Project Governance Structure

The East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP) is implemented through a robust, multi-layered governance framework designed to ensure effective coordination, accountability, and regional collaboration among Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA). The structure brings together national governments, implementing institutions, industry partners, and regional bodies to jointly drive TVET transformation across East Africa.

1. Regional Governance: Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA)

IUCEA serves as the Regional Facilitation Unit (RFU) and is responsible for providing strategic leadership and facilitating regional integration aspects of the project.

Key Functions

• Coordinating all regional activities, including harmonization of qualifications, occupational standards, and policy frameworks.
• Supporting joint monitoring and supervision missions with the World Bank and national implementing units.
• Managing regional capacity-building programmes for TVET leadership, instructors, and managers.
• Overseeing the development and implementation of regional tools such as:
  • The Regional TVET Qualifications Framework (RTQF-EKT)
  • The Regional Framework for Occupational Competency Assessment & Certification
  • The Regional Policy Framework for TVET Integration
• Facilitating regional student and staff mobility across RFTIs.
• Acting as the secretariat for the Regional Steering Committee (RSC).

2. Regional Steering Committee (RSC)

The RSC provides high-level policy direction and oversight for the entire project.

Composition

• Senior officials from Ministries responsible for TVET in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania
• Representatives from IUCEA
• Development partners (including the World Bank) as observers
• Industry representatives (as needed)

Responsibilities

• Reviewing project progress at regional level
• Approving regional frameworks and guidelines
• Providing policy guidance to ensure alignment with national and regional priorities
• Overseeing cross-country collaboration, standardization, and mobility initiatives

3. National Governance: National Project Coordination Units (NPCUs)

Each participating country, that is Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania, has established a National Project Coordination Unit (NPCU) under the ministry responsible for TVET.

Role of NPCUs

• Coordinating implementation of EASTRIP activities within the country
• Providing technical support and guidance to the RFTIs
• Consolidating reporting from all project institutes
• Managing national-level procurement, safeguards, and financial reporting
• Facilitating linkages with industry, government agencies, and national qualification authorities
• Supporting the development of national TVET frameworks such as:
  • TVET financing strategies
  • National occupational standards
  • National TVET forums and dissemination workshops

NPCUs participate in joint monitoring missions with IUCEA and the World Bank and ensure alignment between national and regional priorities.

4. Institutional Governance: Regional Flagship TVET Institutes (RFTIs)

The 16 RFTIs are the primary implementers of EASTRIP activities.

Governance Structure at Institutional Level

Each RFTI has:

• A Project Implementation Unit (PIU) led by a Project Coordinator
• Technical leads for procurement, financial management, M&E, safeguards, and construction
• Training departments responsible for curriculum integration and programme delivery
• Industry and partnership officers facilitating MoUs, attachments, and linkages

Institutional Responsibilities

• Delivering specialized training programmes in priority sectors
• Upgrading facilities and equipment as per project design
• Developing and delivering demand-driven programmes
• Conducting tracer studies and monitoring employment outcomes
• Managing student and staff mobility in collaboration with IUCEA
• Strengthening partnerships with industry to improve relevance and job placement
• Ensuring adherence to fiduciary, procurement, and environmental/social safeguards.

5. Industry and Private Sector Engagement

Industry partners play a central role in ensuring quality and relevance of training.

Their Contributions

• Participating in curriculum development and validation
• Offering industrial attachments for teachers and students
• Contributing to occupational standard-setting processes
• Supporting certification and assessment initiatives
• Signing MoUs (over 337 MoUs) with RFTIs to date.

This partnership-driven approach ensures that skills development remains market-oriented and responsive to changing technologies.

6. Development Partner Support: The World Bank

The World Bank provides financing, technical support, and oversight to ensure successful delivery.

Roles

• Conducting implementation support missions
• Providing guidance on procurement, construction, safeguards, financial management, and governance
• Verifying Disbursement-Linked Indicators (DLIs)
• Supporting the regional harmonization agenda and strategic policy reforms

EASTRIP’s governance structure is designed to balance national ownership, institutional autonomy, and regional coordination. Through the complementary roles of IUCEA, national ministries, RFTIs, industry partners, and the World Bank, the project has created a harmonized and well-coordinated system that is transforming technical and vocational education and strengthening regional integration in East Africa.