Background

Mercy Corps Jordan (MCJ) has introduced LEAD: Livelihoods and Environmental Actions for Development project, an initiative to be implemented in Zubaireya, Shobak to support the local Community Based Organizations (CBOs), smallholder farmers, food producers, and youth to better manage natural resources, particularly scarce irrigation water, to strengthen rural livelihoods and allow expanded and diversified crops for consumption. Within the first phase, MCJ will pilot the project and collaborate with Al Zubaireya local community, and particularly Al Furat CBO, Shobak Women’s Charitable Association and Al Zubaireya Charitable Association, to improve water infrastructure, water, and agriculture practices, while also facilitating increased access by targeted smallholder farmers, food producers, women, and youth to more profitable and reliable markets. The project also aims to enhance youth abilities to generate additional income through the use of digital freelancing platforms and the use of digital job-matching and gig-matching platforms.

The LEAD project has been designed to be scalable within other vulnerable regions of Jordan through the application of mechanisms and systems that can be readily adapted and replicated.

Purpose

The individual consultant will provide training and guidance to a group of youth on how to effectively use digital platforms to generate income. The objective of this project is to equip the youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to use digital platforms to earn money, either as a part-time or full-time job. The consultant is expected to work closely with the youth, assess their current knowledge and skillset, and develop a customized training plan that meets their specific needs.

Tasks and Objectives

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks and objectives:

• Conduct an initial needs assessment to determine the current knowledge and skillset of the youth participants.
• Identify one or two digital platforms (خمسات او غيرها) that best fit the targeted youth.
• Develop a customized training plan that meets the needs of the youth group, incorporating a variety of teaching methods and techniques that covers the basics of using digital platforms for income generation.
• Deliver regular training sessions to the youth group, covering topics such as online marketing, social media management, and e-commerce.
• Provide one-on-one coaching and mentoring to the youth as needed, helping them to troubleshoot any challenges they encounter while using digital platforms to generate income.
• Evaluate the progress of the youth regularly, providing feedback on their performance and adjusting the training plan as needed to ensure that the objectives are being met.
• Develop a final report summarizing the results of the training program and providing recommendations for future training initiatives.

Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following items:

• A customized training plan that meets the needs of the youth group along with a clear timeframe for the training sessions.
• Regular training sessions, delivered in a variety of formats, to the youth group.
• One-on-one coaching and mentoring to the youth as needed within the 4 months coaching period.
• Regular progress reports on the performance of the youth group to be submitted monthly after the completion of the physical on-site training sessions.
• A final report summarizing the results of the training program and providing recommendations for future training initiatives.

Targeted Group

200 youth from Al Shobak Area. The consultant has the flexibility to divide them into smaller groups while providing the physical face to face training. The period of the physical training to be identified by the consultant.

Timeline

The consultant is expected to complete all tasks within maximum 180 calendar days from the date of signing the contract as per the below points:

1. Develop a customized and time-bounded training plan based on the needs of the targeted group (Within 30 calendar days (from signing the contract)).
2. Deliver the physical trainings on site (Within 30 calendar days from getting MC approval on the training plan).
3. One-on-one coaching and mentoring to the youth as needed (might be online support or through the phone) (For the period of maximum120 calendar days (4 months) from completing the physical training).
4. Final Report (Upon the completion of the 120 days mentoring period).

Reporting

The consultant will report directly to Mercy Corps’ LEAD Project Manager, providing regular progress reports on the performance of the youth group. The consultant will also be expected to provide a final report summarizing the results of the training program and providing recommendations for future training initiatives. The consultant will be required to attend regular meetings with the LEAD’s team to discuss the progress of work.

Pricing and payments

Payment schedule and indemnities are as per the signed contract. The financial offer shall be priced as follows given that MC will cover the cost of training facilitation, printing of training materials and stationery if needed and training halls. The individual consultant shall only cover her/his transportation fees and accommodation if needed:

1. Price that includes the training plan and physical training
2. Per month price for the coaching and mentoring period
3. Total price for the physical training plus the mentoring period of 4 months (a +(bx4))

Note: the reimbursement for the mentoring period will be for a maximum of 4 months but MC reserves the right to ask for a shorter mentoring period if found enough. Reimbursement will pay based on the actual selected mentoring period.  

Qualifications

Only individual consultants with the following qualifications will be considered:

• Extensive knowledge and experience using the digital platforms that will be presented, including its features, functions, and best practices.
• Prior experience of at least 2 years in generating income using various digital platforms such as Fiverr, Jooble, Flexjobs or any other similar platforms.
• The consultant should have a good understanding of technical concepts related to the digital platform, such as coding, APIs, and integrations, to be able to troubleshoot issues and provide technical support.
• The consultant should have strong teaching and training skills, including the ability to communicate complex concepts in an understandable way, engage learners, and adapt their teaching style to different audiences.

Evaluation Criteria

Note: an interview will be conducted with the highest scoring bidder for further assessment and technical verification

Required Technical Submittals for the Offer

• Updated C.V. showing relevant and similar experience.
• List of digital platforms the consultant worked on before.
• Draft training plan 
• Cover letter.

How to apply: Mercy Corps Jordan is seeking a qualified National Individual Consultant for Gig Matching Digital Platform Training. If you are interested please contact Mercy Corps – procurement department at [email protected] indicating the PR number (PR112442) in the subject line. The last date for submission of the interests is on the 9^th of July 2023 at 3:00 pm.