2.1.1.2: Consultant to Conduct a comprehensive training on Finance, Grants and Compliance management of Bridge implementing partners.

BRIDGE: From secondary education and skills development to job opportunities for refugee and host community youth in Uganda

Consultancy Title: 2.1.1.2: To Conduct a comprehensive training on Finance, Grants & Compliance management of Bridge Implementing Partner Organizations in Southwestern and West Nile sub-regions.

Reports to: 1. Head of Finance & Operations; 2. Senior Grants, Compliance and Partnership Officer.

Supported by: BRIDGE Project Director, Partnerships Lead, Country MEAL Manager or Bridge MEAL Lead, and Country Director.

Background: War Child Canada is an international charity organization registered in Toronto, Canada, dedicated to helping children and their communities overcome the devastating effects of active and post war. Its vision is “Accelerating Peace by disrupting the cycle of violence” and its mission is “Driving Generational Change for The Hardest Hit by Investing in The Power of Local Communities.”

Since being founded in 1999, War Child Canada has worked in 20 countries across the world and we are currently operational in Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

During the past five years, War Child Canada reached over 2,500,000 conflict-afflicted children and adults; 985,000 people benefitted from War Child’s educational initiatives; 480,000 people were helped to climb out of poverty and 1,075,000 people learned more about their rights and had better access to justice systems.

War Child Canada has been operating in refugee hosting districts in Uganda since 2005. War Child Canada is registered as an international non-governmental organization (INGO) and holds a registration as a law firm in Uganda. War Child Canada is currently implementing education, protection, and livelihood programs and in currently implements projects in nine refugee hosting districts in Uganda (Adjumani, Koboko, Madi Okollo, Terego, Yumbe, Obongi, Isingiro, Kikube, Kamwenge).

The BRIDGE PROJECT: War Child Canada in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, Community Empowerment for Rural Development (CEFORD), Education Local Expertise Uganda (ELECU) and eight refugee-led community-based organizations, is implementing the BRIDGE: From Secondary Education and Skills Development to Job Opportunities for Refugee and Host Community Youth in Uganda project.

The 5-year BRIDGE project (2022 to 2027) is part of the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works Strategy (2018 to 2030) to address the youth unemployment challenge among refugee and host communities in 9 refugee districts of Adjumani, Obongi, Isingiro, Kamwenge, Kikuube, Yumbe, Terego, Madi Okollo and Koboko districts.

War Child Canada and project implementing partners will employ a gender sensitive and inclusive approach to programming, empower young people and recognize their potential as agents of change to ensure effective implementation and sustainability of the interventions. This will be achieved through two outcomes.

1. Increased access to market relevant secondary and tertiary education and skills for refugee and host community youth
2. Improved capacity of education institutions and teachers to offer quality and relevant education and skills for refugee and host community youth.

BRIDGE ’s overarching program goal is to improve access to quality & relevant education and skills for 73,439 refugee / host community youth and transition 38,912 refugee / host community youth to dignified and fulfilling work in Uganda by 2027.

Consultancy summary: Conduct a comprehensive training on Finance, Grants & Compliance management of Bridge Implementing Partner Organizations in Southwestern and West Nile sub-regions.

War Child Canada seeks qualified consultants (individuals, firms, training institutions) to conduct a comprehensive training on Finance, Grants & Compliance management of Bridge Project Implementing Partner Organizations in Southwestern and West Nile sub-regions. The training should be delivered by experienced trainers who have a wealth of skills, experience, and expertise in financial management, grants management, and compliance.

Key specific training areas under this consultancy include the following:

• Financial management for finance & non-finance staff.
• Grants management.
• Compliance and risk management.

Purpose of Consultancy: The main goal of this consultancy is to provide an extensive training program aimed at enhancing proficiency in financial management, grants management, and compliance & risk management for organizations partnering in the implementation of the Bridge Project. These partner organizations are in the Southwestern and West Nile sub-regions.

Specific objectives include:

• Develop & inculcate in trainees a comprehensive understanding of financial management principles.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of different stages of the Grants cycle with their respective sub-activities & applicability in project implementation.
• Instill in trainees an understanding of the regulatory environment, compliance requirements, and compliance monitoring.

Approach and Deliverables:

The consulting firm will use a participatory approach and will ensure that the entire process develops staff capacities and skills in Finance, Grants and Compliance and Risk Management. The capacity building training targets management, program, finance and operations staff of 10 Implementing Partner Organizations.

The training process will include the following:

1. Conducting a training needs assessment to understand participants’ knowledge levels and specific gaps of focus.

2. Developing a training guide and manual based on the training areas above and informed by the Training Needs Assessment.

3. In consultation with War Child Canada, developing a detailed training schedule.

4. Delivering two trainings of five days each attended by 30 participants drawn from implementing partners from Southwestern and West Nile.

   The consulting firm / person will facilitate the training workshops for the, provide technical skills and guidance, quality control and reporting in consultation with War Child Canada. The consulting firm will provide the following deliverables.

   A. Pre-activity level.

• Inception report: Upon signing the contract, the firm will have 5 working days to submit a detailed report on the proposed approach to this assignment. The inception report will include a detailed description of the methodology and tools, expected outputs, budget with a breakdown of costs and detailed work plan for the entire assignment.
• Training needs assessment report. Uponsigning the contract, the firm will conduct a training needs assessment to identify the training needs for the three respective areas which will inform the training content & methodologies. The report will be shared with WCC within 10 days upon contract signing.
• Revised training needs assessment report: Following the provision of feedback on the first training needs assessmentreport from War Child Canada and partners, the consulting firm will incorporate revisions and recommendations from War Child Canada and submit a final Training needs assessment report which will inform the training content and methodologies.
• Develop the training content: Upon approval of the training needs assessment report by WCC, the consulting firm will develop and share with WCC training content for the three main areas of financial management, Grants management & compliance in a span of 14 days after approval of the training needs assessment report. The training content will include a detailed description of the training delivery methods, pre & post-training evaluation templates, budget with a breakdown of costs and detailed training schedule/work plan for the entire assignment.

B. During activity delivery level

• Undertaking the assignment: The consultant is expected to deliver the training in all three areas to the implementing partner staff using the WCC approved training content, methodologies and schedule. Selected WCC staff will participate/attend the training on specific dates and locations when deemed necessary.
• Sharing the draft training report– Depending on the number of trainings determined by the training methodology, the consulting firm will be requested to submit training report to War Child Canada the first training report or otherwise, as a way of tracking and reflecting on the training progress. The report’s structure will depend on the approach and methodology agreed upon in the training content.
• Submission of final training report: The consulting firm will finalize the assignment within 15 days based on the comments and feedback received from War Child Canada and partners draft training report.
• Any relevant documents including but not limited to attendance sheets and evaluation sheets should be included in the report as annexes.

Responsibility of War Child Canada and Partner:

War Child Canada and implementing Partners will be responsible for the following.

• Under the direct supervision of Senior Grants, Compliance and Partnership Officer, oversee the overall training processes based on guidance provided by the consultant and provide timely feedback.
• All conference and workshop related costs shall be taken care of by War Child Canada and or Partner.
• Mobilize participants required for the training.

Scope of work and timeline:

This assignment will be conducted in mutually agreed locations in Uganda. The assignment is expected to take a maximum of 40 working days beginning on 18th March 2024. The final assignment report and all other deliverables should be submitted to War child Canada by 10th May 2024.

Experience and skills:

War Child Canada is looking for a competent firm with skills set, knowledge, and proven experience in conducting and facilitating comprehensive Finance, Grants, and compliance trainings for both finance and non-finance staff for Non-Governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Community Based Organizations and or Refugee Led Organizations. Applications from consulting firms / consultants will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate the following qualifications, experiences and competencies:

• Trainers and facilitators with a University Degree in Business Administration, Business Commerce, Finance and Accounts, Statistics, Economics, Project Management, or any other related discipline.
• Trainers and facilitators with experience working with International Non-Governmental Organizations, lecturing financial management related disciplines in reputable Universities.
• Trainers & facilitators with qualifications & experience in training for finance trainers.
• Postgraduate training in any related fields will be an advantage.
• The consulting firm / consultant should have a minimum of 7 – 10 years of demonstrated professional work experience conducting similar assignments for Civil Society Organizations or Private Sector.
• Previous experience working with Non-Governmental Organizations, Community-Based Organizations and in refugee settlements especially in Southwestern or West Nile regions of Uganda is an advantage.
• Knowledge and experience in using participatory facilitation approaches and innovative techniques, and organizational leadership.
• Excellent Training, facilitation, coaching skills.
• Experience working on projects related to human rights and protection issues, education programs, youth engagement and working with persons of concerns in Uganda or similar context.
• Strong English language skills required; other local languages spoken in Southwestern or West Nile is an asset.
• Excellent analytical, presentation and report writing skills.

Travel:

Travel to the project field locations in Adjumani, Obongi, Isingiro, Kamwenge, Kikuube, Yumbe, Terego, Madi Okollo and Koboko districts may be required.

*Travel costs are the responsibility of the consultant and should be included in the proposed budget.