ToR - Consultants to develop an information brief and a list of priority demands for improving working conditions and realizing decent work for each of the three groups of care workers in question

BACKGROUND

The ILO is implementing the We CARE project which aims to address the growing need for care in Lebanon and the increasing vulnerabilities faced by care workers in healthcare, education, and domestic work sectors. Since 2019, Lebanon has experienced significant socio-economic changes that have adversely affected working conditions of care workers who are often women, limiting progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5, 8, and 10.

The current phase of the project is focused on enhancing the capacity of care workers to protect their rights as workers and the project is working closely with workers’ organizations.  Improving the working conditions and promoting decent work for care workers requires improving the understanding of workers’ rights among the care workers themselves, as provided in relevant international labour standards, international guidelines, national laws and policies, and considering the local contexts as a first step. This will be the basis for the workers to formulate a set of minimum standards which they can use in their work to protect their rights. This can also be used as a collective advocacy tool to ensure their access to decent work.   

In this context, the ILO Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS) is seeking to engage three national consultants to facilitate the process and support the development of an information brief on minimum standards (MS) for 1) healthcare workers, 2) teachers in early childhood education and care, and 3) domestic work.  

This advertisement seeks to hire three consultants, one for each of the group of workers in question; healthcare workers, another for education/teachers and the third consultant for domestic workers.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this consultancy is to develop an information brief, as well as a list of priority demands for improving working conditions and realizing decent work for each of the three groups of care workers in question —specifically healthcare, education (including nursery), and domestic workers. These tools will serve to support a stronger positioning of care workers with employers, enhance collective bargaining, and improve working conditions in the care sector.

DELIVERABLES

1. Developing information brief:

1. 1. First draft of the brief: These will be drafted for the group of care workers in question, and developed based on international labour standards, international guidelines, and national laws and policies. Aiming to raise awareness on workers right as provided in Int and National Laws in addition to gaps in national laws specific to workers in question.

1.2 Presentation: Following clearance by ILO , the consultant will work on a presentation of the information brief to a group of workers (min 20), to raise awareness among the care workers about their rights and receive feedback.

1.3 Final draft: the information brief on Minimum Standards document is finalized

1. Develop a list of priority demands:

1. 1. Desk Review Report: Summary of findings from the desk review and group discussions with workers in question.
   2. Stakeholder Consultation Report: Summary of consultations held with key stakeholders and concerned group of workers to understand their working conditions, including main issues and recommendations.
   3. Draft List of Demands for Promoting Decent Work for the group of care workers in question.
   4. Validation and discussion of the first draft by the concerned groups of workers and trade unions.
   5. Final List of Demands for Promoting Decent Work for the group of care workers in question, which incorporate feedback from workers’ organizations and ILO specialists and project staff.

Detailed Description of roles and responsibilities

The consultant will work closely with the National Project Manager of the We CARE and under close technical guidance of the Senior Specialist on Gender Equality and Non Discrimination and the Senior Specialist of Workers’ Activities, ILO ROAS Decent Work Team.

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks in one of the areas of healthcare, teachers in ECEC, and domestic work:

1. Desk Review and Analysis

• Conduct a desk review of international and national standards, existing reports, frameworks, and standards related to decent work for relevant care workers.
• Familiarise themselves with the ILO tools on care work including relevant ILS.

• Develop a draft Minimum Standards document, aligning them with ILO conventions (C98, C189, C190) and the ILO’s 5R framework and national laws and policies.

• Analyse the current working conditions of care workers in Lebanon, including vulnerabilities, gaps, and challenges, based on project documents and available literature.

1. Stakeholder Engagement

• Present the minimum standards to the workers who are part of FENASOL and CGTL  to raise awareness on their rights as provided in international and national laws and policies.
• Identify and engage with key stakeholders, including workers' unions (e.g., FENASOL, CGTL), relevant employers' organizations, care worker representatives, and relevant government bodies to understand and identify main issues and recommendations for advancing decent work for care workers.
• Conduct virtual or in-person consultations to gather input and validate the needs and priorities of care workers, with a focus on developing a list of priority demands.

1. Development of a List of Priority Demands

• Draft a set of Priority Demands by care workers in healthcare, education, and domestic sectors. ,

1. Presentation and Finalization

• Present the draft list of priority demands to key stakeholders for feedback.
• Revise and finalize the Priority Demands document  based on stakeholder feedback, ensuring they are practical, context-specific, and in alignment with international labour standards.

Deliverables will be considered final once approved by the National Project coordinator and the Senior Gender and inclusion specialist at ROAS.

Detailed Description of roles and responsibilities of the ILO

• Introduce the consultant: Organize introductory meetings with relevant specialists at the ILO and constituents (FENASOL CGTL)
• Provide Feedback: Review submissions and provide comments
• Technical support: Provide relevant project documents and guidance through meetings with relevant specialists

PAYMENT

Two instalments of 50% each will be paid upon completion of the following deliverables subject to the clearance and satisfaction of the ILO.

First instalment 50% upon the submission of deliverables 1.

Second instalment 50% upon the completion of deliverable 2.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in Social Sciences, Law or Labor Studies, or Public Policy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in developing policies, national frameworks and advocacy with focus on gender equality, economy, labour rights, social protection.
• Understanding of ILO conventions, decent work principles, and gender equality frameworks.
• Experience working with trade unions and care workers of the listed sectors.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to facilitate consultations and engage with diverse stakeholders.

Languages

Excellent command of English and Arabic

Core Values

• Respect for Diversity.
• Integrity.
• Professionalism.
• Ethical conduct.

Core Competencies

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues.
• Accountability.
• Creative Problem Solving.
• Effective Communication.
• Inclusive Collaboration.
• Stakeholder Engagement.
• Leading by Example.

Functional Competencies

• Substantive experience and record of accomplishment in gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Good knowledge of ILO and the UN system.
• Demonstrated analytical and technical skills in managing development projects/Programmes.
• Ability to introduce new approaches and strategic innovations.