Open position
Project: Volunteer Cooperation Project
Dates: January 1, 2025 – March 31st, 2025
Location: Canada - remote
Reports to: Maxime Allard, Directeur du programme de coopération volontaire (FPGL)
Summary: The selected firm will lead the coordination of an Impact Study of the Volunteer Cooperation Project (VCP), leading to the production of an Advocacy Case Statement.
I. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE
This initiative is a joint effort between 15 Canadian Volunteer Cooperation Agencies (VCAs):
The contracting organization is Fondation Paul Gérin-Lajoie. Canada’s Volunteer Cooperation Program provides opportunities for skilled Canadians to participate in Canada’s global development assistance efforts. The 2020 – 2028 Volunteer Cooperation Program supports 15 Canadian organizations to send a broad range of Canadians, interested in volunteering their time, skills and experience, to collaborate with partners and communities in lower and medium income countries. Over the 8 years, the 15 VCAs will mobilize over 10,000 Canadian volunteers to over 50 countries. The 15 VCAs cooperating on this initiative, seek a qualified firm to support the coordination, analysis and development of an impact study and advocacy case.
II. OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTATION
Demonstrate the collective impact of the current and past VCPs to build an advocacy case for the program’s renewal.
III. METHODOLOGY
Impact Study:
● Review of existing data (annual reports, evaluation reports) from current and past VCPs
● Additional data collection may be required to fill in gaps in information either through interviews, focus groups or brief survey
IV. QUESTIONS
The study aims to assess three strategic areas that will help build an advocacy case for the program. These areas include:
● The program’s impact related to development outcomes, i.e. the relevance and impact of the program to countries and partner organizations; the impact related to the program’s ultimate reach (partner program participants and communities); as well as the effectiveness of volunteers at strengthening partner capacities and performance.
● The program’s impact related to the engagement of the Canadian public, i.e.the relevance, impact and effectiveness of VCAs and Canadian volunteers in engaging the Canadian public.
● The program’s impact related to soft diplomacy, including the impact related to building relationships and perceptions of governments, partners and communities of Canada’s culture, values and foreign policies, fostering a positive image of Canada.
V. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
VCA Responsibilities:
● To assign a lead contact to coordinate with the selected firm
● To provide relevant documentation and answer questions in a timely manner throughout the assignment
● To mobilize necessary team members to support the selected firm as needed
● To provide feedback and comments on documents produced in a timely manner, in accordance with the work plan
● To provide the firm with support necessary to complete the assignment
VI. DELIVERABLES
● Brief Advocacy Case (narrative document, 3-5 pages) and PowerPoint (10 slides) that can be used as advocacy tools
● Research Summary – narrative report of research that led to the conclusions and stories in the Advocacy Case
VII. TIMELINE
The study and case development is to be carried out between January 2025 and March 2025.
VIII. FIRM QUALIFICATIONS
● Minimum of 15 years' experience in impact studies and advocacy Case development, including in the global development sector
● Demonstrated experience in writing succinct and compelling advocacy tools
● Demonstrated experience in qualitative and quantitative research and data analysis
● Knowledge and experience working with Global Affairs Canada, or projects funded by GAC
● Understanding and experience with concepts such as Volunteering for Development, Civic Engagement, Gender Equality and Organizational Development
● Awareness and understanding of current trends in global development, particularly in the Canadian global development space
● Fluent in both English and French, with strong reading, comprehension and communication skills in both languages
Qualified firms are encouraged to submit a proposal detailing how this consultancy will be delivered. Firms who represent or have worked with under-represented groups, are encouraged to apply, including indigenous communities, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, people of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, visible minorities. If you are invited to continue in the selection process, please inform us as soon as possible of any special accommodation you may require.
IX. APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested firms are invited to submit the following documents by 5 p.m. on December 6, 2024 to the following e-mail address: pcv@fondationpgl.ca
● Firm profile and CVs (if applying as a team, please include the CV of the Lead Researcher)
● A technical and financial proposal briefly describing the proposed methodology, work schedule, expected level of effort (daily rate and number of days), team composition and any other information deemed relevant (3 pages maximum, not including annexes)
● Samples of previous, similar work (Advocacy Case Statement) Successful candidates will be invited to an interview.
X. SUPERVISION AND QUALITY ASSESSMENT
Firm will work in close collaboration with a team made up of members from several VCAs including monitoring and evaluation specialists, program directors and executive directors