Terms of Reference (ToR)

International Consultant / Consultancy Firm

Technical Support for the Development of a National Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy Framework in Sudan

Date: August 2026

Note: Please attach along with you CV the Thecincal proposal for developing the RPL policy framework

Closing Date for applications: 26 August 2026

1. Background

The British Council, through its Youth Skills Programme in Sudan, is supporting system-level reform of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Non-Formal Education (NFE) to improve youth access to employment and lifelong learning opportunities.

In the context of ongoing conflict and displacement, a significant proportion of skills acquisition in Sudan occurs through non-formal and informal pathways. However, these skills remain largely unrecognised within formal systems, limiting progression into employment and education pathways.

To address this, the British Council convened a national Policy Dialogue on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in March 2026, bringing together key stakeholders including the Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), Ministry of Labour, Supreme Council for Vocational Training and Apprenticeship (SCVTA), National Centre for Curriculum and Educational Research (NCCER), private sector representatives and trade unions, civil society organisations (CSOs), and development partners.

The dialogue resulted in two key outputs:

• A Policy Brief outlining key principles and system components for RPL.

• A Roadmap identifying phased steps for designing and implementing an RPL system.

The policy brief highlights critical pillars including regulatory frameworks, institutional arrangements, quality assurance, financing, and stakeholder engagement, while the roadmap outlines a phased approach from system design to implementation and continuous improvement.

Building on these foundations, the British Council seeks to engage an international consultant or consultancy firm to provide technical leadership and support the development of a comprehensive, cross-sectoral National RPL Policy Framework, including implementation guidelines, ready for government endorsement.

This activity is part of the British Council Going Global Partnerships (GGP) and Youth Connect programmes in Sudan. The GGP programme supports mutually beneficial higher education and TVET collaborations between the UK and other countries, and aims to contribute to stronger, more inclusive and globally connected tertiary systems which support economic and social growth. Youth Connect supports young people to develop the skills, confidence, inspiration and connections to tackle major challenges, such as employability, inequality, conflict and climate change.

Country context

Sudan’s protracted political and economic insecurity has placed immense pressure on an already fragile skills system and labour market. Millions of young people face disrupted education and limited employment opportunities; there is widespread displacement from conflict affected areas and large parts of the education system are non-operational or severely constrained. It is also the world’s largest humanitarian challenge.

Young people make up the majority of the population in Sudan however unemployment is high, the informal economy is dominant, and pathways into skilled and sustainable work are scarce. Although key sectors such as agriculture, or other relevant sectors hold significant potential for growth, realising this potential requires a workforce equipped with practical competencies and professional skills. Limited access to quality learning, and the impact of ongoing conflict have intensified the need for a more responsive, inclusive and resilient skills system.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The British Council is seeking to appoint an individual consultant or consultancy firm to technically guide and support the TVET and Non-formal Education systems with:

• Develop a National Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy Framework aligned with Sudan’s TVET, NFE, and higher education systems.

• Ensure the framework enables horizontal and vertical mobility between non-formal, technical, and academic pathways.

• Produce a fully operational and implementable framework, including governance, assessment, certification, and quality assurance mechanisms.

• Facilitate a co-creation process with national stakeholders and development partners to ensure ownership and readiness for endorsement.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant/firm will build on existing outputs (policy brief and roadmap) and undertake the following:

3.1 System Design and Policy Development

• Review and consolidate existing RPL policy brief and roadmap.

• Analyse Sudan’s current legal, institutional, and qualifications landscape.

• Design a comprehensive National RPL Policy Framework, covering:

• Policy and legal provisions

• Integration with national qualifications frameworks

• Cross-sectoral articulation (TVET, NFE, higher education)

3.2 Institutional Architecture and Governance

• Define institutional roles and responsibilities across:

• MoE, MoHE, Ministry of Labour, SCVTA, NCCER

• Training providers, employers, and CSOs

• Propose a national governance model (coordination mechanisms, oversight structures, implementation roles).

• Recommend establishment or strengthening of RPL units/mechanisms.

3.3 Assessment and Certification Model

• Develop a competency-based RPL assessment framework, including:

• Assessment methodologies (portfolios, practical tests, interviews)

• Certification pathways and equivalency mechanisms

• Credit transfer and articulation systems

3.4 Quality Assurance Framework

• Design a national RPL quality assurance system, including:

• Standards and guidelines

• Accreditation mechanisms

• Monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement processes

3.5 Implementation Guidelines

• Develop a detailed Operational Manual outlining:

• Step-by-step implementation processes

• Institutional workflows

• Roles of assessors and institutions

• Learner support mechanisms (guidance, counselling, bridging)

3.6 Stakeholder Engagement and Co-Creation

• Facilitate a structured consultation process with:

• Government stakeholders (MoE, MoHE, Labour, SCVTA, NCCER)

• Private sector and employers

• CSOs and training providers

• Development partners (ILO, UNESCO, NRC, IOM)

• Conduct workshops (in-person and/or hybrid) to validate key components.

3.7 Finalisation and Endorsement Support

• Incorporate stakeholder feedback into final framework.

• Support preparation of endorsement-ready documentation.

• Provide technical input for high-level validation/endorsement meetings.

4. Deliverables

The consultant/firm will deliver:

1. Inception Report

• Methodology, workplan, stakeholder engagement plan

2. Draft National RPL Policy Framework

3. Institutional Architecture & Governance Model

4. Assessment and Certification Framework

5. Quality Assurance Framework

6. RPL Implementation Guidelines / Operational Manual

7. Consultation Reports (summarising stakeholder inputs)

8. Final National RPL Policy Framework (Endorsement-Ready)

5. Duration and Level of Effort

• Duration: From contract signature until 31 March 2027

• The assignment is expected to be delivered in phased milestones aligned with consultation and validation processes.

6. Methodology

The consultant/firm is expected to adopt:

• A co-creation and participatory approach

• A systems approach linking policy, institutions, and implementation

• Use of international best practices (ILO, UNESCO, comparative RPL models)

• Hybrid engagement modalities (remote and in-person consultations), considering the security context in Sudan

7. Reporting and Management

• The consultant/firm will report to the Youth Skills Programme Manager, British Council Sudan.

• Technical coordination will be maintained with relevant government stakeholders.

• The British Council will provide overall contract management and logistical support for consultations.

8. Duration & Level of Effort

• Consultancy Engagement: The assignment is structured around an estimated level of effort of up to 42 working days, spread across the contract period to cover all key deliverables, consultations, and reporting.

• Operational & Logistical Support: Additional budget is allocated to cover workshops, consultations, and stakeholder engagement. All approved consultant travel costs to Sudan (subject to security assessments) will be handled separately through this operational provision.

9. Required Expertise

The consultant/firm should demonstrate:

• Proven experience in designing and implementing RPL systems or frameworks

• Strong expertise in:

• TVET systems reform

• Qualifications frameworks and skills recognition

• Non-formal education systems

• Experience working in fragile or conflict-affected contexts

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder policy processes

• Familiarity with ILO, UNESCO, or international RPL standards is highly desirable

For consultancy firms:

• A multidisciplinary team covering policy, assessment, and institutional design is preferred.

10. Application Requirements

Interested consultants/firms should submit:

• Technical proposal (methodology and approach)

• Financial proposal

• Relevant experience and references

• CV(s) of key personnel

11. Ethical Considerations

The consultant/firm must adhere to:

• Do no harm principles

• Data protection and confidentiality standards

Note: Please attach along with you CV the Thecincal proposal for developing the RPL policy framework

Closing Date for applications: 26 August 2026