TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)
CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR DEVELOPING A DIGITAL JOB PORTAL USING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE WORK READINESS FOR INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE

Introduction
A major challenge facing Uganda's labour market is the disconnect between the skills provided by educational institutions and the skills required by employers. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the youth unemployment rate stands at 13% for individuals aged 15-24, significantly higher than the national average of 9.2%. The World Bank further underscores this issue, noting that only 10% of graduates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions are adequately prepared for the labour market. These skills mismatch leads to a workforce that is not fully equipped to meet industry demands, resulting in poor job readiness among graduates. Consequently, both individual career prospects and overall economic growth are impeded, underscoring the need for targeted skills development and alignment with market needs.

As a response, FUE is committed to preparing youth for the workforce and connecting them with employment opportunities. It achieves this through specialized youth training programs that focus on job-specific skills, professional development, and soft skills. The FUE job-matching portal plays a central role by providing a digital platform where job seekers can create profiles and connect with employers. Additionally, FUE supports youth through internship and apprenticeship programs, partnerships with educational institutions to align curricula with industry needs, and by organizing networking events and job fairs to facilitate direct interactions between young job seekers and potential employers.

Moving forward, the registration of job seekers and vacancies will continue including the job matching. However, FUE would like to have a system that would increase the efficiency and efficacy of the job matching exercise. In line with this, FUE would like to contract a consultant to develop a digital youth employment services platform using innovative technology that will allow effective flow of information between employers and job seekers. The key functionality of the platform will be inclusive of the following:

1. A labor market exchange that will enable job seekers to post their curriculum vitae and employers to post vacancies.
2. Online labor exchange nodal center (job matching).
3. Relevant services for both employers and job seekers.
4. The developed model will be a pilot that has the potential for scale and replication to other similar centers.
5. The consultant will also train the FUE IT Officer to effectively use this online platform.

Purpose of the consultancy:

1. The main purpose of the assignment is to develop and set up a user-friendly digital platform in English language that will provide efficient and quick quality services to job seekers and employers.
2. It will enable job seekers to post their curriculum vitae and employers to post vacancies.
3. It will be searchable by key search criteria for both job seekers and employers.
4. Online jobs matching.
5. Relevant services for both employers and job seekers such as but not restricted to offering information on employability skills requirements and inputs to develop those, announcements about apprenticeships/ training programs, tips on writing resumes, etc.

Users:
The job portal is administered by the FUE. The Employers and jobseekers wanting to upload CVs or vacancies need to register, and fill in a standardized form.

Functions:

1. Entry of job vacancies and job-seeker information needs to be simple and follow a standard format.
2. Entries need to be reviewable and printable before submission.
3. All entries need to be easily printable.
4. Search among vacancies and among jobseekers needs to be simple, either by keywords or by key categories.
5. All entries need to have an automatic expiry date with a prior alert to the person who entered the information.
6. Interested graduates and companies should be able to register for a newsletter/alert function once new vacancies or announcements come up.

Expected tasks of the consultant:

1. Conduct a field assessment to understand the local conditions of the regions, including internet availability, smartphone use, and internet access which will also determine the choice of the operating system for the mobile applications.
2. Prepare an inception report on the design, functions and implementation steps for the digital job portal and discuss it with the FUE and relevant project partners.
3. Prepare a test version of the platform and mobile application.
4. Pilot test the test version with a group of potential users and make adjustments.
5. Prepare the final version of the platform and mobile application.
6. Prepare a manual on the use and application of the digital platform for employment counselors.
7. Conduct training for WRISE staff on the use and access of the digital platform and the related web-based and mobile applications.

Expected Deliverables:

1. Inception report on the design and implementation of the digital job portal.
2. Test version of the digital job portal (including web-based and mobile application).
3. Final version of the digital job portal (including web-based and mobile application).
4. Manual on the use and application of the digital platform.
5. Final report including the design of the digital platform, tested and operational system.

Duration:

1. The duration of the consultancy will be 25 working days, across the timeline of 11th December 2024–10th January 2025.
2. Within 10 days of signing the contract, the consultant will present the inception report.
3. The field assessment will take place in January 2025, followed by the development of the draft report and the training of the project staff.
4. Final report and final version of the digital platform along with its products tested and operational will be submitted by the end of 2 months of signing the contract.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

1. A minimum of 7 years of professional work experience in developing information technology solutions, digital platforms, web-based and mobile applications, and innovative technology designs.
2. The applicant/team leader would have an educational background in software development, computer engineering, and/or information technology.
3. Demonstrated expertise of working with social and/or business enterprises in developing innovative technological solutions for development issues.
4. Portfolio of work demonstrating innovative technological solutions/models developed internationally.
5. Demonstrated international work experience especially in countries out of Uganda or within East-Africa would be considered an advantage.

Application:
Along with the technical and financial proposal, the applicant should enclose a portfolio of previous works undertaken in developing IT solutions for development issues.
Interested applicants should submit their technical and financial proposal as well as any supporting documents to info@fuemployers.org.

Deadline for submitting applications: 6th January 2025