Impact Assessment International Consultant

Lao People's Democratic Republic Peace, Independent Democracy, Unity, Prosperity

Job Title:

Department:

Impact Assessment International Consultant (Part-time, Lump Sum Contract) (01 Position) Ministry of Education and Sports Department Technical and Vocational Education and Training (DTVET)

Lao PDR: Priority Skills for Growth Project (Lao-PSG)

Project ID: P172774 Project Coordinator Unit (PCU-DTVET)

Lo cation:

Commence date

Vientiane Capital 15 January 2027

JOB PURPOSE

The Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) faces a significant skills gap, particularly in key economic sectors such as agriculture, logistics, and information and communication technology (ICT). At the same time, labor market intermediation services remain underdeveloped, making it difficult for job seekers, even those with relevant skills, to find suitable employment. Women, migrants, and disadvantaged populations face even greater challenges in accessing opportunities for skills development and employment. For Lao PDR to realize its economic growth potential and ensure inclusive development, strategic investments in skills supply and employment services are critical. Recognizing these challenges, the World Bank has been supporting the Government of Lao PDR through technical assistance and financial loan support to implement the Priority Skills for Growth Project from July 2022 to June 2027. This project is led by the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) and the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (MOLSW) and aims to enhance access, quality, and relevance of skills development and employment services for youth and other vulnerable groups in the three priority sectors: agriculture, logistics, and ICT. Over five years, the project aims to catalyze system-level reforms, ensuring that skills training programs are more aligned with labor market needs. As part of evidence-based reporting, Lao-PSG will send consultants to assess the impact of the Priority Skills for Growth Project (Lao-PSG). The Project Impact Assessment will cover the assessment of Lao-PSG inputs and deliverables based on the Project Design Monitoring Framework (DMF), specifically but not limited to the following: The study will be carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Sports' Department of Technical Vocational Education and Training (DTVET) and the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. The evaluation results will be used in evidence-based reporting to influence the technical and vocational education, job centers, and skill development centers (SDCs) subsector, as well as future projects. The consultant will conduct a project impact assessment for Loan No. Credit No. 7042-LA, Lao PSG. Based on the PIM, including the DMF, Covenants/Safeguards, and others, the impact assessment will provide (i) an overall assessment of project results by outputs focused on achievement, constraints including capacity, financial support, ownership and commitment at all levels, and legal framework or policy; (ii) analysis of findings and recommendations; and (iii) detailed information and analysis in terms of capacity, financing, and ownership. The findings and recommendations can be used and mentioned in the project's final report. It will examine and revise the DMF, ESF, and other covenants. To support this endeavor, the project is looking to an international consultant to conduct a joint impact evaluation of the Lao-PSG and make strategic recommendations to increase its role in skills development and workforce planning. The nation consultant will work closely with both ministries, MOES and MoLSW.

SCOPE OF WORK

Scope of Work

At the overall project level, covering the components and activities implemented by both MOES and MOLSW, the study will address the following objectives: Assess implementation progress and the delivery of project activities, outputs, and outcomes across the components implemented by MOES and MOLSW, including achievement of targets under the Results Monitoring Framework (RMF). Assess the project’s relevance and alignment with government priorities, labour market needs, and the needs of target beneficiaries. Assess the project’s effectiveness and the positive and negative effects of its interventions on access to, quality of, and relevance of skills development, technical and vocational education and training, employment services, and self-employment support. Assess the project’s efficiency, including the use of financial, human, and institutional resources, implementation arrangements, coordination between the two ministries, monitoring mechanisms, and delivery timelines. Assess institutional capacity development, ownership, and commitment at central and subnational levels across MOES and MOLSW, including supported institutions and service providers. Assess the sustainability of project results, systems, services, and institutional capacities beyond project completion, and identify associated risks and practical mitigation measures. Identify cross-cutting and component-specific implementation gaps, lessons learned, and good practices, and recommend practical measures for the remaining implementation period and future skills development and employment projects. Provide clear quantitative and qualitative evidence to substantiate all assessment findings and ratings, with analysis disaggregated by ministry, component, institution, location, and beneficiary group where relevant. .

Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output The international consultant will work with the national consultant in carrying out the following project impact assessment stages and will help ensure timely completion of the report. The consultant will also both with PMUs, and relevant stakeholders under MOES and MOLSW to complete following project impact assessment stages and ensure the timely submission of all required report. First Stage Implementation Develop a sound understanding of the project. Identify key project activities, outputs, and outcomes. Identify