International Labour Organization Tender

Request For Proposals (rfp) For External Validation Of Estidama++ Project & Request For Proposals (rfp) For External Validation Of Estidama++ Project March 2024 – September 2025 (tentative) I. background & Context Overview Of Estidama++: Estidama++ Is A Pivotal Initiative Driven By The Government Of Jordan To Extend Social Security, Aligning With The Country's Medium-term Development Agenda. The Project Aims To Address The Challenges Posed By Persistently Large Numbers Of Unregistered Workers, Particularly Among Women And Non-jordanian Laborers. Only A Quarter Of Jordanian Female Workers Are Currently Registered In Social Security, Leaving A Significant Gap In Coverage. The National Aid Fund (naf) Provides Support To Poor Jordanian Households, But Many Unregistered Workers Fall Into The "missing Middle," Lacking Access To Social Protection. The Project Is Particularly Attentive To The Vulnerabilities Of Women, Non-jordanian Workers, Specific Typologies Of Workers Like Agriculture Workers And Self-employed Recognizing The Importance Of Emphasizing Social Insurance Over Social Assistance. The Goal Is To Reach 34 Thousand Beneficiaries By October 2025, Including Vulnerable Groups Such As Women And Non-jordanians. Theory Of Change And Strategic Approach: The Overarching Development Objective Of Estidama++ Is To Achieve Substantial Coverage Of Vulnerable Workers, Encompassing Both Jordanian And Non-jordanian Individuals. The Program Design Involves A Multi-faceted Approach: Outreach Campaigns To Create Awareness Of Social Protection Rights And The Estidama++ Program. Providing A Contribution Subsidy And Coverage Reward To Incentivize Registration And Reduce Financial Barriers. Coverage Reward: The Coverage Reward Seeks To Cover The Worker’s Contribution To Social Security. In Phase Ii It Does It Through 4 Direct Cash Transfers Of Jod 100 To Workers. Contribution Subsidy: The Contribution Subsidy Funds The Employer’s Contribution To Social Security With A Subsidy Of Jod 30 A Month And Over 12 Months.   Implementation And Institutional Arrangements: The Estidama++ Fund Is Managed Within The Social Security Corporation (ssc) Through An Implementation Agreement, With Technical Assistance From The International Labour Organization (ilo). The Ssc Is Solely Responsible And Accountable For Implementing The Core Activities, Effective Use Of Resources And Ensuring Adherence To Budgetary Allocations And Internal Regulations To Meet The Deliverables. The Fund's Management Follows Existing Ssc Mechanisms, Including Monitoring, Reporting, Oversight, And Control Systems. The Ilo Supervises And Monitors The Performance Of The Implementing Partner (ssc) Against A Pre-defined Results-based Framework. Research And Learning Agenda: To Enhance The Evidence Base And Support Extension Efforts, Estidama++ Incorporates Proactive Research And Learning Agenda. This Strategic Initiative Seeks To Systematically Address Key Questions And Challenges Related To The Extension Of Social Security, Ensuring A Robust And Informed Approach. The Research And Learning Agenda Encompass Various Critical Areas, Including Evidence Generation And Institutionalization, Analysis Of Changes Affecting The Jordanian Social Security System, Design Enhancements For The Ssc Insurance Benefits Package, And Enterprise Incentives With Integrated Sectoral Thinking. Monitoring And Evaluation: A Comprehensive Monitoring And Evaluation (m&e) Framework And Plan Has Been Developed, Based On The Project’s Logical Framework, Which Will Be Reviewed As Needed. A Set Of Results, Indicators, Targets And Means Of Verification Have Been Developed Into A Logical Framework. Monitoring Risks And Key Assumptions Is An Integral Part Of The Project. The Potential Risks And Respective Mitigation Strategies Have Initially Been Identified And Reviewed On Quarterly Basis. The External Validation Exercise Will Play A Pivotal Role In Strengthening The Monitoring And Evaluation Framework. The Partner Organization Undertaking The External Validation Will Be Expected To Synchronize Its Work, Implementation Timeline, Instrument Development, And Overall Methodology With The Ongoing Monitoring Work. This Alignment Aims To Create A Cohesive And Integrated Approach, Maximizing The Impact Of Both The External Validation And The Monitoring Initiatives. By Ensuring This Harmonization, The External Validation Exercise Becomes An Integral Part Of The Continuous Improvement Cycle, Actively Contributing To The Evolution And Enhancement Of Estidama++ Based On Empirical Insights And Evidence. Funding Modalities: Estidama++ Receives Funding Through Two Modalities: Modality 1: Indirect Financial Assistance To Ssc, Pooled Funding For Ilo Oversight And Technical Assistance. Modality 2: Direct Financial Assistance To Ssc, With Pooled Funding For Ilo Oversight And Technical Assistance. Target Group: Estidama++ Targets Vulnerable Workers, Prioritising Women, Non-jordanians And Those With A Monthly Wage Below 500 Jd Per Month. The Programme Also Targets Firms Employing Less Than 10 Workers. Current Donors: The Project Has Received Contributions From The Kingdom Of Norway And The Netherlands Through Modality 1, While The Uk Contributes Through Modality 2. Discussions With Other Interested Donors Are Ongoing, And Funds May Be Allocated Through Either Modality.   Ii.objective Objective Of External Validation: The Primary Goal Of The External Validation Is To Ensure The Effective Utilization Of Program Funds, Prevent Exploitation, And Validate Subsidy Distribution. This Process Involves An Initial Risk Mapping, Identification Of Elements For Validation, A Comprehensive Plan, And Quarterly Compliance Reports. The External Validation Aims To Verify That Internal Ssc Systems Align With The Estidama++ Design, Ensuring That Implementation Is Being Carried Out In The Manner Intended By The Project Document, Validating Benefits Transfer, Effectiveness Of The Targeting Mechanisms And Ssc Tools, Adherence To Ia Terms And Conditions, Project Log Frame And The Ilo Rules And Guidelines. Overall, The External Verification Is Intended To Ensure The Process Requirements Are In Place And Effective To Realize The Goal To Reach 34 Thousand Beneficiaries By October 2025.   Iii.key Tasks And Responsibilities: Scope Of Work: The Partner Organization Will Play A Crucial Role In Conducting A Focused And Rigorous Verification Process, Ensuring Independent Evaluation Aligned With External Validation Objectives. Trialling External Validation Tools (may 2024): Collaborate To Trial And Optimize Tools For External Validation. Ensure Tools Align With Identified Risks And Elements Requiring Validation. Provide Feedback For Continuous Improvement. Quarterly External Validation Assessments (starting From Q2 2024): Execute External Validation Plan Quarterly, Incorporating Telephone-based Data Collection. Evaluate And Validate Identified Risks For A Comprehensive Sample. Agreement With Ilo On Validation Protocols (may 2024): Collaborate With Ilo To Establish Clear Validation Protocols. Define Methodology Emphasizing Independence And Alignment With Validation Objectives. Management: The Partner Organization Will Report Directly To The Estidama++ Technical Officer. The Ilo Will Be Responsible For Decision-making And Final Clearance On The Budget, Research Design, Proposed Verification Exercises And Draft Reports. The Role Of The Partner Will Be To Provide Expert Technical Advice On The Methodology And Interpretation Of The Results, And Produce Quarterly Reports.   Iv.deliverables Deliverables And Timeline: External Validation Plan Development (april 2024): Formulate A Comprehensive Plan For External Validation, Defining Channels, And Timelines.   Risk Mapping And Elements Identification (may 2024): Conduct A Thorough Risk Assessment Of All Systems And Processes That Have Direct Relation With The Implementation Of Estidama++ And Identify Elements Requiring External Validation.   Quarterly Compliance Reports (starting From Q2 2024, Six Reports): Execute The External Validation Plan Quarterly, Incorporating A Comprehensive Sample In Data Collection. Reports To Be Submitted Within 30 Days Of The Quarter's Conclusion.   Final External Validation Report (september 2025): Compile Quarterly Findings Into A Comprehensive Final Report. Include Overarching Recommendations And Proposed Mitigating Actions.   V.timeframe   The Contract Is Expected To Span Over An 18-month Duration To Start On 1st March 2024 And Is Expected To End On September 30th, 2025. (the Table For The Anticipated Work Months Is Found In The Annex Tor)  Vi.payment Terms First Payment: A Payment Will Be Issued Upon The Submission Of Deliverable One (external Validation Plan) To The Satisfaction Of The Ilo And The Corresponding Supplier Invoice. Due By 15-apr-24   Second Payment: A Payment Will Be Issued Upon The Submission Of Deliverable Two (risk Mapping And Elements Identification) To The Satisfaction Of The Ilo And The Corresponding Supplier Invoice. Due By 15-may-24   Third Payment: A Payment Will Be Issued Upon The Submission Of Deliverable Three (quarterly Compliance Reports - Starting From Q2 2024 / Six Reports) To The Satisfaction Of The Ilo And The Corresponding Supplier Invoice. Due By 30-jan-25   Fourth Payment: A Payment Will Be Issued Upon The Submission Of Deliverable Four (final External Verification Report) To The Satisfaction Of The Ilo And The Corresponding Supplier Invoice. Due By 15-sept-25 Vii. qualifications And Experience:   The Supplier Should Demonstrate Expertise In External Verification Concepts, Knowledge Of Cash And Subsidy Programmes, Experience In Independent Monitoring, And Strong Quantitative Data Collection And Analytical Experience.   Viii. How To Apply Interested Suppliers Are Invited To Submit The Below Via Email To Nustas@ilo.org, Copying Sirisena@ilo.org And Martinezcure@ilo.org. The Email Shall Include: A Company Profile. A Technical Proposal Detailing The Approach To Addressing The Project Requirements, Including Evidence Of Previous Experience With Similar Assignments. A Financial Proposal Detailing The Budget For Each Activity.   Deliverable One: External Validation Plan Submission Date: 15th April 2024  Proposed Budget (jod) to Be Provided By The Suppler*   Deliverable Two:  risk Assessment  Submission Date: 15th May 2024 Proposed Budget (jod) to Be Provided By The Suppler*   Deliverable Three: quarterly Compliance Report (six Reports Total, Third Report Triggers Interim Payment)  Submission Date: 30th January 2025 Proposed Budget (jod) to Be Provided By The Suppler*   Deliverable Four: final External Validation Report  Submission Date: 15th September 2025 Proposed Budget (jod) to Be Provided By The Suppler*   Emails Must Use Subject Title: Rfq/2024/001_external Verification. The Deadline For Receiving Applications Is 24 February 2024 Cob. Only Applications That Fulfil The Requirements Indicated Above Will Be Considered.