Background to the Consultancy
Grassroots Alliance for Community Education (G.R.A.C.E) Africa is a 501 (c) Non Governmental Organization (NGO) that is registered in the United States of America (USA) as well as Kenya under the NGO board in 2001. The organization’s vision is vibrant, resourceful and self sustaining grassroots communities, while its mission is to enhance the capacity of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) for self-determined, high-impact and sustainable initiatives leading to better health and development.
Towards the end of 2008, G.R.A.C.E received funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the New partners initiative (NPI) to implement a program aimed at scaling up the provision of quality essential services to Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) as well as undertake HIV Prevention activities in three provinces, namely Nyanza, Central and Eastern. The program is implemented in collaboration with 15 CBOs which are based in the three provinces, and which have established Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers to support OVC. The role of the CBOs is to undertake HIV Prevention activities, enrol and provide essential services to Orphans and Vulnerable Children in their localities. These services include food; education; protection; healthcare; psychosocial support; and economic empowerment support to their caregivers.
The Consultancy Scope of Work
One of the services provided to OVC caregivers by G.R.A.C.E and its partner organizations is economic strengthening. This is aimed at addressing the economic needs for family/caregivers to meet expanding responsibilities for ill family members or vulnerable children in the households.
G.R.A.C.E therefore seeks to engage a suitable consultant or consultancy firm that will equip trainer of trainers (TOTs) with skills in Income Generating Activity establishment and management, subsequent to which they will train and support the OVC caregivers in the selection, establishment and management of viable Income Generating Activities (IGAs) for the benefit of their households.
The consultancy will entail two 5-day workshops, targeting a total of 50 TOTs on IGA selection, planning and management. The training will impart information and skills on IGAs to the TOTs to enable them support OVC caregivers in the selection, establishment and management of viable IGAs.
Specific Terms of Reference for the assignment
The following specific tasks are expected to be undertaken by the consultant in regard to the mentioned assignment:
Hold discussions with G.R.A.C.E staff (particularly the Chief Executive Officer, Director, Programs Coordinator and Project Officer) to agree on specific issues related to income generating activities to be addressed in the training.
Based on the above discussion and drawn from the identified and agreed upon training materials, develop five-day training on income generating activities for TOTs.
Undertake two 5-day training workshops, for a total of 50 Tots of CBOs partnering with G.R.A.C.E on income generating activities to target families in the three provinces where G.R.A.C.E is implementing the NPI project.
Support the TOTs to develop practical action plans and draft business plans on establishment and management of IGAs to OVC caregivers in their respective areas of operation. The action plans should detail specific activities to be undertaken, timelines, number of OVC caregivers targeted, and resources required.
Undertake one-day monitoring and support supervision visits for each of the 15 CBO partners to monitor progress and support the TOTs in the sites.
Review IGA business plans developed by the caregivers through participatory approaches that help ensure activities are relevant and viable.
Deliverables
The following are the expected deliverables from this assignment:
Two (2)five-day(5) training workshop on the selection, planning, establishment and management of IGAs detailing training content; respective sessions and their objectives and facilitators responsible for each session.
Workshop reports on each of the training workshops for TOTs on establishment and management of IGAs, detailing the training content, training methodology; evaluation feedback from participants; action plans for roll out ; recommendations and a list of participants.
Field reports for each monitoring visit detailing progress made in implementation, challenges experiences, recommendations made and support provided and action points for G.R.A.C.E to follow up on.
G.R.A.C.E Africa’s responsibility
The Consultant will be responsible to the G.R.A.C.E Chief Executive Officer. In addition, both the G.R.A.C.E Director and the Project Officer will be available for consultation with the consultant before and after the exercise to guide the planning and report preparation exercise.
Specifically G.R.A.C.E Africa will provide the following:
Background information on the organization, the assignment and any other information relevant and necessary for the undertaking of the exercise.
USAID approved Training curriculum on selection, planning and management of Income Generating Activities (IGAs).
Transport, accommodation and meals during the training workshops and the field visits.
Desired background and experience
A Bachelor’s degree in community development, sociology, education, business administration and any other relevant field.
3 years proven track record in training rural communities in all aspects of business management and principles
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Swahili.
A proven track record in tailor-made training material development in business related disciplines.
Experience in mentoring community groups as well as individuals in the selection, planning and management of businesses.
Experience with business development and marketing.
Ability and commitment to work to tight time frame.
Expression of interest
Interested candidates should submit expressions of interest, which include:
A capability statement, including committed availability for the entire assignment
An elaboration of the approach, methodology, complete with a timed and detailed work plan
A detailed financial proposal, including the following: consultant’s fees, operational costs (not including G.R.A.C.E’s inputs mentioned above) and other resources if necessary.
Submissions should be delivered to G.R. A.C.E Africa in a sealed envelope, clearly marked “RE: IGA TRAINING SUBMISSION” and addressed to:
The Director
GRACE Africa
Ole Odume road (2 gates past Riara)
PO Box 13993 - 00200
Nairobi
Or emailed to hr@graceafrica.com; not later than 15th November 2010.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Terms of reference for training of G.R.A.C.E partners on the selection, planning and management of income generating activities
