TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

1.     Introduction/ Background                                                                                                     

Pak Mission Society (PMS), in partnership with Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences (LUAWMS), is implementing the Oceanpreneurs: Building Blue Economy Start-ups at Lasbela University to Counter Violent Extremism project. The initiative aims to equip 40 university students with practical, market-driven entrepreneurship skills in priority blue economy sectors, leading to the development of at least 8 viable start-ups within a three-month implementation period.

The purpose of this assignment is to engage a qualified entrepreneurship and business development consultant/trainer to design and deliver a structured, hands-on practical, transferable, and market-relevant future skills that enhance their readiness for employment, entrepreneurship, and responsible citizenship. The programme emphasises digital literacy, critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, collaboration, ethical decision-making, and problem-solving aligned with local market needs and emerging global trends.

2.     Purpose of assignment                                                                                                           

The purpose of this assignment is to design and deliver a comprehensive, practical, and learner-centred Future Skills training programme. The programme will prepare youth to navigate uncertainty, leverage technology, and respond constructively to economic, social, and environmental challenges.

The assignment will strengthen participants’ employability and innovation capacities, promote positive social engagement, and support youth to become adaptable, responsible, and forward-looking contributors to their communities.

3.     Objectives                                                                                                                              

The specific objectives of this assignment are to:

1. Design and deliver a structured Future Skills curriculum align with youth employability and innovation needs.
2. Build participant capacity in critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving.
3. Strengthen digital literacy and responsible use of technology.
4. Enhance communication, teamwork, and collaboration skills.
5. Promote adaptability, resilience, and lifelong learning mindsets.
6. Encourage ethical behaviour, social responsibility, and positive civic engagement aligned with CVE principles.
7. Equip participants with practical tools to apply future skills in academic, professional, and entrepreneurial contexts.

4.     Scope of work                                                                                                                        

The consultant/firm will undertake the following tasks:

4.1 Review & Analysis

• Review the project documentation, youth development frameworks, and CVE-related objectives.
• Analyse local labour market trends, future skills demand, and youth employment challenges in Lasbela.
• Assess participant needs, skill gaps, risks, and opportunities related to future skills development.

4.2 Curriculum Design

The consultant/firm will design a modular training curriculum structured around the following below core module:

Module 1: Introduction to Future Skills

• Understanding future skills and their importance
• Global and local labour market trends
• Youth employability and changing career pathways

Module 2: Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

• Analytical thinking and decision-making
• Identifying problems and designing solutions
• Evidence-based reasoning

Module 3: Digital Literacy & Technology Awareness

• Digital tools for learning and productivity
• Online safety, ethics, and responsible technology use
• Introduction to emerging technologies

Module 4: Creativity, Innovation & Design Thinking

• Creative thinking techniques
• Innovation processes and ideation
• Applying design thinking to real-world challenges

Module 5: Communication & Teamwork

• Effective verbal and written communication
• Collaboration, teamwork, and leadership basics
• Conflict management and interpersonal skills

Module 6: Adaptability, Resilience & Lifelong Learning

• Coping with change and uncertainty
• Growth mindset and self-directed learning
• Time management and personal effectiveness

Module 7: Ethics, CVE & Responsible Citizenship

• Ethical decision-making and integrity
• Social responsibility and community engagement
• Future skills as a tool for peacebuilding and CVE

4.3 Development of Training Materials

Development of training materials

• Detailed session plan with learning objective
• Facilitator manual including guidance notes, exercises, and case studies
• Participant workbook with tools, worksheets, and reflection exercises.
• Practical group activities based on local context
• Case studies relevant to youth, employment, and emerging sectors
• Pre- and post-training assessment tools
• Skills self-assessment and reflection tools
• Group assignments and practical exercises.
• Tools to measure improvement in future skills competencies.
• Present draft curriculum to PMS and LUAWMS for validation
• Incorporate feedback from faculty, industry mentors, and PMS
• Finalize curriculum and all training materials

4.4 Assessment & Learning Tools

4.5 Validation & Finalization

5.     Methodology                                                                                                             

The consultant is expected to adopt a participatory and applied approach, including:

• Desk review of future skills and employability studies
• Consultations with PMS, LUAWMS faculty, and stakeholders
• Benchmarking with recognised future skills frameworks
• Hands on exercises, simulations, and group work
• Continuous feedback and iterative refinement
• Contract Duration: 5 working days
• Start Date: 10th to 14th January 2026

6.     Timeframe                                                                                                                             

7.    Deliverables and work plan                                                                                                   

The consultant/firm will deliver following work plan/time line and deliverables.

8.    Reporting and coordination                                                                                                   

The consultant will report to the program lead and project manager of PMS. The consultant will work under their overall technical guidance and supervision and will be responsible for maintaining regular coordination, providing progress updates, and ensuring timely submission of all agreed deliverables in line with PMS standards and project.

9.     Eligibility Criteria                                                                                                                 

B. Financial Evaluation (30 Points)

10. Desired Competencies, Technical Background, and Experience                                         

The consultant/trainer must demonstrate strong expertise in future skills development, youth engagement, digital literacy, employability training, and ethical programming in fragile or conflict-affected contexts, with excellent facilitation and curriculum development skills.

2. Professional Experience

The consultant/trainer must have a minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in designing and delivering future skills, employability, digital skills, or related youth capacity-building programmes. This experience should include developing structured, learner-centred training curricula; preparing future skills and employability learning materials; facilitating interactive and practical training sessions; mentoring youth or early-career individuals; and supporting participants in strengthening critical thinking, digital literacy, communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and workplace readiness, as well as applying these skills in academic, professional, or entrepreneurial contexts.

3. Sectoral Expertise

The consultant/trainer must demonstrate strong technical expertise in future skills development and youth employability, including but not limited to critical thinking, problem-solving, digital literacy, communication, creativity, collaboration, adaptability, and lifelong learning competencies. The consultant/trainer should also possess practical experience in integrating technology-enabled learning tools, workplace readiness skills, and ethical digital practices.

Evidence of this expertise must be demonstrated through previous assignments, training manuals, curricula, skills frameworks, employability or digital skills programmes, youth development initiatives, or other relevant work samples that highlight the consultant’s ability to design and deliver market-relevant, future-oriented skills training.

4. Youth, Gender, and Fragile Contexts

The consultant/trainer must demonstrate a solid understanding of youth engagement, gender equality, and programming in fragile or conflict-affected contexts. Proven experience working with university students, youth groups, women, or marginalized populations is required, along with the ability to design and deliver training that is inclusive, culturally appropriate, conflict-sensitive, and aligned with social cohesion and CVE objectives.

5. Facilitation and Curriculum Development Skills

The consultant/trainer must possess excellent facilitation, instructional design, and curriculum development skills, with a proven ability to design and develop learner-centred entrepreneurship and business development curricula, including facilitator manuals, participant workbooks, and assessment tools. The consultant/trainer must demonstrate experience in applying participatory and experiential learning methodologies, including group work, hands-on practical exercises, case studies, simulations, and structured reflection. Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are essential.

11. Technical Proposal                                                                                                                

The applicant must submit the following document with the technical proposal.

• Company profile/consultant profile including the proof of relevant experiences.
• CVs of proposed staff who will lead the assignment and involved in assignment.
• Plan of action for the proposed assignment.
• Work plan for the proposed assignment.
• Sample road map of previously completed similar assignments.

12. Financial Proposal                                                                                                                 

• Proposed financial offer with a complete breakdown of activities.
• The financial proposal must be submitted in PKR inclusive of all applicable taxes.

13.  How to Apply                                                                                                                                   

Interested individual consultants/ consulting firms are invited to submit their technical and financial proposals in sealed envelopes, clearly marked the subjected consultancy, via courier service or by hand to House No. 333, Street 29, Sector G14/4, Islamabad, Pakistan on or before 03^rd Jan, 2026 before the close of business (COB). Soft copies will be shared through email [email protected]