Experienced consultant for delivering a skills enhancement training (training of trainers) for HURICAP's African trainers' pool

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Develop and Deliver an Advanced Skills Training for Experienced Trainers

A. Post title

A consultant for skills enhancement training.

B. Location

The training will be held in Lomé, Togo.

C. Reference to the Training

The training is part of an advanced Training of Trainers (TOT), and aims to enhance, expose and build the training, facilitation and preparation skills of HURICAP trainers’ network to deliver high quality creative trainings and workshops.

D. Duration

Actual training days: 05-08 April 2018, excluding preparation days (to be decided) and travel days.

E. Background information

The Human Rights Capacity-Building Programme, HURICAP, of Amnesty International Netherlands, develops and implements human rights projects in various countries in Africa and the Middle East. These projects are carried out in close collaboration with local partners and regional Amnesty offices, and aim to strengthen the capacity and skills of civil society actors to do effective human rights work, especially to more effectively monitor, document and report on human rights violations. In strengthening monitoring and documentation skills, we also aim to strengthen the capacity of partner organisations and activists to more efficiently reach out to their local communities, raise awareness and educate people on (their) human rights.

HURICAP furthermore develops training materials and handbooks to give guidance to human rights activists when researching and tackling specific human rights issues.

Since 2003, HURICAP maintains a pool of highly skilled African trainers specialised in strengthening local capacities to improve human rights monitoring and documentation, advocacy and awareness raising. Trainers are hired and deployed on a consultancy basis in the areas of Human Right, Monitoring, Documenting and Reporting (MDR), and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR).

HURICAP’s trainers pool currently consists of 18 (Anglophone and Francophone) trainers (M/F), coming from a range of African countries. The majority of these trainers have a background in different areas, including human rights activism, law, humanitarian work, training and education. From 2013, we have recruited new trainers and provided both basic as well as advanced TOT’s to our pool now comprising of both senior and new trainers.

HURICAP’s TOTs to date have focused on human rights (e.g. ‘identifying human rights violations & abuses’, ‘core human rights treaties’, ‘applicability of human rights law’), specific MDR topics, (e.g. ‘interviewing’, ‘fact-finding’, ‘identifying patterns of violations’), basic ESCR work and training skills (e.g. ‘training design & preparation’, ‘experiential learning cycle’, ‘group dynamics’).

Our trainers primarily work with human rights monitors and activists in different regions in Africa, in both conflict and non-conflict areas as well as in (some) areas where repression and state security surveillance is high. These monitors and activists generally belong to local (human rights) organisations, both paid and voluntarily, and often have a background in human rights or journalistic work, possess basic knowledge of human rights and have often built some expertise in human rights monitoring.

In April 2018, HURICAP will deliver an advanced follow-up training for its pool of trainers focusing primarily on training skills, introducing new training materials and ESCR programming.

For this advanced training of trainers, HURICAP is looking for a highly experienced senior training consultant who will develop and deliver a participatory advanced skills training. This advanced skills training aims to contribute to trainers’ capacity, understanding and creativity in the field of developing sessions and training on MDR and ESCR.

F. Objectives

To develop and deliver four days advanced skills training to our pool (16-18 participants) of experienced Anglophone and Francophone trainers.[1]

While most participants are already experienced trainers, please note that training experience and training skills vary. We therefore expect the consultant to work with this group in a way that acknowledges -and makes use of- their experience and skills. We also expect the consultant to be able to motivate these trainers to critically reflect on their current training skills, (including their ability to listen and interact with participants), be open to learning and adopting (new) innovative and creative methods, tools and approaches in future training preparation and delivery.

We expect that as a result of this four-day training, trainers will be able to:

• More effectively and proactively design and develop training sessions including session objectives, diverse methods, sequence, timing etc.
• Diversify in methods and better select the most suitable training methods related to improving participants’ (1) knowledge (2) skills, and (3) attitude.
• Better interact with participants, which involves improved listening as well as making more effective use of participants’ (work) experiences.
• Make better use of a greater variety of teaching aids, such as audio-visual aids, power point presentations, pictures, flipcharts etc.

We expect that at the end of this four-day training, the consultant will be able to:

• Identify and assess with each trainer his or her strong points, weaknesses, opportunities and (possible) obstacles in development (and implementation) of a training.
• Advise each trainer on how to more effectively plan and prepare for each training session including developing clear objectives.
• Advise each trainer on how to diversify methods related to the areas of knowledge, skills and attitude.

G. Duties and responsibilities

In order to achieve these objectives, the consultant will:

• Discuss with HURICAP what kind of interactive training programme will be most relevant for this particular group of trainers.
• Study relevant documents provided by HURICAP.
• Develop a four-day training concept (including agenda, working methods and handouts) which will be discussed in detail with the HURICAP team.
• In collaboration with HURICAP, develop material for participants.
• Develop a training programme.
• Develop a list of equipment and materials needed for the delivery of the advanced skills training.
• Deliver the four-day skills training as part of the follow-up TOT.
• Advise HURICAP on how to better coach trainers in the future.
• Submit a detailed evaluation report to HURICAP including an assessment of trainers and recommendations for HURICAP on future collaboration with trainers.
• Hold individual coaching sessions with participants.

H. Key deliverables

1. Training programme and background materials developed by early March 12, 2018.

2. The successful delivery of an advanced skills training followed by a detailed evaluation report by April 25, 2018.

I. Qualifications

• At least 8 years experience working as a professional trainer, including having delivered several TOTs.
• Having worked with and trained (highly educated) African groups, preferably in the field of human rights or humanitarian work.
• We expect the ideal candidate to have a solid understanding of how adults learn and have ample experience with and knowledge of a wide variety of training methods and (visual) aids.
• Excellent English language skills, proficiency in French is a strong asset.
• Excellent presentation, communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively and harmoniously with people from different backgrounds.
• A corresponding level of seniority applicable to this vacancy.
• At least a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, education, political science or any other relevant studies.

[1] We are considering to provide simultaneous translation for the general sessions. The training can be delivered in either French or English.

J. How to apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply to huricap@amnesty.nl and add the following documents to their application:

• Elaborate CV disclosing educational background and experience, and a list of similar training / TOT assignments.

• Financial proposal with a clear indication of all inclusive fees (consultancy fee per day, travel/DSA, admin costs etc.).