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The only tripartite U.N. agency, since 1919 the ILO brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 member States , to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
Background and Context of Recognition of Prior Learning & Certification
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process used to identify, assess and certify a person’s knowledge, skills and competencies – regardless of how, when or where the learning occurred – against prescribed standards for a part (modular) or full qualification (NSW DET, 2009; MQA, 2009; VETA, 2014). It is an official or formal recognition of one's knowledge, and skill acquired or learned on the job or informal training or via life experience or any combination of these three. The RPL system focusses on the outcomes rather than how, when or where the learning occurred. It gives a person credit for skills and knowledge acquired at school, work, home, jua kali (informal) sector or through clubs, hobbies, and work experiences. Therefore, RPL has the potential to address the needs of disadvantaged groups and have a positive impact on entry into formal training. In addition, it can bring benefits to the workplace by enhancing employability and a better matching of skills, demand, and supply.
In Kenya, the mandate to implement RPL is under the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA). The Authority was established in 2015 through the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF) Act No. 22 of 2014 (and KNQF Regulations, 2018). The Authority was set up to coordinate and harmonize; education, training, assessment and quality assurance to all qualifications awarded in the country, with the view to improving quality and international comparability.
The structure of the colonial education system left many Kenyans with large gaps in their education, training, and development, leading to inequalities of opportunity, illiteracy and unemployment. Despite the concerted efforts to address inequalities since independence, skills development outcomes have not matched with market needs. Most skilled youth in Kenya get their training through the informal apprenticeship under the instruction of Master Crafts Person (MCP). Enrolment in vocational training schemes remains low, at the same time the institutions experience massive dropout rates. This is because formal skills training is costly for households; leaving informal apprenticeships to provide the technical skills needed by the Kenyan youth. On the other hand, youth going through informal apprenticeship do not get certificates upon completion of training, which impedes the recognition of their learning by third parties especially formal learning institutions, employers and business opportunities where professional certificates are a requirement. This makes it difficult for the youth to transition into formal learning systems, employment in the formal sector or grow their enterprises.
It is therefore with this realisation that the RPL process is being used as a means to address the inequalities of the past, facilitating mobility, progression and access within education, training and development career paths. RPL systems makes it possible for people with informal experiences to gain formal recognition of their skills and competencies in order to advance their academic careers or training.
RPL Support under “PROSPECTS” Partnership
The PROSPECTS partnership is a collaboration of the ILO, UNICEF, UNHCR, IFC and the World Bank, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Netherlands, which aims to complement humanitarian assistance with a development approach focusing on the nexuses between education (including skills development and training), protection and employment. This is significant given the displacement trends with UNHCR projecting that Kenya is likely to continue to be amongst the top refugee hosting countries in Africa.
Under the partnership, the ILO intends to increase the number of refugees and host communities’ members with quality education and skills training and help transform the way governments and other stakeholders including the private sector, respond to forced displacement. The ILO interventions will serve to make refugees and members of the host communities more attractive in the labour market, by ensuring that they have skills that are in demand, and that these skills are recognised and certified. By so doing, the project will mitigate their plight during years of exile and best prepare them for their return through socio-economic inclusion and strengthen the resilience of host communities through inclusive socio-economic development.
Objectives of the Consultancy
Scope of Work and Tasks
Competence and Expertise Requirement
The consultant should meet the following requirements.
Education:
Skills
Must possess good communication skills both oral and written. Excellent writing/editing command of English required.
Experience
Professional Training and Certification:
KNQA registered assessor of Prior Learning, and either registered/ accredited as an examiner/assessor with NITA, TVETA CDACC or any other RPL certification or accreditation will be an added advantage
Deliverables
Consultancy Duration
The tasks set out in section 4 of these TOR will be completed in a total of 365 day (1 year) upon signing of contract.
Reporting Lines
The RPL consultant will report to the KNQA Director General and ILO Chief Technical Advisor of the PROSPECTS project in Kenya.
The position will receive technical support from PROSPECTS team and will coordinate closely with the Regional Skills and Employment Specialist of PROSPECTS programme.
Interested applicants should submit their expression of interest, CVs and other supporting documents that show previous experience in similar assignments to E- mail: geofrey@ilo.org to reach no later than 5.00 P.M. on Friday 6th November 2020, Quoting “Consultancy for KNQA Recognition of Prior Learning”
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