About Hivos

Hivos is an international organisation that seeks new solutions to persistent global issues. With smart projects in the right places, we oppose discrimination, inequality, abuse of power and the unsustainable use of our planet’s resources. We cooperate with innovative businesses, citizens and their organizations. We share a dream with them of sustainable economies and inclusive societies.

Background of project

Hivos East Africa in partnership with Robert Bosch Stiftung would like to implement a project development workshop on Informal Civil Society in Eastern African border regions. The main goal of the workshop to be held from 26 February- 2 March 2018 is to develop a pilot project towards strengthening sustainability of informal civil society in cross-border regions of Eastern Africa.

Description of assignment

In principle, this assignment will be implemented by a facilitator who will offer technical guidance towards project development, moderate plenary and workgroup sessions towards delivering the following expected results of the workshop:

• Main findings of the study discussed, consensus about main conclusions reviewed and validated;
• If possible and desired, pilot project local partners and target group have committed themselves to participate; their needs and interests are known and provide the basis for the pilot project;
• Consensus reached, among others, on:
  • Challenges and existing solutions and positive practices in the border regions as linked to stakeholders, individual persons and other projects.
  • A niche for the pilot project – what is the desired state that the project should bring about at society level and at target group level?
  • Sustainability – how do we define it and how can we achieve it looking at project resources and results?
  • How partners and target groups would like to work towards the goal – who has which interest/strategy and how would that feed into a joint project?
  • What offers, services and products should result from the project?
  • What kind of activities do we wish to implement?
  • How can we do something new / better than before or add what is missing, again taking into account result from the discussions?
  • Who contributes what? Project resources: human, financial, specific expertise, local resources (everyone involved should be willing to contribute something, not just the ones financing it). 

Expected output

• A well managed, highly participatory and coherent workshop resulting in discussions at eye level, mutual respect and learning and – if desired by participants – the development of a pilot project and validation of the study.
• A workshop report not exceeding 10 pages summarizing the process and the main outcomes.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Ensure the workshop is managed in the most appropriate direction;
• Facilitate the drafting of a detailed  workshop programme of events to ensure accomplishment of the objectives;
• Evaluate progress, methods and the programme each evening and adapt it to participants’ needs if necessary;
• Lead and provide expert input on specific workshop sessions;
• Encourage constructive discussion and participatory dialogue during all sessions;
• Summarize the points discussed and agreements resulting from discussions;
• Make sure participants are well informed about materials and documents that will be presented during each session and the expected results of each session;
• Maintain the flow from one session to another by keeping participants informed on the progress realized, issues already addressed and consensus reached;
• Ensure that all the workshop sessions start on and are carried out within the prescribed time and that they deliver the expected results;
• Ensure the coherence of all sessions and that as much as possible consensus is reached with limited conflicts.

Who can apply?

The consultant should have the following expertise:

• At least seven years experience in conducting and facilitating similar project development/ strategic planning workshops with diverse stakeholders;
• Proven knowledge and experience of using participatory approaches and innovative facilitation techniques; 
• Confident, persuasive, and able to communicate very well in English. Understanding of local languages and culture will be an advantage;
• Excellent administration, organizational and time management skills;
• Flexible working hours-ability to work evening and weekends if necessary. Ability to plan and prioritize work duties as well as work competently under pressure;
• Familiarity with development and informal civil society sustainability issues;
• Degree  in social sciences, project management or equivalent desirable.

Submission procedures and instructions

If interested, please submit a proposal or expression of interest (indicating your understanding of the assignment, brief description of the methods that will be used to facilitate the workshop, plan of action, budget etc.) along with the CV and cover letter to eastafricajobs@hivos.org and copied to motsieno@hivos.org by 6 February 2018.

A copy of the detailed terms of reference can be downloaded on the right side bar.