Terms of Reference for a Consultant to Conduct Virtual Training and Provide Technical Follow-up Support on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in NGO Program

Background

HORIZONT3000 (Austrian Organisation for Development Cooperation) is an international non-governmental organization that supports Partner Organizations in East Africa in the areas of natural resources, rural development and human rights. HORIZONT3000 currently is implementing “Thrive Digitalisation Project” with the objective of improving the living conditions of communities through digital solutions, improving digital skills and contributing to digital transformation among beneficiaries of 25+ partner organizations working in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

As part of this project, Horizont3000 is committed to strengthening the capacity of partner organizations by leveraging innovative digital technologies to enhance NGO programming. In response to requests from partner organizations, who recognize the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to significantly improve their work, Horizont3000 aims to organize a comprehensive training series on AI applications in NGO programming. This training is anticipated to equip organizations with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively integrate AI into their operations, decision-making, and service delivery, while addressing the challenges that come with this emerging technology.

To achieve this, we are seeking a suitable, qualified consultant with expertise in AI and its application in the non-profit sector to facilitate a series of online training sessions. These sessions will include a Basic, Advanced, and Follow-up workshop to ensure a progressive learning experience.

Objective of the Consultancy

The objective of this consultancy is to provide Project partner organizations with a solid understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it can be applied in the NGO sector to enhance programming, improve decision-making, and promote operational efficiency.

The consultant will deliver:

• A Basic Session to introduce key AI concepts, tools, and applications in NGOs.
• An Advanced Session to explore deeper into AI-driven strategies and use cases in the NGO environment.
• A Follow-up Session to address questions, share best practices, and offer practical guidance on applying AI in ongoing and future NGO programming.

Scope of Work

The consultancy will involve the following activities:

1. Preparation.

• Develop a detailed curriculum for Basic, Advanced, and Follow-up sessions tailored to the needs of Project partner organizations.
• Prepare learning materials, case studies, and resources for participants.
• Coordinate with the project team to customize content for relevance to the NGO sector.

Delivery of Online-Training Sessions.

• A 3.5-hours basic session introducing key AI concepts, tools, and how AI can be leveraged in NGO programming
• A 3.5- hours advanced training session focusing on practical AI applications, strategy development, and success stories of AI adoption in non-profits.
• An interactive follow-up session of maximum 20 hours for Q&A, feedback, and addressing specific challenges faced by the participants.

Post-Training Support.

• Provide any additional resources or guidance to help participants implement AI solutions in their organizations.
• Offer feedback on participants’ progress and challenges in adopting AI.

Expected Deliverables

• Detailed training curriculum for all three sessions.
• Training materials (presentations, case studies, and guides).
• Recordings of each session (to be uploaded on the MS Teams space or other shared platform).
• A simple summary report for each session conducted and a final report summarizing participant feedback, lessons learned, and recommendations for further AI adoption by partner organizations.

1. Duration and Timeline

The consultancy will span from November to early December 2024 with the following tentative schedule:

1. Basic Session: November 7, 2024
2. Advanced Session: November 21 2024
3. Follow-up Session: by December 5, 2024

Budget

The consultant should propose a budget that covers their fees (based on an hourly or daily rate), communication costs, taxes and any other relevant expenses. The budget should be submitted along with their technical proposal. The total budget for the scope of work outlined under 3.a) and b) should not exceed 6,000,000 Uganda Shillings including taxes.

The post training support will be paid according to the actual coaching hours spent with partners. Thus, please indicate your hourly rate in Uganda Shillings including Withholding Taxes in your financial offer. The actual number of hours needed will be determined by the demand of the partner organizations.

Required Qualifications

The consultant should possess the following qualifications:

• Proven expertise in Artificial Intelligence with demonstrated experience in applying AI to NGO or non-profit programming.
• Extensive experience in developing and delivering training on AI and digital technologies.
• Experience in facilitating online training for diverse audiences, particularly within the development or NGO sector.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to simplify complex AI concepts for non-technical audiences.
• Strong familiarity with online platforms and applications that can be used for virtual trainings, such as Zoom, Ms Teams, Moodle, etc.
• A good command of English language, both written and spoken.
• Previous experience with NGOs or similar organizations is an added advantage.

How to apply

The interested consultants should submit their application to HORIZONT3000 via email to [email protected] and [email protected] by October 25, 2024. The application should include:

• A technical proposal that outlines their understanding of the assignment, proposed approach and methodology, work plan and timeline for delivering the tasks and deliverables.
• A financial proposal that clearly indicates the fees (based on an hourly or daily rate), communication costs, taxes and any other relevant expenses.
• A curriculum vitae that highlights their relevant qualifications and experience for this assignment.
• A sample of previous work or portfolio that demonstrates their skills and expertise in designing and facilitating virtual trainings on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• A list of references that can attest to their performance and quality of work.

Evaluation Criteria

The applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Technical proposal (40%)
• Financial proposal (30%)
• Qualifications and experience (20%)
• Sample of previous work or portfolio (10%)

The successful consultant will be notified by November 1, 2024 and will be required to sign a contract with horizont3000 before commencing the assignment.