Short- Term Consultancy- External Labour Market Assessment -Thailand

Background:
AF Development Care seeks a consultant for the “Youth on the Move: A Regional Approach to Resilience” project, aimed at enhancing skills, protection, and social integration for youth migrating from Myanmar to Thailand. The project focuses on career guidance, safe migration, labour rights, and social cohesion. This consultancy will conduct a labour market assessment to identify employment opportunities, skill requirements, and support systems for Myanmar youth in Thailand, informing safe migration and sustainable livelihoods.

Purpose and Objectives:
The consultancy will assess Thailand’s labour market to guide migration planning and employment integration for Myanmar youth. Objectives include:

• Identify migration patterns, risks, and challenges for Myanmar youth.
• Map key industries with labour shortages and employment opportunities.
• Analyse required skills and qualifications for job sectors.
• Explore business creation opportunities for youth entrepreneurs.
• Map financial and TVET services for migrant workers.
• Review Thailand’s labour laws and recruitment practices for migrants.
• Provide recommendations for skill development and safe migration.

Key Research Questions:

1. Migration Patterns: What are the trends, destinations, and challenges for Myanmar youth migrating to Thailand?
2. Labour Market: Which industries need migrant labour, and what skills are required?
3. Business Opportunities: What are viable business sectors for youth entrepreneurs?
4. Support Systems: What financial, TVET, and legal services are available for migrants?

Scope of Work:

• Analyse migration trends, challenges, and risks.
• Identify employment opportunities and skill demands in key sectors.
• Map financial and TVET services for migrants.
• Assess labour laws and safe migration channels.
• Conduct stakeholder engagement and field visits.

Methodology:
A mixed-methods approach, including:

• Literature and data review.
• Key informant interviews, focus groups, and surveys with migrants, employers, and stakeholders.
• Field visits for on-the-ground insights.

Deliverables:

• Inception report with methodology, tools, and workplan.
• PowerPoint presentation of main findings.
• Draft and final assessment reports with recommendations.
• Validation workshop and stakeholder engagement report.
• Four-page summary report (English).

Requirements:

• PhD or extensive research experience (minimum 10 years) in labour economics, migration studies, or related field.
• 5-7 years’ experience in labour market assessments or migration studies.
• In-depth knowledge of Thailand’s labour market and migration policies.
• Proficiency in qualitative/quantitative research and English; fluency in Thai/Burmese preferred.
• Commitment to ethical research standards.
• Desirable: Experience with migrant communities, TVET systems, and financial inclusion.