Young Africa (YA)

Deadline: 21 May 2021

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 Strategic Planning. Strengthening the capacities of YA Affiliates by enhancing their skills in strategic planning and necessitating the achievement of tangible results and improving the overall performance of YA Confederation. The capacity building initiative for the Strategic Planning 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: Effective implementation of strategic plans; Constant adhering to donor regulations; Effective report writing that is evidence based; Measuring success and documenting them.

Objective of the consultancy

To develop training material in the form of a Trainer’s guide (manual) being guided by selected topics and additional input from YA Hub Programs Team; To enhance knowledge, skills and practice in strategic planning, effective strategic implementation, monitoring results, sticking to donor guidelines, and reporting of results.

Topics to be covered

Focus will be on, but not exclusive to the following topics: Strategic Leadership; Understanding the strategic environment, models, and paradigms; Developing targets and milestones from strategic plans for YA Affiliates; Effectively implementing strategic plans; Implementation sticking to donor guidelines (why it is important?); Monitoring, measuring, and evaluating the achievement of goals and targets; Identifying key performance indicators to be used to measure progress; Driving strategic performance and success; Report writing.

The training will be customised to YA Confederation needs and the consultant will work closely with the YA Hub Program 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 program 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 Programs Team for additional input.

Duration: 1 day

Document: Soft copy

Deliverables: Trainer’s training guide (manual) preparation – including PowerPoint 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: 4 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: 10 days

Methodology

The Strategic Planning (TOT) workshop will be conducted online (virtually) spread out over a period of 4 days. As this is a training of trainers (TOT) the training is expected to be participatory, practical and utilise evidence-based approaches during the 4 days training period. Below are some of the recommended approaches for the assignment though the Consultant is encouraged to be flexible to come up with robust engaging training methodologies: PPT presentations; Group work and presentation (e.g., break away groups on zoom, use of 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. 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 Programs Team. Besides, the trainers training guide (manual) shall be approved by YA Hub Programs 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 the consultant

YA is seeking to engage a consultant to support the Strategic Planning Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop: A Strategic Planning Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop for selected participants from 5 YA Affiliate Offices. The ideal consultant must meet the profile below: Graduate degree in Business Administration/Leadership, Economics, Social Science, Strategic Management, or any other areas; 5-7 years practical relevant work experience in strategic planning; Highly motivated and experienced in coordinating and planning projects and documenting results; Excellent leadership administration, planning, M&E, organizational and time management skills; Demonstrated ability and experience working as a consultant and facilitating training of trainer’s workshops in the subject area; Excellent communication skills in English Language. Proficiency in Portuguese is an added advantage.

.