Mid-Career Advancement (MCA)

Request for Application (RFP) No. RFA-603-16-000003 for Workforce Development Program The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a Cooperative agreement from qualified U.S, and Non-U.S. Organizations (other than those foreign policy restricted countries) to fund a program entitled Workforce Development Program. The purpose of the project is to increase the number of active members of the Djiboutian workforce. The authority for the RFA is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, and the Grants and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977.The Workforce Development (WFD) project will have a life of project of five years and is expected to be operation for calendar years 2017-2021. The purpose of the project is to increase the number of active members of the Djiboutian workforce. In order to achieve the project purpose, the WFD Activity will focus on achievement of three sub-intermediate results: (i) to expand quality workforce readiness programs (particularly TVETs); (ii) to create sustainable, productive linkages between the public sector (workforce supply) and the private sector (workforce demand); and (iii) to strengthen job placement, retention, and advancement services. Ultimately, the project will contribute to the GoDj’s goal of reducing the high unemployment rate (estimated at over 60 percent) by better preparing the Djiboutian workforce to meet private sector needs. These needs consist not only of technical skills in specified sector areas (such as heavy transport operators for the Ethiopia/Djibouti corridor; shipping and port operations; hospitality and tourism, but also soft skills (timeliness, strong work ethic, ability to communicate and work effectively with others) required by enterprises operating in Djibouti. Any questions concerning this RFA must be submitted in writing to Yordanos Abraham at yabraham@usaid.gov with a copy to caddis@usaid.gov not later than 17:00, Local time, July 22, 2016.