Prijavite se Prijavite se za bilten

Terms of Reference – National Short-Term Expert for Developing an Economic-Financial Analysis for Career Guidance and Counselling Services 

1.Background and Context

The Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) assigned NIRAS Germany GmbH to implement the project „From Education to Employment“ (E2E) – Phase III starting in May 2024 till the end of April 2028 operating in Serbia. 

The overall goal of the E2E project is to increase the employability of women and men in Serbia in a socially inclusive and sustainable way. On the local level, the project strengthens the career guidance and counselling (CGC) ecosystem through JOB INFO Centres (JICs) – mostly local civil society organisations that provide CGC services to young people, jobseekers, and the wider community. JICs serve as a bridge between women, men and company workforce needs, offering individual and group career counselling, competence assessments, and job matching services. 

As part of Intervention Area 3 (Strengthening Local Labour Market Governance), the project works to support local self-governments (LSGs) in improving the quality of Local Employment Action Plans (LEAPs) and other strategic planning documents aimed at increasing the competencies of the local population, with the ultimate goal of increasing the allocation of public funds towards CGC and training provision. A key element of this strategy is providing local decision-makers with credible, evidence-based arguments demonstrating the economic benefits and public value of investing in CGC services delivered by JICs. JICs are expected to produce yearly accountability/impact reports for local stakeholders and decision-makers, and these reports need to include solid evidence on the results and economic effects of the services they provide. 

Throughout its implementation, the E2E project has conducted four beneficiary tracer surveys (2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024) covering CGC beneficiaries across multiple cities. These surveys are carried out via phone interviews by independent journalists using structured questionnaires. The accumulated survey data, combined with project monitoring data, has served as the foundation for a preliminary economic effect analysis that illustrates the return on public investment into CGC services. 

While this preliminary analysis has proven effective for initial presentations to local stakeholders, there is a need to develop a more robust, methodologically sound economic-financial analysis that can withstand scrutiny, be independently validated, and serve as a credible tool in JIC accountability/impacts reports and presentations to local decision-makers. 

2. Objectives and Key Activities 

The objective of this assignment is to develop a methodologically sound and practically applicable Economic-Financial Analysis (EFA) that quantifies the public value of CGC services provided by JICs, building on the existing preliminary analysis and historical survey data. The analysis and its outputs should serve to strengthen the evidence base used in JIC accountability/impact reports and in direct engagement with local decision-makers, contributing to the long-term sustainability of CGC service provision in Serbia for the benefit of women and men. 

Key Activities: 

  1. Inception and Context Analysis
  • Review existing survey data, the current preliminary economic-financial analysis and relevant project documentation in close cooperation with the E2E team 
  • Assess the quality, consistency, and statistical validity of existing data 
  • Identify data gaps and additional variables needed to support a more comprehensive economic effect model 
  1. Survey Instrument Revision
  • Work with the E2E team to revise and improve the existing beneficiary tracer survey questionnaire, ensuring it collects the specific data points needed to feed the economic-financial analysis 
  • Ensure the revised questionnaire remains practical for implementation via phone interviews by non-specialist interviewers 
  • Maintain comparability with historical survey data where possible, while introducing new questions or refining existing ones to improve analytical value 
  1. Economic-Financial Analysis(EFA)Model Development 
  • Develop an improved economic-financial analysis that builds on the existing preliminary analysis and incorporates additional relevant variables 
  • Ensure the EFA-model is methodologically transparent and grounded in recognised statistical and economic analysis practices 
  • Design the EFA-model to be simple and practical enough that JIC staff can independently collect the required data and use the EFA to generate updated findings after the project ends, without requiring expert statistical knowledge 
  • Provide the EFA-model in an accessible format (e.g. Excel-based tool with clear instructions) that can be maintained and operated by JIC staff 
  1. Data Analysis and Findings Generation
  • Apply the developed EFA to existing and newly collected survey data to generate concrete findings on the economic effects of CGC services 
  • Produce findings suitable for integration into JIC accountability/impact reports and presentations to local decision-makers, clearly illustrating the return on public investment in CGC services 
  1. Documentation and Knowledge Transfer
  • Prepare a methodology and user documentation covering the EFAs assumptions, data sources, calculation logic, limitations, and practical instructions for JIC staff on collecting data, operating the EFA, and interpreting outputs 
  • Conduct a brief orientation session (online or in-person) with E2E team and selected JIC staff on using and maintaining the model

3. Expert Profile

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

  • University degree in statistics, economics, public policy, social sciences, or a related field (master’s degree or higher preferred) 
  • At least 5 years of professional experience in quantitative data analysis, economic modelling, or cost-benefit analysis, economic financial analysis 
  • Demonstrated experience in designing or improving survey instruments for research or project evaluation purposes 
  • Familiarity with labour market analysis, employment policy, or public sector programme evaluation in Serbia or the Western Balkans will be considered an advantage 
  • Professional knowledge of both Serbian and English language 
  • Excellent analytical and writing skills 

For the realisation of this task, one person is needed. It is possible to apply as a single service provider or individual consultant.

4. Deliverables

The deliverables of the assignment shall comprise: 

Phase 1 – Inception and Survey Revision: 

  • Revised beneficiary tracer survey questionnaire, developed in cooperation with the E2E PIU and grounded in recognised statistical methodology, ensuring the collected data can reliably feed the economic-financial analysis 

Phase 2 – EFA-Model Development, Analysis and Documentation: 

  • EFA model in an accessible format (e.g. Excel-based tool) with clear calculation logic 
  • Analytical report presenting key findings on the economic effects of CGC services, including methodology documentation and a practical user guide for JIC staff 
  • Conducted orientation session with E2E team and selected JIC staff 

All written deliverables should be presented in English and Serbian language. 

5. Timeline, Venue and Reporting

For the realisation of tasks defined in Section 2, the assigned number of days is up to 20 working days, which are expected to be realised in the period from 30.3.2026 until 1.6.2026. 

Depending on performance and actual needs, the timeline might be adjusted, and the number of performance days increased. 

The expert is reporting to Ilija Stanković, MSD & MRM Coordinator. 

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

6. Estimated Budget and Contracting

The service contract which is to be signed by two parties shall cover the period from 30.3.2026 until 1.6.2026. 

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

Financial offer should be calculated on gross amount/fee. If the consultant applies 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 the net amount to the Consultant.

7. Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated by E2E Project Implementation Unit members based on the following criteria (total 100 points): 

  1. Relevant Professional Experience (35 points): Demonstrated experience in quantitative data analysis, economic modelling, cost-benefit analysis, or programme evaluation. Experience in labour market or public policy context in Serbia or the Western Balkans will be given preference. 
  2. Technical Approach (30 points): Quality and feasibility of the proposed approach for developing the economic effect model and revising the survey instrument, including how the expert plans to ensure the model is practical and reproducible by non-specialists. 
  3. Survey Design Experience (20 points): Demonstrated experience in designing or revising survey instruments for programme evaluation or research purposes. 
  4. Financial Offer (15 points): Competitiveness and appropriateness of the financial offer in relation to the proposed scope of work. 

8. Application Procedure

Deadline for Application: 23.3.2026 

Individual consultants and organisations can apply for this assignment. 

Applicants are requested to submit the following: 

  1. Technical Proposal: Suggested approach and work plan for implementing the assignment, including the proposed methodology for developing the economic effect model and revising the survey instrument 
  2. CV of the Expert: Demonstrating relevant qualifications and experience 
  3. Cover Letter: With information on the experience of the Expert in the implementation of similar activities 
  4. Financial Offer: Based on person-days in CHF/gross 

Submission of Application should be done to the following email address: E2E@Niras.com and ilst@niras.de in CC no later than 23.3.2026. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further discussion.