Consultants for training on "Project Cycle Management"

Introduction

Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) is the lead apex institution for community-driven development in the country.  Set up by the Government of Pakistan as an autonomous not-for-profit organization, PPAF enjoys facilitation and support from the Government of Pakistan, The World Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), KfW Entwicklungsbank (Development Bank of Germany) and other statutory and corporate donors.  PPAF aims to be the catalyst for improving the quality of life, broadening the range of opportunities and socio-economic mainstreaming of the poor and disadvantaged, especially women. The core operating units of the PPAF deliver a range of development interventions at the grassroots/community level through a network of more than 125 Partner Organizations across the country.  These include social mobilization, support for livelihood, enterprise and employment, access to credit, skills development, infrastructure and energy, health, education and disaster management. Externally commissioned independent studies have demonstrated positive outcomes and impact of PPAF interventions on the lives of benefiting communities related to their economic output, household incomes, assets, agricultural productivity skills and other quality of life indices.  For a complete profile, please visit our website at http:********************************************

Background

As part of strategy, PPAF is endeavoring to build the capacities of its staff in the areas considered vital for running the operations of the organization as well as for individual growth. With a view to assess the real training needs of staff, TNA form was revised and an across-the-board exercise for the assessment of training needs was conducted. It was meant to identify the skills that are required to achieve the PPAF’s vision and mission and to uncover the gaps that arose due to frequent restructuring of the organization as well as hampering staff productivity. In order to strengthen the knowledge base of staff, certain training areas e.g. Project Management; Participatory Development; Monitoring & Evaluation; Appraisal Techniques etc. have been considered fundamental for majority of the employees. Participatory development trainings have already been designed and conducted for PPAF team.

Project handling with modern concepts, techniques and tools is of significant importance to Team PPAF for managing upcoming and ongoing assignments. Therefore it is intended to organize a three days long session for PPAF staff in the period from April to June 2015.

Training Objective / Learning Objective

To accomplish this, PPAF intends to acquire the services of an individual consultant for designing and delivering customized trainings for PPAF staff. This would lead to an increase in the organization’s project managment capability, and a consistant approach to its management of projects.

The key objectives of this program will aim to increase the capacity and skills of participants in project cycle management with a focus on project formulation and proposal and developing a Monitoring and Evaluation framework that ensures success implementation of the project.

Identify the different stages of a project life cycle and their associated activities; apply appropriate tools for identification and assessment of the need of a project.

Scope of work

The scope of work for the assignment will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following tasks:

·         To discuss with PPAF – HR unit any problematic areas (focus will be on profiling of participants ; training programme and  implementation plan)

·         To prepare training materials

·         To implement the course;

·         To evaluate the course;

·         To award certificates to participants;

·         To provide PPAF with a detailed training report;

Deliverables

·         Training Design/ Plan/Module

·         Conducting 2 Training Events for PPAF staff

·         Training Report

·         Power point presentations for all topics in English;

·         It is a requirement that one (1) complete set of materials including PowerPoint presentations will be sent to PPAF- HR unit at least 1 week before this course;

Within 7 days after completion of the course, consultants (trainers) will submit the Evaluation report in hard and electronic copies (Microsoft Word and Excel) to PPAF – HR unit.  All materials and data collected and/or produced during the training period are the property PPAF and can only be copied and reproduced with PPAF permission. The evaluation report must include the following information points:

v  Final Participant list for course

v  Detailed Training Program Agenda provided to PPAF before the course

v  Evaluation of the participants on the basis of their contribution, participation and     key learning’s & feedbacks of trainees to the course

Clients (PPAF’s) Responsibility

PPAF shall provide the following assistance/ information to the consultant;

·         Provide all necessary input and documents to the consultant helping him/her in profiling of the participants.

·         Printing of training material & certificates for participants and stationary.

·         The course will be conducted in PPAF’s own premises/or may be in any other available hotel in the vicinity

Target Group for the course

Project staff

Staff of support units involve in the project indirectly

Expected Number of Participants

The expected number of participants for this course is 30-40.

Expected Duration

2 or 3- Days 

Anticipated Number of Events

It is intended to organize two (2) events during the period from November 2016 till December 2016.  

Training Design &Contents

By the end of this 2 or 3 days training course, the participants will be equipped with knowledge and skills on Project Cycle Management including:

·         Understanding a Project and its Lifecycle

·         Need Identification

·         Logical Framework Analysis – LFA

·         Writing Key Proposal Areas

·         Assessing Structure and Impact of Proposal

·         Introducing Modern Concepts  (tools and soft wares )of Project Management

·         Tools for Participatory Monitoring

·         Tools for Project Evaluation

·         Developing the M&E Framework

Each participant will gain solid theoretical and practical knowledge to undertake, manage, monitor and control a project from beginning to end.

Based on the tentative contents for the training course as mentioned above, training consultant is required to propose the outline for this course. Trainer is required to develop training manual, exercises and practice scenarios. Moreover, trainer must allocate reasonable practice time, up to 30% of training time so that participants can become proficient at the skills learnt.

The trainer will adopt participatory training methods based on action learning principles. Participants will be encouraged to voice their concerns and views, share their experience and contribute to the learning process. Different tools will be used to facilitate the training i.e.

 ·PowerPoint presentations;

·Brain storming

·Group discussions;

·Role Plays

·Simulations

·Case Studies

·Exercises and practice on skills learnt

Qualification and Experience Requirements

• Masters’ degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Public Administration,  development or other relevant field;
• Preferably possess a Project Management Certification from a credible institution e.g. PMBoK etc.
• Minimum 8-10 years of relevant experience.
• At least 5 years of experience as trainer. The Consultant should possess good knowledge of all concepts, principles and approaches related to Project Management and a proven capacity to design, and conduct various customized trainings for national and international organizations. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Time Duration

The assignment is expected to be completed within four (02) months from the date of signing of the contract.