Expert validation and Design for an Operational Model and Governance Structure for a TVET school Modernization Plan in the OPt At Oxfam Novib

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Terms of Reference (ToR)

Local or Global Consultancy Service

Expert validation and Design for an Operational Model and Governance Structure for a TVET school Modernization Plan in the OPt

25/022/OPTI-JRM

Oxfam seeks to hire a consultant with cross-cutting experience in modern TVET education reform, education-to-employment pathways, and the digital skills ecosystem to carry out an expert design of the Operational Model and Governance Structure for a TVET school modernization in East Jerusalem into a modern hi-tech centre of excellence.

The objective of the assignment is to provide an independent expert review and actionable recommendations to inform Oxfam’s strategic investment in the transformation of a vocational school in East Jerusalem into a future-oriented educational hub that anchors Palestinian resilience and employability. The modernization plan includes the introduction of three thematic modern vocational clusters aligned with local and global market demands specifically focusing on digital economy, green technologies, and creative industries.

  1. Background:

The Palestinian Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector in East Jerusalem is under-resourced and faces significant structural challenges, including a mismatch between skills and labor market demands, outdated curricula and inadequate infrastructure, and severe skills mismatches resulting in a youth declining enrolment.

Oxfam and its partners are aiming to transform the school into East Jerusalem’s first modern hi-tech center of excellence and future oriented educational hub. The modernisation plan proposes replacing outdated specializations with three vocational clusters aligned with labour market demands:

  1. Digital Media and Creative Industries (Digital Media & Creative Design, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Software Development),
  2. Green and Renewable Technologies (Automotive Technology & Smart Electrical Systems, Electric Mobility, Renewable Energy & Smart Electrical Systems),
  3. Digital Fabrication and Smart Manufacturing (Networking & Mobile Communications, Digital Fabrication and Smart Carpentry).
  4. Objective of the Assignment:

The objective of the assignment is to provide an independent expert review, design and actionable recommendations to inform Oxfam’s strategic investment in the transformation of a vocational school in East Jerusalem into a modern hi-tech centre of excellence.

The consultant will provide expert opinion and design for the feasibility, market-relevance, accreditation pathways, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability of the operational and governance model.

  1. Specific Objectives:

The purpose of this consultancy is to:

  1. Provide a design and expert opinion for the operational model, proposed vocational clusters and governance structure to transform the school into a modern, hi-tech centre of excellence.
  2. Assess the feasibility, market relevance, and sustainability of the three proposed vocational clusters, specifically:

A) Digital Media and Creative Industries

B) Green and Renewable Technologies

C) Digital Fabrication and Smart Manufacturing.

D) Explore and suggest any emerging market–relevant fields

  1. Explore and provide recommendations on the most viable accreditation pathways for the proposed clusters (e.g, a diploma accredited by an internationally recognised institution, professional certifications or others)
  2. Identify and recommend the most relevant target age groups and delivery formats for each cluster (e.g, 10-12 grades school-based, post 18 years diploma level, and specialised training/fellowship programs).
  3. Map potential local and regional operators and strategic partners (Private sector, NGOs, international institutions) to ensure sustainable implementation of the program.
  4. Assess the program’s relevance with local, regional labour market needs, the digital economy, and emerging global labour market trends.
  5. Identify critical strengths, strategic gaps, and potential risks in the modernisation plan, including those related to complex operational context of East Jerusalem.
  6. Identify the critical institutional and regulatory questions that must be answered to achieve formal accreditation and successful program implementation.
  7. Scope of Work:

The consultant is expected to:

  1. Conduct a desk review of:
  • The existing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) landscape, including policy and regulatory frameworks in East Jerusalem.
  • local, regional and global markets demand for in digital skills, green technologies, creative industries, and remote work models.
  1. Provide an Expert Review on the overall strategic relevance, technical feasibility and financial sustainability of the proposed model, governance structure and the strategic partnerships.
  2. Provide an Expert Review on the market alignment and technical viability of each of the three proposed vocational clusters, including high-level recommendations on curriculum structure, required equipment needs, clear career pathways, focusing on short-cycle diploma programs that ensure employability within 6–12 months.
  3. Consult private sector employers, industry associations, and relevant educational institutions to validate market demand, skills requirements, and potential employment pathways for each finalised/validated cluster.
  4. Deliver a final expert report with concrete, prioritised, and actionable recommendations
  5. Present the findings and recommendations in a dedicated session organized by Oxfam for its relevant stakeholders.
  6. Deliverables
  7. Inception brief (max 5 pages) outlining the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, and a detailed action plan and timeline. To be delivered and approved no later than 5 days after contract signing.
  8. Final Expert Review Report (10-20 Pages, excluding annexes): A comprehensive report covering Conceptual framework and strategic partnership assessment, including:
  9. Strategic Validation: assessment of the concept notes against market, feasibility, and sustainability criteria (addressing Specific objectives 1, 2, 6,)
  10. Cluster-by- cluster assessment: Detailed recommendations for each of the three vocational clusters, including curriculum focus, equipment prioritisation, and proposed target groups (addressing specific objectives 2, 3, 4)
  11. Operational and Governance Model design: design an operational model, multi-stakeholder governance structure addressing specific objective 5).
  12. Risk and Gap Analysis: Identification of strengths, strategic gaps, and potential risks (addressing Specific objectives 7, 8).
  13. Step-by-Step recommendations: Clear, prioritised and actionable recommendations for immediate next steps.
  14. Finding presentation: a final presentation session to Oxfam and relevant stakeholders to discuss the report key findings and recommendations.
  15. Copyright and confidentiality
  • Oxfam retains full copyright over all content produced under this consultancy.
  • The consultant is not permitted to use, reproduce, or distribute any part of the content or related information for any purpose outside the scope of this assignment, without prior written consent from Oxfam.
  1. Consultant profile

Interested consultant is required to submit a complete [English Language] proposal articulating the work requirements outlined in this ToR. The proposal should include:

  • Proven experience in modern TVET education reform and education to employment pathways.
  • Experience in digital skills ecosystem, digital economy and labour market trends in MENA and globally.
  • Experience in advising or designing multi-stakeholders’ partnerships and governance models in education reform.
  • Note: individual consultants who possess cross-cutting profile in both TVET and Digital economy expertise are encouraged to apply. However, if such a profile is not available, applicants may propose a team structure led by a principal consultant with option to sub-contract a qualified expert, roles, responsibilities and coordination are clearly defined in the application.
  1. Timeline and estimated level of efforts
  • Estimated duration: 14-20 working days, to be completed within 4-6 weeks of contract signing.
  • Preferred start date; As soon as possible.
  1. Proposed evaluation criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on a combined scoring method, with the technical proposal weighted at 70% and the financial proposal at 30%. Key criteria for the technical evaluation will include:

  • Demonstrated understanding of the assignment context.
  • Quality and appropriateness of the proposed methodology and work plan.
  • Relevance of the applicant’s experience as per the profile requirements above.
  1. Payment Schedule

The consultant will be paid for in the following instalments:

  • 30% upon signing of the contract and approval of the inception brief.
  • 30% upon submission of the draft expert review report.
  • 40% upon approval of the final report and completion of all deliverables.

How to apply

Application process

The submitted proposal should include 2 (two) documents: a) Technical Proposal and b) Financial proposal, in EURO. To be submitted by email to the below address: procurement.Jerusalem@oxfam.org

Deadline for submitting the proposals to Oxfam is 12th October/2025