Company Profile

DAI is an employee-owned global development company. For 40 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governments, and instability. Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 60 countries.

Our integrated development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines—crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS and disease control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.

Job Description

Western Region Coastal Foundation (WRCF)

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Youth and Employment Strategy

Background to the Project

Oil was found in commercial quantities off the coast of Ghana’s Western Region in 2007.  Extraction started at the end of 2010. Production, presently at 126,000 barrels per day, is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.  Expectations of residents of the six coastal districts in the Western Region that they will benefit from the oil, power and gas industry are high. Livelihoods and social and economic systems are impacted by the new industry. For instance oil-driven growth in the urban areas has led to rapid increases in cost of living for urban poor. The high level of in-migration has meant that while jobs have increased, original residents are not securing them. The risks of tension and conflict are increasing, as little action appears to be taken and there is no effective mechanism to raise concerns and provide some practical solutions. 

In response to this development, UKAid is supporting the setup of the Western Region Coastal Foundation to organize and support effective dialogue between the oil companies, the communities and government agencies, and to make effective use of corporate social investment funds that private sector companies have for development.  To feed into the dialogue, there will be community level discussions serving as voice mechanism for the local residents.  At the same, the Foundation will pursue social and economic development activities that provide opportunities for households to increase their economic and social capital through market-oriented interventions in selected value chains.

The Foundation will pursue these objectives through a two-pronged approach; 1) Improving relationships between the oil, power and gas companies and coastal communities through a Dialogue Platform, and; 2) Channelling CSI funding to priority sectors that demonstrate real potential for providing economic opportunities for communities in the region. The focus will be on supporting the following three areas: promote alternative livelihoods; enable better business support services, and; develop relevant education and skills development training.

The aim of the programme is to increase transparency and to deepen accountability between stakeholders, and to improve the impact of available development funds, to help residents earn more income and more local businesses to supply the large multinationals operating in the Western Region. Presently the Foundation’s work focuses on 6 coastal districts namely Shama, Sekondi-Takoradi, Ahanta West, Nzema East, Ellembelle and Jomoro.

02.   Purpose of the Assignment

The youth constitute more than 56% of the six coastal districts. However in terms of employment and employability the youth are the least represented. Youth are a critical stakeholder group in efforts to galvanise action towards mitigating the negative effects of oil and gas activities on communities. There are telling stories of insurgency of youth in oil-rich countries in Africa. It is therefore important to adopt approaches that not only lead to mitigating destabilising effects of insurgency of youth but also ensuring harnessing the energy of the youth towards development. 

The strategy will explore how the WRCF can encourage a positive bias in its interventions, including the community conversations and economic opportunities and market development work, to integrate youth in the development process that ultimately leads to improved livelihoods and economic transformation of the coastal districts.

The role of the youth in the economic and social transformation of the target communities therefore cannot be overemphasised. The purpose of this assignment is to develop a comprehensive response strategy and establish a broad strategic framework to inform the Foundation’s engagement and programmes. The strategy should highlight areas that require attention and outline strategic directions which the WRCF should adopt within its mandate and architecture to ensure youth-appropriate responses.

03.   Scope of the Work Required

The scope of this assignment takes into account the fact that the youth is central to development and understanding their education, training and learning needs are crucial in ensuring their integration into non-formal and formal sustainable economic life. The scope therefore looks at youth policy upon which to develop strategy towards achieving a better integration in viable employment opportunities as a key to the building the six coastal districts and the Western Region at large. In particular, the assignment must include all the work of government, civil society, and pathways of inclusion of all young people and enabling transitions to the labor market. Specifically, the following tasks are envisaged under this assignment:

Task 1: Develop a methodology for the strategy

Based on the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, and guided by the Business Case for the Foundation, the project Logframe and Theory of Change develop a methodology for executing the task. The methodology will be approved by the Director of Programmes prior to implementation of the remaining tasks in the TOR.

The methodology will spell out among other things:

• The consultant’s understanding of the assignment;
• Broad indication of the list of key documents to be reviewed;
• An activity plan, including timelines for key activities;
• Proposed outline of the strategy.

Task 2: Information gathering and Analysis

The consultant will implement the study in accordance with the agreed methodology set out in Task 1  Specifically, s/he will:

• Review the existing literature,
• Gather relevant information and collect data that are pertinent to the scope of work,
• Undertake where appropriate field visits to the target communities, observe, record and analyse first-hand information relevant to understanding the youth economy,
• Analyse information gathered and make clear deductions and inferences to formulate a strategic framework,
• Conduct analysis of other youth strategies in the target communities and align them to the scope of work of WRCF.

Task 3: Write up the Strategy

Based on the outcomes of Task 2 above, the Consultant will develop the strategy, draw out the implications for the WRCF, and particularly programme support to enhance the technical and organisational competencies of key actors, and include recommendations on how to implement the Strategy. The strategy must delineate clear approaches of ensuring innovation in youth programming within the scope of WRCF. The following themes must be well covered in the strategy:

• Definition of youth within the context of the six coastal districts
• Demography of youth in the 6 coastal districts
• The drivers of youth employment and employability
• Identification and mapping of pillars of change in youth programming
• Action plan covering the next four years 
• Strategy of mainstreaming youth in the WRCF programme of work 
• Monitoring and reporting on progress 

Task 4: Submit a report addressing the tasks in this TORs:

The Consultant will submit to the Director of Programmes a report of not more than 25 pages long, excluding annexes, consistent with the Terms of Reference and in accordance with the agreed Table of Contents that will be approved at the inception phase of defining the study methodology.

The draft report will be submitted for review and comments; and presented to a meeting of the WRCF Programme for validation.

Main Outputs and Deliverables

• A methodology and timelines for implementation of the assignment.
• A draft report consistent with the tasks outlined in the Terms of Reference.
• At the end of the assignment, a validation meeting with staff of the WRCF programme to share preliminary findings and recommendations.
• A final report following review and feedback from WRCF Programme staff.  

Required Skills or Experience

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) in relevant area (Youth studies or social sciences). A Master’s Degree or PhD will be considered an asset;
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in youth in development projects;
• Record of participation in at least 2 assignments of similar size and degree of complexity (consultancy services in the area of youth strategy in programmes);
• Sound understanding of social and economic development issues in the Western Region;
• Excellent communication, presentation, report writing and analytical skills;
• Mastery of oral and written English