Engagement of Employment Counselor to increase the capacity of the EARK on implementing the Activation Pilot - Municipality of Vushtria

Project: P171098 - Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project Reference: SAS.1.1.ICS.009A-13 Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection Financing: World Bank .Date: 06 March 2026 Location: Kosovo Project ID: P171098 Ref. No.: SAS.1.1.ICS.009A World Bank Credit Name: Social Assistance System Reform Project in Kosovo REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST Engagement of 15 Employment Counselors to Increase the Capacity of the Employment Agency of the Republic of Kosovo (EARK) in Implementing the Activation Pilot TERMS OF REFERENCE BACKGROUND The Ministry of Labour, Family and Liberation War Values (MLFLWV) in the Republic of Kosovo has received a credit from the International Development Association (IDA) in the amount of EUR 47 million to finance the Social Assistance System Reform Project of Kosovo. The objective of the Project is to improve the equity and adaptability of Kosovo’s social protection system. Improving equity includes selecting SAS beneficiaries based on poverty status. Improving adaptability refers to increasing the capacity of Kosovo’s social protection system to respond to changes in poverty levels, as well as to shocks, including those induced by climate change, in order to minimize negative impacts on household poverty levels. In this context, MLFLWV is piloting a new tool to identify poor households eligible for SAS support, and the reform is advancing the methods of interaction between the Centers for Social Work (CSW) and the Employment Agency of the Republic of Kosovo (EARK), which is responsible for coordinating employment services for SAS beneficiaries. This reform is accompanied by support for integrating SAS beneficiaries into the labor market. The combination of these factors has increased the demand for services provided by EARK. In addition to the counselors previously engaged, MLFLWV intends to hire 15 Employment Counselors until the end of 2026 to increase the capacity of Employment Offices during the implementation of the Activation Pilot Program for work-able SAS beneficiaries, as part of the Government’s SAS reform plans. Recruitment will take place in the following municipalities: • Artana Municipality - one (1) position; • Graçanica Municipality - one (1) position; • Hani i Elezit Municipality - one (1) position; • Istog Municipality - one (1) position; • Junik Municipality - one (1) position; • Leposavić Municipality - one (1) position; • North Mitrovica Municipality - one (1) position; • Obiliq Municipality - one (1) position; • Rahovec Municipality - one (1) position; • Skenderaj Municipality - one (1) position; • Štrpce Municipality - one (1) position; • Viti Municipality - one (1) position; • Vushtrri Municipality - one (1) position; • Zubin Potok Municipality - one (1) position; • Zvečan Municipality - one (1) position. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT The main objective of this assignment is to support the Employment Offices in implementing the nationwide pilot program for the activation of work-able SAS beneficiaries, in cooperation with other project and institutional structures. SCOPE OF WORK Employment Counselors will work closely with the Director of the Employment Offices and will contribute to achieving the results defined in the Terms of Reference. Under the direct supervision of the Head of the respective Employment Office, specific tasks include: • Proposing and developing a plan for integrating social assistance beneficiaries into the labor market and monitoring and updating it with six (6) month targets; • Implementing the Operational Manual for activation of SAS beneficiaries in coordination with the Employment Office; • Implementing the labor market activation process for the unemployed in cooperation with Employment Offices and Centers for Social Work; • Providing advice and guidance to applicants regarding employment opportunities and addressing other employment-related issues; • Conducting profiling according to requirements and guiding SAS Pilot beneficiaries toward suitable employment opportunities; • Identifying key challenges faced by unemployed individuals in labor market integration through in-depth interviews and documenting services provided; • Maintaining regular communication with SAS Pilot beneficiaries, at least every two weeks, and documenting individual job search efforts; • Referring beneficiaries to existing labor market activation measures; • Assisting Employment Office staff in contacting businesses and employers to gather information on vacancies; • Organizing monitoring visits to oversee implementation of activation measures; • Verifying work ability criteria and mutual obligations and preparing reports on identified issues; • Actively participating in seminars, training sessions, and other related activation plan tasks. DELIVERABLES Selected Employment Counselors shall submit: • Bi-weekly summarized information on the status of all SAS Pilot beneficiaries registered at the Employment Offices; • Monthly, interim, and annual