Deadline for Applications
February 4, 2025
Terms of Reference
1. General Background
In the last quarter of 2024, Kenya hosts over 800,000 refugees, mainly in designated settlements in Kakuma and Dadaab. With over half of the refugee population under the age of 18 and a steady stream of new arrivals, the demand for education services continues to increase.
UNHCR manages 107 institutions in Kakuma and Dadaab, with the support of a number of implementing and operational partners and donors. One of UNHCR’s strategic objectives for education is the progressive inclusion of refugee schools and learners in the national education system.
Significant progress has been made towards this target, including inclusion of refugee learners in the national Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning programme, registration of refugee schools and learners in NEMIS, and increasing technical support from a variety of Ministry of Education (MOE) State Departments, Directorates and SAGAs.
UNHCR has also contributed to the development of a costed national MOE Education and Training Strategy for Refugee and Host Communities in Kenya, a key commitment under the Djibouti Declaration (2018), and the National Education Sector Strategic Plan.
UNHCR anticipates further engagement with the Ministry of Education on inclusion of refugees, and additional support needed to support implementation of the strategy and coordination of other MOE programmes and activities in the camp and host community schools in 2025.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
(Concise and detailed description of activities, tasks and responsibilities to be undertaken, including expected travel, if applicable)
The purpose of this assignment is to liaise and coordinate between UNHCR and the MOE on key activities and to identify further areas of collaboration to progress alignment and inclusion of refugees in the national education system.
Key activities under this Terms of Reference include:
• Support the finalisation, planning, coordination and monitoring of the MOE Education and Training Strategy for Refugee and Host Communities in Kenya
• Support the Senior Education Officer in policy dialogue, meetings and activities relating to inclusion of refugees in the national education system
• Serve as focal point to support implementation and coordination around the KPEEL and SEEQIP programmes led by the MoE Directorate of Project Coordination
• Support inclusion of refugee camp schools in preparations for secondary school education reforms in 2026
• Support coordination and engagement with KUCCPS to provide career guidance in refugee camp secondary schools, and support registration of refugee learners in KUCCPS
• Support engagement with KNEC on Competency Based Assessment activities and registration and administration of examinations for refugee learners.
• Support engagement with KICD on procurement of textbooks for refugee camp schools and use of digital CBC content in camp schools.
• Coordinate MOE missions to camps.
• Document and track progress on inclusion for reporting purposes.
• Support other emerging engagements with MOE Directorates and SAGAs as needed.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
• Quarterly reporting on progress towards achievement of MoE Strategy priorities and outcomes.
4. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
Graduate degree in relevant discipline (education, international relations, development studies, etc.)
b. Work Experience
Essential
1-year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Desirable
• 5 or more years of experience working in the Kenya education sector.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the national education system, including national education reforms, programmes and ways of working
• Knowledge of and experience working with refugees or other marginalised groups
• Demonstrable experience with coordination of multiple stakeholders to achieve common outcomes.
• Professional experience working in either the national education sector or the humanitarian or development sector in Kenya.
c. Key Competencies
(Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies)
• Excellent coordination and communication skills
• Strong advocacy skills
• Ability to work on a team as well as independently.
• Drive for results.#
