Description
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Namibia faces persistent youth unemployment, with unemployment rates exceeding 50 percent in several regions and significant skills mismatches across priority economic sectors. The national STEM, TVET and Higher Education systems remain fragmented, with limited employer alignment and weak pathways into high-growth sectors such as green hydrogen, agribusiness, digital services and tourism. These gaps restrict productivity, youth employability and opportunities for enterprise creation.
This assignment aims to conduct a comprehensive Skills Gap Analysis in priority value chains, map the STEM, TVET and higher education landscape, provide curriculum recommendations aligned with labour market needs, and assess feasible Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to improve the relevance and responsiveness of skills development. The study will also propose mechanisms linking training pathways to youth entrepreneurship.
The African Development Bank, under the Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund (YEI MDTF), is supporting the Government of Namibia to prepare a Results-Based Financing (RBF) operation on youth employment and skills development. This assignment is a core analytical input to the operation. Required services include: a national skills gap assessment; institutional mapping of STEM, TVET and higher education providers; analysis of infrastructure, curricula and quality assurance; identification of PPP opportunities for training, apprenticeships and enterprise support; and alignment with national strategies such as Vision 2030, NDP6 and TVET reform policies.
The outputs of this study will inform the design of the forthcoming AfDB-supported Youth Employment, Employability and Entrepreneurship RBF operation. The findings will underpin the formulation of disbursement-linked indicators, institutional reforms, training interventions, and PPP engagement frameworks. The assignment is therefore essential to ensuring the operation’s technical robustness, alignment with national priorities and measurable impact on youth skills and employment outcomes.
The assignment will require close engagement with the following stakeholders:
• Government Ministries:
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports and Culture;
Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation;
Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation;
Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade.
• National Agencies and Institutions:
National Training Authority; National Qualifications Authority; TVET centres and higher education institutions (public and private); National Planning Commission; Training Fund structures.
• Private Sector and Industry Associations:
Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry; sectoral associations across agriculture, ICT, energy and tourism; private employers in priority value chains.
• Youth and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem:
Youth organisations, training providers, incubators, and entrepreneurship support institutions including EMPRETEC Namibia.
Development partners active in skills and entrepreneurship will also be consulted. Stakeholders will participate in inception, fieldwork and validation processes. |
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The consultant will undertake a comprehensive assessment of Namibia’s skills ecosystem to inform the design of the upcoming AfDB-supported Youth Employment, Employability and Entrepreneurship operation. The main tasks are summarised below.
a) Major Tasks
1. Conduct a national Skills Gap Analysis across priority value chains (agriculture, ICT, hydrogen and energy, tourism).
2. Map STEM, TVET and Higher Education institutions, programs and infrastructure.
3. Review curriculum relevance, accreditation systems and quality assurance mechanisms.
4. Assess institutional capacity, governance, staffing, equipment and geographic coverage.
5. Analyse entrepreneurship pathways embedded within STEM/TVET systems.
6. Conduct a PPP feasibility assessment for training, apprenticeships and enterprise support.
7. Assess policy alignment with national frameworks (Vision 2030, NDP6, TVET Policy 2021, Education Act 2020).
8. Deliver Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and climate resilience assessments.
9. Undertake stakeholder consultations, interviews, workshops and validation sessions.
10. Produce all required reports, including diagnostics, feasibility notes, integration memos and the final consolidated report.
The consultant will undertake a comprehensive assessment of Namibia’s skills ecosystem to inform the design of the upcoming AfDB-supported Youth Employment, Employability and Entrepreneurship operation. The main tasks are summarised below.
a) Major Tasks
1. Conduct a national Skills Gap Analysis across priority value chains (agriculture, ICT, hydrogen and energy, tourism).
2. Map STEM, TVET and Higher Education institutions, programs and infrastructure.
3. Review curriculum relevance, accreditation systems and quality assurance mechanisms.
4. Assess institutional capacity, governance, staffing, equipment and geographic coverage.
5. Analyse entrepreneurship pathways embedded within STEM/TVET systems.
6. Conduct a PPP feasibility assessment for training, apprenticeships and enterprise support.
7. Assess policy alignment with national frameworks (Vision 2030, NDP6, TVET Policy 2021, Education Act 2020).
8. Deliver Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and climate resilience assessments.
9. Undertake stakeholder consultations, interviews, workshops and validation sessions.
10. Produce all required reports, including diagnostics, feasibility notes, integration memos and the final consolidated report.
c) Available Reference Documents
The following documents will be provided to support the assignment:
• Approved ToR for Skills Gap, STEM–TVET Mapping and PPP Feasibility Study (this document).
• Vision 2030 and NDP6 policy frameworks.
• Namibia TVET Policy (2021) and Education Act (2020).
• Human Resources Development Strategy.
• National Qualifications Framework (NQF) guidelines.
• Existing PPP policy and legal documents.
• TVET institutional directories and accreditation guidelines.
• Labour Market Information Systems (LMIS) data extracts.
• Sectoral strategies for agriculture, hydrogen, ICT and tourism.
Additional project documents and sectoral reports will be shared during inception. |
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The consultant shall produce the following outputs in sequence, aligned with the assignment timeline from January 2025 to May 2026. All deliverables will be reviewed by the AHHD Task Managers and certified by the AHHD2 Division Manager. Validation inputs from national stakeholders will be incorporated where required.
a) List of Deliverables (with dates)
1. Inception Report
Includes detailed methodology, refined workplan, stakeholder map and data collection tools.
Target Delivery: February 2025
Reviewers: AHHD Task Managers, AHHD2 Division Manager.
2. Skills Gap Diagnostic Report
Sector-specific analysis of current and future skills needs, shortages, mismatches and labour market projections.
Target Delivery: March 2026
Reviewers: AHHD technical team, MEIYSAC, NTA.
3. Curriculum Review and Recommendations Note
Assessment of curriculum relevance, modularity, soft skills integration, entrepreneurship components and NQF alignment.
Target Delivery: March 2026
Reviewers: AHHD Task Managers, NQA, NTA.
4. STEM–TVET Infrastructure and Program Mapping Report
Comprehensive mapping of institutions, infrastructure, staffing, governance, program offerings and geographic coverage.
Target Delivery: March 2026
Reviewers: AHHD Task Managers, MEIYSAC, NTA.
5. PPP Feasibility Assessment Note
Analysis of PPP policy environment, potential models, institutional readiness and proposed pilot-ready PPP options.
Target Delivery: April 2026
Reviewers: AHHD Task Managers, AfDB PPP specialists, MEIYSAC.
6. Policy Integration and System Linkages Memo
Recommendations for coherence with Vision 2030, NDP6, TVET reforms, LMIS and institutional planning cycles.
Target Delivery: April 2026
Reviewers: AHHD technical team, NPC, MEIYSAC.
7. ESS Assessment Report
Environmental and social risks, mitigation measures and alignment with AfDB ISS requirements.
Target Delivery: April 2026
Reviewers: AfDB Safeguards Team, AHHD Task Managers.
8. Climate Resilience Assessment Report
Analysis of climate risks to value chains, skills systems and entrepreneurship pathways.
Target Delivery: April 2026
Reviewers: AfDB Climate and Green Growth Team, AHHD.
9. Validation Summary Report
Documenting consultation outcomes, comment-response matrix and refinements.
Target Delivery: May 2026
Reviewers: AHHD Task Managers, national stakeholders.
10. Final Consolidated Report
Integrated report covering all diagnostics, feasibility analysis, curriculum recommendations, PPP models, ESS and climate findings, and an implementation matrix.
Target Delivery: May 2026
Reviewers: AHHD2 Division Manager (final certifying authority), AHHD Task Managers, MEIYSAC. |
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| D. Duration and Timetable for the Assignment | |
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The total duration of the assignment is four months of effective work, implemented over the period January 2025 to May 2026. The four-month duration reflects the expected level of effort required by the consulting firm to complete the analyses, fieldwork, stakeholder consultations and reporting tasks.
The assignment is expected to begin on 1 January 2025, subject to completion of the contracting process and receipt of the Bank’s notice to proceed. The consultant shall submit the final consolidated report by 31 May 2026, marking full completion of the assignment.
The estimated implementation timetable is as follows:
• January 2025: Contract signature, inception mission, delivery of Inception Report
• February–March 2026: Fieldwork, skills gap diagnostics, curriculum assessment, institutional mapping
• April 2026: PPP feasibility analysis, policy integration review, ESS and climate assessments
• May 2026: Validation process and submission of the Final Consolidated Report
These dates will be reflected in the Job Posting as:
• Start Date: January 2025
• End Date: May 2026
• Total Duration: Four months of effective work |
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| E. Bank Contribution and Institutional Arrangement | |
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a) Documentation and Supervision
The Bank will provide the Consultant with all relevant documentation necessary for the assignment, including:
• The approved Terms of Reference for this study
• National policy frameworks (Vision 2030, NDP6, Human Resources Development Strategy)
• TVET Policy (2021), Education Act (2020), NQF guidelines
• PPP policy documents and sector strategies
• LMIS data extracts and institutional directories
• Any available diagnostic reports and previous analytical work
The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the AHHD Task Manager, who will serve as the Primary Contact Person in SAP Fieldglass. Overall oversight and approval of deliverables will be provided by the Division Manager, AHHD2, who is the final certifying authority for outputs.
b) Liaison and Collaboration Requirements
The Consultant is expected to liaise, interact and collaborate with the following entities throughout the assignment:
• Government Ministries: MEIYSAC; Ministry of Labour; Ministry of Higher Education; Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade
• Agencies and Institutions: NTA, NQA, TVET centres, higher education institutions, National Planning Commission
• Private Sector: Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry; sector associations in agriculture, ICT, energy and tourism
• Youth and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: youth organisations, incubation hubs, training providers including EMPRETEC Namibia
• Development Partners active in skills development and entrepreneurship
These interactions will take place during inception consultations, fieldwork, interviews, focus groups, and validation workshops.
c) Roles and Participation of Involved Entities
• AHHD Task Manager (Work Order Owner): Day-to-day supervision, technical guidance, review of interim outputs.
• AHHD2 Division Manager: Approval of all deliverables and certification of completion.
• Government Stakeholders (MEIYSAC, NTA, NQA, NPC): Provide technical inputs, validate findings, participate in workshops.
• Private Sector and Industry Groups: Participate in interviews and validation sessions; provide data on skills needs.
• Youth Ecosystem Actors: Provide insights on entrepreneurship pathways and institutional readiness.
Performance evaluation of the Consultant will be conducted by the Task Manager and validated by the Division Manager.
d) Bank Support and Logistical Arrangements
The Bank will provide:
• Access to available datasets, institutional contacts and policy documents
• Support in facilitating introductions to government agencies and national stakeholders
• Participation of Bank staff in inception and validation workshops
• Oversight and quality assurance throughout the assignment
The Bank will not provide office facilities, equipment, logistics or administrative support in-country. All fieldwork arrangements, travel logistics, local research assistants and operational resources will be the responsibility of the Consultant. |
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a) Duty Station and Field Locations
The Consultant’s primary duty station will be Windhoek, Namibia, with field missions required across selected regions where TVET centres, higher education institutions and priority value chain activities are located. Fieldwork may include visits to institutions and stakeholders in regions such as Erongo, Khomas, Oshana, Otjozondjupa, Hardap and //Karas, depending on the final sampling framework agreed during the inception phase.
Some activities may be carried out remotely, including desk reviews, data analysis, virtual consultations and coordination with Bank teams.
b) Reporting and Presence Requirements
The Consultant will not be required to maintain a full-time presence at an AfDB office. However, the Consultant will be expected to:
• Participate in scheduled virtual meetings with the AHHD Task Manager (at least bi-weekly).
• Attend in-person meetings in Windhoek during key stages of the assignment (inception mission, fieldwork coordination meetings, and validation workshop).
• Provide regular progress updates as defined in the Inception Report.
• Ensure availability for ad-hoc consultations with the Bank and national stakeholders.
All mission travel will be agreed in advance with the Task Manager. The Consultant must ensure reliable communication and timely submission of deliverables throughout the contract period. |
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| G. Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge/Competencies | |
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a) Required Areas of Specialization and Expertise
The Consultant must demonstrate strong expertise in:
• Skills gap analysis and labour market diagnostics
• STEM, TVET and Higher Education systems assessment
• Curriculum review and competency-based training frameworks
• Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models in education and skills development
• Institutional capacity assessments and sector mapping
• Youth employment, employability and entrepreneurship ecosystems
• Policy analysis and alignment with national human capital and education strategies
The Consultant must show the ability to deliver integrated, evidence-based recommendations across technical, institutional and policy dimensions.
b) Minimum Educational Requirements
• A Master’s degree in Economics, Education, Public Policy, Labour Market Studies, Development Studies, or a related field.
• A PhD in a relevant field is an asset.
c) Minimum Professional Experience
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in skills development, TVET reform, human capital development or labour market analysis.
• Proven experience conducting large-scale diagnostic studies, institutional assessments or PPP feasibility analyses in Africa.
• Demonstrated experience in assignments requiring multi-stakeholder engagement, fieldwork and cross-sector coordination.
d) Additional Skills and Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working in Southern Africa, preferably Namibia, with strong understanding of national institutions, policies and value chains.
• Familiarity with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), NTA, NQA and National Training Fund processes.
• Knowledge of priority sectors such as hydrogen and energy, agribusiness, ICT and tourism.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate gender, disability inclusion and regional equity considerations.
• Strong analytical, communication and report-writing skills.
• Experience conducting environmental and social analysis or climate resilience assessments is an advantage.
• Competence in English is required; knowledge of local languages is an asset.
Evaluation Criteria for Shortlisting
The following criteria will be used for evaluating Expressions of Interest and establishing the shortlist of qualified firms:
General qualifications and suitability to the assignment 20%
Relevant experience in similar assignments 40%
Technical and managerial capability of the firm 15%
Experience working with international institutions 10%
Language proficiency 5%
Regional and local knowledge 10%
Total 100% |
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Consultancy Input Days
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