Economic and Social Empowerment (EA$E)/VSLA Trainer Full Time NEW

Title of Project

Economic and Social Empowerment (EA$E)/VSLA Trainer

Department

Gender Based Violence (GBV)

Duration:

From 27th January 2025

To: 15th February 2025

BACKGROUND TO THE ASSIGNMENT:

International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training, relief and development program.

International Medical Corps began working in the conflict-ridden region of southern Sudan in 1994, years before a 2011 national referendum led to Sudan’s southernmost states becoming the independent country of South Sudan. Today, amid ongoing violence, we work with the government of South Sudan to strengthen local healthcare capacity in five of the country’s 10 states, where we help deliver health services, emergency preparedness, intervention and response assistance, as well as primary healthcare and integrated services that range from preventive care to emergency surgery. We run programs that provide nutrition services, battle gender-based violence (GBV), provide mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), ensure modern water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, and support training programs that include our highly successful Health Sciences Institute, which has graduated a majority of the midwives working in South Sudan today.

International Medical Corps South Sudan has recently launched a four-year FCDO funded project – South Sudan Humanitarian and Resilience Programme’ (SSHARP)-GBV Prevention and Response to conflict-affected populations in South Sudan. The overall goal of the project is to ensure IDPs, returnees, refugees and host Communities in Unity and Upper Nile States are empowered and resilient to threats of GBV with increased access to quality GBV response and prevention services. The project will be implemented in Upper Nile Malakal and Fashoda and in Unity State – Nyal.

Project objectives

1. Communities in Unity and Upper Nile States have increased access to quality GBV services and women empowerment activities.
2. Communities in Unity and Upper Nile States have improved perception on harmful social and gender norms and a rejection of gender-based violence as acceptable.
3. Women and girls in Unity and Upper Nile State targeted communities report having improved social and economic support networks, household saving and agency

To accomplish the project objectives specifically economic independence for women, the main project strategy will be implementation of the Economic and social empowerment model (EA$E) model. This model integrates economic strengthening through Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), group discussion series and targeted business skills training. Further, women in Nyal, Malakal, and Fashoda will be engaged in livelihoods opportunities focused on social and economic empowerment, building support networks, and challenging power relations. This will increase opportunities for them to make an income and build resilience through acquired skills. International Medical Corps is seeking a qualified consultant to deliver key related training for the project team.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

To design and deliver training of trainers on implementation of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) as well as a two-day introductory training for the project team on implementation of EA$E. This training will equip trainers with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to effectively deliver the EA$E model and more specifically the VSLA Component. The training aims to improve the quality of delivering the VSLA component integrated in the broader women’s empowerment programing through guided self-analysis, stimulating VSLA best practice and the build-up of VSLA programming competencies.

SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The consultant’s tasks shall include but not limited to the following activities:

1. Curriculum Development for the VSLA detailed training: Develop an engaging and effective curriculum that covers key topics, including financial literacy, group dynamics, savings mobilization, loan management, and conflict resolution. Training curriculum aligned with (IRC EA$E Module and CARE International VSLA model).
2. Curriculum development for the 2-day introductory training on EA$E.
3. Training Delivery for the EA$E overview and VSLA full training: Facilitate interactive training workshop sessions that incorporate adult learning principles and participatory methodologies to enhance learning outcomes.
4. Develop training agenda for additional key training sessions for the EA$E module.
5. Resource provision: Provide IMC and training participants key training materials and resources, including manuals, handouts, and multimedia presentations for reference purposes during implementation.
6. Evaluation and Feedback: Design evaluation tools to assess the effectiveness of the training and gather feedback from participants for future improvements.

DELIVERABLES DESCRIPTION:

1. A standard VSLA training programme including a minimum of sessions that must be covered in a five-day training as well as the full recommended training programme delivered to trainers of VSLAs.
2. Standard full training programme for EA$E model and guidance on scheduling training delivery.
3. Comprehensive training curriculum and materials.
4. Evaluation reports highlighting the effectiveness of the training and recommendations for future sessions (Using pre and post training results).

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT DELIVERABLES

The training is expected to be delivered physically between 27 th January to15th February 2025 in South Sudan Juba. The training will be delivered by the Consultant supported by the EEL Manager and the GBV Coordinator.

The planned training is a TOT where the trained staff will deliver the sessions to VSLA groups. There will be specific training sessions for supervision and support delivered by the consultant which will enhance continued technical support. The EEL manager will be responsible for follow on technical support and the GBV Expert Manager and the GBV Coordinator will provide technical backstopping as required.

Consultant Specifications

To perform this consultancy successfully, an individual must be able to perform each task with or without reasonable accommodation

• Prefer an advanced degree in Economic, entrepreneurship, Microfinance or its equivalent.
• Proven experience in delivering training programs, particularly for adult learners in financial inclusion, microfinance, or community development.
• Proven experience as a trainer for EA$E Specifically VSLA module and Gender Discussion Series.
• Demonstrated experience as a technical support provider for EA$E and VSLA in particular.
• Prefer at least five (5) years’ experience of managing Economic empowerment and livelihood programs.
• Prefer experience working and implementing Women’s Economic Empowerment with international organisations especially IRC (Authors of EA$E) .
• Exceptional facilitation, presentation, and communication skills, with the ability to engage a diverse audience.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with an ability to respond to comments and questions in a timely, appropriate manner.
• Experience working in diverse cultural settings and sensitivity to various community contexts.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

1. Code of Conduct

   All Consultants are required to adhered to and promote International Medical Corps shared responsibility and obligation to report matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Trafficking in Persons, Child Safeguarding and any suggested violation to our Code of Conduct which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear or are aware of any suggested activities then you have an obligation to report to International Medical Corps.

2. Equal Opportunity

   International Medical Corpsis proud to provide equal consultancy opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.

Tagged as: International Medical Corps, South Sudan