Terms of Reference for Youth Employment Informal Network Convener
Network Purpose
The overall purpose for the network is to enhance youth access to employment in the informal sector of Nairobi, and to improve cooperation and mutual understanding between youth organisations, relevant labour market partners and concerned government offices.
Background
The network is an integrated part of the Youth Employment Initiative of Nairobi (YEI) implemented by Africa Youth Trust in partnership with FIC and the One Stop Youth Information and Resource Centre. As captured in the first of YEI’s two key objectives as follows;
“Encouraging and strengthening networks and cooperation between youth organisations and relevant stakeholders at the labour market, in the delivery of youth employment creation services in Nairobi.”
The primary target for the network is the job seeking youth of Nairobi (focus segment aged 18-35 years) whilst the secondary target group is stakeholders at the labour market- mainly relevant authorities, trade unions, employers’ organizations, trade organizations, youth organizations and employers.
The main tool for achieving this objective is establishment and maintenance of a network including relevant stakeholders and youth representatives. The plan is to have two networks; one focusing on the formal labour market and another one focusing on the informal labour market.
Objectives:
The aim of the network is to involve relevant stakeholders (labour market partners, relevant authorities, youth organisations etc.) in enhancing employment of youth in Nairobi.
This includes:
- Improving participants and stakeholders’ efforts and cooperation in this field.
- Conducting advocacy and awareness rising in favour of youth employment.
The network members are expected to:
- Establish and maintain a network attractive to all stakeholders in the field of informal employment and youth.
- Delineate the informal labour market
- Enable the network and its affiliate membership to engage key stakeholders on youth employment issues with a congruence of purpose and a single voice.
- Provide a forum/ platform for discussion and lesson learning which will drive forward new thinking, understanding and good practice on youth policies, practices and programmes.
- Participate in developing and providing a framework for youth employment mentorship, internship and employment incubation within the YEI project.
- Prepare and implement network plan and strategy to improve youth employment in Nairobi.
- Plan, organize and execute two lobbying and advocacy campaign activities per year to champion youth employment issues.
- Participate in the identification of training capacity gaps and contribute to the development of module based curriculum for the youth.
- Hold a minimum of 5 meetings a year to facilitate the activities mentioned above
- Conduct a minimum of 2 workshops/seminars a year with broad participation of youths to facilitate some of the activities mentioned above
Organisation:
The network is a loose coalition expected to be made up of 8-12 key participants (e.g MOYAS, KEPSA, FKE, KAM, COTU, KAYE and 2 – 4 youth organisations. The key participants can decide to include new participants into the coalition.
Besides the key participants, the network is open to other organisations or enterprises active at the informal labour market as the workshops and advocacy activities are open to all interested.
A rotational chairmanship is foreseen. Every 6 months the network appoints a new chairmanship, consisting of a chairman and a deputy chairman. The new deputy is elected from participants who have not previous acted as chairman or deputy chairman.
The decisions of the network are taken by the majority at the network meetings. A majority of the key participants has to be present to form a quorum. Network meetings are held minimum 4 times a year. More meetings can be held upon decision of the network or the chair. The meetings include an annual workshop.
AYT project coordinator and staff will act as a secretariat to the network during the project period. They will have representation in all meetings and ensure the availability of all that is needed.
The project will also provide a facilitator/convener to support the network before it develops its own structures and processes. Once these are in place, his/her role will gradually shift towards a supplementary one before it is completely phased out.
Consultancy pupose
The purpose of this consultancy is to facilitate the formation of the network described above and hand hold it in its initial stages as the consultant helps it define its own processes and structures towards the achievement of the laid objectives.
In particular the consultant is expected to:
- Act as a convener, facilitator and rapportuer for the initial meetings.
- Support the network in developing its own charter from the draft tors.
- Help the network to develop a work plan for the project activities it will carry out
- Help each of the stakeholders establish their roles within the network for the achievement of the set objectives
- Facilitate the creation of leadership structures for the network and the election of the actual leaders.
- Help the network develop an action plan towards the realisation of the set objectives
- Advice AYT project staff on the best way to engage with and support the network in its continued running.
- Act as a resource person for the networks on technical areas in the implementation in its day to day operations.
- Gradually wean the network from dependence on him/her to independence with time
- At exit submit a comprehensive report on the network and the stakeholders in it with recommendations on how to best achieve the set objectives
If you are interested, email your profile and/or resumes of personnel to be used in the assignment, citing other similar assignments done, quoting the expected fees to:
The Project Coordinator,
Youth Employment Initiative of Nairobi.
Email: festus@africayouthtrust.org
By Friday 22nd July 2011 close of business