Baseline Study of the “Equipped for Impact Project”: Young Africa International

Deadline: 5 February 2021 (COB)

Background of the project

Young Africa International and its 5 affiliates (Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana) is implementing a project titled Equipped for Impact with support from the SAS Foundation. The project is supporting the implementation of quality improvements that are contained in the Young Africa International Quality Improvement Plan (YA QIP) which was developed in 2019 in response to an assessment of the operations of YA International and its five Affiliates.

The Goal of the project is “Improved quality of youth-focused employability programmes implemented by YA’s 5 Affiliates, resulting in improved livelihood for youth in targeted countries of Southern Africa”.

The project has 2 outcomes as follows:

Outcome 1. The YA Quality Improvement Program (QIP) is successfully implemented at YA’s 5 Affiliates in Southern Africa, resulting in social and economic impact in the lives of approximately 3,000 graduates of YA annually.

Indicators for Outcome 1: All Key/Strategic positions filled by qualified personnel; A bespoke Monitoring and Evaluation System in place.

Outcome 2. Evidence of the impact of YA’s past work, the job market needs and the needs of youths in YA’s 5 countries of operation is gathered, documented and published.

Indicators for Outcome 2: An updated wrap-around services program being implemented across all YA Affiliates; A market-responsive training curriculum in place using the results from the market study research.

The project has two activity packages; Quality Improvement Plan and Research.

Project activity Package 1- Quality Improvement Plan

This package is focused on increasing the efficiency and productivity as well as stronger self-management of YA affiliates. This package has the following activities: Staff capacity development; Strengthening of human resources of Affiliates with salary support for key positions; Set up of innovative management tools and implementation support for such tools; A stakeholder conference on Quality Improvement.

Project Activity Package 2-YA Research studies

YA International is conducting three researches to support its evidence-based programming. The research will produce findings which will influence how YA and its affiliates operate and deliver on its mission and vision. The researched are as follows: Young Africa Current and Future Job Market Research – to ensure that the YA training programmes respond to the needs of the job market; Young Africa Longevity Impact Study – to assess the impact of the work of YA historically; Young Africa students’ holistic development program – to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of YA’s complementary courses and services (entrepreneurship, life skills education, work readiness, talent development in sport and art, English language training in Mozambique etc.)

Purpose of baseline study

Identify areas needing capacity strengthening within the broad areas of programming, financial management, administration, communications etc; Identify improvements needed to grow YA towards evidence based programming; Revise the results framework for the project, (outcomes, outputs, inputs/activities); Recommend capacity building/skills development trainings and other interventions necessary to address the identified gaps.

Methodology of the baseline

Methodology must include, but not limited to the following: Review existing documents (internal and external audit reports, Training Needs Assessments, Organizational Capacity Assessment reports) and identify capacity status of each of YA Int. and the 5 Affiliates as well as the extent to which the Confederation uses evidence to implement its programmes; Review and analyse the project’s result Framework to incorporate any changes necessary to align to the findings of the baseline; Key informant interviews (KIIs) with key staff of YA International and YA Affiliates.

NB: Consultant can propose an appropriate methodology over and above what is listed above and have this approved by YA International. Consultant also required to propose a methodology that takes into account the Covid-19 induced restrictions.

Sampling

Finer details of the sampling to be discussed with YA international project management unit.

Deliverables

Inception Report (with study tools); Baseline study report presenting findings (status) of key project indicators; Annex: Areas of improvement on the project Results Framework; Annex: Snapshot of quality improvement recommendations (2-page document).

Qualifications

YA International is looking for a consultant (individuals or consulting firms) with the following profile; Advanced Degree in Organizational Development or Social Sciences, solid track record of conducting organizational assessments/capacity assessments and knowledge of organizational systems in the non-profit sector.