Consultancy on CSOs Capacity Building

1. Background of the consultancy

With funding from the European Union, Oxfam in Laos and its partners, AMA and GCA, are implementing a project aimed at strengthening the position of CSOs and CBOs as credible and legitimate interlocutors with public authorities and the private sector at both national and local levels to mainstream CSA practices as an inclusive, sustainable and climate-adapted approach to agricultural growth in Laos. The project is divided into the 4 components :

• Enhancing up-to-date knowledge and evidence-based data on CSA, including a local value chains development approach
• Strengthening capacities of local small-holders vulnerable smallholder farmers to use inclusive innovative and sustainable CSA farming practices and CSA value chains (15 CBOs)
• Strengthening 11 national and local CSOs capacities to engage, advocate and influence policymakers and the private sector to advance CSA inclusive practices.
• Fostering bottom-up, collective and network approach between national and grassroot level CSOs and CBOs to leverage CSA mainstreaming at local, provincial , national, and international public and private sectors

Throughout the project implementation, a feminist and inclusive approach will be developed, actively engaging from the beginning with both young and adult women and male from different ethnic minorities. Capacity development, influencing and awareness raising support will include a gender-lens to ensure women’s perspectives and experiences are taken into account in decision-making processes.

2. Objective of the consultancy

As part of component 3, the project aims to empower national and local CSOs to support their inclusion as credible and legitimate partners in decision-making processes, notably by strengthening their capacities and skills to implement influencing initiatives. The selected consultant(s) will be mainly responsible to provide support on the 3 following components of the capacity-building :

• In-depth capacity-needs assessment of the preidentified CSOs based in Luangprabang, Savannakhet and Vientiane Capital
• Development of tools and training modules tailored to the CSOs organizational and strategic influencing and awareness engagement
• Technical support to selected CSOs through training, coaching and mentoring so their capacities and skills.

In a second phase of the project, this technical support will enable CSOs to better design and implement influencing and awareness-raising initiatives which the project will support.

3. Scope of Work

Capacity building will be based on Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions, involving two members from each preidentified CSOs (22 trainees). Over the different stages of this assignment – CSOs needs assessment, capacity-building program design and conducting training and coaching sessions – the following areas of improvement require to be integrated :

• Organizational governance and leadership (management, accountability etc.)
• Influencing and awareness campaigns engagement strategies (data collection and analysis, research, dissemination, power dynamics analysis etc. )
• Communication (including digital communication), partnership and stakeholder engagement
• Women and gender mainstreaming
• Fundraising strategies and resources mobilization
• Project management (including, but not limited to planning, M&E, reporting, visibility and communication, budgeting, etc.)
• Other soft skills

1. Deliverables

The consultant(s) will be in charge of providing the following deliverables :

• Capacity-needs assessment

The consultant(s) will develop a structured and clear methodology to assess areas of improvement for the 11 preidentified CSOs. Based on the approved methodology, the consultant(s) will conduct and report on the capacity-needs assessment to the project team.

• Training and mentoring/coaching program development

The consultant(s) will provide with a detailed capacity-building program which will include :

• A detailed methodology and planning (including a detailed agenda and framework for the session containing the different modules, information regarding participatory, practical or adaptable approaches to be used etc.)
• Specific training materials, presentations and supporting documents (such as case studies, practical exercises etc.) to be provided
• Post-training evaluation and report

The different materials under this deliverable will be developed in Lao. The overall framework, methodology and report will first be developed in English and will be translated into Lao upon validation from the project team.

• Conducting training and mentoring/coaching sessions

The consultant(s) will conduct in-person the training program with organizational support from Oxfam in Laos, GCA and AMA. The consultant will propose a set-up and timeline for the training sessions and following mentoring/coaching of the CSOs.

5. Work Plan

The maximum total estimated number of working days for the assignment is 30-35 days. The following is an indicative timeline of the proposed major milestones of the assignment

Deliveries
Review and Approvals
Estimated number of days

Deliverable 1 : conduct the rapid assessment and submit the report
Training Developer, Oxfam, GCA, AMA
Approx. 5 days

Deliverable 2 :  development and validation of the training module and mentoring methodology and content
Training Developer, Oxfam, GCA, AMA
Approx. 9 days

Deliverable 3 : conducting training and coaching
Training Developer, Oxfam, GCA, AMA
Approx. 15 days

Deliverable 3 : submission and validation of post training evaluation and report and ways of further training by TOT trainees
Oxfam, GCA, AMA
Approx. 5 days

Finalize training modules again and submit to Oxfam

 
Training Developer, Oxfam, GCA, AMA
1 day

1. Profile and Requirement of the consultant

• Master’s degree in development studies, social and/or political sciences or other related fields
• Minimum 8 years of experience in capacity building, organizational development, or institutional strengthening for CSOs, preferably in Laos for INGOs
• Previous relevant experiences in conducting capacity building, developing training methodologies on the field mentioned above, including integrating gender-sensitive, inclusive, and rights-based approaches into capacity-building
• Strong understanding of CSO governances and advocacy strategies
• Good knowledge of Lao PDR’ civil society, socio-political context, legal frameworks for CSOs, and government engagement strategies
• Ability to take constructive feedback, be adaptable and flexible
• Excellent facilitation, coaching, and report-writing skills
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including grassroots CSOs and government authorities
• Fluent Laos and English skills (written and verbal) required

7. Criteria for selection

Each offer will be evaluated based on the applicant demonstrated competence and experience in addition to the availability to conduct in-person trainings. The selection process will consider the price and quality of the offer.

8. Application process

Interested consultants should submit the required documents no later than 10 April 2025 in the electronic form to  https://jobs.oxfamnovib.nl/job-invite/13942/ and Douangchanh.lopaying@oxfam.org. Please indicate the following reference in the subject line : “Consultant for CSA training module”.

Documents are requested only English. The submission should include the following documents :

• A letter of interest with an expression of interest detailing how skills and experience fit the criteria
• A financial offer detailing individual consultant’s number of days, daily professional fee rates and other costs to be specified
• Technical proposal for the training modules with proposed design, proposed methodology and timeframe.
• Organizational profile with track records and team composition with CVs, past performance references for similar assignments, including examples of previous work

Nb : At the contracting stage, the selected consultant will be required to comply with all professional, tax, and social obligations.

Clarification on the Terms of Reference for Consultancy

The prospective applicants may solicit clarification of the Terms of References or other quarries related to the assignment to Nounoy.vang@oxfam.org , within 7 days of issuance of ToRs in writing. The clarification and its replies will be shared with all prospective applicants through their official emails.