[Consultancy] Develop an Online Proposal Writing Course

Consultancy to develop an Online Proposal Writing Course

for Civil Society Organizations

TERMS OF REFERENCE

INTRODUCTION

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a leading Canadian international development organization contracted by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to implement the Field Support Services Project (FSSP) in the Caribbean. The FSSP Caribbean (FSSP-C) provides technical, procurement and logistical support to the Government of Canada’s Caribbean Regional Development Program (CRDP).^[1]

The FSSP Caribbean is currently contracting the services of an experienced Firm to develop an Online Project Proposal Writing Training course. This is part of the Organizational Strengthening component under the LEAF grant mechanism.

BACKGROUND

The LEAF is a grant mechanism under the Field Support Services Project – Caribbean (FSSP-C), which is funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). LEAF supports local organizations in eight Caribbean countries – Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname – to address key developmental issues. The main objective of LEAF is to strengthen the support provided to organizations working in vulnerable sectors by improving access to financial resources to enhance their mandate. LEAF may support issues related to Gender Equality, Human Rights, Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, Gender Based Violence, Youth Engagement and Strengthening Organizational Effectiveness. Each call for proposal will specify which themes will be focused on.  Organizations that are registered not-for-profit entities and fall in the following categories can receive funding under LEAF – non-government organizations, community based organizations, civil society organizations, benevolent societies, foundations, charitable organizations, associations, public educational institutions, federations/networks, and regional organizations.

As part of the Organizational Strengthening component of LEAF, face-to-face Proposal Writing Workshops were held with organizations in all eight countries. However, the demand for these Workshops continues to be great, as the number of people who can attend face-to-face workshops is limited. This problem is further compounded by the limited knowledge among community-based groups of grant-funding options available to finance locally led initiatives across the Caribbean. Online learning platforms, which incorporate key resources to increase knowledge of grant funding available, as well as to improve competencies in writing award-winning proposals, offer expanded reach and accessibility on demand as needed. 

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this consultancy is to develop a Proposal Writing Module for use by learners online. The consultant will create interactive practical training content that covers widely used project application terminologies.

SCOPE OF WORKS

The Consultant undertakes to perform the services with the highest standards of professional and ethical competence and integrity.

The following activities will be undertaken:

• Participate in an Inception Meeting with the FSSP-C and any other participants that are relevant to the Consultancy.
  • Prepare and submit an Inception Report outlining, but not limited to, Methodology, Course Outline and Course Design/Storyboard, and Work Implementation Plan  
  • Develop Course content. Review existing training materials and develop course material inclusive of a Training Manual. Content delivery should be participatory and interactive. 
  • Test training material with target audiences and refine as needed purpose, specific goals/objectives, learning outcomes, structure and content for each knowledge product based on the comments received. Design features should promote learning and align with the principles of adult learning. New/emerging technologies should also be integrated into the design, where possible and appropriate.
  • Develop a directory of grant funding available to community-based groups, including application requirements to be incorporated within the resources section of the online module
  • Develop finalized training material into an interactive online module.
  • Test the online module with target audiences and refine as needed.

OUTPUTS

The Consultant will deliver the following outputs:

• An Inception Report
• Draft Training Manual
• Report on findings of Test (Training Manual)
• Final Training Manual 
• Draft Online Training version
• Draft Directory of grant funding
• Beta testing and report on testing (Online Training)
• Final release of Online Proposal Writing module to include directory of grant funding and Training Manual
• Final Report

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The Consultancy firm is expected to have the following qualification and experience:

Team Leader:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s level or higher) in Education, Social Sciences or related field
• At least five (5) years experience developing and implementing capacity building training to civil society organizations.
• Extensive experience in proposal writing, grant applications, and project management within the Caribbean context.
• Experience in gender mainstreaming and promoting the inclusion of women and persons with disabilities in an educational context.
• Specific experience developing and delivering proposal / grant writing training workshops
• At least ten (10) years experience working with civil society organizations
• Experience working in the Caribbean region is an asset.

Team Leader and/or Team Members:

• Demonstrated experience developing training material for online learning
• Experience as an Audio Visual and Multi-media Content Developer
• Experience developing communications material for varying cultures and backgrounds
• A deep understanding of the Caribbean civil society context, including cultural, social and economic factors.

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including civil society organisations and other relevant agencies.      

DURATION AND LEVEL OF EFFORT

A maximum of thirty (30) man days has been assigned for the completion of the Consultancy over a period of five (5) months.

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[1] The Caribbean Regional Development Program includes the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.