TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT, DESIGN, AND DEVELOPMENT

FOR LEARNING ACADEMY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

USAID LOCAL ENTERPRISE SUPPORT PROGRAM (USAID LENS)

LEARNING ACADEMY FOR MICROFUND FOR WOMEN (MFW)

RFP Date of Issuance: / May18, 2015
Due Date for Questions:
RFP Mod 1 Date of Issuance: / May25, 2015; Submission of questions or requests for clarification in writing via email to by 17:00 Hours local time in Jordan.
June 8, 2015
Deadline for Proposals: / July 15, 2015; Submission of proposals (including technical proposal, budget and budget narrative) due by 17:00 Hours local time in Jordanvia email to. Emailed submissions must contain the subject line “USAID LENS – Learning Academy Project.”

1. PURPOSE STATEMENT

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit proposals from prospective subcontractors to support FHI 360’s implementation of the USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support Project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Award No. AID-278-LA-14-00001.

The USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support Project (LENS) is a five-year project that supports small business growth and better economic planning to strengthen Jordanian communities against economic adversity. USAID LENS brings local governments, business owners and key community groups to collaborate together on initiatives that will boost economic development and create jobs in their communities. These initiatives will be focused on supporting the growth of micro and small enterprises (MSE) and inclusive of women, youth and other vulnerable groups.

FHI 360, via the USAID Local Enterprise Support Project (USAID LENS), issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for its Financial Institution Development Grants in August 2014. The objective of this grants RFA was to encourage better MSE access to finance by working with developmental and micro-finance institutions to improve their product and service offerings to firms and individuals, as well as building the capacity of MSEs to borrow. Through this RFA, USAID LENS invited both not-for-profit and for-profit microfinance institutions, registered as legal entities in Jordan, providing access to financial products and services to underserved and vulnerable communities, to propose initiatives that would strengthen institutional capacity, expand outreach, expand the number and types of financial services offered, or generally increase financial inclusion in Jordan. The Jordan MicrofundFor Women (MFW), was selected as a recipient of this grant, to be provided through technical services to be directly subcontracted by FHI 360.

As such, FHI 360 is seeking a firm to support MFW in identifying training needs, developing a comprehensive specialized “Learning Academy,” and preparing a monitoring and evaluation plan to track progress against results.

FHI 360 is soliciting proposals from qualified and experienced consulting and/or training firms and institutions with a solid implementation methodology and proven training development and delivery experience.This RFP is issued as a public notice to ensure that all interested, qualified, and eligible organizations – Jordanian and international – have a fair opportunity to submit proposals for funding.

2. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Program Background

Microfund for Women (MFW) is a non-profit organization registered under the Ministry of Trade and Finance, dedicated to empowering the entrepreneurial poor, especially women, to transform their lives through their own economic activities.

MFW seeks to dismantle the obstacles that prevent women from creating their own success and building better lives for their families by providing collateral-free loans to start or strengthen their own businesses. These businesses, though typically very small, enable borrowers to accumulate assets, create jobs for others and work their way out of poverty.

MFW observes that Jordanian microfinance beneficiaries lack appropriate skills to succeed in the market. At present, the supporting training and capacity building sessions provided to beneficiaries is limited, weak, and lacks gender and inclusion considerations. Comprehensive training and capacity building services would encourage new beneficiaries, sustain established ones, and enable local communities to participate –both socially and economically– in the Jordanian national growth as it will enable microenterprises to transition to the small and medium level, and small and medium enterprises to become larger businesses. MFW believes that to achieve real impact in the life of beneficiaries at all levels, microfinance loans should be tied to a set of capacity building programs. For the training center to achieve its ultimate goals, MFW believes a holistic approach is needed that supports both microfinance beneficiaries and MFW staff.

Objectives of Subcontract

FHI 360 is seeking qualified offerors to: 1) Conduct a Training Needs Assessment of MFW beneficiaries and staff; 2) Design and develop a comprehensive specialized Learning Academy; 3) Prepare and deliver Training of Trainers materials and courses for MFW staff; and 4) Develop a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan that addresses MFW goals and outlines how progress against results and overall impact should be tracked.

The winning Firm will work closely with the MFW Business Development Supervisor and other team members as required. The Firm shall be responsible for successful delivery of the project within 18 months.

Specific Tasks and Deliverables

Phase 1 – Training Needs Assessment (TNA)

MFW Beneficiaries Assessment

Assessing the capacities of MFW beneficiaries will form the foundation for identifying beneficiary training needs and the appropriate training program design, as well as creating a benchmark against which to assess future progress.The Firm is required to adopt a mixed-method approach: quantitative tools will be combined with qualitative tools to yield rich information.The Firm is required to develop a methodology for conducting the assessment, which should be a needs-based segmentation of MFW clients.The firm should compare needs and approaches against other best practice programs of a similar type.

The TNA should identify training needs segmented by gender, age, governorate, type and size of loan which include:

  • Target group(s)
  • Training scope - topics, skills, competencies
  • Timing (urgency, priority)

The Firm should demonstrate the ability to conduct the assessment, taking into consideration the following values: efficiency, transparency, and accuracy.

Beneficiaries Assessment Methodology

Data collection tools / Data Analysis / Data Source / Subjects/Cohort / Data Disaggregation
Firm should consider the following data collection tools (when needed):
-Interviews
-Questionnaires
-Observations
-Focus Groups
-Case Studies / Qualitative and Quantitative / MFW beneficiaries – samples selected by MFW and Firm based on pre-set criteria / -Financial Skills
-Management & Planning
-Communications & Soft skills
-Business Development & Marketing
-Credit / -Gender
-Age
-Area
-Type of loan
-Size of loan
-Nature of enterprise
-Number of loan cycles

MFW Staff Assessment

Assessing the capacities of MFW staff will form the foundation for identifying staff training needs and the appropriate training program design.The Firm is required to adopt a mixed-method approach: quantitative tools will be combined with qualitative tools to yield rich information. The Firm is required to develop a methodology for conducting the assessment, which should be a needs-based segmentation of MFW staff.

The TNA should identify training needs segmented by department, years of experience, management level, and governorate. It will also include:

  • Target group(s)
  • Training scope - topics, skills, competencies
  • Timing (urgency, priority)

The Firm should demonstrate the ability to conduct the assessment taking into consideration the following values: efficiency, transparency, and accuracy.

Staff Assessment Methodology

Data Collection Tools / Data Analysis / Data Source / Subjects/Cohort / Data Disaggregation
Firm should consider the following data collection tools (when needed):
-Interviews
-Questionnaires
-Observations
-Focus Groups
-Case Studies / Qualitative
andQuantitative / MFW Staff – headquartersfield offices / -Communication skills
-Product Development
-Financial Management
-Operations Management
-Social Performance Management / -Gender
-Age
-Area
-Specialty/area of expertise
-Years of experience in microfinance
-Department
-Management Level
-Performance
-Microfinance basics and knowledge

Phase II - Development

Training program for MFW beneficiaries

The Firm will design and implementpre-and post-trainingassessmenttestsforparticipantstotrackimprovements in their business and personal skills, behaviors, andknowledge.

Based on the findings and recommendations of Phase I, the Firm will designanddevelopatrainingprogram (30 courses), whichshouldinclude,butisnotlimitedto,thefollowing topics:

  • Finance for enterprises–basic principlesoffinance, bookkeeping, budgeting, financial management, basic accounting, income versus expenses, income versus profit, and how to pay back the loan and begin to save money for future expenses;
  • Management & Planning for enterprises – Basic principles of management, strategies, how to manage an enterprise,how to develop business plans, and people management;
  • Business Development for enterprises– Basic principles of business development, business assessment tools, how to develop business and organizational plans, how to develop marketing plans, how to network, and how to develop partnerships;theoretical andpractical knowledge on market research and competitiveness,howan entrepreneurassesseshis/her competitivenessandhow this information can be used, strategic and tacticalthinking toimprovebusinessprospects;
  • Communications and Personal entrepreneurshipbehavioraland soft skills–introductionand developmentofentrepreneurial competencies,identificationof personalentrepreneurial characteristicsandtheir strengths and weaknesses,developmentofabusinessidea;
  • Technology for enterprises – Training that aims to improve microfinance beneficiaries’ understanding of technology concepts and basic skills in technology use with limited resources.

The Firmwill develop a training program that is structured in blocks. Each block consists of modules that are tailored and grouped with each other to suit a certain segment of MFW beneficiaries. Required characteristics of the training program:

  • Should include some off-the-shelf-courses that will be available and offered on demand and some mandatory courses that will be a pre-requisite condition for certain types of loans;
  • Based on the results and recommendations from Phase I, content of modules should be classified into levels: entry-level, mid-level, and advanced;
  • Should be based on practical case studies and examples so participants gain substantive understanding of entrepreneurship and business development and will be equipped with the appropriate knowledge and skills;
  • Training materials shall be organized in such a way that each theoretical session is followed with a practical exercise;
  • The Firm is required to develop a PowerPoint presentation and training program agenda to cover all topics listed above - to be shared in advance for feedback and review by MFW.
  • Based on Phase I recommendations, training program should include some crash courses that are rapid and intense.

Offerorsshoulddemonstrate the ability to use different and various facilitation techniques; develop appropriate participant handouts, templates and tools; and develop follow-up mechanisms, including mentorship, coaching, and networking/linkages opportunities. Firms are encouraged to suggest creative and innovative follow-up mechanisms and tools as part of the proposal.

Design and develop a training program for MFW staff

The Firm will design and implementpre-and post-trainingassessmenttestsforparticipantstotrack improvements in their business and personal skills, behaviors, andknowledge.

  • Based on the findings and recommendations of Phase I, the Firm will designanddevelopatrainingprogram (20 courses), whichshouldinclude,butisnotlimitedto,thefollowing topics:
  • Financial Management–basic principlesfor successful microfinance, delinquency measurement & control, interest calculation & setting, accounting for MFIs, and financial analysis for MFIs;
  • Operations Management – basic principles of product development, improving operating efficiencies in MFIs, management information system for MFIs, and operational risk management;
  • Social Performance Management (SPM)–how to put a mission into practice, define social objectives, identify, collect and utilize relevant information, and put appropriate systems in place; principles of developing a work plan to introduce SPM to an MFI;
  • Communications and soft skills–developingcommunication skills, competencies,emotional intelligence, anda positive attitude
  • Induction program– overview of microfinance and its history, basic skills required to work in an MFI, nature of microfinance industry, business vs.social approach in microfinance.

The Firm will develop a training program that is structured in blocks. Each block consists of modules that are tailored and grouped with each other to suit a certain segment of MFW staff.

Required characteristics of the training program:

  • Should include some mandatory courses that will be a pre-requisite condition for certain positions and promotions;
  • Based on the results and recommendations from Phase I, content of modules should be classified into levels: entry-level, mid-level, and advanced;
  • Should be based on practical case studies and examples so participants gain substantive understanding and will be equipped with the appropriate knowledge and skills;
  • Training materials shall be organized in such a way that each theoretical session is followed with a practical exercise;
  • The Firm is required to develop a PowerPoint presentation and training program agenda to cover all topics listed above - to be shared in advance for feedback and review by MFW.
  • Based on Phase I recommendations, training program should include some crash courses that are rapid and intense.

Offerors should demonstrate the ability to use different and various facilitation techniques; develop appropriate participant handouts, templates and tools; and develop follow-up mechanisms, including mentorship, coaching. Firms are encouraged to suggest creative and innovative follow-up mechanisms and tools as part of the proposal.

Phase III – Training of Trainer (ToT) Programs

The Firm will design, develop, and implement a ToT program for MFW staff. At least 20MFW members will be selected and trained on delivery of curricula developed under the scope of this project. MFW members should be selected and certified according to pre-set criteria.

Offerorsare encouraged to provide a plan to maintain trainer’s availability and sustainability.

The Firmwill provide mentoring for MFW members during pilot curriculum delivery phase and develop a Facilitator’s guide that include various facilitation techniques, such as presentations, simulations, role playing, world café, case studies,etc.

Phase IV – Feedback and Evaluation

The Firm will develop a plan to evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and curricula, which will include pre-set criteria to assess if the intended outcomes were met. The plan should form a baseline to benchmark future curricula deliveryand improvements.

Offerorsshould demonstrate ability to provide a basis for further program (curricula) development and continuous quality improvement.

Phase / Deliverable
1 / Assessment Work Plan:Firm is required to prepare a detailed work plan to be used in the assessment. The work plan will be submitted to USAID LENS and MFW for approval no later than 2 weeks from signing of contract.
Methodology Plan:A written methodology plan design/operational work plan) will be prepared, submitted and discussed with USAID LENS and MFW prior to implementation.
Final Assessment Report:The Firm will submit a final report that incorporates an executive summary, table of contents, methodology, findings, and recommendations. This will also include the equipment needs for the training academy that will be procured through a separate mechanism. The report will be submitted in English, electronically.
Raw data ownership: Both electronic and hard-copy data files should be transferred to MFW for any data collection used for this assessment at the end of the assignment.
2 / Delivertrainingprogramcontentsasdetailed inPhase II above. The curricula should be developed in Arabic (hard and soft copy). However, outlines should be in both Arabic and English. Each curriculum should include the following:
  1. Outline that describes course objective, target audience, etc.
  2. Agenda
  3. Participant handouts & exercises
  4. Certificate template
  5. Pre/post training test

3 / Deliver ToT program for at least 20 MFW staff members including best practices of curricula delivery with respect to all details mentioned in Phase III. TOT will be delivered in Amman, Jordan.
4 / M&E Plan:a detailed M&E plan used to track and evaluate impact of curricula and programs. Should include Key Performance Indicators for each program. Should provide a monitoring and a reporting schedule and any plans for an evaluation of developed materials.
4 / M&E Templates: Pre/Post tests, evaluation form, impact surveys to be used by MFW in doing their M&E
4 / Final Report:The Firm will submit a final report that incorporates an executive summary, table of contents, methodology, findings, and recommendations. The report will be submitted in English, electronically.

*NOTE: all written deliverables are to be submitted in English unless indicated otherwise.

The project lifespan should not exceed 18 months.

3.INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

3.1 Offerors Eligibility

This competition is open to any non-governmental, non-profit or for-profit entity. To be minimally eligible for funding, offerors must comply with the following conditions:

  • Organizations must be legally registered or otherwise authorized to conduct business in their country or countries of operation.
  • Organizations must have a DUNS number. Organizations without a DUNS number can register for one at the following website:
  • Organizations must submit their proposal in English.

3.2 Contract Type

FHI 360 anticipates awarding a fixed price subcontract.

3.3 Funding and estimated period of performance

The mechanism for funding will be a Fixed Price Subcontract. FHI 360 will issue payment(s) based on submission and FHI360 acceptance of invoices and associated deliverables or measurable project milestones. Once an award is issued, it will include an invoicing schedule as well as a schedule of deliverables/milestones specified in the Scope of Work.

The subcontract is anticipated to commence in July 2015 and final deliverables are anticipated to be submitted in within 18 months of contract start.

3.4 Proposal Submission Deadline

Proposals may be submitted at any time before 17:00 Hours local time in Jordan on the date specified on the cover page of this RFP. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered. Additional opportunities for applying, however, may be made available in the future.