Terms of Reference: Part-time Education Consultant for the Development and Review of Training Materials for the Sheria Ya Vijana! Project

Job Description

1. Background

Kenya is a youthful nation with 75% of its 47.6 million population under the age of 35. Despite this demographic advantage, youth unemployment and underemployment remain significant challenges, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and people with disabilities. Many young people face barriers to meaningful employment, exclusion from decision-making processes, and limited access to mentorship and market opportunities.

These challenges are further compounded by the impacts of climate change, which threaten Kenya’s economic growth and social stability. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, biodiversity loss, and shifting agricultural patterns are eroding livelihoods and reducing productivity, especially in rural and coastal areas. The economic cost of exclusion and vulnerability is high. Marginalized youth are often the least able to adapt and the most exposed to climate-related risks.

At the same time, the green and digital transitions present a significant opportunity. Green innovation, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and digital technologies can create new avenues for employment and entrepreneurship. However, to seize these opportunities, youth need access to relevant, inclusive, and future-oriented education and training that build the skills required for resilience, innovation, and leadership. Existing hubs and youth empowerment projects often fail to provide long-term support, mentorship, or market access, resulting in sporadic and unregulated youth work. Additionally, there is a lack of structured localized and contextualized training tools for social enterprises and advocacy in the green and digital economy, which hinders the growth and sustainability of youth-led initiatives.

The Sheria ya Vijana! Project, co-funded by the European Union and led by Barnfonden with six consortium partners, responds to this context. It seeks to promote meaningful participation, empowerment, and leadership of Kenyan youth in Nairobi and Kwale Counties by enhancing youth skills, enabling civic participation, and supporting youth-led enterprises in the twin green and digital transitions.

2. Sheria Ya Vijana Project summary

The Sheria Ya Vijana! Project is a multi-year initiative co-funded by the European Union and led by Barnfonden in partnership with six Kenyan organizations: WeWorld Kenya Foundation, Organisation of African Youth, Stretchers Youth Organisation, Kenya Climate Innovation Center, Action for Sustainability Initiative, and WeWorld GVC ONLUS. The project is being implemented in Nairobi (5 sub-counties) and Kwale (6 sub-counties), reaching diverse rural and urban youth populations.

The project responds to Kenya’s dual challenge: while 75% of the population is under 35, young people face persistent unemployment, underemployment, and exclusion from decision-making. These challenges are further intensified by the impacts of climate change, which undermine economic growth, erode livelihoods, and heighten vulnerability for youth, especially women and persons with disabilities. At the same time, the green and digital transitions provide a historic opportunity to create inclusive jobs, foster innovation, and strengthen democratic participation.

2.1 Intervention Logic
The project is guided by a theory of change that assumes:

If youth are trained in digital literacy, green skills, leadership, and critical thinking through curricula and youth-friendly training tools,

and if they are connected to mentorship, incubation, and networking platforms that sustain their learning and innovation,

and if they gain access to civic spaces, policy dialogues, and accountability mechanisms,

and if youth-led enterprises and organizations receive financial support, incubation, and advocacy opportunities,

Then young people will be empowered as leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs driving Kenya’s green and digital transition, and ultimately, civil society will be strengthened as a credible actor in governance, accountability, and inclusive development.

2.2 SDG Alignment

The project contributes directly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 4 – Quality Education: through enhanced TVET curriculum and innovative youth training materials.
• SDG 5 – Gender Equality: by promoting equal participation of women and marginalized youth, including persons with disabilities.
• SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: by equipping youth for employment and entrepreneurship in sustainable and digital sectors.
• SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: by fostering youth-led innovation in climate-smart technologies and digital solutions.
• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: by addressing systemic barriers for marginalized groups in education, jobs, and decision-making.
• SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: by empowering youth to shape inclusive and climate-resilient communities.
• SDG 13 – Climate Action: by building youth capacity for climate resilience, green entrepreneurship, and advocacy.

2.3 Focus and Approach:

Sheria Ya Vijana! is designed as a youth-led and youth-centred initiative, with consortium partners ensuring co-creation and participation at every stage. Its approach integrates:

• Development and review of curriculum and training tool-kits (TVET, youth advocacy, entrepreneurship, social media, digital skills).
• Establishment of Green and Digital Apprenticeship Hubs for mentorship, incubation, and networking.
• Strengthening of youth civic participation platforms, including local youth forums and national youth parliament simulations.
• Financial support and incubation for youth-led social enterprises in climate-smart and digital sectors.
• Integration of digital tools and AI-powered platforms to deliver innovative, accessible training.

Through these interventions, the project envisions a generation of Kenyan youth who are skilled, empowered, and recognised as solution-providers in both the economy and governance, advancing a just and sustainable future.

2.4 About the project implementing partners

The Sheria Ya Vijana! Project is implemented by Barnfonden in partnership with six organizations, each contributing unique expertise to empower youth in the green and digital transition:

• Barnfonden (ChildFund Sweden): Coordinator of the consortium, Barnfonden is a child rights organization working globally to strengthen children’s safety, education, and wellbeing in climate-affected and vulnerable contexts. It brings long-term experience in rights-based, youth-centered, and climate-resilient programming.
• WeWorld Kenya: An independent organization advancing equal opportunities and rights in health, education, livelihoods, gender equality, and climate resilience and youth empowerment. WeWorld Kenya provides strong technical expertise in education, WASH, food security, and youth empowerment.
• Organisation of African Youth (OAY): A youth-led Pan-African movement with a presence in 25 countries, OAY champions meaningful adolescent and youth engagement in governance, policy, climate action, and social development. The Kenya chapter brings deep experience in mobilizing youth voices and building coalitions.
• Stretchers Youth Organisation (SYO): A grassroots, youth-led public benefit organization active across Kenya’s coastal and urban counties. SYO focuses on capacity building, advocacy, and information-sharing to promote a just, inclusive environment where youth voices shape development.
• Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC): A leading social impact incubator supporting climate-smart enterprises in renewable energy, agribusiness, water, forestry, and waste management. KCIC has incubated over 3,500 businesses and created 57,000 green jobs, positioning it as a hub for climate innovation and green entrepreneurship.
• Action for Sustainability Initiative (AFOSI): A Kenyan NGO fostering sustainable futures for marginalised youth and women. AFOSI integrates innovation, digital tools, gender equality, and advocacy to strengthen youth capacities and advance the Sustainable Development Goals, with a strong focus on climate and social equity.

Together, these partners bring a blend of grassroots mobilisation, technical expertise, incubation support, and advocacy experience, ensuring the project is youth-led, inclusive, and impactful.

3. Description of the Assignment

This key component of the project involves the development and enhancement of training materials to strengthen youth skills, promote inclusive participation, and align technical and vocational education and training (TVET) curricula with Kenya’s green and digital transition agenda. The development of the training materials shall be conducted at specific times over the duration of the project (3 years) in partnership with the project consortium partners. To achieve this, the consortium seeks to identify and engage a qualified Education Expert to on a need basis support the development, adaptation, and review of curriculum-based training materials, youth capacity building toolkits, and specialised training manuals.

4. Scope of Work

The Education Expert will provide technical expertise to support the development, review, and validation of the project’s training materials. These materials must not only strengthen skills for participation in the green and digital economy but also prepare youth to address the economic challenges created by climate change, such as job insecurity in agriculture, resource scarcity, and the need for climate-resilient enterprises. The consultant’s work will therefore ensure that all training materials and toolkits are future-focused, inclusive, and responsive to climate and economic realities facing Kenyan youth. Specifically, the consultant will support:

1. Development of curriculum-based training materials,
2. Development of youth capacity-building toolkits, and
3. Development/review of specialised manuals/boot-camp packages, ensuring they are relevant, inclusive, and aligned with national standards & project objectives.

4.1. Development of curriculum-based training materials

• Integrating green skills relevant to climate-compatible jobs, including renewable energy, waste management and sustainable agriculture.
• Incorporating digital literacy, and technology driven solutions (basic digital skills, responsible online engagement, cyber-security)
• Embedding sustainability principles (resource efficiency, circular economy concepts) as core economic skills
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications and critical thinking for innovation.
• Aligning the TVET Curriculum with KICD curriculum frameworks, UNESCO guidelines, and Kenya’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) policy.
• Develop and validate Training of Trainers (ToT) guides for:
  1. TVET tutors on the enhanced curriculum.
  2. ToTs on Entrepreneurship Education and Training (EET), Advocacy Leadership, inclusion, leadership skills, interpersonal abilities, and employment/entrepreneurship readiness in the green and digital economy

4.2. Youth Capacity Building Toolkits

Provide technical guidance during the co-development of youth-tailored training toolkits (in collaboration with youth and consortium partners) to prepare young people to build climate-resilient enterprises, lead advocacy for sustainable and inclusive economic policies, and access opportunities in green and digital sectors.

Specifically, the toolkit shall be used to build the capacity of young people on:

1. Inclusion, gender equality, and disability awareness, Leadership and interpersonal skills, advocacy leadership, Entrepreneurship, Employment readiness in the green and digital economy including safety in the digital environment.
2. Provide technical guidance in the development of EET modules (entrepreneurship education training) that reflect EU youth work guidelines.

• Support designing and structuring hybrid training models (digital + in-person), including modular learning pathways to increase accessibility and flexibility.
• Review and validate AI-powered digital training content to be hosted on the Kiongozi platform, ensuring accessibility for diverse groups, including persons with disabilities.

4.3. Specialised Manuals and Boot-camp Packages

• Provide technical input to manuals and bootcamp packages that equip youth-led enterprises to:
  1. Innovate with climate-smart technologies.
  2. Access finance for green enterprises
  3. Use digital platforms to expand resilience and market access
• Review Social Media Engagement Manual to ensure it covers:

1. Responsible social media use and digital rights.
2. Online safety and child safeguarding.
3. Content creation, storytelling, and digital artistry (painting, photography, videography).
4. Advocacy campaigns and influencer engagement strategies.

• Review the training packages for business incubation and entrepreneurship bootcamps, to ensure that they include:
  1. Business plan development.
  2. Proposal writing and loan applications.
  3. Financial management
  4. Climate-smart technology-based innovations
  5. Digital marketing and technology-based solutions

5. Deliverables

The Education Expert will be expected to deliver the following outputs:

1. Reviewed and enhanced TVET curriculum content integrating green skills, digital literacy, sustainability, AI, and critical thinking, with an alignment report demonstrating compliance with KICD frameworks, UNESCO guidelines, and Kenya’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) policy.
2. Training of Trainers (ToT) guides developed and validated for TVET tutors, Entrepreneurship Education and Training (EET), and Advocacy Leadership, inclusion, leadership skills, interpersonal abilities, and employment/entrepreneurship readiness in the green and digital economy
3. Youth-tailored training toolkit finalised, covering inclusion, leadership, interpersonal skills, entrepreneurship, and advocacy, with packaged EET modules and hybrid training models for both in-person and digital delivery.
4. AI-powered digital training content reviewed and validated for the Kiongozi platform, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for diverse youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
5. Social Media Engagement Manual finalised, covering responsible use, digital rights, online safety, content creation, digital artistry, and advocacy strategies.
6. Business incubation and entrepreneurship bootcamp package designed, including modules on business planning, proposal writing, financial management, digital marketing, and climate-smart innovation.
7. Training participants assessment surveys

6. Duration

The engagement is expected to run for 3 years with specific timelines agreed during the inception period.

7. Reporting and Supervision

The Consultant will report to the Project Manager (Barnfonden) and work closely with the technical leads from consortium partners (WeWorld, AFOSI, OAY, SYO, KCIC) and the Ministry of Education/KICD.

8. Qualifications and Experience

1. Advanced degree in Education, Curriculum Development, or related field.
2. Minimum 7 years of experience in curriculum design, training material development, and education sector reform.
3. Demonstrated experience working with TVET institutions, KICD, and Ministry of Education in Kenya.
4. Proven track record in developing training modules for youth, with emphasis on digital skills, entrepreneurship, and green economy.
5. Strong understanding of inclusion principles (gender, disability, youth participation).
6. Excellent facilitation, writing, and communication skills.

Financial Proposal Template – Education Expert (3-year Framework Contract)

A. Consultant Details

Name of Consultant:

Firm (if applicable):

Contact Information:

B. Professional Fees

Deliverable / Activity

1. Review & align TVET curriculum (Green, Digital, AI, Critical Thinking, Sustainability) Daily Rate (KES/USD)

2. ToT Guides (TVET Tutors, EET, Advocacy & Leadership) Daily Rate (KES/USD)

3. Youth Training Toolkit (Inclusion, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Advocacy) Daily Rate (KES/USD)

4. AI-powered Digital Content (Kiongozi platform) Daily Rate (KES/USD)

5. Social Media Engagement Manual Daily Rate (KES/USD)

6. Business Incubation & Entrepreneurship Bootcamp Package Daily Rate (KES/USD)

7. Training Participants Assessment Surveys Daily Rate (KES/USD)

Total Professional Fees

C. Other Costs

Cost Element

Unit

1. Travel (local transport)

2. Accommodation & Per Diem (if applicable)

Total Other Costs

F. Notes/Assumptions by Consultant

How to apply

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit:

A technical proposal (understanding of assignment, methodology, and work plan).

A financial proposal (daily rate).

CV and profile highlighting relevant assignments.

Two references for similar work.

Submission Guidelines

Interested consultants should submit the above documents to beatrice.muema@barnfonden.se and a copy to selestine.okubo@barnfonden.se by 21st November 2025, indicating the assignment Title on the subject line.