Young African (YA)

Deadline: 21 May 2021 (4pm)

About Young Africa (YA)

Founded in the Netherlands in 1998 Young African (YA) currently operates nine Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers in five countries as a confederation of independently and locally registered affiliated organizations. YA operates in 1 more country in partnership with 3 other organizations that are replicating the YA model. Each Affiliate operates TVET – Centre(s), youth (self-) employment programs and community activities. The Head office of YA is in Harare, Zimbabwe, with an office in The Netherlands. The YA confederation coordinates multiple projects (implemented through the nine centers) and project teams include members based at YA Head Office in Zimbabwe, at YA office in The Netherlands and at Affiliate offices in the respective countries of operation.

The vision of YA is a world of quality and shared word of equality where the power of young people is channeled to transform the world around them. The mission of YA is the integral development of disadvantaged youths aged 15 to 35 years with a special focus on young women and youths with disabilities. YA does this through imparting to youth skills of the hands to make them self-reliant, skills of the heart and mind to help them live with dignity and skills of the soul to help them live with a purpose.

Background

YA is implementing a YA-wide Quality Improvement Plan (2020-2021). One of the key competence areas with capacity gaps for YA Affiliates is Finance and Administration. Strengthening the capacities of YA Affiliates by enhancing finance and administration procedures and processes will improve the overall performance of YA Confederation. The capacity building initiative for the Finance and Administration target group for YA Affiliates is planned to be done through a Training of Trainers workshop. The Training of Trainers workshop is aimed at overcoming the current challenges faced by YA Affiliate team members. Some of the current challenges identified through the training needs analysis, research findings by external consultants, and internal capacity assessments carried out that need strengthening are as follows: Improving knowledge in management information systems; Enhancing basic financial and administration processes and procedures; Improving bookkeeping skills and use of supportive software.

Objective of the consultancy

To develop training material in the form of a Trainer’s guide (manual) being guided by identified topics and additional input from YA International Finance and Administration Team; To strengthen the capacities of participants with adequate skills in Finance and Administration procedures and processes.

Topic to be covered

Focus will be on, but not exclusive to the following topics: Basics of Finance and Administration; Booking into the finance system regardless of the system; Filing orderly electronically and physically/manually; Reporting as per donor requirement; Donor compliance; Audit Readiness; Internal Controls.

The training will be customised to YA Confederation needs and the consultant will work closely with YA Hub Finance and Administration team throughout the assignment.

Composition of trainees

Each of the Young Africa Affiliate Offices will select participants who are focal persons to participate in the training. A total of 20+ participants are expected from the 5 Affiliates. The training will not exceed 30 participants.

The proposed process/scope of completing the assignment

The Consultancy is expected to undertake the following: Desk review, meetings with YA Hub Finance and Administration team and development of a training plan; Development/prepare a training manual for the participants prior to the start of the training. The training documents should include pre/post-tests feedback forms to track learning processes; Conduct the training. The training will be done online (virtually) in response to COVID lockdown restrictions; Report writing for the training workshop.

Deliverables

The expected outputs from the consultant and the duration are as follows:

Deliverables: Development of a training plan after review of existing materials and briefing with YA Hub Finance and Administration Team

Duration: 1 day

Document: Soft copy

Deliverables: Trainer’s training guide (manual) preparation – including power point presentation for each session

Duration: 4 days

Document: Soft copy

Deliverables: Provision/Facilitation of training of trainers (TOT) to selected participants from YA Affiliate Offices

Duration: 5 days

Deliverables: A high quality and comprehensive training report that includes the aggregated findings of the pre/post tests and feedback/evaluation forms and a thorough evaluation of the training.

Duration: 1 day

Total number of days: 11 days

Methodology

The Finance and Administration (TOT) workshop will be conducted online (virtually) spread out over a period of 5 days. As this is a training of trainers (TOT) the training is expected to be participatory, practical and utilise evidence-based approaches during the 5 days training period. Below are some of the recommended approaches for the assignment though the Consultant is flexible to come up with robust engaging training methodologies: PPT presentations; Group work and presentation (e.g., break away groups on zoom, miro boards or any other interactive online tools); Question and answers; Relevant case studies and best practices.

The proposed training methodologies should be an integral part of the expression of interest and contain the following as a minimum requirement: Consultant’s understanding of Finance and Administration training of trainer’s methodologies to be used during the training. The methodologies to be used during the training should be engaging, fun, enjoyable and interactive.

Note: The trainers can re-adjust their training methods in consultation with YA Hub Finance and Administration Team. Besides, the trainers training guide (manual) shall be approved by YA Hub Finance and Administration Team before the commencement of the training.

Evaluation criteria

Consultants will be evaluated on the following criteria: Suitability and proven relevant and prior experience in developing training manuals and facilitating training of trainer’s workshops; Likelihood of meeting and delivering on criteria provided; Training methodologies and approaches proposed; Thematic and methodological expertise in conducting similar work; Availability to complete the work in the time proposed.

Profile of consultant

YA is seeking to engage a consultant to support the Finance and Administration Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop: A Finance and Administration Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop for selected participants from 5 YA Affiliate Offices. The ideal consultant must meet the profile below: Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of financial systems; Demonstrated experience in developing finance processes and procedures and documenting these in suitable Manuals; Knowledge and understanding of financial management and including familiarity with budgeting, accounting, reporting in the not-for-profit sector; Knowledge of international financial reporting standards and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; Demonstrated ability and experience working as a consultant and facilitating training of trainer’s workshop; Excellent communication skills and English Language. Knowledge of Portuguese is an added advantage.

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