Terms of Reference – Baseline, Strengthen Skills Training Ecosystems & Pathways (STEP) in Kenya

The Strengthen Skills Training Ecosystems & Pathways in Kenya (STEP) project is a seven-year initiative implemented by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC). The project aims to improve the economic well-being of displaced and host community youth in Kenya, with a focus on refugee and host populations in Kakuma, Kalobeyei (Turkana County), and Dadaab (Garissa County).

STEP seeks to strengthen pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and digital livelihoods by supporting market-responsive Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), enhancing inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems, expanding access to digital work opportunities, and addressing systemic barriers affecting youth economic inclusion.

The project aims to contribute to positive change for over 10,000 youth, with at least 60% being young women and approximately 70% being refugees or displaced persons. It will do so by strengthening the capacities of ecosystem actors including Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs), Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs), Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD), Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs), TVET institutions, employers, and government agencies.

The project is grounded in a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), Safeguarding and Human Rights-Based Approach, recognizing intersecting vulnerabilities faced by young women, persons with disabilities, persons with diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), and other marginalized groups.

The purpose of the STEP project's baseline study is to support key stakeholders in defining, measuring and documenting the project's achievements in terms of a set of expected outcomes. Further, it aims to empower stakeholders to collaboratively measure progress towards them, review achievements, and adapt strategies as needed and appropriate.