PROSPECTS Kenya: Enhancing Employability Skills and Transition to Employment for Youth Full Time NEW

Country: Kenya (Turkana and Garissa Counties as priority counties)

The ILO seeks to engage an implementing partner with the capacity to support refugee and host community youth in Turkana and Garissa Counties in accessing decent work opportunities within the digital economy. This partnership aligns with the broader scope of the ILO’s PROSPECTS project in Kenya.

1.Background

1.1 Overview

Kenya’s youth continue to face mounting socio-economic challenges as employment opportunities fall short of the demand created by population growth. As of 2024, the youth unemployment rate stood at 39%, with 20.2% classified as neither employed, in education, nor in training (NEET). This issue disproportionately affects young women, with NEET rates almost twice as high (26.1%) compared to young men (14.3%).[1]

On a global scale, forced displacement has reached unprecedented levels. As of UNHCR reports, over 120 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide in 2024, an historic increase and the twelfth consecutive annual increase in world levels of forced displacement. Refugees often face increased vulnerability, while host communities struggle with the pressures of accommodating large influxes of displaced individuals. In Kenya, the refugee population exceeds 800,000 as of April according to UNHCR, with most coming from Somalia (53%), South Sudan (25%), and Congo (10%). Almost half reside in Dadaab (49.3%), with 37.3% in Kakuma and the rest in urban areas, including Nairobi[2].

Meanwhile, the rise of the digital economy presents significant opportunities for job creation, especially for youth. the Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022-2032 set out a framework to enhance digital business, government, infrastructure, entrepreneurship and innovation. Globally, demand for remote, digitally enabled work is surging, with sectors like IT, business process outsourcing (BPO), and digital freelancing offering viable pathways. These developments hold potential for both refugees and host communities to gain employment in the digital sector. Recognizing the need to equip youth, particularly those in refugee hosting contexts, with skills relevant to evolving job markets, this initiative focuses on enhancing employability and facilitating their transition into meaningful employment. This includes building foundational skills in areas like digital communication, cross-cultural collaboration, and remote work practices., fostering a professional mindset, and creating pathways to both local and potentially international job opportunities. The ILO’s PROSPECTS programme seeks to bridge this gap by linking trained youth to local and international labour markets, while strengthening institutional capacity for sustained impact.

1.2 Operational context of the assignment

In response to the challenges facing both host communities and refugees, a new partnership initiative titled: PROSPECTS – Partnership for improving Prospects for host communities and forcibly displaced persons’[3], has been launched by the Government of the Netherlands that brings 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 overall outcome of the PROSPECTS project in Kenya is “improved sustainable living conditions for refugees and host communities in Kenya”. This is to be achieved through “increased number of refugees and host community with enhanced livelihoods and/or employment in safe/decent work”. The employment pillar will trigger the availability of employment services to support transition to work, as well as the labour market demand that is needed to support refugees and host communities’ transition to various forms of employment, and finally, mechanisms to promote enhanced quality of work. Barriers to business start-ups and scale-ups will be identified and addressed to unlock the entrepreneurial potential that exists in the targeted areas. Young refugees and host communities will be supported in accessing employment opportunities in the digital economy through enhancing and digitising local employment services, provision of vocational and career guidance in schools, capacity development of employment service providers as well as offering youth to youth coaching services.

Through PROSPECTS the ILO collaborates closely with local and national governments, education and training institutions serving youth in Turkana and Garissa, as well as employers and other key stakeholders to better understand and promote decent work opportunities for young refugees in the digital economy. This partnership aims to enhance skills training, facilitate access to job opportunities, and foster inclusive policies that support the integration of young refugees into the workforce. In this regard, ILO has supported a number of initiatives in these counties including market-driven digital skills initiatives, focused on curriculum development, training and recognition of prior learning (RPL), digital job intermediation services focusing on human skills development, one-to-one mentorship and job placement, as well as digital job search clubs and peer-learning job placement services.

2. Objective

The ILO is looking to partner with a non-profit organization with the capacity to deliver comprehensive employability skills training tailored for the international job market and facilitate the transition of at least 800 youth, previously trained by other institutions in refugee and hosting contexts, into local and international employment opportunities, particularly in remote work settings. This includes assessing the existing skills of the target youth, developing and delivering tailored employability skills programs that address the requirements of local and international employers, providing mentorship and job search support specifically for international roles, actively engaging with potential international employers and platforms, and building the capacity of local partner organizations to understand and support youth in accessing local and international employment beyond the project duration. The partner will leverage and expand its existing network through partnerships and collaboration with local and national government entities, international private sector partners, organizations facilitating international remote work, and other relevant stakeholders.

2.1 Scope of the Assignment

The scope of the assignment comprises the following tasks and areas of work:

1. Inception phase and inception report: Guided by the ILO, the implementing partner will finalize the intervention logic and design, ensuring that the project framework strongly aligns with facilitating local and international employment. This will involve a thorough mapping of existing training institutions working with refugee and host community youth, potential local and international employers, remote work platforms, and other key partners and stakeholders critical to the project’s success in the local and international arena, as well as identifying capacity building needs of local partners ( training providers) to support local and international job placement and potential pathways for sustainable collaboration. During this phase, the partner will refine the workplan to detail specific activities, timelines, and responsibilities, ensuring a clear and actionable roadmap for the project’s implementation and the capacity building component with a strong local and international blend of opportunities.

Deliverable 1: Inception Report, which will outline the final intervention logic with a clear focus on international employment, detailed mapping of training institutions and local and international employers/platforms, assessment of local partner capacity building needs for local and international job placement, identified pathways for sustainable collaboration in the international context, and a detailed workplan including the capacity building strategy with an both local and international dimension.

2. Develop/review an employability skills curriculum and associated local and international transition pathways: The implementing partner will curate/adapt a market-driven employability skills curriculum specifically tailored to the demands of local and/or international employers and remote work. When developing the training content, flexible training methodologies, including blended learning and online modules, will be prioritized to mirror the remote work environment. The curriculum should integrate practical work-based learning methodologies relevant to local and international roles, such as virtual internships or simulations of local and international team collaboration. The curriculum should build upon the existing training received by the target youth and strongly focus on enhancing their readiness for the global job market, including skills in inter-company communication, personal branding for both local and international audience, international culture awareness, setting up a digital workspace, and time management & productivity in a global context. Importantly, the training curriculum will outline different transition pathways that are connected and leading to local and international job opportunities for graduates. Modules will cover areas such as (i) core employability skills with both local and international lens (cross-cultural communication, remote collaboration tools, etc.); (ii) professional development for the global market (resume and LinkedIn optimization for international standards, interview skills (for international roles), personal branding across borders); (iii) financial literacy for managing income; and (iv) digital literacy and proficiency in relevant local and international industry tools.

Deliverable 2: A comprehensive employability skills training programme specifically tailored for international employment is available and validated by the ILO. Training materials are made in different formats, with a strong emphasis on online and digital resources relevant to remote work. The training curriculum offers different tracks corresponding to various local and international employment opportunities and builds upon prior training.

3. Recruitment and Training of Youth and Capacity Building of Partners for local and International Placement: The implementing partner will work closely with the ILO and relevant organizations to identify 500 youth in primarily Turkana and Garissa Counties as well as select urban areas who have already received prior training and possess the foundational skills suitable for local and international remote work. The partner will conduct an assessment of their existing skills and tailor the employability skills training to specifically address the requirements of both local and international employers. Simultaneously, the implementing partner will develop and deliver a capacity building program for identified local partner organizations working with refugee youth. This program should equip these organizations with the necessary understanding and skills to support youth in accessing local and international employment, including knowledge of local and international recruitment processes, remote work platforms, and the specific needs of global employers. This will include training on curriculum delivery with both local and international focus, international job placement methodologies, engagement with international employers, and sustainability strategies for local and international job placement support. The partner will facilitate access to necessary digital resources and connectivity for the training in partnership with local digital skills training providers/hubs.

Deliverable 3: Established partnerships with local organizations involved in refugee and host community youth training, with a clear capacity building plan implemented for these partners focusing on local and international job placement. Demonstrated capacity to deliver employability skills training tailored for local and international employment to at least 500 youth who have received prior training.

Deliverable 4: At least 500 youth with prior training complete the tailored employability skills training program focused on local and international employment, ensuring good representation of host and refugee, and male and female participants, including young people with disabilities (aiming for at least 5%).

4. Decent local and International Job Matching, Placement, and Sustainable Partnership Development: The implementing partner will actively engage with potential local and international employers and remote work platforms to identify job opportunities suitable for the trained youth. This will involve:

• Providing career coaching and mentorship services specifically focused on securing local and international remote work opportunities.
• Supporting youth in developing local and international standard resumes and online professional profiles (e.g., LinkedIn).
• Facilitating connections between trained youth and local and international employers through virtual job fairs, online networking events, and remote work platforms.
• Establishing partnerships with local and international recruitment agencies and companies that hire remotely in sectors like Technology, Business Services, Finance, and Healthcare.
• Developing sustainable partnerships with local and international employers and remote work platforms to ensure continued job placement beyond the project duration.
• Working closely with the capacity-built local partner organizations to develop their understanding and capacity in facilitating local and international job placements, fostering long-term sustainability in this area.

Deliverable 5: At least 70% of the trained youth transition to wage or self-employment opportunities in the local and international market through job placement and matching support services, leveraging remote work platforms and local and international employer networks. Functional partnerships with local and international employers and remote work platforms are established and leveraged for ongoing job placement. Capacity-built local partners demonstrate active engagement in supporting local and international job placement activities.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation: The implementing partner will work closely with the ILO and relevant partners to put in place monitoring mechanisms to assess the progress of the program, including the capacity building component with a focus on local and international placements, and recommend changes or adaptations to overcome identified gaps in securing local and international employment for the youth. The partner will be required to evaluate the effectiveness of the employability skills training tailored for the local and international market and the success of job transition into local and international roles, as well as the impact of the capacity building efforts on local partners in the context of international employment support. Requirements for reporting and for data collection, including beneficiary databases and post-training follow-up tracer surveys to systematically track labour market outcomes in the local and international arena following the completion of training activities and the sustainability of partner activities in supporting local and international placements, will be discussed with and supported by the ILO during the programme inception.

Deliverable 6: Reports and data on post-intervention outcomes of beneficiaries in the local and international job market are available (as defined during the programme set-up with the ILO), including data on the local and international employment status of the youth and the ongoing activities of the capacity-built partner organizations in facilitating local and international placements.

6. Reporting: ILO will require progressive reports from the implementing partner that detail the progress against the success matrix set out at the beginning of this assignment, with a specific focus on activities and outcomes related to local and international job placement and the capacity building efforts in this area.

3. Deliverables and duration

3.1 Key Deliverables

The main deliverables of this engagement are as below:

1. Deliverable-1 (1 month after signing the contract): Inception Report, which will outline the final intervention logic with a strong focus on international employment, detailed mapping of training institutions and local and international employers/platforms, assessment of local partner capacity building needs for international job placement, identified pathways for sustainable collaboration in the international context, and a detailed workplan including the capacity building strategy with an international dimension.
2. Deliverable-2 (2 months after signing the contract): A comprehensive employability skills training programme specifically tailored for local and international employment is available and validated by the ILO. Training materials are made in different formats, with a strong emphasis on online and digital resources relevant to remote work and the international context.
3. Deliverable-3 (3 months after signing the contract): Established partnerships with local organizations involved in refugee youth training, with a clear capacity building plan implemented for these partners focusing on local and international job placement. Demonstrated capacity to deliver employability skills training tailored for international employment to at least 500 youth who have received prior training.
4. Deliverable-4: At least 500 youth with prior training complete the tailored employability skills training program focused on international employment.
   1. Deliverable 4a (5 months after signing the contract): At least 500 youth with prior training enrol in the tailored employability skills training program focused on local and international employment.
   2. Deliverable 4b (10 months after signing the contract): At least 500 youth with prior training complete the tailored employability skills training program focused on local and international employment.
5. Deliverable 5 (12 months after signing the contract): At least 70% of the trained youth transition to wage or self-employment opportunities in the international market through job placement and matching support services, leveraging remote work platforms and local and international employer networks. Functional partnerships with international employers and remote work platforms are established and leveraged for ongoing job placement. Capacity-built local partners demonstrate active engagement in supporting local and international job placement activities.
   1. Deliverable 5a: At least 40% of trained young people benefit from job placement/matching support services in the local and international market.
   2. Deliverable 5b: Capacity-built local partner organizations demonstrate active engagement in supporting local and international job placement of the trained youth and have developed sustainable strategies for future local and international employability initiatives.
6. Deliverable 6 (15 months after signing the contract): Reports and data on post-intervention outcomes of beneficiaries in the local and international job market are available (as defined during the programme inception with the ILO), including data on the local and international employment status of the youth and the ongoing activities of the capacity-built partner organizations in facilitating local and international placements.

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

A comprehensive report will be documented showcasing the key activities done, the impact of the capacity building efforts on facilitating local and international placements, and areas of improvement for future collaborations in connecting Kenyan youth with international employment s.

4. 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, with a clear demonstration of progress towards facilitating local and international employment. The payments will be made according to the following schedule:

• The first payment of 30 per cent of the contract volume (or a maximum of USD 30,000 whichever sum is smaller) will be made upon signing of the contract and receipt of the invoice. In case the sum of the first payment is less than 30 per cent of the contract volume, the difference will be paid as part of the second payment subject to the receiving of deliverable 1 and deliverable 2 to the full satisfaction of the ILO and the submission of the invoice, with a clear outline of the local and international employment strategy in Deliverable 1 and local and international-focused curriculum in Deliverable 2.

Further payments will be made as follows. These payments can be requested individually or combined:

• A further payment of 30 percent of the contract volume will be made upon receipt of Deliverable 3 and Deliverable 4a to the full satisfaction of the ILO and the presentation of technical and expenditure report, including the evidence of expenditure and the invoice, demonstrating established partnerships relevant to local and international placement and enrolment in the local and international-focused training.
• A further payment of 25 percent of the contract volume will be made upon receipt of Deliverable 4b and Deliverable 5a to the full satisfaction of the ILO and the presentation of technical and expenditure report, including the evidence of expenditure and the invoice, showing completion of the local and international-focused training and initial success in both local and international job placement.
• A further and final payment of 15 percent of the contract volume will be made upon receipt of Deliverable 5b, and Deliverable 6 to the full satisfaction of the ILO and the presentation of technical and expenditure report, including the evidence of expenditure and the invoice, demonstrating active engagement of capacity-built partners in local and international placement and data on local and international employment outcomes.

5. Staffing, Roles, and Reporting

ILO will require from time to time based on agreed timelines comprehensive reports to highlighting work done. Reports will be reviewed to ensure conformance with ILO operations before acceptance.

The implementing partner will report directly to the ILO Chief Technical Advisor. The ILO Kenya PROSPECTS team will offer technical support and will coordinate closely with the Skills Digitalization specialist at HQ, the Youth Employment Officer at the Regional Office for Africa and the Decent Work Skills specialist at Pretoria to facilitate mainstreaming and standardization of the approach across the project.

6. Specific Clauses

Throughout the course of this assignment, the implementing partner will report on a bi-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 implementing partner 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.

7. Required experience and qualifications

• The Implementing Partner, as an organization, should have at least 5 years of experience and a proven track-record in developing and delivering employability skills training programs specifically designed for both local and international job market, preferably with experience in placing individuals in local and international remote work opportunities.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting skills assessments and tailoring training programs to meet the specific demands of local and international employers and the requirements of remote work.
• Extensive knowledge of the current trends in the global job market, particularly in sectors that offer remote work opportunities (e.g., Technology, Business Services, Finance, Healthcare), with a strong understanding of the skills and qualifications sought by local and international employers.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing capacity building programs for local organizations to understand and support youth in accessing local and international employment opportunities.
• Should have a physical presence in Kenya with a good understanding of the local context, including Turkana and Garissa Counties, Kenya and be in good standing with statutory laws and regulations, with the capacity to effectively engage with local and international partners remotely.
• Demonstrated success in managing partnerships with local organizations, NGOs, community-based organizations, and a strong network of local and international employers, remote work platforms, and local and international recruitment agencies.
• Vast network and knowledge of local and international job providers and platforms, with a strong track record of successfully placing youth in local and international employment opportunities, particularly in remote roles.
• Experience in preparing candidates for local and international recruitment processes, including resume and online profile optimization for international standards, and international interview skills training.
• Understanding of cross-cultural communication and workplace dynamics in a global context is essential.
• Knowledge of the local context, culture and language is an added advantage;

[1] https://www.knbs.or.ke/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2023-24-Kenya-Housing-Survey-Basic-Report1.pdf

[2] Kenya Statistics Package – 31July24.xlsx (unhcr.org)

[3] ILO PROSPECTS in Kenya – at a glance | International Labour Organization