International Consultant - Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

British Council•, SD

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

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 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. 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. 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. Limited access to quality learning, and the impact of ongoing conflict have intensified the need for a more responsive, inclusive and resilient skills system.

Requirements

Proven experience in designing and implementing RPL systems or frameworks
Strong expertise in TVET systems reform
Strong expertise in qualifications frameworks and skills recognition
Strong expertise in non-formal education systems
Experience working in fragile or conflict-affected contexts
Demonstrated ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder policy processes
CV(s) of key personnel
Adherence to do no harm principles
Adherence to data protection and confidentiality standards

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.
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, and cross-sectoral articulation (TVET, NFE, higher education).
Define institutional roles and responsibilities across relevant ministries and organizations.
Propose a national governance model (coordination mechanisms, oversight structures, implementation roles).
Recommend establishment or strengthening of RPL units/mechanisms.
Develop a competency-based RPL assessment framework, including assessment methodologies, certification pathways and equivalency mechanisms, and credit transfer and articulation systems.
Design a national RPL quality assurance system, including standards and guidelines, accreditation mechanisms, and monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement processes.
Develop a detailed Operational Manual outlining step-by-step implementation processes, institutional workflows, roles of assessors and institutions, and learner support mechanisms.
Facilitate a structured consultation process with government stakeholders, private sector and employers, CSOs and training providers, and development partners.
Conduct workshops (in-person and/or hybrid) to validate key components.
Incorporate stakeholder feedback into final framework.
Support preparation of endorsement-ready documentation.
Provide technical input for high-level validation/endorsement meetings.