In Kenya, PROSPECTS supported the extension of the National Employment Authority (NEA)’s services by building local partnerships to provide decentralized points of service.

In Kenya, the National Employment Authority has the mandate to formulate, advise on and monitor employment policies and strategies, register job seekers and facilitate job placements and build cooperation with the private sector and the informal sector to increase access to employment. While Kenya was the first East African country to ratify Convention No 88 on Public Employment Services, employment services have developed in a context of high unemployment and widespread informality. Recognizing the limited reach of office-based employment service models in rural, refugee hosting communities, PROSPECTS worked with the NEA to build local partnerships and decentralized points of service. A rapid assessment identified specific entry points to strengthen and modernise employment services in the refugee hosting areas of Garissa and Turkana.

In Turkana county, PROSPECTS leveraged a one-stop service point operationalized by IFC and the county government. The Kakuma Biashara Huduma Centre already serviced as a centre for business development services, and integrated NEA registration, career guidance and job matching services. Through the decentralized service point, hundreds of residents registered with NEA. In Garissa county, the programme worked with a refugee led organization, Dadaab Refugee Voices, to register job seekers, provide basic career guidance and facilitate job matching both through in-person meetings and online platforms. Job seekers reported positive employment outcomes after receiving support in CV writing, application processes and information on vocational trades.

The model in Kenya is noteworthy because it is extended National Employment Authority services with full oversight and monitoring by the Authority itself. Rather than investing in physical infrastructure to extend the reach of parallel service, it embedded NEA services in existing county hubs, community organizations and outreach programmes.

Find more information on the ILO’s joint support to NEA’s Strategic Plan 2023-27 here.