Call for Experts: Employment Policy and Labour Market Expert in the Expert Group for Development of Occupational Standards

Support to the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (MoLEVSA) in the development of the National Standard Classification of Occupations:

Employment Policy and Labour Market Expert in the Expert Group for Development of Occupational Standards

1. Background and Context

The Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) assigned NIRAS Germany to implement the project “From Education to Employment” (hereinafter: E2E) – Phase III that commenced in May 2024 and will last until 30^th April 2028.

The E2E, through NIRAS, supports evidence-based approaches in the employment policies in Serbia. At the national level, the key line ministry in charge of the implementation of the employment and employability policies in Serbia relevant for implementation of the E2E is the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (hereinafter: MoLEVSA). The E2E also closely cooperates with several other relevant institutions and organizations i.e. the National Employment Service, the Qualification Agency, the Office for Dual Education and National Qualification Framework, the Chambre of Commerce and Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities. The E2E supports national policy partners in improving legal and strategic framework for employment, as well as in establishing the system of CGC support and accreditation of non-formal trainings.

On the local level, the E2E aims at enhancing employability in fifteen districts, through cooperation with local partners, mainly civil society organizations, that establish and accredit career centres entitled Job Info Centre. Through the promotion of CGC services for students as well as the job seekers, the E2E facilitates the entry of young people into working life.

The overall goal of the E2E is that women and men, including vulnerable groups benefit from new or better employment opportunities through improved employment support services and industry–led training offer. The project has three outcomes. This Terms of Reference (ToR) is primarily related to the achievement of Outcome 3, Output 4.1:

Outcome 3 (Enabling Environment): Sub-national and national policy makers and implementers create a more enabling institutional and policy environment for employment and employability;

Output 4.1 – Goal: Ministry of Labour adjusts the legal and strategic framework and changes their Active Labour Market Measures (ALMMs) practices to enable the allocation of public funds towards CSOs (Employment Law; Youth Guarantee Initiative, Occupational Standards);

Within this output the E2E is aiming to support MoLEVSA as an institutional focal point for the E2E in the development of the National Standard Classification of Occupations (hereinafter: NSCO) through the development of new draft occupational standards. This activity is envisaged in the Memorandum of Understanding between the SDC and MoLEVSA signed on December 6^th, 2023, stipulating a detailed list of policy activities that will be supported through E2E/NIRAS.

There is an extensive list of the results that MoLEVSA has achieved in the field of NSCO development with E2E support:

new Codebook of Occupations aligned with the International Standard Classification of Occupations (International Labour Organization, 2008; hereinafter: ISCO 08) and adopted in 2018 by the Government of the Republic of Serbia;
improving of the webpage for interactive communication with users of the Codebook of occupations (employers, institutions, citizens…) and enabling new functionalities: http://kodekssifara.minrzs.gov.rs/;
Draft methodology for occupational standards development;
two rounds of piloting the Draft methodology through development of the proposal of 33 occupational standards;
four videos (60 seconds each) for the occupational standards for Locksmith, CNC operator, Head chef and Hotel receptionist;
Harmonization of the translation of the definitions of the ISCO 08 classification units into Serbian with the list of occupations in the Republic of Serbia and the local context;
revision and updating of the Draft methodology for occupational standards development based on recommendations from two rounds of piloting and the consultations with the MoLEVSA, Working group for NSCO development and E2E experts;
development of the Draft law on the NSCO, planned to be adopted by the end of 2026.

In line with Draft methodology for occupational standards development the Expert group should be formed, consisting of Employment policy and labour market expert/expert group coordinator, Education and skills development expert, Survey Expert and expert/s for the sector/field to which the occupations for which the standard is being developed belong.

2. Objective of the Assignment

Objective of the assignment is to coordinate and actively participate in the Expert group for occupational standards development as the Employment policy and labour market expert in order to develop occupational standards for approximately 30 occupations and provide recommendations for further improvement of the Draft methodology for occupational standards development and the Codebook of occupations.

The tasks of the Expert shall be:

1. Preparation of a research plan for the selected occupations, including clearly defined activities, timelines, and instructions for the members of the Expert group, and monitoring its implementation.

2. Customization of occupational questionnaires.

3. Provision of support and participation in company surveys.

4. Preparation of proposals of occupational standards based on the conducted survey.

5. Coordination and moderation of the work of the Expert group, including facilitating joint discussions, providing guidance to members, and systematizing the results of the group’s work.

6. Preparation of the necessary materials and inputs for the optimization of the occupational standards development process through the use of AI tools.

7. Preparation of the Final report of the Expert group on conducted activities in development of occupational standards proposals with a clear set of recommendations for further improvement of the Draft methodology for occupational standards development and the Codebook of occupations.

All tasks are performed in line with the Draft methodology for occupational standards development available for the Expert after the Contract signed.

The mandate shall be performed in close cooperation and consultation with MoLEVSA and E2E PIU.

3. The Expert’s profile

The consultant shall have the following skills, experience and qualifications:

University degree in social science
At least 10 years of work experience on positions requiring a university degree
Sound understanding of the labour market in the Republic of Serbia
Strong familiarity with the national and international standards in the field of occupations (Codebook of Occupations in Serbia, ISCO 08, ESCO)
Experience in conducting analyses or other written materials in the field of employment
Professional knowledge of English
Team coordination skills
Communication skills
Moderation and facilitation skills
Analytical, writing and reporting skills

4. Deliverables

The deliverables of the assignment shall comprise:

For the Task 1:

Developed research plan for the selected occupations with precise instructions for the members of the Expert group (activities, timelines) – by April 14^th, 2026;
Conducted consultation process with E2E, collected and integrated feedback and submitted final research plan for the selected occupations – by April 22^nd, 2026;

For the Task 2:

Customized occupational questionnaire for each of selected occupations – by June 30^th, 2026;

For tasks 3, 4, 5 and 6:

Proposal of occupational standards for selected occupations – by December 25^th, 2026;

For the Task 7:

Final report of the Expert group on conducted activities in regard to development of occupational standards proposals with clear set of recommendations for further improvement of the Draft methodology for occupational standards development and the Codebook of occupations – by January 26^th, 2027.

All the deliverables should be agreed within the Expert group and submitted in Serbian language.

5. Timeline, Venue, and Reporting

For the realization of tasks defined in Article 2, the assigned number of days is up to 50 working days, which is expected to be realized in the period April 1^st, 2026 – January 26^th, 2027.

All tasks will be carried out in Belgrade with the possibility of meetings to be held outside of Belgrade, whereby the expenses of the experts (travel costs, hotel) will be paid by the E2E.

Depending on performance and actual needs in the field the time might be extended, and the number of performance days increased.

The Employment policy and labour market expert is reporting to the Policy and LLM Governance Advisor – Nevena Letic.

6. Estimated budget and contracting

The service contract which is to be signed by contracting parties shall cover the period between April 1^st, 2026 and February 5^th, 2027.

Renumeration shall include gross fee per day based on a service contract which is to be agreed and signed by the contracting parties.

Financial offer should be calculated on gross amount/fee. If Consultant apply as a “physical person”, and according to the Serbian Taxation and Labour Law, the Company (NIRAS) will calculate and pay taxes as a deduction from the gross amount and pay net amount to the Consultant.

E2E will further bear all costs regarding transportation and accommodation in the field.

7. Dynamics of Payment

First instalment – against timesheets and deliverables after completion of tasks 1 and 2;
Second instalment – against timesheets and deliverables after completion of tasks 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

8. Application Procedure

Deadline for Application: March 23^rd, 2026

Individual consultants and organizations can apply for this assignment.

Applicants are requested to submit the following:

CV of the Expert;
Cover letter with information on the experience of the expert in the implementation of similar activities and
Financial offer based on man-days in CHF.

Submission of Applications should be done to the email address: e2e@niras.de and Nevena Letic nele@niras.de no later than March 23^rd, 2026.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by March 27^th, 2026.