverage their comparative advantages and areas of expertise to programme complementary and interdependent interventions that address education, employment and protection challenges that negatively affect the livelihoods and well-being of host communities and forcibly displaced persons. The combined efforts of the organizations will endeavour to bolster the medium- and longer-term development goals for host communities and forcibly displaced persons to access quality and market-relevant education; decent work and enterprise opportunities; and comprehensive protection systems.

PROSPECTS IN JORDAN

Within the framework of Prospects, partners will undertake interventions that will align with national strategies, helping to mitigate the impact of the current displacement crisis on both refugee and host communities, with a longer-term goal of supporting human development through support to increased economic opportunities, wider access to quality education and stronger protection mechanisms The five partners aim to leverage their joint efforts to address the areas where challenges negatively affect the livelihoods and well-being of Jordanians, refugees and other vulnerable groups: access to quality and market-relevant education; decent engagement, work and enterprise opportunities; and comprehensive protection systems, which will in turn support more sustainable livelihoods, in line with Jordan’s national plans.

2.OBJECTIVE AND TARGET

2.1 ASSIGNMENT BACKGROUND

The past decade has been challenging for Jordan, particularly by an unprecedented refugee influx caused by the war that started in 2011 in neighbouring Syria. In 2022, Jordan’s population passed the 11 million mark, with refugees and migrants constituting no less than 30 percent of the entire country’s population. This rapid and unanticipated increase in population, coupled with the structural economic challenges has placed additional pressure on the Jordanian labour market. Unemployment rose from 12.2 percent in 2012 to 22.9 percent in 2022 (end of quarter four). Youth (47.2%) and female (31.7%) unemployment have continued to be persistent challenges in Jordan (DOS data). Moreover, at 35.4%, the ratio of youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET rate) is one of the highest in the region.

Syrian refugees in Jordan continue to face significant barriers to sustainable employment. Labour market restrictions limit their job opportunities to specific sectors such as agriculture, construction, and manufacturing, while obtaining work permits remains both a financial burden with administrative hurdles. Informal employment is widespread amongst Syrian refugees, often having considerable decent work deficits. In recent months, and in light of the fall of the regime in Syria, the prospect of return for Syrian refugees has become a plausible option for many. The most recent Intention Survey administered by UNHCR in January 2025 indicated that 27 percent of Syrian refugees in the region have the intention to return to Syria in the next 12 months. Nonetheless, the situation in Syria remains challenging, with a fragile economy and limited decent work opportunities.

2.2 ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVES

The ILO PROSPECTS Jordan team is seeking a full-time national consultant to manage the ILO’s Employment Center and provide support to Syrian refugees residing in Zaatari camp by (i) Gathering information from those who seek return; (ii) Providing information on training and employment opportunities in Jordan; and (iii) Providing up-to-date information on return to Syria as per UNHCR information package and also including SSC guidance.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

Under this assignment, the consultant will be expected to perform the following tasks:

1. Complete questionnaire on Syrians intending to return to Syria (data entry)

2. Provide information on training opportunities in Jordan :

• Provide information on available skills-related trainings conducted by the ILO and partner agencies. These include vocational training and work-based learning opportunities.
• Opportunities to have their skills formally recognized in Jordan through ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ initiatives.
• Enterprise development trainings, particularly those focusing on how to generate a business idea, start a business or grow an existing business.
• Digital economy trainings.
• Available linkages to micro-financing.

3. Provide information on current job vacancies and job search support:

• Coordinate with local chambers (Commerce and industry) as well as private sector, local NGOs, CBOs for job vacancies available to Syrian refugees
• Advertise current job vacancies available in Jordan at the centre and update bi-monthly
• Provide information on all trainings available, including the ‘Job Search Clubs’
• Provide information on the process for obtaining a work permit in Jordan.

  4. Provide up-to-date information on return to Syria:
  * Information on the process for individuals wanting to withdraw their pension under the SSC

• Any information on the labour market in Syria and training opportunities being run by the ILO office in Syria.

  5. Compile for the ILO on a weekly basis the most commonly asked questions, particularly those that we do not have clarity on the response/situation.

  6. Ensure close communication and collaboration with partners in the center, namely UNHCR

7. Daily management of the center including but not limited to coordination for trainings to take place in the center, other entities to come in and provide information sessions, coordinate for daily maintenance, and security.

8. Any adhoc requests or support required by the ILO Prospects project team

DELIVERABLES and TIMELINE

The consultant will deliver the following deliverables as per the required format and within the assigned time period of 1st March – 31st July with a total of 103 working days**.**

1. Weekly submission of the database as per task 1. ( Kobo and Excel )
2. Submit weekly list of “Most Frequently asked Questions” ( Excel )
3. Submit bi-monthly list of vacancy updates ( Excel )
4. Submit weekly list of referrals by demand ( Excel )
5. Monthly report to the ILO PROSPECTS team summarizing all activities completed and outlining key challenges faced and opportunities/requests for additional services or activities ( Word )

Mandatory Requirements:

The applicant should be a consultant, with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience as well as establish credibility in the following areas:

• University degree in counselling, education, or other social science field
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written) and fluency Arabic (spoken and written) is required
• Demonstrated capacity and experience in conducting interviews and gathering and providing information (counselling, call center or help line experience).
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and people skills
• A reputable and experienced consultant, having prior experience in conducting similar work including management of centers, data collection, and coordinating with multiple partners and teams
• Proficiency in using Kobo would be considered as an advantage.

SUPERVISION AND LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS

The consultant will perform the assignment under the supervision of the ILO PROSPECTS Project Manager with the support of the National Project Officer for Employment and the National Project Officer for Data Analysis. Overall guidance will be provided by the PROSPECTS Regional Chief Technical Advisor and the Senior Employment Policies Specialist for ROAS.

TIME FRAME/EXPECTED DURATION

This assignment will take place from 2nd March – 31st July (with the possibility of extension)

This information will be supplied to the consultant by the project team