Consultancy Services for Donor Report Writing Skills Training

Since 2008, AECF has invested in 268 businesses across sub-Sahara Africa focusing on Agribusiness, Renewable Energy and Climate Technologies. As of 2018, we have impacted more than 17 million lives, created over 12,000 jobs, and leveraged over US$ 750 million in matching funds from the private sector.

AECF has implemented programs across Africa delivering tangible impact for communities most in need.

Objective of consultancy

The objective of this consultancy is to design and facilitate a Donor Report Writing Skills training exercise in May/June 2021.

This training will cover the four key stages in report writing: preparation, structure, writing and presentation. The training aims to equip the participants with skills to write internal and external reports, giving them an understanding of the required report structure, flow, and content and to align with various donor requirements.

The training is to be customized for the levels tiered below: –

Category

1. All Portfolio Staff members
2. Select Finance Staff
3. Partnerships, Strategy & Communications

Scope of work:

The consultant will be expected to:

a) Design and facilitate a two‐day (2) Report Writing Skills training for approximately 30 participants.

b) Through the Donor Report Writing Skills Training, provide participants with knowledge:

• To implement the 6 “Cs” of writing (clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, and courteous).
• To identify the relevant data elements for reporting for different audiences.
• Audience analysis techniques to produce tailor made reports.
• To understand the context of the report and aligning content with expressed donor intentions.
• For organizational writing standardization.
• On the various levels of donor reporting.
• Of the different types of report categories (annual report, impact report, current-use report where applicable).
• Of report layouts to aid in passing information in a clear and logical manner.
• On practical tips and tools to present reports effectively and consistently.

Deliverable outputs and target dates:

The activities and expected outputs are as follows:

• Prepare and submit a course outline indicating proposed course content and the program for the two-day training.
• Facilitate a two‐day (2) Report Writing Skills training exercise in May/June 2021.
• Provide relevant training materials in report writing skills. The training materials should include PPT and participant handouts (as required).
• Provide participants with feedback regarding their report writing pre-work.
• Provide the HR Unit with a feedback analysis report from participants on the two‐day training.
• Facilitate a post-training exercise that will provide opportunities for participants to build their competencies and to apply their expertise.

Qualifications

• At least 5-7 years of prior work experience in the field of training and facilitation.
• Minimum university degree in Communications, International Relations, International Development or other relevant field.
• Have proven work experience with private sector /NGO Space.
• Experience working with a host of donors (FCDO, EU, USAID, SIDA, etc.).
• Experience in using a host of blended learning approaches including virtual training and workshops.
• Multi-cultural and multi -country training experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in developing training curriculum and training materials.
• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English.

Proposal submission

Qualified consultants (individual or institutional consultants) are invited to submit the proposal (in English) that includes the following:

• Profile of the consultant (max 1 page) explaining why they are the most suitable for the work.
• Relevant Experience (max 2 pages).
• A proposed course outline and content areas for the training
• An understanding of the training requirements.
• Course outline including a summary of the content areas to be covered and daily program of activities.
• Detailed reference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments.
• Registration and other relevant statutory documents required.
• The financial proposal in USD clearly showing the budgeted cost for the work to be conducted (to be submitted in a separate document from the technical proposal).
• The preferred format for the submission is PowerPoint and Word.
• Technical and Financial proposals will need to be submitted as separate documents. Financial proposals will not be opened until the conclusion of the technical evaluation and then only for those proposals that are deemed qualified and responsive.

Financial Proposal

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount (including a breakdown of costs for fee, and number of working days). Payments will be made upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.

Evaluation Criteria

An evaluation committee will be formed by the AECF and shall include employees. All members will be bound by the same standards of confidentiality. The trainer/training provider should ensure that they fully respond to all criteria to be comprehensively evaluated.

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant when evaluating a proposal. The

evaluation committee may invite some or all the consultants to appear before the committee to clarify their proposals. In such event, the evaluation committee may consider such clarifications in evaluating proposals.

In deciding the final selection of qualified bidder, the technical quality of the proposal will be given a weighting of 80% based on the evaluation criteria. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be allocated a weighting of 20% and the proposals will be ranked in terms of total points scored.