LABOR MARKET SPECIALIST
World Bank Timor-Leste
Location: Dili, Timor-Leste
Duration: 21 days (approximately 14 in country, 7 by correspondence)
Recruitment: International
I. BACKGROUND:
Timor-Leste is a beneficiary of the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries (IF). The IF is a multi-agency, multi-donor program established in 1996 to promote the integration of the developed countries (LDCs) into the global economy. The work program starts with the preparation of a Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) which analyzes both the internal and external constraints facing the country in increasing its integration into the global economy. The DTIS provides the analytical support for an action plan that identifies priority policy measures, investments, and technical assistance needs.
The Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) has requested assistance from the World Bank to carry out their DTIS. To do this, the World Bank wants to recruit the services of a Business Environment Specialist with expertise in the fields of trade and competitiveness.
II. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The services of the consultant are required to contribute to the DTIS chapter on Factor Inputs and the Business Environment. This section aims at identifying and prioritizing the critical enabling environment issues pertaining to the non-oil tradable sector and make recommendations on strengthening the public-private sector dialogue around these.
This chapter will focus on four key issues that constrain Timor-Leste’s trade integration, namely Business Environment for Trade, Labor Market Challenges, Land Access and Critical Infrastructure Services. The consultant will draft the sub-section on Labor Market Challenges, but will coordinate with the authors of the other sub-sections to ensure issues are adequately addressed and prioritized.
Labor Market Challenges: This sub-section will focus on the main bottlenecks contributing to Timor-Leste’s skills shortage and the high cost of labor in the country. The DTIS will analyze how best to fill this skills gap in the short-term and examine the extent to which the medium- and long-term efforts on education and technical training are beginning to generate results. Issues that will be considered will include the following:
This chapter will focus on four key issues that constrain Timor-Leste’s trade integration, namely Business Environment for Trade, Labor Market Challenges, Land Access and Critical Infrastructure Services. The consultant will draft the sub-section on Labor Market Challenges, but will coordinate with the authors of the other sub-sections to ensure issues are adequately addressed and prioritized.
Labor Market Challenges: This sub-section will focus on the main bottlenecks contributing to Timor-Leste’s skills shortage and the high cost of labor in the country. The DTIS will analyze how best to fill this skills gap in the short-term and examine the extent to which the medium- and long-term efforts on education and technical training are beginning to generate results. Issues that will be considered will include the following:
• The impact of skill shortages on business expansion and achievement of scale, particularly in the agriculture sector;
• The extent of technology and skills transfer in the private export sector to date, and lessons learnt;
• Existing efforts to address the skills gap and their impact;
• Options for filling the skills gap in the short-term;
• Local capacity building efforts and needs for long-term human resource development.
• Institutional mechanisms for wage setting;
• Wage developments in Timor-Leste compared to neighboring countries and the impact on competitiveness and migration flows;
It is anticipated that the final product will be on the order of 10-15 pages and will provide a comprehensive assessment of labor market/skills gap issues in Timor-Leste.
The consultant will provide input into the DTIS consolidated action matrix detailing the following:
• Existing programs in the area of human resource development (development partner, government or otherwise).
• High priority reform areas and potential investments or projects that could be undertaken in this area to improve Timor-Leste’s competitiveness.
• Existing efforts to address the skills gap and their impact;
• Options for filling the skills gap in the short-term;
• Local capacity building efforts and needs for long-term human resource development.
• Institutional mechanisms for wage setting;
• Wage developments in Timor-Leste compared to neighboring countries and the impact on competitiveness and migration flows;
It is anticipated that the final product will be on the order of 10-15 pages and will provide a comprehensive assessment of labor market/skills gap issues in Timor-Leste.
The consultant will provide input into the DTIS consolidated action matrix detailing the following:
• Existing programs in the area of human resource development (development partner, government or otherwise).
• High priority reform areas and potential investments or projects that could be undertaken in this area to improve Timor-Leste’s competitiveness.
III. EXPECTED OUTPUTS
Specific outputs include:
• Contribution to the DTIS chapter on Factor Inputs and the Business Environment.
• Input into DTIS action matrix.
• Presentation of findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders at the end of the main mission.
• Contribution to the DTIS chapter on Factor Inputs and the Business Environment.
• Input into DTIS action matrix.
• Presentation of findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders at the end of the main mission.
First drafts of written outputs will be expected by the end of the main mission.
IV. METHODOLOGY:
The consultant will:
• Employ a combination of data analysis, interviews, and direct observation;
• Ensure that the views of private sector users (importers, exporters, investors) are fully taken into account;
• Review existing information available through various relevant studies and reports ;
• Ensure all findings and recommendations take into account existing and/or programmed initiatives;
• Work closely with other members of the DTIS team to ensure that the analysis and recommendations are aligned with the overall report.
• Employ a combination of data analysis, interviews, and direct observation;
• Ensure that the views of private sector users (importers, exporters, investors) are fully taken into account;
• Review existing information available through various relevant studies and reports ;
• Ensure all findings and recommendations take into account existing and/or programmed initiatives;
• Work closely with other members of the DTIS team to ensure that the analysis and recommendations are aligned with the overall report.
V. TIMEFRAME
The main mission is targeted for October/November 2009 and work should be completed within 3 weeks of the end of the main mission.
VI. QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will possess all of the following characteristics:
• An advanced university degree in a relevant field.
• Extensive experience of conducting analysis of labor markets, in particular skills gap and human resource development for the private sector (prior experience in Timor-Leste least-developed countries would be highly valued).
• Strong English writing and editorial skills.
• An advanced university degree in a relevant field.
• Extensive experience of conducting analysis of labor markets, in particular skills gap and human resource development for the private sector (prior experience in Timor-Leste least-developed countries would be highly valued).
• Strong English writing and editorial skills.
VII. MANAGEMENT
The consultant will be allocated 21 days to complete the work, approximately 14 of which will be spent in country on the Main Mission, and the remaining 7 of which will be spent completing final edits on the write-up.
The consultant will report to the Task Team Leader of the DTIS.
VIII. APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Interested candidates are requested to submit a current CV and cover letter outlining relevant experience to John Holdaway (jholdaway@worldbank.org) and Guida Freitas (gfreitas@worldbank.org) by COB 23 September 2009. The assignment is expected to commence in October 2009.
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