Kenya modernised the National Employment Authority Integrated Management System (NEAIMS), converting it into an online portal that puts inclusion and accessibility at the forefront of public employment services (PES).
With the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Kenya upgraded NEAIMS in line with the NEA Strategic Plan. It created a system design framework, developed software, and acquired the necessary hardware, culminating in a partially operational platform with early indications of long-term sustainability.
The NEAIMS platform integrates accessible and user-friendly design, such as assistive technologies that increase font sizes for people with poor eyesight. It has also become a browser-based platform that allows jobseekers to access local and overseas job opportunities across devices such as cellular phones and computers.
76% of early users confirmed the new platform is easy to operate, according to an internal project evaluation on strengthening PES in English-speaking Africa.
NEA employment officers received extensive training on the efficient use and management of the NEAIMS online portal. Knowledge transfer also involved foundational concepts in public employment services, methodologies, trends, and advisory skills.
The training culminated in the development of a general training manual and a cohort of officers with the capacity to train others, ensuring long-term scalability of employment service improvements.
These initiatives were designed to address high unemployment rates in Kenya, where persons in vulnerable situations often face barriers to decent work.
"Both the number of jobseekers and employers accessing NEA services has increased, and the scope of our employment services now extends to vulnerable communities, including refugees, enabling them to access job opportunities," said Edith Okoki, the NEA Director General.
While full operationalisation is a work in progress, stakeholders committed to its completion with a dedicated budget allocation, integration in NEA performance contracts, and enhanced staffing with 129 new officers.
The modernisation of NEAIMS was financially supported by the Ministry of Employment and Labour of the Republic of Korea. In August 2023, a Kenyan delegation also conducted a study visit to South Korea, engaging with government ministries and institutions to gain insights on inclusive employment policies, services for persons with disabilities, and effective partnerships with local governments. The knowledge exchange has since been integrated in the NEA Strategic Plan (2023-2027).
Building on this momentum, the ILO will continue strengthening the capacity of Kenyan public officials through a new initiative in partnership with Korea University of Technology and Education (KOREATECH). The collaboration aims to further promote innovation and international cooperation, ensuring sustainable progress beyond the initial NEAIMS overhaul.
We are hopeful for a future where every jobseeker finds meaningful employment and every employer finds the right talent.
Edith Okoki, the NEA Director General
Kenya was one of the first East African countries to ratify Convention No. 88 on Public Employment Services, doing so in 1952.
