Request for Proposal for “Effective Communication Skills Training” At Danish Refugee Council

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental and non-profit organization founded in 1956 and working in over 30 countries in the world. DRC has been operating in southeastern Turkey (Hatay, Şanlıurfa, Kilis, and Kahramanmaraş) since 2013, serving Persons of Concerns (PoC) including Syrian refugees and the affected host communities. As the conflict stretches on in Syria, DRC remains committed to developing long-term solutions that serve the needs of displaced Syrians and other refugees and migrants currently living in Turkey.

DRC as a lead humanitarian international agency strives for quality and excellence and ensures the employees are supported with capacity-building initiatives to effectively engage with each other and deliver quality results. Communication skill is a core competency as it determines how we interact with beneficiaries, partners, donors, and other stakeholders and is a way of presenting what we do and how we do it.

Training service Objective

The objective of this training service is to deliver training, followed by individual coaching sessions, for approximately 15 DRC staff (the exact number will be later shared) on effective communication skills. It is expected that by the end of the training service, the participants will have improved their ability to clearly convey their messages and to present their ideas effectively both verbally and in writing to achieve quality outcomes for the assignments they undertake and advance their professional performance.

Learning objectives for participants:

• Individuals learn to clearly think and communicate effectively their ideas and technical knowledge with audiences.
• Individuals learn how to articulate their thoughts in a structured manner and convey clear messages.
• Individuals learn to listen actively and accordingly form their responses to address the issues raised to their attention.
• Individuals learn to be precise, focused, and stick to the point while presenting or addressing audiences
• Individuals learn to proofread their reports, email, and messages and as a result, improve their written communication skills and minimize spelling and stylistic errors, and unclear messages.

Training Service Deliverables

• Staff communications skills assessments: This is to be conducted by the trainer/trainer before the training to understand where the participants are, identify communications-related gaps and strengths, and accordingly plan the training. The assessment should be conducted as individual interviews by the trainer to develop an in-depth understanding of each individual’s communication skills while talking.
• Training: Organize a 3-5 days customized training (in-person) with nominated participants. The total training hours should be a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 35 hours (except for coffee-lunch breaks). The training should cover both the theories of effective communications skills, as well as practical exercises and individualized feedback. The training should address the gaps identified in the assessment in addition to the observations initially shared by DRC. DRC Turkey will host the training in Hatay, Turkey.
• Coaching sessions: The trainer should organize approximately 3 online coaching sessions for each participant to follow up on the training topics discussed and address the remaining issues. Each online session should take place every 5-7 working days after the training.
• Reporting and feedback to managers: The trainer should submit a report at the end of the training service about the process and provide feedback on each participant’s communication skills and areas for improvement to their respective managers to guide future personal development. The trainer should present the report in a debriefing meeting to relevant DRC managers.

Geographical Location and Time

This training will be conducted in person in Hatay, Turkey, and online coaching sessions will be provided on an interactive online platform (e.g. Microsoft Teams). The trainer will organize all technical arrangements for the training and communicate with the participants regarding the training details (e.g. training platform, training time, agenda) before each session. The procurement process is expected to be finalized by the end of August and the training delivered in September or October 2022.

Language and Methodology

The training will be provided in English. The format of the in-person training is expected to be with practical activities and handouts which will be given to the participants before the meeting date. The training should be as a theory-practice-feedback module.

Coaching sessions will be also provided in a bilateral meeting for each participant where the coach listens, coaches, and provides guidance to the participants as actions to be addressed till the next coaching session.

Trainer Profile

The trainer should have the following experience and qualifications:

• Fluent in English (Turkish and Arabic skills are an advantage)
• A graduate degree or equivalent in communication, social sciences, or other relevant fields
• 10-15 years of experience in providing training and coaching sessions to the humanitarian sector or private sector employees on effective communication skills
• Able to provide evidence of at least two similar training

Training Institution Profile

The training institution should have the following experience and qualifications:

• Training institutions must have a valid legal license to deliver the training
• Training institutions must provide a completion certificate to the participants (certifications are recognized by several institutions and/or (I)NGOs).

Travel, Accommodation, and Insurance

DRC shall organize the meeting room arrangements which include renting a meeting room, coffee break, and lunch services. The costs of all travel-related expenses, including hotel accommodation, will be covered by the training institution and the bidder’s financial bid must include all in one price. DRC will not be responsible for any additional cost other than the cost stated in the bidder’s financial bid.

Daily subsistence allowance will not be covered by DRC.

Submission Guidelines

Interested candidates are requested to submit the following by 31 August2022 until 12:30 pm (at noon):

• Technical proposal demonstrating a clear understanding of the ToR and expected deliverables, as well as describing the training methodology, plan, and tools to be used
• Timeline for delivery of the training service with detailed activity schedule
• Example of assessment and final evaluation tools for participants
• A financial proposal inclusive of all costs needed for the work
• CV of the trainer(s) demonstrating qualifications and experience in similar training and organizational development
• Two samples of delivered training showing experience related to the assignment (include evidence of work done)
• Two references related to relevant work previously conducted (contact details of the referee or reference letters)
• Valid legal license to deliver the training

EVALUATION AND AWARD OF TRAINING SERVICE

DRC will evaluate the proposals and award the contract based on technical soundness and financial feasibility. DRC reserves the right to accept or reject any proposals received. More details can be found in the RFP Invitation Letter.