Terms of Reference (TOR)- Community Mobilization Training to Partner NGOs

Islamic Relief Worldwide-Nepal

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Community Mobilization Training to Partner NGOs

Background:

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is an independent international humanitarian organization that provides development programs and humanitarian relief around the globe, regardless of race, political affiliation, gender or beliefs. (http://www.islamic-relief.org/). IRW has been serving humanity for more than 35 years. With an active presence in over 40 countries across the globe, IRW strives to make the world a better fairer place for the population still living in poverty. In Nepal, IRW is affiliated with Social Welfare Council as International Non-Governmental Organization.

Islamic Relief Worldwide - Nepal has expanded its geographical reach, now covering new districts in the Madhesh province, including Bara, Mohottari, Sarlahi, and Rautahat as well as Kapilvastu and Rupandehi in the Lumbini province. And working with a primary focus on building the resilience capacities of poor and vulnerable communities and enhancing their economic status through various integrated development projects.

Rational of the training:

The rationale for community mobilization training for staff is based on the findings of the training needs assessment. The assessment highlighted the necessity for project staff to acquire essential skills in understanding the principles, approaches, and tools to implement community mobilization components of the project. The training will enhance the capacity of staff in community mobilization skills, community participation and engagement in project interventions. 

One crucial aspect that the staff needs to develop is the ability to establish meaningful and respectful relationships with community members. This involves gaining insight into local customs, traditions, and values, which in turn builds trust and cooperation with the community. Through proper mobilization, project communities are more likely to actively participate, take ownership of initiatives, and sustain efforts even beyond the project's duration.

Furthermore, it is essential for staff to possess knowledge and skills in conflict resolution, maintaining effective communication, and mobilizing local resources. These factors lead to cost-effective and sustainable interventions, ensuring long-term impact endures in the long term.

Recognizing that each community has its unique challenges, needs, and resources, training in community mobilization is vital. It also ensures that project staff understands the local context and empowers community members, making them feel engaged and responsible for the project's success. By being equipped with these capabilities, project staff can effectively engage with communities and foster positive change that is tailored to the specific context of each community. Strong community mobilization in the project will contribute to sustaining project efforts at a community level and for a community to take ownership of their issues and advocate for their rights.   

Training Objectives:

The main objective of community mobilization training for project staff is to equip them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to effectively engage and collaborate with community members and stakeholders. This training aims to build the capacity of the project staff to organize vulnerable communities and ultra-poor families into self-help groups, networks, and community structures, to build their resilience capacities and enhance economic status ultimately achieving the intended results of projects.

The specific objectives are:

• To make the participants better understand various community mobilization tools, techniques, and elements.
• To make the participants know about participatory approaches, their rationale and how it contributes to achieving community needs.
• To strengthen participants' abilities to effectively facilitate and mobilize the community, conduct community meetings to identify issues, and collaboratively plan and work towards achieving common objectives.

Role or scope of consultant:

The consultant will provide 2 events of 4 days of Community Mobilization training in close coordination with the project lead of IR Nepal. This training will be conducted separately in Rautahat and in Rupendehi districts. The number of participants will be around 25 for each event.

The role of the Consultant includes the following:

1. Plan and deliver training on community mobilization to partner NGO staff at IRW Nepal. The training aims to enhance participants' knowledge and skills in various areas, including but not limited to:

• Community mobilization: Concepts, benefits, and challenges.
• Assessing community needs and assets: Tools and techniques.
• Building effective communication: Roles and techniques.
• Developing a community mobilization action plan.
• Advocacy and community campaigns: Concepts and design.
• Addressing challenges and conflict resolution: Nature and strategies.
• Building leadership and empowerment: Tools and techniques.
• Resource mobilization: Importance and methods.

2. Analyze the capacity of the staff and provide the necessary support to achieve the desired outcomes of the training.

3. Prepare, collect, and compile relevant training materials and handouts in Nepali and share them with the participants.

4. Submit a final training report summarizing the training process and outcomes.

Approach and methodologies:

The consultant needs to understand the project and together with the project lead come up with practical and project-focused content to design a very practical training. A participatory approach should be applied throughout the course to ensure the active participation of everyone. 

In addition, the following methodologies should be applied, 

1. Interactive training techniques: Utilize a variety of training techniques to keep the learning process interactive such as group discussions, role-plays, case studies, simulations, games etc. 
2. Audio Visual Aid: Integrate multimedia elements such as videos, audio clips, and visual aids to enhance the learning experience.
3. Pre and Post training evaluation: At the beginning and end of the training compare and evaluate the progress and the level of knowledge acquired. 
4. One-day practical exercise in the community and provide feedback through feedback session 
5. Follow-up action plan. Prepare the template and facilitate the preparation of a follow-up action plan for each participant 

Deliverables:

1. Provide a comprehensive training plan, pre-test and post-test questionnaires, and compare the results to demonstrate the participants' increased skill levels.
2. Supply training materials and handouts in the Nepali language.
3. Prepare a training report in English, including a compilation of relevant documents.

Report To:

Project Lead from Islamic Relief Worldwide- Nepal.

Targeted Participants:

Partner NGOs projects staff.

Timeline and Budget:

This consultancy will start as soon as possible, beginning with the development of the training content. 12 working days are proposed for this assignment (8 days for 2 events of training and 4 days for content preparation and reporting)

The training will occur in Rupandehi and Rautahat separately between 20th Aug-20th Sep 2023. The consultant will prepare a detailed work plan that will be part of the contract. The budget will cover the expert fee for the consultant to develop and implement the training. IRW Nepal will cover additional expenditures like travel and accommodation for the assigned consultant directly.

Qualifications/requirements of consultant:

1. Extensive relevant experience in designing and delivering practical training in the NGO sector
2. Broad experience and expertise in community mobilization.
3. Experienced in participatory approaches and techniques.
4. Proven record of successful facilitation of different training including at least three in the community mobilization
5. Good understanding of community development work, women empowerment, poverty graduation, WASH and DRR/CCA issues.
6. Master’s degree in social science, rural development or any related qualification

Payment schedule

The payment will be done as follows:

1. 40 % upon both parties’ agreement
2. 60 % after completion of training and submission of final report

Application Process and assessment process

Interested applicants should submit their letters, profiles and CVs together with technical and financial proposals in pdf format on 10 August 2023 (before 5 pm) as softcopy by email info.nepal@islamic-relief.org.np with the subject line: Trainer for Community Mobilization Training

IRN reserves the right to fully or partially cancel the bid and is not bound to any legal claim in this regard.

Consultant will be evaluated based on 70/30% ratio.