Hiring of a consultant firm to conduct Customized Training on Project Cycle Management

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Please submit Technical and Financial Proposals on the following address on or before 16th December 2024 by 5:00 p.m.

Procurement Section

Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF)

14, Street 12, Mauve Area, G-8/1, Islamabad.

T: (+92-51) 84 39 450 (Ext. 513) | F: (+92-51) 2282262

Terms of Reference

Organization

Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) is the premier apex institution dedicated to lifting the poor out of poverty through community-driven development across Pakistan. Established in February 1997 as a not-for-profit company under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance 1984 (now Companies Act 2017), PPAF’s mission is to transform the lives of the impoverished, fostering a more equitable and prosperous Pakistan.

PPAF receives funding from the Government of Pakistan, and prominent international donors, and also utilizes its own resources to design and implement projects and initiatives that focus on climate-resilient infrastructure, green growth and energy, health, education, livelihoods, financial inclusion, and disaster resilience at the grassroots level. These interventions are implemented through PPAF's network of partner civil society organisations.

PPAF is committed to building and enhancing the capacity of its partner organisations to improve social mobilisation, and to promote the values of inclusion, participation, accountability, transparency, and stewardship. Through these efforts, PPAF aims to create sustainable and empowered communities, significantly contributing to the nation’s long-term development and stability.

For a complete profile, please visit our website at www.ppaf.org.pk

Background

PPAF is committed to enhancing the existing capacity of its programme staff to effectively manage the ongoing development projects and is aimed to well prepare its human resource to deal with the future projects more methodically. Given the complex and dynamic nature of development work, it is crucial to equip staff with a comprehensive understanding of Project Cycle Management (PCM). This training program is being designed to build the knowledge and skills required to manage all phases of the project cycle, from project identification to evaluation, ensuring that projects are aligned with organizational goals and have a sustainable impact.

Training Objective / Learning Objective

The primary objectives of the training program are to:

a) Enhance participants' understanding of the Project Cycle Management framework.

b) Develop practical skills in the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects.

c) Strengthen the ability to apply PCM tools and techniques in real-world scenarios.

d) Foster a results-oriented approach to project management, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and donor requirements.

Scope of work

The training provider will be responsible for designing and delivering a comprehensive training program tailored to the needs of development sector staff. The scope of work includes:

• Conduct a detailed assessment to identify the specific training needs of the participants.
• Customize the training content to address these needs, considering the varying levels of experience among participants.
• To discuss with PPAF – HR unit any problematic areas (focus will be on profiling of participants, training program and implementation plan)
• To prepare training materials.
• To implement the course.
• To evaluate the course.
• To award certificates to participants.
• To provide PPAF with a detailed training report.

Deliverables

• Training Design Module
• Conduct Training Event for staff as per PPAF need.
• Training Report
• Power point presentations for all topics in English.
• Share with HR one complete set of materials including PowerPoint presentations before the training.

Within 7 days after completion of the course, consultant will submit the Evaluation report in hard and electronic copies (Microsoft Word and Excel) to PPAF – HR unit. All materials and data collected and/or produced during the training period are the property PPAF and can only be copied and reproduced with PPAF permission. The evaluation report must include the following information points:

• Final Participant list for course
• Detailed Training Program Agenda provided to PPAF before the course.
• Evaluation of the participants based on their contribution, participation, and key learning’s & feedback of trainees to the course.

Clients (PPAF’s) Responsibility

PPAF shall provide the following assistance/ information to the consultant.

• Provide all necessary input and documents to the consultant helping him/her in profiling of the participants.
• The course will be conducted on PPAF’s own premises/or maybe in any other available hotel in the vicinity.

Duration

The duration of this training will be no longer than 4-5 days however may be varied as per the requirement of area.

Expected Number of Participants

The expected number of participants for this course maybe 25.

Target Group for the course:

The target audience for the Project Cycle Management Training Course, could include the staff across the organization, particularly from the Programme section to improve their Project Management skills for better productivity and career growth and those whose needs have been identified in TNA for the FY-2024-2025.

Training Design & Methodology:

The training will be a blend of both practical and theoretical sessions including interactive lectures, demonstrations, hands-on exercises, and group work and discussions.

• Power point presentations: Brainstorming sessions and Group discussions will be included.
• Practical exercises and real-world scenarios will be used to reinforce learning and facilitate practical application.
• Participants will receive training materials, including handouts, exercises to support their learning during and after the course.

Training Contents:

The training program will cover the following key topics:

1. Proposal Writing for successful projects

• Key elements of proposal writing

2. Introduction to Project Cycle Management:

• Overview of PCM and its importance in development projects.
• Key concepts and terminology in PCM.

3. Project Identification:

• Problem analysis and stakeholder engagement.
• Alternative Analysis
• Need assessment and project feasibility studies.
• Setting project objectives and defining project scope.

4. Project Design and Planning:

• Intervention Logic
• Logical Framework Approach (LFA) and Theory of Change (ToC).
• Developing project strategies, outputs, and outcomes.
• Risk management and mitigation strategies.
• Budgeting and resource allocation.

5. Project Appraisal and Approval:

• Project appraisal techniques and criteria.
• Cost-benefit analysis and sustainability considerations.
• Preparing project proposals for approval.

6. Project Implementation:

• Work plan development and task scheduling.
• Managing project teams and resources.
• Procurement and contract management.
• Ensuring compliance with donor and organizational requirements.
• Software Tools: Introduction to Microsoft Project, or other relevant project management software.

7. Project Monitoring and Control:

• Developing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks.
• Tracking progress and performance indicators.
• Managing project changes and scope adjustments.
• Reporting and communication strategies.
• Software Tools: Utilizing software like Smartsheet, Tableau, or Google Sheets for project tracking and reporting.

8. Project Evaluation and Closure:

• Conducting mid-term and final evaluations.
• Documenting lessons learned and best practices.
• Project closeout procedures and final reporting.
• Ensuring sustainability and impact beyond project completion.
• Software Tools: Tools like Evernote for documentation, and Microsoft Power BI for evaluation analytics.

9. Cross-Cutting Themes:

• Gender and social inclusion in project management.
• Environmental sustainability and climate change considerations.
• Ethical considerations and stakeholder accountability.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Consultant firm must have a minimum of 10-15 years of experience in organizing/ delivering such training events for national and international development sector organizations.
• The trainers must have demonstrated experience of more than 10 years in the non-profit sector and have strong knowledge of all concepts, principles, and approaches related to PCM with a proven capacity to design and conduct various customized training courses for national and international organizations.
• Strong facilitation skills and experience in delivering interactive and engaging training sessions.
• Familiarity with the specific challenges and requirements of managing social sector development projects.

Time Duration

The assignment is expected to be completed within four (4) months from the date of signing of the contract i.e. during the period January 2025– April 2025.