Policy Analysis for SCB Future-makers (Pakistan)

Terms of Reference

Background:

Delivered in partnership with local implementing partner – Civil Society Human and Institutional Development Programme (CHIP), SCB’s Futuremakers project focuses on employment (including both waged and self-employment) for youth with disabilities in Pakistan. The project is set to explore how labour market systems can adapt to be more inclusive of people with disabilities in formal employment by increasing the disability and employment confidence of employers, jobseekers and supporting functions. It is built on a model tested in other markets over the past three years, under Sightsavers’ UKAid supported Inclusion Works programme.The target population for this project is 480 youth with disabilities, with following key provisions: a minimum of 20% of beneficiaries to be visually impaired, a minimum of 40% (target 50%) to be female and at least a 20% of the beneficiaries to transition into formal employment.

There are one billion people with disabilities globally, 800 million of whom live in low and middle-income counties. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their objective to ‘leave no-one behind’ are to be achieved, which means everyone – including people with disabilities – must be meaningfully included in development policy-making and programme implementation. Programmes should focus, among other things, on improving access to skills development and formal employment opportunities for people with disabilities to help claim their right to work.

Relevant Government Policies & Initiatives:

The SCB’s Futuremakers project is especially valuable in the context of Pakistan as it is one of the youngest countriesin the world,with64 percent population below the age of 30, and 29 percent between the ages of 15-29 years.[1]Naturally, this has led to a number of efforts by the government of Pakistan to devise youth-focused policies, employment frameworks and other initiatives over the years.

ü  In 2019, the government of Pakistan,inaugurated Kamyab JawanKamyab Pakistan, also known asNational Youth Development Programme. Under this programme, a Youth Development Frameworkand a strategic roadmap was formulated which introduced 5 schemes for the youth of Pakistan; Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES), Skills for All (Hunarmand Pakistan), Start-up Pakistan, Green Youth Movement (Sarsabz Pakistan) and National Internship Programme. In addition,a National Youth Foundation was proposed to be established to implement and institutionalize this programme.

ü  Within the ambit of same programme a National Youth Development Index was launched to “gauge level of youth development not only at provincial/regional level but also at the district and tehsil levels”[2].

ü  In 2017, ILO collaborated with the government of Pakistan toconduct a series of workshops across Pakistan, including in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa[3], Punjab[4] and Sindh[5]to develop provincial Youth Employment Frameworks aimed at consensus-based strategies for youth employment and empowerment. These frameworks, in addition to any provincial/regional youth employment regulatory strategies, are most relevant in context of Future-makers project to gauge the level of inclusion for youth with disabilities.

ü  An important focus of the project is building self-confidence and job-readiness among the youth with disabilities throughskills development. In this regard, National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policy[6] and the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF), launched in 2015, need to be considered.

External Factors:

During April 2022, Pakistan was faced with politically uncertain situation when the opposition parties launched amotion for vote of no confidence against Prime Minister at the time, Imran Khan. After a series of chaotic exchange between government and opposition parties spanning few days, a new coalition government has finally taken office with new Ministers set in place. However, this political saga may have impact on the acceptance and implementation of the policies mentioned above which needs to be a key consideration of this Policy Analysis assignment.

Assignment:

In light of the aforementioned context, Sightsavers wishes to hire a consultant/consulting firm to conduct a detailed review, mapping and analysis of the youth-focused policies and frameworks at Federal and Provincial levelincluding those mentioned above, introduced by the government of Pakistan over the years. In addition, the extent of disability inclusion in these policies and frameworks and the level of implementation and adaptation of similar policies at provincial level, as well as, at district level (in case of Youth Development Index) needs to be determined.

Scope of Work of the Assignment:

The following includes suggested tasks, though not exhaustive, as the selected consultant/consulting firm shall be flexible to add/remove extra activities after consulting with Sightsavers.

Tasks to be accomplished by the Consultant/Consulting Firm:

1. Submit the detailed inception plan for the assignment which shall be prepared in consultation with Sightsavers Country Office and global advocacy team.
2. Map and review the youth policies, mentioned above, to determine:
   1. Provisions for, and any gaps linked to, disability inclusion, with references to relevant provision within CRPD and the ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2020 and provincial level disability Act/Bills.
   2. Acceptability or plans for adoption of these policies at federal levelin the context of the new government regime.
   3. Adaptation and/or Implementation of these policies at provincial level.
   4. Identify additional youth-focused employment frameworks or programmes, including initiatives by development partners and UN agencies, like ILO, UNDP, UN Women, World Bank, FCDO, ADB etc., that would be relevant in the context of this project.
   5. Conduct stakeholder mapping to determine relevant government departments, UN Agencies, I/NGOs, civil society organizations, development partners, OPDs, disability networks/allianceshaving influence over these policies and frameworks.
   6. Identify the gaps in these policies from a disability perspective and in the light of the UNCRPD, ICT Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2020) and provincial-level disability legislations.
   7. Identify recommendations for the Government and other key stakeholders to make these frameworks and policies inclusive for persons with disabilities.
   8. Prepare and submit the draft report to Sightsavers for review.
   9. Finalize the report based on feedback and submit.

Output: (Deliverables):

1. An inception Report with proposed timelines
2. A detailed report including review of the extent of disability inclusion reflected in youth-focused policies, acceptance of these policies by the new government,level of their adaptation and implementation at provincial level, stakeholders influencing these policies and gaps from disability inclusion perspective, opportunities and key entry points for advocacy and engagement. Recommendations for the Government and other key stakeholders to make thesepolicies more inclusive.
3. Summary report capturing key gaps and recommendations for government officials and other non-government actors separately.

Location: Pakistan

Indicative Methodology: consultants are invited to propose other approaches as well

ü  The methodology will consist of desk-based research and primary data collection through In-depth interviews with the relevant ministries, like Ministries of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Education, Human Rights,provincial education, social welfare and labour departments,as well asother relevant government agencies, non-government organizations and development partners.

ü  The consultant/ firm will conduct discussions with OPD networks to determine their engagement with the youth-focused policies and employment frameworks. Based on the discussions, consultant will gather recommendations from OPDs to ensure disability inclusion and policy implementation.

ü  The consultant will prepare a work plan at the beginning of the assignment, with clear timelines, and milestones to ensure that the assignment will be completed on time.

ü  The consultant will meet with relevant Sightsavers staff to develop the inception plan.

Desired qualifications and experience of the consultant/ team member of consulting firm:

ü  Post graduate qualifications with minimum of 10 years of experience in the field of disability particularly policy and strategy review

ü  Experience of working with OPDs

ü  Proven excellent communication skills

ü  Excellent written and spoken English

ü  Expert knowledge of human rights and disability issues

ü  Experience with preparing quality analytical reports

ü  Strong skills in qualitive research and policy analysis

Timeline:

The assignmentwill take 30 working days and should be completed in approximately 45 working days starting from the start of the contract.

Terms and Conditions:

1.    Sightsavers reserves the right to accept and reject any proposal without giving anyverbal and or written reason.

2.    Sightsavers will monitor the quality and progress of the work during assignment.

3.    All materials (soft and hard) during the assignment shall be treated as property of Sightsavers. The materials or any part, therefore, cannot be sold, used and reproduced in any manner without prior written approval of Sightsavers.