Call for proposal for consultancy for conducting a feasibility study on disability employment quota in Laos PDR

Call for proposal for consultancy for conducting a feasibility study on disability employment quota in Laos PDR

1. Context
   ‘Humanity & Inclusion’ (HI, formerly known as Handicap International) is an independent and impartial aid and development organisation with no religious or political affiliations operating in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. HI works alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable people to help meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.
   HI is currently implementing USAID funded ‘Okard ‘project with a specific goal to improve and sustain the independent living and functional ability of persons with disabilities, regardless of factors such as age, sex, gender expression, ethnicity, and their households in Lao PDR. The Project is implemented in three target provinces – Vientiane Capital, Xieng Khouang and Savannakhet and has three main components – 1: Health; 2: Economic Empowerment; 3: Stakeholder Engagement. One of the expected Results of Component 3 on Stakeholder Engagement is the improved coordination among stakeholders, to develop, implement and monitor policies promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. In linkage with Component 2 on Economic Empowerment, the Project plans to develop and promote legal and regulatory reforms to foster disability inclusive employment practices, especially the feasibility and potential impact of a disability employment quota policy in Lao PDR.
   Government of Lao PDR (GoL) ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2009 and participated in the constructive dialogue with the CRPD Committee in August 2022 during the consideration of its very first national report. As a state party to the convention, the GoL is under the obligation to fulfil its responsibilities under article 27 of the CRPD in undertaking affirmative action to promote inclusive employment for persons with disabilities. Article 38 of the national law on persons with disabilities emphasizes the need for creating conducive environment for inclusive employment to be gainfully employed. The CRPD committee during its concluding observations has made a recommendation to the GoL to consider implementing affirmative action to ensure job placement for persons with disabilities in public and private sector. Responding to the Committee’s concern on employment for persons with disabilities the delegation of the GoL during the course of the constructive dialogue has made an assurance to consider quota system in employment for persons with disabilities.
   HI is therefore seeking for proposals from consultants to conduct a study on the feasibility and potential impact of a disability employment quota in Lao PDR (government and private sector).

2. Description of the expected service:
   2.1 General Objectives:
   To collect and analyse information on the potential prospects to promote inclusive employment for persons with disabilities in the form of quota system in public sector in Lao PDR.
   2.2 Specific Objectives
   To identify the legal & policy frameworks, existing programs and measures undertaken by the Government in facilitating the work of people with disabilities.
   2.3 Target group:
   The final report of the study will be handed over to the NCPD, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare
   2.4 Providing support from HI:
   • HI will Provide the Consultant with background documents relevant, if needed, in order to smoothen process of the service provision and to assist the consultant in collecting relevant data and analysis.
   • Provide inputs and guidance across the duration of this contract,
   2.3 The consultant’s responsibilities
   The study will:
   • focus on the quota systems provided by the regional governments to foster inclusive employment in the public sector for persons with disabilities.
   • Assess the feasibility of a quota system for the public sector in terms of existing barriers that need to be addressed and certain prerequisites to be in place and make suitable recommendations.
   • Provide concrete recommendations to the government of Lao for the implementation of:
   o a quota system if relevant.
   o affirmative action’s/ incentives in line with article 27 1 (h) of the CRPD and article 38 of the National Law on Persons with Disabilities.
   • Contribute to a dissemination workshop to present the policy document with disability stakeholders.

   3. Required Consultant profile:
   • HI is looking for individual consultant or a firm with qualifications and experience, to conduct an assessment as requested in this ToR;
   • Must be a legal entity;
   • Experience in similar work is desirable;
   • Provide samples of similar work
   4. Duration and place of performance of services
   The duration of the consultant should be between 6 May to 22 May 2024. The whole assignment is foreseen for a period of 22 days in Vientiane Capital.

   5. Work Plan (please kindly find in the attachment)

   6. Delivery Service
   The consultant shall hand over of the final report and presentation of the study report as mentioned in the Deliverables/ Outputs
   7. Financial proposal:
   Submitted financial offer must include professional service fees including, related assessment cost, travel, accommodation, perdiem cost, any applicable tax (withholding tax or VAT..).., etc.
   Please note that no travel allowance (per diem) will be paid to the consultant, and they will be responsible for their own security in all countries, HI will not cover any insurance fee during the consultancy period.

   Please note that the final payment is conditional on the validation of the final evaluation report and not solely on its submission. Validation means ensuring that the report meets the quality standards as per the checklist attached above, and it is not based on the appreciation of the project evaluated.
   8. Required document for submission the proposal:
   Interested service consultant(s), please submit your application as follow:
   • a cover letter / motivation letter
   • the proposed technical proposal including the tentative work plan
   • a financial proposal in USD that includes the daily consultancy fee and associated costs (e.g. international flight ticket, airport transfers, accommodation and external translator fee during the field visit, etc.)
   • Some samples of the former assessment report / review report
   9. EVALUATION PROCEDURE
   Evaluation of the expression of interest will be made through a selection committee in two phases:
   1. Administrative selection: The committee will first check for completeness of the application and verify that all compulsory items listed above are included. Incomplete applications will not be considered for technical selection.
   2. Technical and commercial selection: The best application will be selected based on the quality of the technical proposal, the competitiveness of the financial proposal, the delivery lead time, the skills and previous experiences of the consultant, and the demonstrated expertise of the applicant to successfully undertake the assignment.
   Only candidates who pass the administrative selection will be considered for the technical assessment. Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an online interview (or offline interview).
   HI reserves the right to contact the applicants for additional information or clarification before the final selection by the selection committee. After interview only the selected candidate will be contacted.
   10. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
   The deadline for the submission of the application is not later than 2nd May 2024, to the e-mail address [email protected]
   Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Selected applicants may be invited for an interview or discussion.