PROSPECTS Kenya: Consultancy to Develop Strategic Plans for the Directorates of the Vocational Training in Garissa and Turkana County

Duration of assignment: 10 April 2024 – 31 May 2024

Level of effort:50 working days

Note: The consultancy is based in Kenya and applicants have to be resident in Kenya. In this case travel costs (flight tickets and per diem) would be included in the contract in addition to the fees specified in Section 4.

The ILO is seeking to recruit an individual consultant to support the Directorates of Vocational training of Turkana and Garissa counties to develop their 2024 -2027 strategic plans.

1. Context

Operational Context

The Kenya Vision 2030 aims to transform Kenya into a newly industrializing, middle-income country providing a high quality of life to all its citizens. In the social pillar whose focus is human capital development. TVET has been identified as a key player in the production of the much-needed human capital. Further, TVET connects education and the world of work, unlocking the potential of young people and adults for a brighter future. The sector therefore plays a significant role in equipping Kenyans with skills, knowledge and attitudes required for realization of the Vision. The increasing demand for market ready labor has put TVET at the center stage therefore the need for optimization of TVETs performance as it works toward realizing its mandate.

The management of TVET in Kenya cuts across several Ministries, however, the bulk of TVET institutions fall under the Ministry of Education- SD TVET while Vocational Training Centers are a shared function between National and County Governments. Through Devolution VTC are therefore a responsibility of the County Government anchored under the County Ministry of Education and Directorate of Vocational training. However, VTC are required to conform to legal frameworks, regulations, standards and guidelines set by different TVET Authorities.

In order to synchronize measures, activities and policies of the TVET sector, and in order to harmonize those activities with the overall socio-economic and educational development, the Government developed and approved the “Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms” in August 2023. Implementation of recommendations calls for the development of robust strategic plans to guide the education and training sector. The strategic plans will be based on the principle of development of TVET as Lifelong learning, the principle of participation of the society and the principle of continuous development of learning content and processes which will be applied within formal, non-formal and informal education. For the provision of TVET, different approaches will be applied such as integrated vocational education and training, cooperative training, offering of special courses, short-term courses, e-learning, open learning, distance learning based on environment, conditions and specialities of TVET providers and the position of training institutions.

The technical, vocational education and training (TVET) sector faces a number of challenges, including low enrolment, supply-demand disparity, and quality and relevance courses. These issues will be addressed through a strategic plan that focuses on improving the quality of TVET programs, strengthening governance, managing the sector, and increasing enrolment and participation.

Through the strategic plans, collaborative efforts with partners and enhanced public participation in the management of VTC will be achieved. The incorporation of a bottom-up approach, county integrated development plans in the sector activities should be highlighted as a game changer towards achieving the Directorates mandate through enhanced synergies. The Strategic plans will serve as a road map to guide Directorate of Vocational Training , development partners and the citizenry towards a resilient and sustainable TVET system.

Technical context

In response to the challenges facing both host communities and refugees, a partnership initiative titled: PROSPECTS Partnership for improving Prospects for host communities and forcibly displaced persons’, was launched by the Government of the Netherlands bringing together the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank. The Partnership model is to develop a new paradigm in responding to forced displacement crises in eight countries (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan, and Uganda).

The overall objective of PROSPECTS in Kenya is to improve the living standards and inclusiveness of refugees, asylum-seekers and vulnerable host communities, by contributing to the expansion of socio-economic opportunities through better education and mainstreamed protection interventions.

With a geographical focus on Turkana and Garissa Counties, PROSPECTS Kenya is working under three main pillars. The first pillar, Education and Learning focuses on increasing the number of forcibly displaced persons and host communities with quality education and training. The second pillar on Employment with Dignity seeks to increase the number of forcibly displaced persons and host communities with enhanced livelihoods and/or employment in decent work through improvements in labour market governance supporting transition to and entry into employment and formalisation. The third pillar on Protection and Inclusion aims at increasing protection, social protection and inclusion for refugees and host communities.

2. Objective and scope of work

The purpose of this assignment is to align the vocational training centres plans and activities to the County and National Governments overall policy to enhance skills development for increased productivity in order to stimulate economic growth and employment creation.

The Consultant will work closely and collaboratively with the County Governments of Garissa and Turkana to facilitate the development of two (2)Strategic plans for the Directorates of Vocational Training Centres in Turkana and Garissa Counties the period 2024-2027. An initial review should be undertaken to accommodate recently adopted policy documents such as the TVETA Act no 29 of 2013, the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDPs), Medium Term Plan IV, Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda and Kenya’s vision 2030.

The two strategic plans developed will provide the vision and mission of the respective directorates of vocational training in each county with a special focus on partner vocational training centres in the same counties. It will present an analysis of the Internal and External Environment using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) and Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal (PESTEL) analyses. Subsequently, it will identify stakeholders and interested parties, define their roles, outline the strategic issues and objectives, and identify the strategies to address them. The Strategic plan will prioritize activities to be implemented, and provide an implementation plan, a projection of resource mobilization requirements and a monitoring and evaluation system.

Gender equality, diversity inclusion, skills for green jobs to tackle the effects of climate change, digital skills, and competencies integration amid the advancement in technology and digital transformation being witnessed in Kenya and globally, and inclusion of vulnerable groups including persons with disabilities should be explicitly addressed throughout the process.

3. Description of Tasks

The consultant is expected to develop two strategic plans that will include key information listed in the tasks below, but not limited to the following:

1. Review current relevant national and county standards on vocational education and training in Kenya, County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs) and other relevant documents.
2. Undertake a situation analysis of operations of the vocational training centres in Turkana and Garissa and identify strengths and challenges listing the vocational training centres in each county.
3. Review the institutional capacity, structure, organizational set-up, technological, financial and administrative systems of various vocational training centres against prior strategic plans, objectives, and key result areas (if any) and make recommendations for renewed focus if needed.
4. Review the mandate, vision, and mission of the directorates of vocational training centres in each county and facilitate discussions to inform the strategic plans.
5. Through a consultative process and application of an appropriate tool of analysis, identify/select the focus areas of the strategic plans and develop strategic objectives and key result areas for the same.
6. Analyse the existing documents in consultation with the partner County Governments of Turkana and Garissa and other stakeholders, to identify good practices in the strategic areas of focus to be adopted by the strategic plans.
7. Propose a strategy for achieving the strategic objectives and key results identified in e. above;
8. Identify a roadmap required towards the partner vocational training centres becoming centres of excellence.
9. Develop a Results and Resources Framework for the planned period for successful implementation of the strategic plans ;
10. Facilitate stakeholders’ validation meeting to validate the draft Strategic Plans, Finalize Strategic plan and submit to the ILO and County Governments of Turkana and Garissa County Governments.

4. Timeline, deliverables and fees

The consultancy goes from 10 April to 31 May 2024. (provide Costs/day in KES and Total in KES.)

1. Preparatory work: Develop a detailed workplan for the assignment – 3 days
2. Inception Report: Highlighting the methodology, stakeholders and tools to be used in the assignment – 5 days
3. Consultative sessions: i) Workshop plans and Workshop reports -18 days
4. Draft strategic plan: i) Develop a draft strategic plan and present to the counties and ILO – 15 days
5. Final Strategic plan : (i) Strategic Model and plan, workshop reports and final report – 10 days

Logistical costs : Breakdown on field related costs

TOTAL – 50 days

Deviations from these deliverables can occur according to the evolution of the assignment; however, any changes observed or anticipated should be consulted with the focal person at the ILO.

5. Payment Terms

The ILO will only pay for services that have been performed and for deliverables that are successfully completed to the satisfaction of the ILO. The payments will be made according to the following schedule:

• The first payment of 30 per cent of the contract volume will be made upon signature and receipt of deliverable 1 to the satisfaction of the ILO.
• The second payment of 30 per cent of the contract volume will be made upon receipt of deliverables 2 and 3 to the satisfaction of the ILO and presentation of the invoice.
• The third and final payment of 40 per cent of the contract volume will be made upon receipt of deliverables 4 and 5 to the satisfaction of the ILO and presentation of the invoice.

6. Staffing, Roles, and Reporting

The consultant will provide regular updates for the work carried out to the Chief Technical Advisor of ILO PROSPECTS in Kenya, CEC education Garissa and Turkana. The consultant is expected to collaborate closely with the technical team of the ILO PROSPECTS in Kenya, as well as other relevant technical specialist across the Africa region and at ILO Headquarters.

7. Specific Clauses

Throughout the course of this assignment, the consultant will report on at least a weekly basis to the ILO for coordination and follow–up. All communication to other relevant stakeholders should be coordinated with the ILO. If it appears necessary to modify the tasks of work or exceed the time allocated, the consultant must discuss the circumstances with the ILO and obtain prior written approval. ILO may disclose the draft or final documents and/or any related information to any person and for any purpose the ILO may deem appropriate.

Kindly note that for the tasks mentioned in this TORs, the consultant is expected to work closely with the ILO PROSPECTS team in Kenya which includes supporting the preparation of contractual arrangements between the ILO and third parties (such as external collaborators or implementing partners). The consultant is not expected to enter into any legal arrangements with third parties or finance those as part of their assignment with the ILO.

8. Required experience and qualifications

• At least 7 years’ proven experience in developing strategic plans in the TVET sector, TVET reforms, analysis and/or management.
• Extensive experience in undertaking qualitative and quantitative analytical research.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the Kenyan education and TVET sector is an added advantage.
• University degree from a recognized university, in education, economics, development studies, business administration and management or other closely related field.
• Excellent research, analytical, and report writing skills in English.
• Understanding of and experience working with Government Institutions
• Familiarity with ILO policies, technical programmes and procedures, including experience working with the United Nations, Ministries of Labour, Education, or other government Ministries Departments and Agencies, would be an added advantage
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills, ability to work independently as well as in teams in order to meet deadlines.