Comprehensive Review Of Scholarship Programme Consultancy Opportunity at MS TCDC

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Background

MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation (MS TCDC) in Arusha, Tanzania, is a distinguished pan-African institution known for its expertise in capacity development for social transformation. It focuses on areas such as democratic governance, transformational leadership, human rights, gender equality, youth participation, climate governance, and cultural exchange. Through ActionAid Denmark Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPAII) funded by the Danish International Development Agency (Danida), MS TCDC offers fully sponsored scholarships to participants from SPAII countries and their local partners, including ActionAid Country Offices. ActionAid is a global federation committed to ending poverty and injustice through a human rights-based approach to development, emphasizing local empowerment and sustainable solutions.

Since its inception in 2022, the SPAII Scholarship Programme has hosted three in-person training courses annually at MS TCDC in Arusha. These courses include the Climate Justice Academy (which also features a self-paced digital component), Public Policy Influencing and Advocacy, Outcome Harvesting, Building a Movement Mindset, and Feminist Leadership and Human Rights-Based Approaches. These courses are offered on a competitive basis to participants from SPAII countries and their partners, with course selection jointly coordinated by MS TCDC, ActionAid Denmark, and SPAII Country Offices managers.

As the SPAII programme approaches its conclusion in December 2025, MS TCDC and ActionAid Denmark plan to review the trainings conducted from 2022 to 2024. This review will evaluate the programme’s achievements, identify areas for improvement, and provide valuable insights to inform the planning of the 2025 training schedule. To ensure the programme’s continued relevance, quality, and impact, MS TCDC is seeking to engage a consultant to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the entire initiative.

Objective

The main objective of the consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive review of the Scholarship Programme. The review should assess the programme’s content, delivery methods, outcomes, and alignment with the federation and global trends. The consultant will provide actionable recommendations to improve the programme’s effectiveness and impact.

Location: MS TCDC/Remote

Reporting to: Head of Learning and Training Unit

Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

Program Evaluation:

Assess the curriculum, modules, and learning materials used in the training programmes.
Evaluate the training methodologies, including both online and face-to-face components.
Review the programme’s relevance to current issues, trends, and policies at organizational, national, regional, and international levels.
Assess the alignment of the programme with the needs and expectations of participants, including country staff and their partners i.e. activists, grassroots leaders, and policy advocates.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Conduct interviews or focus group discussions with key stakeholders, including past participants, facilitators, and relevant partners (such as ActionAid Denmark).
Collect feedback on the training’s impact on participants’ capacity to lead various initiatives.

Comparative Analysis:

Benchmark the programme against similar programmes offered by other institutions regionally and globally, especially the Climate Justice Academy.
Identify strengths, gaps, and areas for improvement.

Impact Assessment:

Analyze the programme’s outcomes, including how participants have applied the knowledge and skills acquired from the training.
Review the long-term impact of the programme on advocacy, activism, and climate justice initiatives led by alumni.

Recommendations:

Provide clear recommendations for enhancing the training curriculum, delivery methods, and overall impact.
Suggest strategies for increasing the program’s reach and engagement through effective communication channels. This should include exploring partnerships, leveraging technological innovations, and updating content to enhance impact.

Deliverables

Inception Report: A detailed work plan and methodology, including key questions to be addressed, to be submitted within one week of the start of the consultancy.
Draft Report: A comprehensive review report, including key findings, analysis, and preliminary recommendations.
A finalized version of the review report, incorporating feedback from MS TCDC, with detailed recommendations for program improvement.
Presentation: A presentation of key findings and recommendations to the MS TCDC management and relevant stakeholders.

Duration and Timeline

The consultancy is expected to take place over a period of one month, starting from November 11th 2024 to December 10th, 2024. The final report is to be submitted by December 13th, 2024.

Methodology

The consultant is encouraged to propose a detailed methodology for the comprehensive review of the SPAII Scholarship Programme. A suggested approach includes a mixed-methods framework that incorporates document reviews, stakeholder interviews and focus groups, surveys, comparative analysis of similar programs, and impact assessments. Consultants may modify this approach as they see fit to ensure the review’s effectiveness, and their proposed methodologies should be included in their application.

Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should possess the following qualifications:

Advanced degree in Adult Education, Training and Development, Human Resource Development, or a related field, with a focus on training design, facilitation, and evaluation.
Proven experience in evaluating training programmes, particularly those related to climate justice, human rights, or social justice.
Strong knowledge of climate justice issues, global trends, and policy frameworks.
Demonstrated expertise in conducting programme reviews and assessments.
Excellent communication and report-writing skills.