Labour Market Information Systems (LMIS) International Expert At Lux-Development

1. BACKGROUND:

The population of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) is expected to grow from 7.42 million in 2022 to 8.1 million by 2030. Almost one third of people are between 10 and 24 years old, making it one of the youngest countries in South-East Asia. Capitalising on this demographic trend requires investing in young people. This includes investing in cost-effective and sustainable systems that promote higher-quality (vocational) education and encourage the productive and gainful employment of young people.

There is a lack of labour market-oriented, good-quality vocational skills development (VSD) available, and a (perceived or real) lack of gainful employment or self-employment opportunities, though a shortage of skilled workers in some sectors and, at the same time high unemployment is characteristic of the Lao labour market. The Government of Lao PDR (GoL) recognises the need to better understand rapidly changing labour market needs and are seeking to put in place an effective labour market information system (LMIS).

The five-year STAF Programme aims to foster and facilitate meaningful change in the VSD sector, thereby increasing the employability of graduates to take advantage of job/income generation opportunities, leaving no one behind in Lao PDR’s socio-economic development. It is financed by Lao PDR, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the European Union, and implemented by the Lao authorities with the support of the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency (LuxDev).

The focus is on two key economic sectors considered to have high – and labour-intensive – growth prospects, and potential for sustainable and technology-enhanced development:

• Tourism and Hospitality (T/H);
• Agriculture and Forestry (A/F).

The STAF Programme strengthens the capacity and performance of a wide range of VSD-related stakeholders, including public and private training providers, employers and other value chain actors, national and provincial government organisations), as well as relevant mass and civil society organisations. It is embedded, as far as possible, in the existing institutional framework of the Lao VSD system. The overall objective of the Programme is increased employability of Lao people leaving no one behind.

Support to the MoLSW relates, in particular, to strengthening capacity in terms of labour market information (LMI), LMIS and public employment services (PES). The design of effective, evidence-based skills development and employment policies requires adequate, high-quality data and an effective LMIS. A functioning LMIS relies on four elements that must work well together: (i) quantitative and qualitative data that are collected and compiled; (ii) a place where the data are stored and through which they can be disseminated; (iii) analytical capacities and tools that make use of the data to inform policies and decision-making; and (iv) adequate institutional arrangements among all concerned parties to ensure effective flow of information and constructive dialogue on what data to produce and for what purpose.

Ultimately, the MoLSW aspires to having an integrated LMIS that aligns with the GoL’s strategy to accelerate digital transformation and vision for national digital economy development to 2040. However, significant challenges remain, not least the lack of a strategic vision and master plan for development of the LMIS.

2. OBJECTIVES

The overall objective to which this assignment contributes is the establishment of the Lao LMIS.

The specific objective of the assignment is for the International LMIS Expert (together with a National Expert(s)) to take the lead in supporting the MoLSW and other relevant stakeholders in articulating a vision (by 2040), a ten-year master plan and estimated budget (2025 – 2034) and a two-year action/implementation plan and detailed budget (2025 – 2026) for the development of the Lao PDR LMIS.

• The vision for the LMIS should take into consideration, but not be bound by, likely resource constraints that may influence its development;
• The ten-year master plan should set out key objectives for the development of the LMIS, as well as a clear strategy on how to achieve them over the timeframe of the plan;
• The two-year action plan and budget should provide detailed guidance on implementation for the first two years of the master plan.

The extent to which a LMIS effectively supports policy decisions requires clear articulation of policy needs/questions. Design/enhancement of the LMIS should be guided by policy priorities and needs (which, in turn, are derived through review of relevant strategies, economic analysis, and stakeholder consjultation). Therfore, completion of the assignment will require extensive engagement with the MoLSW and other concerned agencies/institutions. It is likely that the several stakeholder dialogue consultations, meetings and workshops will be required. The STAF Programme will provide all ncessary logistical and financial support requried for the organisation of consultations, meetings and workshops.

3. TASKS:

Phase I – Current Situation Analysis

To develop a clear understanding of the current status, the International LMIS Expert will consider:

• Governance, institutional framework, coordination arrangements and social dialogue mechanisms for LMI and skills forecasting processes;
• Availability and quality of data relevant for a LMIS;
• Capacity for data collection, analysis and interpretation;
• LMIS-related capacity strengthening projects undertaken, underway or planned:

All of the above tasks should identify weaknesses and gaps in the Lao LMI and skills forecasting system, and provide a basis for developing the LMIS vision, master plan and action plan.

Phase II – Lao LMIS Vision, Master Plan, and Action Plan and Budget

Taking into considerationpolicy priorities and needs, national socio-economic, and technical development plans, the digital maturity and digital capacity of relevant stakeholders, and the likely availability of resources (particularly financial) required for realisation, the International LMIS Expert will:

• Draft, disseminate and reach consensus with key stakeholders on an ambitious and inspiring, but also realistic, vision for the Lao LMIS to 2040;
• Define the functional requirements of the LMIS landscape;
• Provide support/guidance to the national LMIS IT adviser to develop business process mapping (user journey) of the key LMIS functions;
• Draft terms of reference for an LMIS firm for the design, development and operationalisation of the LMIS based on the two previous points;
• Develop comprehensive cost estimates of the ICT components (software, hardware, database hosting, human capacity) to secure necessary budgetary requirements for its implementation;
• Draft, disseminate and reach consensus with key stakeholders on a ten-year (2025 – 2034) master plan for development of the Lao LMIS. The master plan should include:
• Draft, disseminate and reach consensus with key stakeholders on a two-year (2025 – 2026) action plan and budget to begin implementation of the Lao LMIS master plan. The action plan and budget should follow the same format as the master plan but provide more detailed information, including timelines and detailed budgets to guide implementation.

All of the above tasks should result in MoLSW having a documented vision (by 2040), ten-year master plan (2025 – 2034) and two-year action plan and budget (2025 – 2026) for the Lao LMIS.

A detailed ToR can be obtained upon request to the email address: hr.rofvte@luxdev.lu.

4. DELIVERABLES:

Supported by national expert(s), the International LMIS Expert is required to submit the following deliverables:

Phase I – Current Situation Analysis

• Lao LMIS and skills forecasting current situation analysis report (maximum 30 pages excluding appendices) with recommendations of interventions needed to address shortcomings, providing a basis for development of the LMIS vision, master plan and action plan.

Phase II – Lao LMIS Vision, Master Plan, and Action Plan and Budget

• Vision for the Lao LMIS by 2040;
• Master plan for the Lao LMIS 2025 – 2034;
• Action plan and budget for the Lao LMIS 2025 – 2026.

5. PERFORMANCE PERIOD:

The International LMIS Expert will be contracted for a total of 120 working days, with at least 80 days assigned to working at the duty station (Vientiane) and at most 40 days assigned to working at the home station. The assignment is expected to be completed between May 2024 and April 2025 (specific dates to be agreed between the STAF Programme/MoLSW and the International LMIS Expert). Some in-country travel in Lao PDR may be required. If so, all logistical arrangements and costs will be covered by the STAF Programme.

6. PROFILE OF THE EXPERT:

The International LMIS Expert will have:

Essential:

• A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline such as, for example, labour economics or statistics;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Expert knowledge of LMIS and LMI sources, labour market policies and institutions, and their set-up in both developed and developing countries;
• At least seven years’ experience in designing and implementing LMIS;
• Experience in planning and undertaking research (primary and secondary) and preparing reports;
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, in English;
• Experience of working in international development in South-East Asia.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of LMIS in ASEAN countries;
• Practical experience of working with an existing, well-managed LMIS;
• Knowledge/experience in VSD policy development;
• Communication skills in Lao or Thai language;
• Experience of working in international development specifically in Lao PDR.