Completed Projects

8 Months

v  NATEJA is Italian Government funded project which is implementing by National Skills Development Program (NSDP) at Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MOLSAMD), NATEJA project will focus on increasing access to non-formal technical and vocational training for the unskilled and semi-skilled, young, illiterate, Afghan women and men. This will be achieved by providing them with market relevant practical skills to improve their potential for wage employment and/ or new business development and higher earnings, and building other livelihood skills. The project will also improve labor market outcomes by enhancing the quality of training delivery through performance-linked financial incentives, and will use non-formal training providers and employers to train the unskilled and illiterate individuals.

v  The Project Development Objective is “to increase the potential for employment and higher earnings of targeted young Afghan women and men in rural and semi-urban areas through non-formal skills training”.

v  The specific objective of the Italian fund for NATEJA Project is to enhance and strengthen the program, and increase the number of beneficiaries with a special focus on Western provinces, as well as Bamyan. Activities carried out under the Italian Government bilateral grant will share the same objectives and use all the existing documents and procedures developed for NATEJA project for its implementation.

v  Project objectives and expected results will remain the same as the project overall goal will be to increase the potential for employment, and higher earnings of targeted young Afghan women and men in rural and semi-urban areas through non-formal skills training.

v  An Inspection Agent is sought to be appointed for the Non-formal Approach to Training, Education and jobs in Afghanistan (NATEJA) project to be implemented by NSDP/MOLSAMD and funded by IDCO. CSFO wishes to be the Inspection Agent. CSFO will conduct the inspection work through a formative monitoring approach using proactive and participators approaches. This will include, but is not limited to

v  The training providers will be given monitoring support to better perform their functions in providing non-formal technical and vocational training for the unskilled and semi-skilled, young, illiterate, Afghan women and men. The monitoring process will provide NSDP with data for making on-course corrections and provide handholding support to the training providers.

v  The monitoring team will conduct their work in a collaborative manner with the training providers so that it may provide positive support to them to improve their work and not be a faultfinding or “Monitoring Unit”. The monitoring team will create a space where the training providers can discuss the roadblocks faced by them in reaching the targets, convey this to NSDP through adequate reporting so that corrective action may be taken.

v  The key objectives of the monitoring process would be:

v  Keep track of performance against NSDP’s overall goals (achieve quality and sustainable skill development at scale), provide early view of risks (financial, operational, and social) to enable early mitigation, use the knowledge gained to ensure informed decision-making.

v  Identify any course corrections needed, at the

v  Partner level (to improve business and social performance) Overall NSDP level (to inform future strategy and partner choices) Support partners in course correction, in a prioritized manner (based on well-defined triggers)

v  The National Skills Development Program (NSDP) within the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MOLSAMD), will implement the project.

v  The Project has three main components. These and their sub-components are given below:

v

v  Component 1:Improving the Quality of Non-formal Training and the Labor Market Outcomes of Trainees.

v  Component 2:Project Management, Capacity Building of MOLSAMD and M&E.

v  Component 3:Piloting Entrepreneurship among Unskilled and Illiterate Young Afghans.

v  Sub-component 3.1:Encouraging Rural Employment

v  Sub-component 3.2: Promoting Entrepreneurship among Afghan Youth

Project Start Date: July 12 , 2015

Project End Date: March 11, 2016

Duration 8 Months

Name of Client :

PDJCU/Molsmad

 Project Approx. Value : 12511000 AFN

Role On the Assignment : Prime Contractor

 Vocational and  Education Literacy Training for 270 Men and Women in Jawzjan Province

v  Core Sill Focus organization (CSFO) Contracted the Provision of Carpet weaving Training project in ShabarghanCenter and District of Khwaja De KohJawzjanProvine for 270 Male & Female beneficiaries that was concluded in March 11,2016.

v  This project was implemented by CSFO with the technically and financially support by PDJCU Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MoLSMAD)

v  The primary objective of this training was to give vocational training to those beneficiaries who were unemployed and on the basis of this to find the way to know about how to make the carpets and then to start his own business. Because the people of Afghanistan have an extra ordinary talent to produce his own products.

v  Along with the Training of carpet weaving, the Basic Literacy training was also given to the selected beneficiaries.

v  During the implementation period of the project, more than 500 beneficiaries were interviewed in 2 Places of Jawzjan Province. CSFO Monitoring Staff Regularly monitors the project activities with coordination with Directorate of laborSoaial Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled Jawzan Province and reports were submitted to the related Departments. Based on the TOR of the project, Basic information about the beneficiaries were recorded in the database by the data reporting officer and submitted to the PDJCU for tracer study.

v  The CSFO Marketing and Monitoring team worked closely to direct those beneficiaries who are willing to start his own business and provide them linkage with market.

v  CSFO provided 2240 AFN Transportation cost to every beneficiary and Toolkit of Carpet wearing at the end of the training.

v  So the types of duties which were undertaken by CSFO within this assignment included:

v  Hiring of Project Staff and establishing training centers

v  Selection of beneficiaries and trainers

v  Preparation of Inception Report

v  Monitoring the project by CSFO Staff

v  Preparing of Monthly technical and Monitoring reports to the concerned Departments

v  Data entry

v  Preparing Database

v  Preparation of Final technical and Monitoring reports to the concerned Departments

NSDP/Molsamd

17,098,000 AFN

12511000 AFN

Prime Contractor

Prime 

Contractor

v  CSFO contracted the Project for provision of consultancy services for youth development training in Nangrahar Province with Nation Skills Development Program (MoLSMAD).

v  The main objective of this project was that is essential for younger people, and especially those who have missed out an educational and training opportunities, to be provided with market driven vocational and business development training in order for them to contribute to their own and their families’ livelihood, and to the development of the country.

v  In addition the primary focus was to identify and improve the livelihood of (330) male and female unemployed or under employed youth between age 15-30 youth, whether educated or not, who are unable to find employment and legitimate engagement through well focused, market driven vocational and business development training interventions which are sensitive to the needs of young people and which will lead to waged and self-employment.

v  At least 35% of the trainees should be women and up to 5%, handicapped and disabled. And also assist the trainees to engage in fruitful employment so that at least 75% obtain employment after 3 months of completing training.

v  The CSFO Monitoring and field staff were in interventions including workplace or centre-based training or mixtures of both (on the job/off  the job), dual system training and essential underpinning/supporting competencies- particularly literacy and numeracy .

v  Implementing agency carry out independent tracer study approximately three months after training in order to ensure the success of training (at 75% employment rate)

v  NSDP Recommended that for all trainees must be provided a toolkit of essential tolls in the first month of their training, this will increase efficiency of practical training and contribute to the employment of the trainees.

v  The CSFO Technical, Monitoring and M & E Staff worked closely to submit all related reports to NSDP office

Contractor

v  CSFO contracted the Project for provision of consultancy services for youth development training in Kandahar Province with Nation Skills Development Program (MoLSMAD).

v  The main objective of this project was that is essential for younger people, and especially those who have missed out an educational and training opportunities, to be provided with market driven vocational and business development training in order for them to contribute to their own and their families’ livelihood, and to the development of the country.

v  In addition the primary focus was to identify and improve the livelihood of (330) male and female unemployed or under employed youth between age 15-30 youth, whether educated or not, who are unable to find employment and legitimate engagement through well focused, market driven vocational and business development training interventions which are sensitive to the needs of young people and which will lead to waged and self-employment.

v  At least 35% of the trainees should be women and up to 5%, handicapped and disabled. And also assist the trainees to engage in fruitful employment so that at least 75% obtain employment after 3 months of completing training.

v  The CSFO Monitoring and field staff were in interventions including workplace or centre-based training or mixtures of both (on the job/off  the job), dual system training and essential underpinning/supporting competencies- particularly literacy and numeracy .

v  Implementing agency carry out independent tracer study approximately three months after training in order to ensure the success of training (at 75% employment rate)

v  NSDP Recommended that for all trainees must be provided a toolkit of essential tolls in the first month of their training, this will increase efficiency of practical training and contribute to the employment of the trainees.

v  The CSFO Technical, Monitoring and M & E Staff worked closely to submit all related reports to NSDP office.

Contractor

v  CSFO contracted the Project for provision of consultancy services for youth development training in Laghman Province with Nation Skills Development Program (MoLSMAD).

v  The main objective of this project was that is essential for younger people, and especially those who have missed out an educational and training opportunities, to be provided with market driven vocational and business development training in order for them to contribute to their own and their families’ livelihood, and to the development of the country.

v  In addition the primary focus was to identify and improve the livelihood of (320) male and female unemployed or under employed youth between age 15-30 youth, whether educated or not, who are unable to find employment and legitimate engagement through well focused, market driven vocational and business development training interventions which are sensitive to the needs of young people and which will lead to waged and self-employment.

v  At least 35% of the trainees should be women and up to 5%, handicapped and disabled. And also assist the trainees to engage in fruitful employment so that at least 75% obtain employment after 3 months of completing training.

v  The CSFO Monitoring and field staff were in interventions including workplace or centre-based training or mixtures of btoh (on the job/off  the job), dual system training and essential underpinning/supporting competencies- particularly literacy and numeracy .

v  Implementing agency carry out independent tracer study approximately three months after training in order to ensure the success of training (at 75% employment rate)

v  NSDP Recommended that for all trainees must be provided a toolkit of essential tolls in the first month of their training, this will increase efficiency of practical training and contribute to the employment of the trainees.

v  The CSFO Technical, Monitoring and M & E Staff worked closely to submit all related reports to NSDP office.

Contractor

v  This agreement was entered into January 01,2010 by between Twanmandi/British Council and Core Skill Focus Organization (CSFO)

v   Analyzing &Identifyingof an International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education under the Terms and Conditions Provided by Twanmandi/British Council in the selected Provinces.

v  Identified possible objectives, programme areas, structures and modalities of operation

v  Examined the complementarily of its possible tasks with those of other international institutions

v  It concludes that the establishment of an International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education for the purpose to trained the saving group members.

v   Five programme areas are identified

1.      Encouraging Rural Employment\

2.      Identifying Saving Group Members on the basis of the data provided by the Twanmandi/British Council

3.      Deliver Training to the selected saving group members in order to gain wage or self employment

4.      Promotion of innovation in staff development

5.      Facilitating access to data bases and documentation

v  CSFO M & E Staff Regularly Monitor all activities

Description and Milestone of the project Were:

·         Approved Work plan and Curriculum

·         Approved progress Reports which include the list of participants etc

·         Detailed Agenda of meeting

·         Additional Training and Submission of Final report which contain summary of all activities.

Contractor

v  This agreement was entered into Janaury 05,2012  by between Twanmandi/British Council and Core skill Focus Organization (CSFO)

v  The aim of these activities were to strengthen traditional leadership by building the capacity of customary leaders to practice traditional dispute resolution mechanism in all province through the training on peace process of election.

v  Implementing agency provided information about peaceful election and also a one-day additional conflict resolution training.

v  Trained tribal elders, DDA members and district government officials on how to motivate people to have peace election in future.

v  Improved the capacity and credibility of community disputes resolution mechanism

v  CSFO Field Staff inspected and monitored the project activities and submitted the report to the concerned department of Twanmandi.

The Following activities have been done by implementing agency:

·         Submitted work plan and list of trainees along with the selection criteria

·         Training provided about Peaceful election

·         Submitted three weekly progress report

·         First Training

·         Additional training completed

·         Approved final report containing a summary of all activities

Contractor

March 10,2013

October 10, 2013

7 Months

Feasibility study of peace transforming and Conflict resolution and in Nagarhar and Kandahar Province

v  This agreement was entered into March 10,2013  by between Twanmandi/British Council and Core Skill Focus Organization (CSFO)

v  Hold kickoff meeting with relevant district government officials about peace

v  Submit work plan, and training curriculum

v  Mobilize Staff to identified districts and conduct opening ceremony

v  Conduct Conflict Resolution training and training for how to bring peace in contribution with Twanmandi/British Council guidelines.

v  Conduct Project Completion Ceremony

v  As a result of evaluationconducted by CSFO it was revealed that the implemented projects had  significantly contributed to improve economy growth and helped to  poverty and vulnerability in the area bring peace for the poorest and most vulnerable communities of Kandahar and Nangrahar Province.

The following activities have been taken by the implementing agency :

·         Approved Work plan and training curriculum

·         Selection of trainees

·         Held opening ceremony

·         Start Training

·         Training Completed

·         Monitor all the activities

·         Submit Monitoring and Technical report about the project activities

Activities contributed the strengthening ties between local elders, government structures and the government of the Islamic republic of Afghanistan.

Tawanmandi/British Council

$221000

Prime Contractor

v  CSFO contracted with GIZ for feasibility study of access to justice in mobile clinic in Ghazni province and the implementing agency done the following activities which are described below:

v  Set the office in GelanDistict

v  Recruitment Process

v  Monitor the project for timely and effective manner

CSFO Field Staff assessed the area, conducting meeting with community elders and got the support letter toward the implementation of project from both district governor and community elders.

Approved version of English manuals about the justice has been translated into Pashto and submitted to GIZ Main office for review and approval

The main aim of this project was to build and strengthen the capacity of community elders on conflict resolution in order to increase their efficiency and effectiveness to carry out this Justice training.

M & E Staff regularly monitor and evaluated the project activities and submitted the report to the GIZ Program Departments

v  Office Setup , hiring of project Staff

v  Kick of meeting

v  Opening Ceremony

To Know about the peace process for election CSFO Project Staff given brief overview of the whole process

To equip community elders with the knowledge and Skills needed to bring the idea of peace election in the area, and to deal with the range of challenging behaviors and and situation that they can face

Similar to other training CSFO used participatory methods to keep learners active in the learning process. Specifically following methods has been used:

·         Lectures

·         Brainstorming

·         Group discussions/work

·         Interactive role-playing

The CSFO Facilitator presented first module conflict and the following topics were presented and explained during the training:

·         Conflict Management Defecation

·         Types of Conflict

·         Conflict Management Techniques

Monitoring and Evaluation Field Staff actively contributed ideas and suggestions on above –mentioned topics, Finally the training was successfully completed.

Good coordination with relevant stakeholders such as local community and local community Provide Strong Support for smooth implementation of the program without any major risks and problems

v  Contract entered into between (UNESCO) and implementing agency Core Skill Focus Organization (CSFO) on March 01,2011

v  The basic objective of the project was to provide pilot basic skill training and income generation activities in Paktika, Which includes:

v  Selected 350 trainees (175 male and 175 female) from non-literate youth and adult who graduated from literacy classes in sharanaPaktika Province.

v  Submit list of trainees and training plan (based on market survey) to UNESCO

v  Provided different kinds of training (skill development training and agriculture training) to selected participants

v  Providing BDS training to all trainees

v  Regular Monitoring of Project activities and submit report to UNESCO on monthly basis

Monitoring & Evaluation include:

·         Progress of training

·         Assessment of local economy for new business potential

·         Assessment of individual trainee’s entrepreneurial characteristics

·         Labour market assessment by labour market officer

v  This agreement was entered into March 15,20114  by between UNICEF and Core Skill Focus Organization (CSFO)

v  The overall goal of the project is “Children enjoy friendly and child centered schools with improved and quality learning environment”.

v  The main objectives of the project are,

v  2,000(100 principals, 300 teachers, 300 SMC members, 100 community elder,100 religious leaders, 600 students(300 boys and 300 girls), 200 PED staff, 300 line departments) staff will have developed and implemented school improvement plans (SIP) for100 schools,

v  12 master trainers and focal points (2 per province and 2 per district) and 600(principals and teachers) of 100 schools will have hands –on child centered methodology through three days training.

The main activities of this project are the following:

v  Coordination meeting with PED,

v  Coordination meeting with Department of Economy-Paktika,

v  Coordination meeting with PED Focal Points

v  Coordination meetings with school principals

v  Pre-preparation of SIP development workshop

v  Meetings with 100 schools principal to receive the name of SMC members

v  Invitation letters send to 100 schools principals for SIP development Workshops, and

v  Developed 100 SIP for project selected 100 schools of the Paktika Province

The basic aim of the CCM training was,

To improve the quality of teaching and learning in Afghanistan primary classrooms through strengthening the capacities of the teachers in order to promote the concept of “Child Centered Learning” in Afghanistan

The monitoring project has been designated to be conducted in two phase

v  The pilot phase of the project has already successfully conducted in Baghlan, Samangan and Balkh province.

v  So far, CSFO has developed the monitoring tools, The field monitors have been already recruited, trained and deployed and field work

v  . During this assignment, CSFO’s field monitors monitored all those projects that have been implemented in frame of Project Activities

v  . Monitoring done through conducting interviews with community members, project direct and indirect beneficiaries, reintegrates, CDCs members, DDA, district governors, and other relevant stakeholders

v   

The overall responsibilities of CSFO within this assignment can be summarized as follows:

–          Preparation of inception report of the project

–          Developing of monitoring tools

–          Translation of monitoring tools from English into local languages (Dari & Pashto)

–          Training of staff for conducting of pilot phase of monitoring

–          Preparation and submission of Pilot Phase Monitoring Report

–          Recruitment of field staff for general phase of monitoring

–          Data Collection

–          Data cleaning and analysis

–          Submission of progress reports

–          Drafting and submission of final monitoring report