Archive for year: 2024

Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy East Africa (AGGP EA) in its Wavumbuzi intervention, seeks to conduct a landscape review focused on entrepreneurship education (EE) within secondary/high schools in Kenya. Wavumbuzi – a Swahili word meaning discoverers, inventors – operates in partnership with the Ministry of Education in Kenya.

This landscape review aims to:

● Gather information about global best practices including emerging technologies in EE contextualized respectively for Kenya, thus detailing what a thriving EE looks like.
● Identify opportunities such as how EE is embedded in various core and extra-curricular activities for secondary / high school Learners /Students.
● Identify challenges, and impactful leverage points including policy interventions that would assist in accelerating EE in Kenya. This information is crucial data for decision making that will assist the management of AGGP EA and its partners determine the future direction and strategy to support and grow EE in secondary / high schools. This
concept note outlines the project’s background, objectives, expected outcomes, and engagement strategy for potential research partners and stakeholders.

Background

AGGP EA is committed to fostering a culture of responsible entrepreneurship among young people in Eastern Africa. Annually, millions of young people are completing their formal education, but the majority are unable to secure employment and/or lack entrepreneurial mindsets, experiences, competencies and aspirations to establish their own ventures especially high-growth ventures. Through initiatives like the Wavumbuzi Entrepreneurship Challenge, the Jasiri Talent Investor, and the Jasiri Growth Accelerator, AGGP EA is laying the groundwork for a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. In particular, Wavumbuzi is an ecosystem development initiative that focuses on developing the pipeline of young people forming a critical mass of future problem solvers, societal value creators, and ultimately future entrepreneurs in Africa.

To amplify the impact in Wavumbuzi, we require a deeper understanding of the current landscape of EE. This project will serve as a foundation for AGGP EA’s strategic interventions, aligning with our guiding principles of embracing contextually appropriate global best practices, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and creating meaningful social change.

Overarching Research Question

The overarching research question of this EE landscape review focusing on secondary / high schools in Kenya is to understand the global best practices in EE that are contextually appropriate / relevant and compare them with
existing approaches, practices and policies in Kenya. Ultimately, this review will identify gaps and opportunities.

Objectives
Given the above overarching research question, the objectives of this review are to:
● Search, document and present global best practices for EE contextually appropriate for Kenya, including how emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) are being utilized in EE and what infrastructure should be in place.
● Map the current EE landscape in secondary / high schools in Kenya, identifying existing programs, challenges, and opportunities such as how EE is embedded in various core- and extra- curricular activities for secondary / high school learners / students.
● Understand the ecosystem’s typology of key players / providers including educational institutions, policy-makers, and other entrepreneurship organizations be they not for profit or for profit supporting any form of entrepreneurship education in secondary/high schools. Additional information in the typology should include areas of technical specialization, geographical spread, beneficiaries reached and how they are responding to and/or contributing to implementation of the Government’s strategy on EE.

● Explore whether there is a common understanding of entrepreneurship amongst the different ecosystem players.
● Highlight gaps in approaches and practices in EE in Kenya, focusing on key aspects such as curriculum, didactics, pedagogies, teacher training, and access to entrepreneurial resources.
● Identify what policy interventions would contribute to accelerating EE in Kenya.
● Propose potential pathways and interventions based on global standards for AGGP EA and its partners to effectively deploy EE in secondary / high schools.

Research Approach
We envision a mixed research methodology that allows for a blend of desktop research and stakeholder engagements. The initial stages will involve comprehensive reviews of existing literature including policies, and programs related to EE in Kenya. Subsequent phases include interactive events, such as key informant interviews, focus group discussions and workshops, in order to facilitate relevant knowledge exchanges and validate desktop research with key ecosystem players including entrepreneurship curriculum design and subject experts. We are open to recommendations from research organizations on the most effective methodologies and methods to achieve our objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement
AGGP EA and its partners aim to engage a range of stakeholders, including educational institutions, government and non-governmental entities, and the private sector involved in EE across the education landscape in Kenya. This inclusive approach is designed to ensure that the research outcomes are relevant, actionable, and supported by the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem providing EE in the education landscape of Kenya.

Expected Outcomes
● A comprehensive report detailing the current state of EE in Kenya, with identified opportunities and challenges.
● Recommendations for AGGP EA and its partners on strategic interventions and partnerships to catalyze EE.
● A framework for ongoing collaboration among EE stakeholders to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Project Plan and Timelines
This comprehensive EE landscape analysis is structured into five main phases, with specific activities and deliverables outlined for each.

Phase One: Selection of the Research Partner
Timing: 01 July – 15 August 2024
● In this stage, AGGP EA and its partners will complete the conceptualization of this landscape review, which includes the decision to focus on EE secondary/high schools with the call to submit their Expression of Interest by CoB 07 August 2024. AGGP EA and its partners will then review the Expressions of Interest and invite the top 3 to make a virtual presentation. The selected research partner will be informed by 15 August 2024 and a contract issued.
● Requirements: The ideal candidate for this position should possess a relevant Ph.D. along with strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a professional demeanor. They should demonstrate adeptness in planning and managing shifting priorities within strict deadlines. Proficiency in MS Office and Excel is essential, as is the ability to collaborate effectively within a multicultural team setting. Flexibility and willingness to work extra hours during busy periods are required, has a valid driving license and readiness to travel domestically and internationally for meetings and program-related activities. Fluency in both oral and written English is a must.
● Recommendations: Residing in Eastern Africa are preferred. Previous involvement in driving youth EET interventions, youth development, and familiarity with various East African markets will be highly beneficial.

Experience in entrepreneurship development is also preferred. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for effective coordination among teams and stakeholders. Proficiency in data staging, analysis, and visualizations will be advantageous. Above all, candidates should exhibit a genuine passion for the transformative potential of entrepreneurship.

Important considerations: This Entrepreneurship Education Landscape Review will also be conducted in Kenya and Rwanda during the same timeframe. Research organizations or individuals who may ideally have expertise in both countries should inform us of their interest and ability to carry out the research in Kenya and Rwanda concurrently.

Phase Two: Inception Report

● Timing: 16 August – 31 August 2024
● Activities: In this phase, the chosen research partner will present an Inception Report with a technical response to this concept note / RFP and envisioned study.
● Deliverable: Inception Report submitted by 25 August, reviewed and agreed by 31 August by AGGP EA and its partner.

Phase Three: Desktop Research / Secondary Data Collection

● Timing: 01 September to 30 September 2024
● Activities: This stage involves desktop research to gather existing data, policies, and programs on EET in Kenya. It will be supplemented with key conversations with stakeholders for referrals and additional insights.
● Deliverable: A preliminary report will be prepared based on this research and discussions, which will be submitted and presentation made to AGGP EA and its partners by 20 September for review.

Feedback is expected to be returned to the research partner by 30 September.

Phase Four: Primary Data Collection, Analysis and Preliminary Report
● Timing: 01 October – 15 November 2024
● Activities: Building on insights from phase two, primary research will be conducted to deepen the understanding of EET across the education landscapes of Kenya. This may involve surveys, interviews, and possibly events such as Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) to engage directly with stakeholders purposely identified as key informants.
● Deliverable: The findings from both stages will be compiled into a comprehensive draft report submitted and presentation made to AGGP EA and its partner by 15 November 2024

Phase Five: Final Report
● Timing: 15 November – 30 November 2024
● Activities: Incorporate feedback provided by AGGP EA and its partner.
● Deliverable: The final report, incorporating all feedback and additional analysis, will be submitted by 30 November 2024.

The specific timelines for each stage and activity will be developed in close collaboration with the chosen research partner to ensure alignment with project goals and stakeholder availability. Monitoring & Evaluation AGGP EA and its partner will have periodic meetings with the chosen research partner to track progress and address any arising matters.

Wavumbuzi Interventions | Diagnose

Embedded in this process, AGGP EA will host the following interventions:

1. ThinkTank between 21 – 30 September 2024:
a. Participants, including the MoE, will review the research organization’s report following completion of the Secondary Data Collection / Desktop / Literature Review.
b. Participants will make contributions to enrich the findings which emerged from the secondary data collection. Further, participants will be invited to link the research organization with any additional key informants for the primary data collection phase of this landscape review.

2. ThinkTank in during the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 18 to 24 November 2024:
a. Participants will review the research organization’s final report following completion of the Primary Data Collection.
b. Led by Wavumbuzi, participants will jointly formulate a collective Call to Action to design strategic interventions to enhance entrepreneurship education in secondary/high schools for implementation in 2025.

Interventions could include:
i. Capacity building of Teachers in Entrepreneurship Education.
ii. Policy formulation on integrating Entrepreneurship Education in Schools.

Conclusion
This EET scan represents a critical step for AGGP EA and its partner in understanding and shaping the future direction of EET in the education landscape of Kenya. By identifying key opportunities and challenges, AGGP EA and its partner aim to influence the enhanced nurturing of a generation of aspiring youth entrepreneurs and resultant entrepreneurs in the future. We invite interested organizations or qualified service providers to submit a technical response paper to present suitable proposed research design, methodology, budget, timelines and relevant experience in conducting similar exercises.

Application Deadline CoB EAT/CAT 07 August 2024.

Correspondence
For enquiries, and to submit your proposal, kindly contact:
Mercy Naimutie
mercyn@jasiri.org
+254 71 370 5984
Nairobi, Kenya

 

Click here to download the call for proposal.