Context/Background
The Kenya Education for Employment Program (KEFEP), an Education for Employment (EFE) program of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) working in collaboration with the Kenyan Ministry of Education supports Kenya in the revitalization of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system, which has historically run on low capacity and minimal interest from potential students.
KEFEP is a five-year (2016-2021) program funded by the Global Affairs Canada. The program works at the national level with the Ministry of Education and at the institutional level with the ten national polytechnics across Kenya. It also engages industry stakeholders in the identification of skills gaps, the development of relevant occupational standards and curricula, and the improvement of training facilities to improve the capacity of Kenyan institutions and agencies to implement TVET reform initiatives; increase the effectiveness of partner institutions to deliver industry-response skills training; and strengthen the quality of industry-responsive skills training programs.
KEFEP’s ultimate outcome is to provide increased economic opportunities for male and female graduates from TVET institutions in Kenya.
The three intermediate program results are:Improved quality and relevance of skills training programs at partner institutionsIncreased effectiveness of partner institutions in delivering accessible and gender responsive skills training programs that meet private sector needs to traineesIncreased effectiveness of national Kenyan agencies in implementing TVET reform
Current Situation
CICan has launched the implementation phase of KEFEP and is hiring an Environmental Sustainability Specialist to support the integration of environmental sustainability considerations in all project activities to ensure that targets are being met. The Environmental Sustainability Specialist will act as the principal resource on environmental sustainability issues, practices and policies relevant to TVET. This position will largely be focused on ensuring that Kenyan and Canadian TVET institutional partners are able to fully integrate environmental sustainability concepts into curriculum development, assessment, teaching and learning. The position is focused on supporting education and training and is less focused on environmental sustainability practices. It therefore requires a high degree of familiarity with TVET and educational concepts.
Consultancy Title
Environmental Sustainability Specialist
Level of Effort
30 days
Duration
September 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018, renewable for subsequent years
Consultant Fee
To be provided by the applicant
Location
The Environmental Sustainability Specialist will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Proposed Work Plan
This consultancy is in support of the integration of environmental sustainability considerations in program activities supporting the implementation of KEFEP.
Specifically, the consultant will work with the KEFEP team to:
Review the current environmental sustainability strategy in the design document and suggest any necessary changes for Annual Work Plans.
Guide/Oversee/Develop and coordinate the continuous improvement of KEFEP’s environmental sustainability approach and tools.
Keep abreast of current global trends, developments and innovations in environmental sustainability and related fields (i.e. renewable energy, climate change, etc.).
Identify and articulate key global and Kenyan environmental sustainability issues as they relate to the TVET sector.
Collaborate with program and Canadian college staff to ensure environmental sustainability work is integrated throughout KEFEP, including planning, project/program design and implementation, and organizational learning.
Ensure integration of environmental sustainability in project design through the development and use of appropriate monitoring and evaluation, and results-based management tools (i.e. Logic Model, Performance
Measurement Framework, Risk Register)
Oversee and participate in the development and implementation of environmental sustainability strategies in all KEFEP activities.
Support the implementation of environmental sustainability strategies and action plans for the institutional partnerships between Kenyan and Canadian TVET institutions. In particular, the Specialist will suggest environmental sustainability approaches, content and strategies for inclusion in teacher training, leadership and management training, curriculum development for new and renewed TVET programming, and marketing programs.
Oversee and participate collaboratively in the development and implementation of environmental sustainability programming, including work planning, reporting, and capturing lessons learned/best practices.
Provide input into program budget planning for environmental sustainability activities.
Provide technical assistance, including training and advice, for staff, consultants, and project partners, including government institutions, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and private sector partners as needed.
Develop guidelines for Canadian partners on environmental sustainability issues and suggestions on how they can integrate these in teacher training and teaching materials.
Contribute to, and participate in, the development of an KEFEP green policy and a “green college” strategy. This will include liaising with the KEFEP-08 team which is working on Greening TVET initiatives.
Contribute to the development of KEFEP’s monitoring and evaluation framework and learning based management activities and provide feedback and assistance on ongoing monitoring activities.
Contribute to the development of KEFEP communication materials, including web-based and print media.
Deliverables
Annual consultant workplan
Review and comments on KEFEP Program Implementation Plan including Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy and Performance Measurement Framework
Review of KEFEP institutional partner environmental sustainability action plans
Support to institutional partnerships and national consultancies in the implementation of environmental sustainability concepts in teacher training, curriculum development and leadership and management training
Delivery of training sessions to KEFEP institutional partners on environmental sustainability concepts, as needed
Review and input into semi-annual reports, annual reports and annual workplans
Reporting
The Consultant will work under the direction of the Director, Caribbean and Anglophone Africa, CICan or their designate. The Consultant is expected to work with a high degree of independence and autonomy.
Qualifications
At least Bachelor’s Degree in a related subject area.
At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience working on environmental sustainability programming in development settings.
Familiar with development programming and working with inter-governmental organizations.
Practical knowledge of results-based management (RBM) approach.
Proven experience combining formal expertise on environmental sustainability with experience of applying these concretely to specific development sectors, plans, policies and business processes.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Strong problem-solving and adaptability/flexibility capabilities.
Fluency in English and Swahili
Good knowledge of TVET or the higher education sector is highly desirable, in particular an understanding of integrating environmental sustainability concepts into curriculum, teaching and learning.
Knowledge of the energy and/or agriculture sectors is a strong asset.
