Boosting Decent Jobs for Youth in Africa’s Digital Economy – Kenya
According to the Kenya National Economic Survey, report of 2019 the value of the ICT sector in Kenya expanded by 12.9% from KES. 345.6 billion in 2017 to KES 390.2 billion in 2018, driven by growth in the digital economy. The Kenya Digital Economy Blueprint of 2019 identifies five key pillars of digital economy, which includes digital government, digital business, infrastructure, innovation driven entrepreneurship, and digital skills and values. The aim of the blue print is to create a regulatory framework for investments and innovations, encouraging smart society and networks, and strengthening privacy and data.
Although Kenya has positioned herself to explore the immense opportunities that exist in digital technology, there presently exists little information on the effects of the digital revolution on the labour market and its impact on job creation, as well as the capacity of national systems of training for digital skills needed to drive the digital economy.
Making qualitative and quantitative inventory of the contribution of the ICT sector to job creation and the country’s capacity to supply labour to the sector is now more than ever relevant as the country is heavily relying on digital technology to transform all its sectors. To fill existing information gaps on the digital labour markets, the ILO would like to carry out a prospective study on the evolution of the digital professions (ICT sector) and the adequacy of the training capacities available in Kenya.
To carry out this type of study, the ILO would like to recruit a consultant (preferably and individual) who will apply the tool “Professional Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification” (hereinafter STED). STED aims to contribute to skills development policies, which will help countries strengthen their competitiveness in a context of open markets, while building or maintaining a healthy and diversified economic structure. It is designed to help policy makers, in collaboration with the private sector and employers and workers’ organisations, to think strategically about the economic development of a sector and its impacts on the future demand for skills for the sector and to develop, among other things, recommendations to improve the supply of skills to meet future demand.
Objective
The first step in the STED process is to analyse the situation of the sector concerned and its operational context, as well as its development prospects. This study will aim to support the implementation of STED methodology that will lead to the development of a strategy for skills development for the sector. The study will allow a quantitative and qualitative characterization of the digital sector.
Specific areas to be covered under the STED include:-
(i) Sector definition– the analysis performed as part of a STED exercise will involve first defining the sector precisely. Key areas of the study will include definition of the sector in quantitative and qualitative terms, developing a mapping of the sector with particular attention to the analysis of the main sectors of activity and competitiveness including product exchanges (internal / external markets – where applicable); and data and information on the labor market and the training ecosystem for the sector. The “Basic Sector Information” section should also include an analysis based on the main trends, developments and challenges of the sector over the last ten to twenty years.
(ii) The main markets section– this should include an analysis on the export volume of the sector and segments, in USD, depending on data availability, the share of exports in total production, amongst other export data information.
(iii) The related sectors section– this should include an analysis based on the main suppliers of equipment and technologies in the sector (national and international).
(iv) Workforce Profile– section that includes an analysis based on the number of persons, by sex, employed in the sector and its segments, based on available data, and the share of the sector workforce in the total labor force and in relation to other sectors.
(v) The “Training System” section that includes an analysis based on the number of enrolments and the number of graduates, by sex, in related education and training programs by level of education (higher education, vocational training programs) over a period of 3 to 5 years up to the current year.
(vi) The section “State Policy” which includes an analysis based on the important laws and regulatory bodies related to the development of the sector; and description of the national strategy, with particular emphasis on the sector.
(vii) The “Innovative Infrastructure” section which includes an analysis based on the total number of research and development centres (R & D centres) and a brief description of the main R & D centres
Deliverables
· On winning the bid, the consultant will be required to present an inception report containing a solid plan of action with relevant methodologies and time frames.
· The ILO will expect to receive a report of a maximum length of 30 pages excluding annexes at the end of the assignment. The report should include the STED findings, analysis of existing gaps and opportunities, and recommendations.
· The consultant will also be expected to present findings and recommendations to stakeholders in Nairobi at a date to be jointly determined.
Education (knowledge)
Post-graduate qualification in a relevant field (social science, ICT, social policy, economics, development studies, etc.).
Experience Required:
· 10 years of progressive experience in research, digital economy, ICT.
· Awareness of context and digital trends in Kenya.
· Awareness of Kenya’s laws and policies guiding the digital economy.
· Knowledge and understanding of global economic and digital trends influencing different economic sectors.
Time frame
The assignment will take approximately 25 days that include preparation, data collection, analysis and report writing. The expected date of the start of the evaluation is December 18th 2019 and final report will be produced by 31st January 2020.
Consultant(s) who meet the above requirements should submit bids, which at minimum should include the following:
· Suitability statement, including commitment to availability for the entire assignment.
· Brief statement of response to the proposed methodology including a detailed work plan (max 5 pages)
· Detailed financial proposal, including daily costs.
· Contacts of two organizations that have recently contracted the consultant for a similar assignment.
Candidates interested in this consultancy are invited to submit their bids to [email protected] no later than 13th December 2019.
More Information
- Job City Nairobi
