Terms of Reference for Needs Analysis

Caritas Switzerland (hereafter Caritas or CACH) is looking for qualified service provider or expert for the tracer study on the employability of recent graduates in line with the following Terms of Reference (ToR).

Date: 13.01.2025

Deadline for submission of offers: 10.02.2025

• Project: Together Advancing Kosovo’s Training and Employment within the Education Sector - TAKE
• Assignment: Tracer study on the employability of recent graduates.
• Location: Prishtina

1. Background

The current momentum of prioritizing ECE in Kosovo and the education reforms taken on by the current government paves the way for the professional development of preschool educators and the requalification of surplus teachers resulting into opportunities for higher earnings. Likewise, by increasing inclusion rates of children in preschools, mothers and other caregivers have higher opportunities to enter the labour market and increase their family income.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the quality training of early childhood professionals, strengthening employment in education and capacitating caregivers to enter the workforce.

This project builds on the achievements and the long-standing expertise and practice-oriented approaches to early childhood of CACH. The project envisages maintaining and reinforcing the collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation and municipalities, aiming to ensure quality and child-appropriate education. Through this approach, the previous investments and successes are rendered more sustainable and in close cooperation with government actors, the services are extended to more marginalised groups such as the hospitalised children.

The offer and quality of training, education, and collaboration in the early childhood education sector aims at capacitating the main actors involved in children’s upbringing and development through practice-oriented approaches and vocational education & training.

The project contributes to the quality training of early childhood professionals, strengthening employment in education and capacitating caregivers to enter the workforce. Within its objective, the project is involved in conducting a targeted needs analysis study focused on enhancing the employability of recent graduates within the private sector specializing in early childhood education. The study aims to identify critical gaps between the skills possessed by graduates and the expectations of employers.

Objective(s) of the mission

The mission entails conducting a tracer study on the employability of recent graduates specializing in early childhood education. The study aims to assess employment outcomes and analyze the relevance of educational programs in meeting labor market needs.

• To evaluate the employment status of recent graduates from 5 public Faculties of Education and private institutions.
• To identify the sectors and roles in which graduates are employed.
• To assess the alignment between graduates' employment and their fields of study.
• To provide recommendations for enhancing educational programs and improving graduate employability.

Scope of Work:

• Develop the study design and methodology in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Conduct a literature review and gather relevant background information.
• Design and pilot test survey instruments and interview guides.
• Lead the data collection process, ensuring high quality and integrity.
• Analyse data and produce a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations.

Expected Results

At the completion of this study, the following results are anticipated:

• Inception Report detailing the study approach and work plan.
• Data Collection Instruments such as questionnaires and interview guides.
• Database of collected data in an agreed format.
• Draft Report covering preliminary findings and insights.
• Final Report incorporating feedback and containing detailed analysis, conclusions, and strategic recommendations.
• Presentation of findings to stakeholders.

Schedule

Total number of days: 15

Deliverables

The study will produce the following deliverables:

• A comprehensive needs analysis report, including an executive summary, methodology, findings, and recommendations.
• An infographic or presentation summarizing the key findings on employability of recent graduates within the education sector and recommendations for easy dissemination to stakeholders.
• A detailed outlining specific changes that educational institutions can make to align their programs with requirements.

Experience and skills required

The consultant or team conducting the tracer study should possess the following experience and skills:

• Advanced degree in education, sociology, economics, or related fields.
• Proven experience, at least 4 years of work experience in the field in conducting tracer studies or similar research projects At least 4 years of work experience in the field of conducting research studies;
• Excellent command of Albanian and English;
• Expertise in the field of early childhood education, with a deep understanding of curriculum development, educator training, and industry trends.
• Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, including surveys, interviews, and data analysis.
• Strong analytical skills to identify trends, patterns, and gaps in education-employment dynamics.
• Excellent communication skills to interact with educators, private sector representatives, and other stakeholders.
• Proficiency in report writing, capable of producing clear and actionable recommendations.
• Knowledge of the labour market, expectations and requirements for early childhood education educators.
• Familiarity with collaboration strategies between educational institutions and other private sector entities.
• The consultant or team should also have a track record of delivering similar needs analysis studies or research projects in the field of education and workforce development.
• References or previous work samples can demonstrate their expertise in this domain;
• Creative, motivating, and open to suggestions;
• Deadline-oriented

Application process

This Terms of Reference (ToR) outlines the key requirements for the tracer study on the employability of recent graduates. Contractors are encouraged to provide additional details and insights in their proposals to ensure a comprehensive understanding of their methodology and approach and capabilities.

All interested applicants should submit the application with the proposed initial work plan and methodology for the tracer study/research in English of their expression of interest/proposal, signed/stamped in PDF, by 10.02.2025, 16:00h, with the subject “Tracer study on the employability of recent graduates”, to the following email addresses: dthaqi@caritas.ch, CC: kosovo@caritas.ch .

The application must contain the following documents:

Technical offer, including:

• Professional profile of the service provider or expert (CVs/portfolio of the expert or team and professional references with relevant experience - including contact details);
• The expert’s suitability for the assignment and match with previous work experience, qualifications, etc;
• A summary of the methodology to complete the assignment and tentative work plan including suggested timetable;
• Financial offer (including daily fee);
• For NGOs or other organizations, the copy of registration certificate.

Please make sure to submit all the requested documents/information; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete.

In case of questions or for further information, please contact dthaqi@caritas.ch or kosovo@caritas.ch

Deadline for submissions of application is 10.02.2025. Please send your offer to dthaqi@caritas.ch and cc. to kosovo@caritas.ch

Note that applications missing the required documents will not be considered for shortlisting!

Evaluation criteria

• Administrative ( all documents required are submitted)
• Cost effective ( best price for the quality)
• Quality of the service
• Initial methodology and work plan for the need’s analysis/research

The technical proposal will be evaluated with 80% weight, whereas the financial one will be evaluated with 20%.

Bidding Costs

CACH in Kosovo will not cover bidding costs and reserves the right to accept or refuse bidders, or to cancel or postpone the whole bidding process prior to signing of any agreements.