1. Context and Rationale
Mali has been facing a significant shortage of skilled labor for several decades, which significantly hinders its economic and social development potential. In a global context where the quality of human capital, its capacity for adaptation and innovation are major levers of performance and attractiveness, vocational training appears to be a strategic issue.
It plays a central role in the integration of young people into the labor market, in the competitiveness of businesses and in the promotion of inclusive and sustainable development. Created in 1997, the FAFPA has supported businesses and economic operators in the formal and informal sectors by providing them with technical and financial support for the development and implementation of training plans and projects.
However, the abolition of the vocational training tax (TFP) and its unsuccessful replacement by the flat-rate contribution payable by employers (CFE) have plunged the FAFPA into a situation of dependence on state subsidies. This now raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of its funding model and internal organization.
The diagnostic study aims to provide a clear vision of the institution’s strengths and weaknesses, its current capabilities, and the reforms needed to ensure its sustainability and effectiveness.
- Objectives
2.1. Objectives of the mission
The objective is to enable the establishment of an appropriate structure capable of providing the FAFPA with an efficient organization, including a Board of Directors, its management and management methods as well as to guarantee the sustainable allocation of resources, corresponding to its mission entrusted to it, upon its creation, in the current institutional environment.
The specific tasks of the mission are as follows:
– Analyze the current organizational structure;
– Evaluate the effectiveness of the governance and steering system;
– Examine the management of human resources and skills;
– Analyze the administrative, financial and operational management procedures;
– Measure the capacity of the FAFPA to meet its national mission;
– Propose concrete recommendations for improving the organization and internal processes.
The mission should result in a diagnosis of the organizational system and the internal audit of FAFPA.
To this end, the following tasks will be carried out:
– Exploit the activity and financial reports of the three (03) modes of financing (TFP, CFE and State subsidy);
Exploit the documents of the African Network of Vocational Training Institutions and Funds (RAFPRO) with the aim of improving the current situation. This Network brings together thirteen (13) Training Institutions and Funds from twelve (12) countries;
– Propose an appropriate organic framework for the most suitable scenario, in terms of organization and sustainable means for the mission, in view of the evolution of the environment;
– Index, characterize and identify the access routes to sustainable resources for the competent scenario, including if necessary the institutional modifications for the Board of Directors, in its interactions with the Supervisory Authority and the General Management;
– Support the FAFPA in the implementation of the proposed organizational system.
2.2. Methodology
The consultant will adopt a participatory and iterative approach, including:
– An in-depth documentary analysis (legal texts, internal reports, audits, budgets, activity reports, external evaluations);
– Semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (General Management, central divisions, regional branches, employer representatives, unions, institutional and technical partners);
– Focus groups with the final beneficiaries (young people, companies, training operators) to gather their perceptions;
– An institutional SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats);
– A detailed financial analysis over the three defined periods (2006-2017, 2018-2020, 2020 to the present day) – The formulation of structured reform options according to different scenarios, with assessment of organizational, functional and social implications.
The study will carry out an evaluation of the results and performance of the Fund under the various financing methods mentioned above while highlighting the organic and social implications and consequences which should have resulted from them;
By testing various reorganization and financing scenarios, the study will select the most suitable scenario for carrying out the FAFPA missions and their financing method while maintaining the influence of the FAFPA in the RAFPRO and the pursuit of the objective of training employees throughout their professional lives.
For the most competent scenario, the following items will be documented:
– A reorganization scheme is proposed to take into account the evolution of the FAFPA environment – Sustainable resources for the mission are indexed;
– The role of the Board of Directors and its interactions with the Supervisory Authority are specified, in the sense of better mobilization of resources;
– New mechanisms for managing training investment resources with the Board of Directors (delegated management, Corporate and Organizational Social Responsibility-RSSEO, etc.);
– The organic framework and the organizational chart will be revisited;
– An implementation strategy is proposed.
In addition, the Consultant will, where appropriate and when the time comes, prepare the organizational and social audit of the new FAFPA;
3. Expected deliverables
- A detailed diagnostic report covering institutional, organizational and financial analysis
A comparative analysis of financing schemes, including financial projections; - Scenarios for reorganization and financial reform, detailing the implications for structures, human resources and services;
- A prioritized operational action plan, with timetable, monitoring and evaluation indicators, and budget estimate;
- A summary note for political decision-makers, highlighting key reforms and their challenges.
4. Profile and Application
4.1 Profile:
The Firm will propose a sufficiently qualified work team with the following profiles:
Principal Consultant / Mission Manager
Required qualifications:
University degree at Bac+5 level minimum (Master) in organizational management, public administration, audit/management control, economics, or management;
Proven experience (at least 15 years) in institutional or organizational auditing, particularly in public or parapublic structures;
Experience in the analysis of governance structures, internal procedures, and human resources management;
In-depth knowledge of vocational training financing systems and mechanisms
Have at least five (05) years of professional experience in the management of a Vocational Training Fund or in a similar case.
Additional assets:
Good knowledge of vocational training financing systems in Africa;
Experience working with national or partner funds such as the ILO, the OIF, the World Bank, Luxdev or the AFD.
Expert in training engineering and management (BAC +5)
Required qualifications:
Bac + 5 in training engineering;
At least 10 years of experience in the management or evaluation of vocational training or apprenticeship projects;
Knowledge of employment policies, training financing schemes, and socio-economic integration mechanisms.
Expert in public organization and management
Required qualifications:
Bac + 5 in management sciences, administrative organization or institutional engineering;
At least 10 years of experience in the design or restructuring of organizational charts, functional units, or organizational reform plans;
Mastery of tools for analyzing functions, processes and public performance.
Human Resources Specialist
Required qualifications:
• Bac+4/5 in HR management, work psychology or management;
• Experience in skills reviews, HR audits, training policies and staff motivation schemes;
• Knowledge of personnel management practices in the public sector.
Specialist in public finance / financial audit (BAC +5)
Required qualifications:
Degree in accounting, finance or auditing (DECOFI, DSCG, chartered accountant, etc.)
At least 10 years of experience in auditing budget management procedures, procurement, and internal control.
4.2 Application file
Application files must include:
Detailed CVs (max. 5 pages) clearly specifying the expertise, experience, references of similar missions and skills of the consultants;
A technical proposal including an understanding of the mission, a methodology and a timetable;
A detailed financial proposal for the realization of the study mentioning among others the following sections:
Fees of the key personnel team;
Recurring expenses: administrative costs, communication, reprography, etc.;
Travel and accommodation expenses for the field phase if necessary.
Consultants’ fees are fixed and not revisable for the entire duration of the mission.
The financial proposal must be made in CFA francs, all taxes included (TTC).
5. Duration of the mission
The indicative duration of the study is set at thirty (30) calendar days, from the notification of the start of the contract.
6. Supervision and governance
The firm will be placed under the direct supervision of the National Coordinator of the Skills Project – Mali, with the support of the Skills Development Specialist of the technical team for West Africa.
A technical committee composed of the MEEFP, FAFPA and the ILO will ensure technical steering, validate the tools, findings, and approve the deliverables.
8. Confidentiality
All data and information received from the ILO in the context of this mission must be treated confidentially and must only be used in the context of the execution of this mandate. All intellectual property rights arising from the execution of this mandate are assigned to the ILO. The content of written documents obtained and used in the course of this mission may not be disclosed to third parties without the prior written authorization of the ILO.
How to apply
Deadline for submission: August 10, 2025
Deadline for submission of questions: July 30, 2025
Sending address: dagamaissa@ilo.org and copy traore@ilo.org
Subject of the email: “INTERNAL DIAGNOSTIC STUDY OF FAFPA – MALI”