International Consultant - Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL

Terms of Reference (ToR)

International Consultant / Consultancy Firm

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

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.

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.

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,…