RFT Trocaire – Partnership Skills Training At Trócaire

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Detailed tender document on European Dynamics – View CfT Workspace and Procurement – Trócaire

(submission only accepted via www.etenders.gov.ie )

4.1 Context

As a partnership agency, Trócaire is committed to Localisation[1], aimed at shifting greater power to local actors and ensuring that development and humanitarian programmes are locally-led. Trócaire’s approach to partnership and localisation, as outlined in its Partnership and Localisation Strategy (2021-2025)[2], focuses on four outcome areas: 1) Increased voice and influence of local actors, 2) Effective capacity strengthening, 3) Equitable partner relationships, and 4) Increased access to funding and resources for local partners.

Outcome 3 of the strategy (Equitable Partnerships) commits Trócaire to building on its longstanding experience of partnership practice and developing more equitable and trust-based partnerships grounded in solidarity, mutual respect, and shared leadership. Recent internal reflections, partner survey feedback, and learning from Trócaire’s ongoing research on partnership and localisation highlight opportunities to further embed equitable and power-aware approaches across the organisation. As part of its broader organisational effort to promote consistent, values-driven partnership practice, Trócaire is seeking to strengthen staff capacity in recognising and navigating power dynamics and applying key partnership skills through the development of a comprehensive training package on Partnership.

This training will support staff to reflect on their own roles and behaviours within partnership relationships and to apply Trócaire’s partnership principles in ways that advance our collective commitment to equitable, trust-based, and mutually accountable collaborations with local and national organisations.

Trócaire’s Partnership Training will comprise of two broad components:

  • COMPONENT 1: An introduction to Trócaire’s approach to partnership, which provides an overview of key internal policies and operational guidance on partnerships with local actors. This includes Trócaire’s Partnership Policy, Minimum Requirements for Partnership, Partner Capacity Strengthening Assessment and Support (PCAS) approach, Indirect Cost Recovery (ICR) Sharing Policy, and other key organisational mechanisms for partnership and localisation. This training will be aimed at all Trócaire staff and form part of new staff induction processes. It will be developed internally.
  • COMPONENT 2: A training package aimed at building essential Partnership Skills and Power-Aware Behaviours among Trócaire staff who engage with local partners directly. This component will focus on understanding power dynamics inherent in partnerships between local and international actors and equip staff to navigate these power dynamics effectively to build more equitable partnerships. The training will be aimed at all staff working in Trócaire’s country offices, and as well as HQ-based staff in the International Division. It will be developed with the support of an external consultant.

This consultancy will focus on the development of COMPONENT 2 in the Partnership Training described above.

4.2 Objectives

To design a training package for Trócaire staff that:

  1. Enhances awareness of theories of power, and power dynamics inherent in partnerships between international (Global North-based) and local/national (Global South-based) actors.
  2. Strengthens Trócaire team’s ability to recognise behaviours, processes, and practices through which power imbalances manifest in their work with local/national partners.
  3. Equips staff with essential skills, tools, and strategies to address these imbalances and foster equitable, trust-based partnerships.

4.3 Training Content

The training will build on Trócaire’s long-standing partnership practice and deepen shared understanding of how equitable, power-aware approaches can be consistently applied across contexts. The training content will address the following three Learning Objectives:

  1. Learning Objective 1: Enhancing awareness of power dynamics in partnerships.
    The training will introduce key concepts of power and privilege in humanitarian and development work, with a focus on unequal dynamics between Global North-based international actors (donors, INGOs such as Trócaire), their representatives in country offices, and their local/national partner organisations based in the Global South. Participants will:
    • Understand key frameworks and perspectives on power and power dynamics in the international aid sector, particularly within the ongoing discourse on locally led development and decolonisation of aid[3],and its emphasis on shifts in leadership and decision-making to local and national partners. Participants will be able to situate partnership practice within historical and systemic contexts of colonial legacies, and deepen their understanding of the importance of equity, solidarity, and mutual accountability in partnerships.
    • Foster a shared understanding of how different partnership approaches reflect varying degrees of equity, mutual accountability, and shared leadership, and how Trócaire’s practice can continue to evolve toward more power-aware and equitable relationships[4].
  2. Learning Objective 2: Strengthening Trócaire team’s ability recognise how power imbalances manifest in their work. By the end of the training, staff will be able to:
    • Examine practical examples where partners experience hierarchy and power imbalances in their relationship with Trócaire.
    • Reflect on how mindsets, language, behaviours, communication practices and organisational processes may reinforce inequities.
    • Analyse and reflect on how their own behaviours and practices reinforce or challenge hierarchical power dynamics using case studies, scenarios, and reflexive tools.
    • Understand “power-aware behaviours” that help strengthen trust, mutual respect and shared leadership in partnerships.
  3. Learning Objective 3: Equipping staff with skills, tools and strategies to foster more equitable partnerships based on key partnership principles.
    The training will strengthen staff’s ability to build partnerships in line with key partnership principles such as trust and mutuality, and Trócaire’s Partnership Principles as per its Partnership Policy. Staff will learn:
    • Practical tips and strategies to put partnership principles into practice, including trust, solidarity, flexibility, mutual accountability, accompaniment (rather than supervision), and supportive leadership and coaching skills that centre partners’ priorities.
    • Relationship-Building & Positive Communication skills: empathy, active listening, transparent communication, constructive feedback, conflict resolution.
    • Facilitation and ‘co-designing’ skills: co-creating equitable and safe spaces for joint planning, collaborative decision-making, inclusive dialogue, and creating inclusive spaces, collective reflection.

4.4 Audience

The primary audience for the training package is all Trócaire staff working in country teams who engage with local partners directly on a regular basis as part of their roles. The secondary audience is other Trócaire teams (including Ireland-facing staff) that do not interact directly with partner, to build a deeper awareness of Trócaire’s approach and ways of working.

4.5 Format

The training content should be adapted for three delivery formats, as follows:

  1. In-person workshops
  2. Online/virtual trainings to be conducted through video meeting technologies such as MS Teams/Zoom
  3. Self-paced and interactive digital learning modules to be hosted on Trócaire’s internal Learning Management System (LMS).

In-person (i) and online (ii) training formats should include session plans, guidance for facilitators, and materials for interactive activities.

4.6 Pedagogy

The training package is expected to employ a participatory and experiential pedagogy that combines conceptual input with practical skills development. It should:

  • Be grounded in adult learning principles, encouraging reflection, dialogue, and peer learning.
  • Use participatory approaches, including role plays, case studies, group discussions, and experiential exercises to help staff reflect on real-life partnership dynamics.
  • Incorporate reflexive practice tools that enable staff to critically assess their own behaviours, assumptions, and positionality in partner relationships.
  • Integrate a feminist and intersectional lens, ensuring attention to how various aspects of individual identity shape experiences of power (eg. gender, race/tribe/ethnicity, levels of education, English-proficiency, international exposure, economic position etc).
  • Be adaptable for different formats (in-person workshops, online trainings, self-paced online learning), and different contexts.
  • Be practical, including drawing on real-worldexamples, tools and methodologies from Trócaire’s own practice and resources, as well as existing practical tools and frameworks across the development and humanitarian sector which focus on applying an understanding of power dynamics to engagements with diverse stakeholders and building power-aware and equitable relationships.
  • Be aligned with Trócaire’s values, policies and partnership approach.

4.7 Methodology

The methodology is broadly expected to include the steps provided below. The consultant’s proposal will be expected to adapt and provide further detail on these based on the proposed approach.

  1. Inception and Needs Assessment
  • Review key organisational documents, including Trócaire’s Partnership and Localisation Strategy (2021–2025), Partnership Policy, Partner Survey findings, internal research on partners’ role in programme-level decision-making, Global MEAL policy, and other relevant internal documents.
  • Conduct a rapid training needs assessment through consultations and interviews with Trócaire staff (HQ and country teams) and a group of partners (Trócaire’s Partner Advisory Group and any other interested and willing partners), to understand gaps, priority issues, and learning needs.
  • Develop and submit an inception and needs assessment report detailing the key learning objectives, core reference materials and literature for content, proposed outline of training package, details of proposed pedagogical approach, and overall project timeline.
  1. Development of Training Package
  • Develop modular training package for all three content formats (in-person, online and digital self-paced modules) in line with the details agreed upon in the inception report.
  • Training modules will be developed on a phased basis, incorporating time for periodic review and feedback at key milestones.
  1. Pilot Training and Refinement
  • Conduct pilots for all three formats of training materials (in-person, online and digital self-paced modules) with a selected group of Trócaire staff.
  • Gather structured feedback from participants and facilitators to assess clarity, relevance, and effectiveness.
  • Refine the training materials based on feedback.
  1. Finalisation and Delivery
  • Deliver finalised training packages for all three training delivery formats:
    • In-person training package that includes:
      • Training manual with facilitator’s guidance on content and pedagogical methods.
      • Participant materials (case studies, tools, exercises).
      • Presentation slides and supplementary resources.
    • Online training package that includes:
      • Training manual with facilitator’s guidance on content and pedagogical methods.
      • Participant materials (case studies, tools, exercises).
      • Presentation slides and supplementary resources.
    • Digital modules for self-paced learning designed to be uploaded on Trócaire’s internal Learning Management System.
  1. Knowledge Transfer: Train a small cohort of Trócaire staff as trainers/facilitators using Training of Trainers methodology to ensure sustainability and internal capacity for rollout across the organisation.

4.8 Deliverables

The consultant/consultancy team will be expected to deliver the following outputs:

  1. Brief Inception Report and Training Needs Assessment Summary
    • Outlining understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, detailed work plan, and draft training outline.
    • Synthesis of findings from consultations with Trócaire staff and partners to inform the training design.
  2. Draft Training Package for all three training delivery formats:
    • In-person training package that includes:
      1. Training manual with facilitator’s guidance on content and pedagogical methods.
      2. Participant materials (case studies, tools, exercises).
      3. Presentation slides and supplementary resources.
    • Online training package that includes:
      1. Training manual with facilitator’s guidance on content and pedagogical methods.
      2. Participant materials (case studies, tools, exercises).
      3. Presentation slides and supplementary resources.
    • Self-paced learning modules designed to be uploaded on Trócaire’s internal Learning Management System.
  3. Pilot Training Delivery for all three training delivery formats: Delivery of pilot trainings across all delivery formats (in-person, online, and self-paced e-learning modules), to a sample group of Trócaire staff.
  4. Pilot Feedback Report: Short report summarising participant feedback, learning outcomes, and recommendations for adjustments for all three training formats.
  5. Final Training Package: Complete training packages for all three formats fully revised based on pilot feedback:
    • In-person training package that includes:
      1. Training manual with facilitator’s guidance on content and pedagogical methods.
      2. Participant materials (case studies, tools, exercises).
      3. Presentation slides and supplementary resources.
    • Online training package that includes:
      1. Training manual with facilitator’s guidance on content and pedagogical methods.
      2. Participant materials (case studies, tools, exercises).
      3. Presentation slides and supplementary resources.
    • Self-paced digital learning modules designed to be uploaded on Trócaire’s internal Learning Management System.
  6. Knowledge Transfer

Orientation or training session for a cohort of Trócaire staff as facilitators/trainers to ensure sustainable knowledge transfer.

Evaluation of Tenders

All suppliers should at least meet following minimum criteria (pass/fail):

  • Technical Experience:
    • At least 2 years of demonstrated experience in area of Partnership and Localisation in the international humanitarian, development or peace sectors.
    • At least 2 years of demonstrated experience in designing and delivering training programmes for workplaces and adult audiences, particularly on the topics outlined in section 4.
  • References: References from at least 2 clients within the past 4 years.
  • Samples of previous relevant work: Samples should demonstrate training content for at least 2 of the concepts to be covered in the training package.

The successful tenderer will be the one who, in the opinion of Trócaire, submits the most economically advantageous proposal applying the following award criteria (percentage scoring):

Award Criteria

Score %

1 Understanding and of Scope and Objectives: 20%

  • Demonstrated understanding of the objectives of this training programme and the scope outlined in Section 4.
  • Clear articulation of how both content development and delivery approach requirements will be addressed.

2 Quality of Content Development and Training Materials : 35%

  • Strength and clarity of proposed content design, ensuring coverage of key topics and indication of relevant literature to be referenced in developing training content.
  • Quality of relevant samples submitted.
  • Incorporation of inclusive, engaging, and innovative training methods grounded in adult learning principles.

3 The expertise of the team proposed for the services, including previous relevant experience : 25%

  • Proven experience in area of Partnership and Localisation in the international humanitarian, development or peace sectors.
  • Experience in designing and delivering training programmes for staff working in the international humanitarian, development or peace sectors across a variety of country contexts.

4 Pricing : 20%

  • Value for money in costing deliverables outlined in Section 4.

During the evaluation period clarification may be sought in writing from tenderers. Responses to requests for clarification may not materially change any elements of the tenders submitted.

No unsolicited communications from tenderers will be accepted or entertained during the evaluation period.

A shortlist of those who have tendered may be drawn up and a certain number of those who have tendered may be invited to make a final presentation/demo of their tender.

How to apply

Your proposal marked “RFT Trócaire Partnership Skills Training 11.2025***”*** should be submitted via www.etenders.gov.ieand will be acknowledged after the deadline.

The deadline for the receipt of tenders is 18/11/2025 @ 23h59 GMT***.***

Any clarification queries relating to this request for tender should be directed via www.etenders.gov.ie before 10/11/2025 @ 16h00 GMT***.*** All queries will be addressed by 12/11/2025 latest.

Please ensure to register as a supplier on www.etenders.gov.ie to enable you to see all clarifications and also to submit your proposal. In case you experience any issues with registering or uploading your proposal please contact filip.degrieck@trocaire.org.

To facilitate the tender evaluation, we ask all tenderers to submit a tender response as per below structure. This structure is not exhaustive; tenderers may include additional documentation or information to demonstrate their understanding of the training programme and highlight areas of added value or opportunity. Organisations based in the Global South with experience of working on localisation and decolonisation are particularly encouraged to apply.

5.1 Administrative Details

  1. CVs of the proposed consultancy team (and any additional details on available human and technical resources).
  2. Details on previous relevant experience and references.
  3. Organisation profile and details.

5.2 Technical Details

  1. Description of all services proposed as per requirements in section 4, including demonstrating an understanding of the key learning objectives.
  2. Indication of core reference materials and literature for content for each learning objective.
  3. Proposed draft outline of the training package.
  4. Details of proposed pedagogical approach.
  5. Samples of similar previous work (samples should demonstrate training content for at least 2 of the concepts to be covered in the training package).
  6. Detailed workplan and overall project timeline with key milestones.5.3 Pricing Details1. Details of proposed pricing structure, including detailed budget, estimated number of days per deliverable, and daily rate in Euro.2. Details of VAT and other relevant taxes.3. Details of any other anticipated expenses.