Terms of Reference

FCDO Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) Trade Facilitation and Customs Support (Tasdeer) Programme

Gaza, Palestine

The Project: FCDO Trade Facilitation and Customs Support (Tasdeer)

Tasdeer is a Trade Facilitation and Customs Support programme (2020-2025; £15m) funded by UK Aid from the British Government and implemented by a consortium led by Cowater International.

Our objective is to improve the Palestinian private sector’s competitiveness and Palestinian Authority (PA) capacity in trade, customs and import policy regulation and administration. We aim to increase sustainable private sector-led economic growth and job creation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, supporting the PA’s fiscal sustainability while promoting equitable access to the benefits of increased trade and improved institutional capacity.

Job Purpose: Recruit the Services of two trainers to provide sewing training to 120 beneficiaries in Gaza

The trainers will be required to deliver 60 training sessions to four groups of trainees (30 trainees per group) for a total of 240 training hours.  The consultants will deliver 20 training hours per week for a total of 3 weeks for each training group.  It is expected that the training will be conducted in two locations, one in Gaza and one in Beit Lahia.

Background

The garment and textile sector were a major industrial sector in Gaza in the 1990s, with about 900 factories employing 36,000 workers. With the second intifada and the imposed closure, the numbers decreased. By 2006, only 100 factories remained operational, employing 2,000 workers. The easing of the imposed closure in 2014 led to the re-establishment of export activities to Israel and the sale of products in the West Bank. This encouraged a steady increase in the number of operating factories.  By 2015, the number of exporting factories reached nine, with a total export value of about USD 2,337,368, according to Palestinian Federation of Garment and Textile Association (PFGTA) records. Exports from this sector continued to rise, reaching 100 exporting factories in 2020 with a total value of USD 15,193,779. By 2021 this had risen to 226 factories employing 5,500 workers. 

Currently, about 35% of textile exports from Gaza are to the Israeli market, while the remaining 65% of products exiting Gaza are sold in the West Bank market. Products sold in the West Bank have greater value-added than those sold in Israel, due to subcontracting arrangements with Israeli businesses. For sales to the West Bank, manufacturers complete the entire production process, from buying the fabric to delivering the finished product.  For exports to Israel, manufacturers receive the design and fabric and deliver the end product to Israel.

The garment and textile sector has lost much of its trained workforce due to the closure of Gaza’s borders with Israel in 2006. Loss of business and closure of factories has meant that few workers have been trained since 2006, and the current labour market lacks skills in garment and textile production. This is considered a major impediment to the growth of the sector. 

The recent reclamation of export business and markets due to the easing of the closure has increased demand for high-skilled workers with special technical skills. The extended period of closure has depleted the pool of skilled workers and made it challenging for garment factories to find needed workers. The historical lack of business also means factories lack resources to invest in skilling new workers.  

Although this is a sector that historically employed women and PwD, the current participation of women and PwD is estimated to be 5%. Women’s unemployment in Gaza is currently high, at 64%.   

PFGTA has identified a need to provide factories with trained workers and intends to implement a training programme for this purpose. 

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

Roles and Responsibilities

Trainers are expected to deliver both in-class and on-the-job training.  The in-class training is for 60 training hours over three weeks and the on-the-job training is for 40 training hours during a period of one week.  The training is expected to be completed over a total period of one month. 

1. Trainers will review the training curriculum available at the PFGTA and make necessary changes to fit the training needs of the trainees.
2. Provide in-class training in the following sewing skills.
   1. Shirt
   2. Pants (Trousers)
   3. Skirt
   4. Abaya
   5. Jelbab
   6. Cutting and assembly process in sewing production
   7. Finishing process.
3. Trainers will conduct pre and post-tests (or other measurement tools) to measure how trainees have developed their sewing skills.
4. Conduct the main on-the-job training activities including:  
5. Conducting at least 12 field visits to all participating factories (12 factories) to monitor trainees’ performance during the one week of the on-the-job training and provide them with sewing tips and instructions.
6. Receive comments from factory owners/supervisors and provide trainees with tips to improve performance with sewing tips and instructions.

Deliverables

Deliverables

LoE/Training Hours

Inception report including training methodology and outline of training topics

2 days

60 in-class training hours for 4 groups of trainees (2 in Gaza and 2 in the North)

240 hours (32 working days equivalent)

40 hours of on-the-job training

5 days

End of training report

1

Pre- and Post-training test analysis and used tools

1

Training attendance sheet

N/A

Field visits implementation plan

N/A

High quality photos and videos during the in class and on the job training

N/A

Duration

The assignment is expected to start on January 31st, 2022, and to be undertaken over a maximum period of one month.

Geographic coverage and duty station

An in-person training location will be provided by Tasdeer for classroom training. On-the-job training will take place on location in factories across Gaza.

The trainers will undertake all other aspects of the assignment from their own office/s.

Reporting Line and key relationships

The trainers will report to the Tasdeer Gaza Lead and Work Stream 3 Lead.

Required Expertise and Competencies:

The consultant should demonstrate strong and evidenced experience in delivering similar types of trainings and in training women and PwD.  Experience and understanding of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion is a plus.   

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in related fields.
• At least 4 years of experience in delivering sewing and textile training courses.
• Experience and understanding of textile sector in Gaza are a plus
• Strong analytical and reporting skills English and Arabic
• Ability to produce accurate and concise reports.

Please submit a one-page CV and one-page cover letter explaining why you are the right person for this role, based on your work experience to [email protected]

The deadline for receipt of applications is January 12th, 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. We will interview on a rolling basis.