Background Jordan’s geographical location made it the third country in the Region in terms of hosting Syria refugee influx since 2011. From most recent data, Jordan hosts around 658,000 registered Syrian refugees, although the real total of Syrians is estimated at around 1.3 million when taking the unregistered Syrians into account[1]. Jordan’s population - to date - amounts to approximately 10,836,849 making the percentage of Syrian refugees residing in Jordan around 12%, a rate that has its weight on the social, economic and infrastructure landscape. A combined study by the ILO and FAO in 2015 reported that the Jordanian labor market prior to the Syrian conflict had a participation rate of 67% among men and 18% among women. Unemployment rates were above 14% for Jordanians with a higher average for female and young Jordanians aged 15-25 years respectively at around 30% for both groups. The study reported that the unemployment rates among Jordanians at the time of the study marked the 22.1%. This rate has increased since and currently hit 23% mark[2]. The demographics of the Syrian refugees residing in Jordan has its own reflections on the labour market. The vast majority lived in rural areas in Syria prior to the conflict, they are younger when compared to the Jordanian host communities and have lower education[3]. The former makes it evident that the informal sector would be more appealing to them where 99% of Syrians work in the informal sector in comparison to 50% of Jordanians[4]. Work in the informal sector is usually characterized by sub-standard wages, poor working conditions, and exploitive practices such as child labor. At the same time, the competition for jobs has led to social tensions. This is of particular concern in the northern governorates, Zarqa, Irbid and Mafraq, and in Amman where the share of Syrian refugees is greater. In 2015, the ILO has started the implementation of a Labor-Intensive Infrastructure Programme in Jordan to support the Government of Jordan in creating immediate jobs through employment intensive programmes which has now reached its sixth phase. The program which started in Irbid and Mafraq and has since expanded to cover locations in the Center and some parts of the South Governorates, targets Jordanian and Syrian women and men in host communities. Now in phase VI since 2022 the project focuses more on sustainable projects infrastructure and green activities in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Local Administration and 15 Municipality.  It has also introduced a skills and enterprise component that aims to promote employability and income generation beyond direct public works employment. The project has successfully trained and provided employment opportunities for 3000 workers through the Employment-Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP), delivered Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and work-based learning to 1,103 trainees, and equipped approximately 392 aspiring entrepreneurs with skills using ILO’s "Start and Improve Your Business" (SIYB) tool for enterprise development. Across all categories, the beneficiaries are evenly split between Jordanians and Syrians, with 30% being women and 5% persons with disabilities.   Objectives The purpose of this assignment is to assist EIIP Program to collect feedback and assess the progress towards but not limited to the outcome below and output indicators, divided into three main sections: Section One: Survey on workers’ working conditions This section is linked but not limited to indicator: % of Syrian refugees and Jordanians reporting improved living conditions as a result of participation in the programme. Measure worker satisfaction with job opportunities. The workers’ reflection on the working environment (physical, emotional) and conditions (safety, hours, pay). The workers’ perceptions of the extent by which the programme has contributed to generating income from employment and the effect of the changes in employment and income on socio-economic wellbeing (personal level and household level). The workers’ perceptions on the extent by which the programme has contributed to easing tensions and promoting cohesion between Jordanians and Syrians in the workplace and the community.   Section Two: Survey on improved perspectives for employment and income of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians This section is linked but not limited to indicators: % graduated trainees of skills training who access employment within 6 months after completion of training and continue for at least 6 months. % of enterprise training graduates who have established a business and keep operating it 6 months after start-up because of their newly gained skills.   Trainees’ feedback on the relevance, quality, and outcomes of the skills training   Understand whether the training matched the needs of labour market and participants gained practical, usable skills. Assess the perception of how well the training was delivered in terms of facilitation, materials, and environment. Capture overall satisfaction and suggestions for improvement. Understand if the training was inclusive and accessible to all workers.    Survey on the effectiveness and impact of the enterprise development component Track enterprise training graduates who established and sustained a business six months after start-up, Understand the profile of the business management trainees at training time and currently, the satisfaction with training and use of acquired competencies, the business continuity and expansion, access to finance or to markets, income change, employment generation, challenges faced.     Methodology and Sampling Framework A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods for this assignment is required. The qualitative survey will include focus groups discussions (FGDs) is expected for data collection with workers, trainees, and entrepreneurs. The mixed approach seeks to provide a more complete picture with initial results from the quantitative part that are either supported or challenged by the perspectives, stories and personal experiences of the respondents in the qualitative part. For the quantitative part, a phone survey/ questionnaire will be administered on a selected sample of Jordan EIIP target groups and beneficiaries from phase VI of the program. The survey/questionnaire skeleton has previously been developed by the ILO and will be shared with the Company upon award to be modified as per the needs of the project. The length of interview will be identified during the piloting phase. For the qualitative part, feedback will be collected using FGDs with a selected sample of Jordan EIIP workers from Phase VI amounting to 12 FGD in total covering the types of work performed (municipality work, agriculture, and enterprise) with an average number of participants of 10-15 per FGD. As per the table below, the respondents will be divided by nationality and gender to provide a safe environment for each group to share their views openly. The FGD will ensure to collect respondents’ perspectives on the same objectives as the quantitative part; job satisfaction, reflections on work environment, and the contribution of the program on income generation and easing tensions with stories and more personal views to support or challenge the findings in the quantitative part and to serve the purpose of understanding the findings of the quantitative survey. They should provide more meaning to the findings. They should help understand the why behind the numbers. The FGD will also assess the relevance, quality, inclusiveness, and overall effectiveness of the training in meeting labour market needs, delivering practical skills, and ensuring participant satisfaction. Intervention Municipalities (Infrastructure) Agriculture Skills and enterprise 1 Males – Jordanians 1 Males – Syrians 1 Females – Jordanians 1 Females - Syrians 1 Males – Jordanians 1 Males – Syrians 1 Females – Jordanians 1 Females - Syrians 1 Males – Jordanians 1 Males – Syrians 1 Females – Jordanians 1 Females - Syrians   The mixed approach will follow a proportionate stratified sampling method that takes the weighted average of each stratum into consideration. The following strata - in order of importance - are to be considered: The type of work. Nationality – Jordanian and Syrian Gender – Women and Men Disability Location – Irbid, Mafraq, Ajloun, Jerash, Zarqa, Madaba and Amman (TBC)   Sampling For a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of 5%, the sample below shall be conducted taking into consideration that the ILO will provide the total number of workers and the company shall ensure reaching the sample required per section: For Section One: Survey on workers’ working conditions The sample should not be less than 341 workers. The ILO will provide the full list with 3000 worker and the company should ensure 50% Syrians – 50% Jordanians, 30% Women, 5% PWD in the sampling.   For Section Two: Trainees’ feedback on the relevance, quality, and outcomes of the skills training 286 trainees from skills component. The ILO will provide the full list with 1103 trainees and the company should ensure 50% Syrians – 50% Jordanians, 30% Women, 5% PWD in the sampling. Survey on the effectiveness and impact of the enterprise development component 195 beneficiaries from Entrepreneurship component. The ILO will provide the full list with 391 trainees and the company should ensure 50% Syrians – 50% Jordanians, 30% Women, 5% PWD in the sampling.   Applicants are advised to provide a detailed description of FGD cost breakdown in the financial proposal to include the following: Venue rental costs (if face to face or grouped virtual FGD). Transportation costs for participants (JDs 10) per person. Transportation costs for team members and facilitators. Fee of FGD facilitators For quality assurance purposes, the FGD transcripts (in Arabic) and quantitative datasets (raw and clean) are part of the expected deliverables. Applicants are responsible for reflecting those aspects in their proposals. Analysis Framework The analysis component of this assessment will go beyond descriptive reporting and ensure robust, evidence-based findings. The Company is expected to: Quantitative Data Analysis Clean, code, and validate datasets to ensure reliability and accuracy. Conduct statistical analysis using appropriate software (e.g., SPSS, Stata, R, or equivalent). Apply cross-tabulations, regression models, and statistical significance tests to assess relationships between variables such as gender, nationality, disability status, type of employment, and geographical location. Compare results across target groups (Jordanians vs. Syrians, men vs. women, persons with disabilities vs. non-disabled workers) to highlight disparities or specific trends. Track program-related indicators (employment rates, business survival rates, job satisfaction, and social cohesion) and assess progress towards program outcomes. Qualitative Data Analysis Transcribe and systematically code data from Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) using thematic analysis. Identify recurring themes, narratives, and divergences to explain quantitative findings. Ensure gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive analysis, capturing voices of marginalized groups. Highlight personal stories or case examples to bring depth and context to the data. Triangulation of Findings Integrate results from both quantitative and qualitative data to validate and enrich findings. Compare perceptions (self-reported impacts from workers/trainees/entrepreneurs) with measurable outcomes (employment rates, enterprise continuity, income generation). Cross-check findings with secondary data sources (e.g., national statistics, previous EIIP assessments) where relevant. Equity and Cohesion Lens Apply a social cohesion and conflict sensitivity lens to understand whether the program contributed to easing tensions or fostering cooperation between Syrians and Jordanians. Assess inclusiveness across gender, age, and disability, identifying both successes and persistent gaps.  Presentation of Analysis Present findings using clear visuals such as graphs, tables, and infographics to aid interpretation. Provide disaggregated data wherever possible (by gender, nationality, disability, location, type of intervention). Summarize results in an accessible way for policymakers and development partners, linking them directly to program indicators.     Ethical Guidelines The assessment is expected to strictly follow the UNEG ethical guidelines which can be reviewed on http://www.unevaluation.org/document/detail/2866   Tasks and Deliverables The ILO will assist in providing the following: The skeleton questionnaire developed in earlier phases in English for the Company modification. Lists of workers with contact details randomly select the sample for each approach; quantitative and qualitative. Support in organizational logistics with Municipalities and Governmental Offices to host FGD. Technical feedback on sampling framework, questionnaire and FGD guideline. The Company is responsible for: Revising the skeleton tool and modifying it based on the need to reflect the main assessment areas and reflect the same on the Arabic version. Adding a section on enterprise in the questionnaire. Providing the full questionnaire after an agreement with the ILO team on the questions. Testing and piloting the developed questionnaire with a sample of workers (not less than 40 respondents, 10 for municipality workers, 10 agriculture workers, 10 trainees from skills component, and 10 for SMEs) following rigorous piloting protocol agreed with ILO team and modifying the tool accordingly. Data collection, analysis and reporting on the questionnaire. Developing the FGD guidelines, conducting the FGD, analyzing and reporting on the FGD findings, ensuring that a gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive approach is adopted in designing and delivering FGDs. Developing the final report. The report, comprising 40-50 pages, is divided into two separate sections: one for the workers survey and one for the tracer study for the Enterprise Development component including: Executive summary highlighting key findings, conclusion and recommendations. Background: analysis of the context and objectives of the research. Findings and analysis for each: workers survey and skills/enterprise tracer study (in two separate sections) disaggregated by employment sector, nationality, gender and disability. Description of methodology used and sampling framework. Analysis of findings beyond frequency reporting (statistical significance tests) and triangulation with FGD findings when applicable. Conclusion. Recommendations. Lessons learned and good practices. Graphical and tabulated representation of findings when applicable. Data collection tools as annex. Annexes (ToRs, workplan, list of contacts and persons interviewed, references, data collection tools, questionnaire in Arabic and English, FGD guidelines in Arabic and English). (not within report) – Raw and clean questionnaire datasets in Excel format as attachment. (not within report) – Transcripts of conducted FGD in Arabic as attachment.   Duration of Contract and Timeline for Delivery The collaboration between ILO and the Company is expected to last for 8 weeks starting on the 23 September 2025 of until 30 November 2025. A first draft of the inception report with the work plan that covers the research design, the proposed methodology, research tools and proposed research timeline, and desk review must be submitted to the project team. Draft inception and final reports must be shared with the project team for comments and review. A final report must be submitted by 23 November 2025. Several meetings with the project team will take place to review progress and share comments during the work period. The below table is a projection and distribution for number of expected timeframe to submit the agreed upon deliverables: # Deliverable Key Activities 1 Inception report (2 weeks) The inception report should clearly link the questions to the indicators above to be measured and how each will be assessed. Desk review Sampling methodology Data collection plan Adapt and translate the questionnaire and data analysis plan Design data collection tools Select sample from Programme participants’ list Sending inception report to ILO Review by ILO 2 Data collection (2 weeks) Conduct data collection Develop FGD guidelines Conduct FGD with target groups   3 Final report and presentation (4 weeks)   Provide raw and cleaned datasets, syntax for quantitative data analysis, as well as qualitative data transcripts Submit a draft report detailing the findings and analysis Receive feedback, incorporate changes and submit a final report Presentation       Supervision The Company will work under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager and the direct supervision of M&E Senior Officer. The Company will be required to provide continuous updates on the progress of work and revert to the ILO with any challenges or bottlenecks for support. Coordination and follow-up with the Company will take place through in person meetings, e-mail or Teams/skype.   Fees and Mode of Payment Key Deliverable(s) Instalments Upon delivery of deliverables 1 & 2 (Inception report and data collection tools) 30% of the total fees Upon delivery of deliverable 3 (Final report) Final report will be revised, and several rounds of comments are expected 70% of the total fees Total 100 %     Qualifications It is expected that a consulting firm or an institution with previous qualifications in the areas of field research and evaluations will implement this assignment. The firm needs to have the following qualifications: Previous experience in conducting field surveys and data collection in Jordan either directly or through partnering with local providers. The Jordanian context has its own particularities and social weave that need to be taken into consideration along with the way host communities have integrated Syrian refugees that might be different from neighboring countries. Previous experience in data analysis, including statistical regression and significance tests and report writing for baseline/end line assessments, preferably for a UN agency. Minimum 7 years of previous experience in leading assessments including quantitative and qualitative methods, specifically conducting FGD. Previous experience in the theory and practice of the impact of employment programmes on peace in fragile and conflict-affected countries, is strongly advantageous and would weigh in the selection matrix. Previous experience in programs in fragile settings is required and previous experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset. The Consulting Firm is expected to propose a team of experts to conduct the assignment. The minimum qualifications of the team leader are listed below. Holds a university degree in social studies, development economics or sociology, with a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in conducting end line assessments or impact assessments for projects, preferable for donor and UN agencies. Proven experience in leading assessments including qualitative and quantitative research methods. Previous experience, the theory and practice of the impact of employment programs on peace in fragile and conflict-affected countries, is an asset. Previous experience in employment programs in fragile settings and gender mainstreaming is an asset. Excellent analytical and communication skills. English language proficiency. The remaining team members should provide complementary skills and experiences to those of the team leader including: Arabic and English language proficiency. Experience in conducting FGDs, KII and face-to-face field surveys. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis and statistical competencies beyond descriptive reporting.     Selection Service provider who wants to apply must submit the listed documents below (in English) by 6 September 2025 via [email protected]. if you have any questions please send them by 27 August 2025 via [email protected] and the ILO will respond to them on 28 August. The documents include: 1. Portfolio of the applicant. 2. Sample of work. 3. Detailed work plan and proposed research design including working days. 4. Detailed financial offer (with daily rates if applicable). To ease the email tracing and facilitate quick processing, kindly use the email subject: “ILO-KFW - EIIP- Workers’ Survey and Enterprise Development Tracer Study”   [1] Syrian refugees | ACAPS [2] Jordanian Department of Statistics (DOS) Department of Statistics (dos.gov.jo), unemployment rate for Q2 of 2020. [3] 60 per cent of the Syrian refugees above the age of 15 have never completed basic schooling, and only about 15 per cent of the refugees have completed secondary education, compared to 42 per cent of Jordanians above the age of 15. (Reference ILO and FAO study). [4] Stave and Hillesund: Impact of Syrian Refugees on the Jordanian Labour Market (ILO and FAO 2015).