Call for proposal – Consultant To Develop Training Material

Purpose of the assignment

The Palme Center seeks to engage a consultant/consulting team to develop a complete training package based on two existing handbooks in the series “How to run and represent a political party”:

• Module 1: Formation and Structure – Ideological base, party constitution and organisational structure
• Module 5: Growing and Consolidating – Organising, recruitment and training

The overall purpose is to transform the key content of these handbooks into practical, participatory training sessions that can be used with our sister parties and partners around the world. Each training should be designed to run for approximately 3 hours and support participants in applying the content to their own party organisation and context.

Background

Olof Palme International Center (Palme Center) is the Swedish labour movement’s organisation for international solidarity and development cooperation. Together with over 160 partner organisations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the MENA region, we promote democracy, human rights, peace, equality, workers’ rights and a just transition. Our work is rooted in partnership, popular education and the strengthening of civil society and progressive political parties as drivers of social change.

Within this work, the Palme Center has developed a set of six handbooks under the umbrella “How to run and represent a political party”, used to train sister parties globally in organisational development, internal democracy and effective political action. Two of these handbooks – Module 1: Formation and Structure and Module 5: Growing and Consolidating – are now to be converted into concrete training packages, including session plans and facilitation materials.

Handbooks:

• Module 1: Formation and Structure – ideological base, party constitution and organisational structure
  https://www.palmecenter.se/resourcecenter/political-party-academy/how-to-run-and-represent-a-party/module1/
• Module 5: Growing and Consolidating – organising, recruitment and training
  https://www.palmecenter.se/resourcecenter/political-party-academy/how-to-run-and-represent-a-party/module-5-growing-and-consolidating/

Scope of the assignment

The consultant/consulting team will develop training material for one or both modules listed above. For each module selected, the consultant will:

1. Design a training concept and session outline
   • A clear learning objective and target group description.
   • A 3-hour session plan including timings, steps and methods.
   • Suggestions on how the session can be adapted to different political and regional contexts.
2. Develop a PowerPoint presentation
   • Slide deck that covers the key concepts and messages from the handbook.
   • Visuals, diagrams and examples that make the content accessible and engaging.
   • Space for contextual examples to be added by local facilitators.
3. Produce facilitator’s notes / script (bullet-point based)
   • Speaker notes or bullet points for each session segment and key slide.
   • Guidance on how to introduce topics, ask questions and facilitate discussions.
   • Tips for managing group dynamics and encouraging participation.
4. Design suitable exercises and group work
   • Interactive exercises (e.g. small-group work, case discussions, role plays, mapping exercises) that link theory to participants’ own party work.
   • Clear written instructions for each exercise, including purpose, expected outcomes and debriefing questions.
   • Where relevant, handouts or templates that can be printed or shared digitally.

It is not required that every part of the handbook is covered in the training. The consultant is expected to prioritise and highlight the most central and impactful elements of each module, in order to design a focused and effective 3-hour training session.

Expected deliverables

For each module included in the offer, the consultant shall deliver:

1. Training outline (session plan)
   • 3-hour agenda with learning objectives, time allocation, methods and materials needed.
2. PowerPoint presentation
   • Editable slide deck in PowerPoint format, ready to be adapted and using Palme Center’s layout and templates.
3. Facilitator’s notes / script
   • Bullet-point notes or script linked to the session plan and slides, in Word or similar format.
4. Exercises and supporting materials
   • Written descriptions of exercises and group activities.
   • Any handouts, worksheets or templates needed for the session.

All materials shall be delivered in English and/or Spanish (the consultant may propose one language or both).

The Palme Center will be the sole owner of all materials produced under this assignment and may adapt and translate them for use with partners.

Methodology

The consultant is expected to propose a methodology that may include, for example:

• Review of existing materials – in-depth reading of the selected handbook(s) and any related Palme Center resources.
• Short consultation with relevant Palme Center staff to clarify expectations, target groups and contextual considerations.
• Draft–feedback–finalisation cycle – submission of a draft version of the training package for comments, followed by a final version.

The proposed methodology should show how the consultant will:

• Prioritise content from the handbook(s).
• Ensure an engaging, participatory training design.
• Make the material easy to use for trainers with different levels of experience.

Timeframe

The assignment is expected to follow this approximate timeline:

• Deadline for submitting tenders (description and budget): Thursday 13 November
• Notification of decision: Friday 14 November
• Deadline for final training materials: Wednesday 26 November

The consultant may propose a more detailed schedule within this overall timeframe.

Requirements on the consultant

The consultant/consulting team should have:

• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering training for adults, preferably in the areas of political party development, civil society strengthening or organisational development.
• Strong skills in participatory and learner-centred methods.
• Ability to transform written material (handbooks, manuals) into practical, time-bound training sessions.
• Excellent written and spoken English; Spanish language skills are an asset if producing materials in Spanish.
• Familiarity with international development cooperation, political parties and/or civil society organisations is considered an advantage.
• Understanding of, or interest in, the values and traditions of the Swedish labour movement is meriting.

Language

• The final materials shall be delivered in English and/or Spanish.
• The tender (proposal) shall be submitted in English.

Budget and proposal content

The consultant is requested to submit a short concept note and cost estimate for one or both of the trainings (Module 1 and/or Module 5).

The tender should include:

1. Brief description of the training idea
   • How you propose to structure the 3-hour session(s).
   • Key methods and types of exercises you would use.
   • Any initial ideas on how to prioritise content from the handbook(s).
2. Financial proposal
   • Total cost for developing the full training package for:
     • Module 1 only;
     • Module 5 only;
     • or both modules (if applicable).
   • Indicate whether prices include VAT.
3. Information about the consultant/consulting team
   • Short description of relevant experience.
   • Links or examples of previous, similar assignments (if available).
   • Contact details of at least one reference (if available).

Submission and contact

Please submit your description of the training idea and cost estimate for one or both trainings no later than Thursday 13 November.

• Email: otto.widmark@palmecenter.se

Questions and all communication related to this assignment should be directed to the contact person above.