EXPRESSION OF INTEREST TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROPOSED DESIGN OF THE YOUTH ENTERPRISE RESOURCE HUB WEBSITE HACKATHONE

KCA University (Kenya) is partnering with the University of Nottingham (UK) and the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF, Kenya) on a project titled: Co-Production for Youth Entrepreneurship in Kenya. The project goal was informed by the disconnect and the low transition by youth from theory (entrepreneurship learning) to entrepreneurship practice. In the first phase the project identified issues related to this disconnect to be: a) the youths’ lack of understanding and knowledge of how to manage and run a business b) entrepreneurship ecosystem players operating in silos thus unable to leverage on synergies for enhanced impact in youth entrepreneurship support and development c) disjointed and uncoordinated knowledge, entrepreneurship/business and skills development programmes that foster start-ups initiatives among the youth and d) the exclusion of the youth in the evidence-based solution design process. Key stakeholders in the entrepreneurship ecosystem proposed diverse interventions to address the problem which will be implemented in phase 2. One of the interventions is the development of the Youth Entrepreneurship Resource Hub (YERH), a virtual platform to:

Engage youth entrepreneurship stakeholders in co-creating entrepreneurship solutions to a range of problems.

Support capacity building needs of our stakeholders through sharing of learning resources.

Facilitate stakeholder connections, provide mentorship and mutual support to advance youth entrepreneurship in Kenya.

PURPOSE
We seek to develop a website that will be the hub of information and support for youth entrepreneurship in Kenya through a creative participatory process that involves students.
PROCESS
The process of designing and developing the website will apply the hackathon methodology. This is a method where groups of students will come together to design and with assistance of a web developer develop a dynamic website with requirement provided below.

1. Students participating in the Hackathon will be required to form groups of 3-5 people and write an expression of interest to participate
2. The project team with assistance from a web developer will evaluate the expressions of interest and shortlist the best five based on criteria set out below
3. Shortlisted groups will participate in a virtual appreciative inquiry exercise where they will interact with the project team and a web developer to engage in an intentional conversation of how the youth enterprise development resource hub (YERH) and the supporting platform will look like. This will involve a 4-stage process of discover, dream, design, and deliver
4. The appreciative inquiry exercise will help participants (project team, web developer, and students) engage in a discovery process to identify existing sources of resource material, platforms, website, local/national or global resources, and ascertain the gap to be filled through a unified resource repository
5. The second stage will involve participants envisioning their ideal platform and identify the features they would want the platform to have
6. Students will then converse within their groups and design website features identified and submit their designs to the web developer
7. The web developer, in consultation with the project team and using a set criterion, will identify the winning design that meets all the requirements
8. The students and the web developer will then work together in a collaborative learning process to develop the YERH website and deliver the same to the project team

SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
We are seeking expression of interest from a groups of IT savvy students (maximum group size is five), who can participate in a hackathon to design the website which will meet the following needs

1. Provide a one-stop shop where youth are given an opportunity to interact virtually
2. Connect youth entrepreneurs and prospects with experts of entrepreneurship and mentors
3. Provide a platform for young entrepreneurs to market for their business
4. Young entrepreneurs to learn more on emerging local and international business issues
5. Market and enhance profile of the youth-owned enterprises
6. Connect the website to various social media platforms

To participate in this project interested students are required to submit their expression of interest detailing their qualification meeting the requirement set below. Kindly attach relevant documents as proof, for example, result slips, workshop participation certificates, and any other qualification your team members possess.
QUALIFICATIONS

1. Must be a current student enrolled in any program of KCA University in any of its campuses
2. MUST be well versed in WordPress and have working knowledge of Buddy Press
3. Proficient in HTML, PHP &CSS, MySQL, API, Java Script
4. Should have basic knowledge of Ajax, HTML5, App, Widget, and other coding languages is a plus
5. Have excellent knowledge of recent trends in graphic design and web sites development
6. Demonstrate the ability to create innovative and visually appealing design

NB
For bullet 5 and 6 above, you provide examples of work you have done, e.g. URL links, letters of recommendation from people or organizations you have worked with (including attachment), and anything that will demonstrate your competence in the two areas

Kindly note that we do not require every to possess all the skills and competences, but the group should have these qualifications. Gender diversity and multidisciplinary collaboration is highly encouraged

CRITERIA OF SELECTION

If you interested in participating, please from a group and send your expression of interest
to rio@kcau.ac.ke before 19th April 2022 at 7.59am.