KRCS was created by Act of Parliament in 1965. It is auxiliary to Central and County governments, but maintains an autonomous status which allows it to act at all times in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of Red Cross Red Crescent Movement (RCM). The vision of KRCS today is to be the most effective, most trusted and self-sustaining humanitarian organization in Kenya. Its mission is to work with vigor and compassion through its networks and with communities to prevent and alleviate human suffering and save the lives of the most vulnerable.
KRCS governance structures are mandated to supervise the management of the organization, providing vision, policy and strategic direction. Decentralized boards exist at branch and regional levels to provide similar functions within their jurisdictions. KRCS has capacity in both emergency and developmental programming (e.g. health, WatSan, resilience) at both national and field levels.
1.2 Background of the project and problem statement
KRCS is implementing a Disaster Management Strengthening project with funding from British Red Cross, DFID, ECHO and Finnish Red Cross. The programme is designed to strengthen KRCS’ disaster preparedness and response capacity in order to reduce the impact of disasters in Kenya.
One of the keys to efficiency in disaster response lies in ensuring staff and volunteers have the competencies needed to undertake their work effectively. The need for such investment is well recognized and in line with principle 6 of the People in Aid Code which states that ‘we must provide relevant training and support to help staff work effectively and professionally.[1] Also the KRCS strategy 2020 prioritizes human capital development. On the other hand, it is recognized that unless the competencies needed are well defined, and gaps identified, then considerable investment can be made in ad hoc training, learning and development without it yielding the desired results.

2.0 The consultancy
2.1 Objectives
The overall objective is to work with KRCS to develop a training and development plan for the next two years for staff and volunteers involved in disaster preparedness and response.
The specific objectives are to:
a. Identify core competencies required of each cadre of staff and volunteers directly involved in preparing for and responding to disasters

This will involve:
• Identifying different cadres involved in Disaster Management (DM) preparedness and response
• Defining competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviors critical to job performance) required by each cadre of staff in the DM operations team (HQ), at regional and branch level
b. Complete a light-touch review of how DM related learning and training needs are currently assessed and managed

This will involve:
• A review of a sample of HR records to assess:
o The degree to which agreed competencies are defined in current job descriptions
o Review a sample of HR records to understand the type of training and development needs that are documented in appraisal documents and how these relate to defined competencies
• Discussions with staff (HR and DM) and volunteers to understand:
o How training and development needs are currently identified and prioritized
o What staff and volunteers think about existing training and development including:
§ How they feel they learn best
§ What sort of learning and training media they utilize (within work and outside work)
§ Which learning and training opportunities have been most useful and why
o If/how training and development opportunities are utilized, followed up and managed
o What internal and external training opportunities are routinely available (including IFRC and other on-line training; RC organized/supported training, other training; mentoring and on-the-job development)
• An exploration of the investment made in training and development and if/how existing resources
c. In line with the KRCS strategic plan, assist in review/designing the necessary roles/position in in the delivery of the Disaster Management mandate.
d. Conduct a training needs assessment

This will involve:
• Developing a simple training needs assessment methodology (group level)
• Conducting a training needs assessment involving all HQ DM staff
• Conducting a training needs assessment targeting a sample of branches (approx. 5 )
• Defining and testing a simple training needs assessment approach for individuals
e. Develop a realistic staff/volunteer training plan to provide a structured way of addressing identified training gaps
This will involve preparation of a plan which includes:
• Priority development and training needs by cadre (with definition of key areas/level needed within each thematic area e.g. life-saving skills or comprehensive first aid)
• Development and training options i.e. how needs can be addressed
• Recommendations for how development and training should be structured and approaches that should be adopted (providing options and recommendations)
• Options and recommendations for how staff and volunteers can be supported to apply new skills and leaning in practice

Note: At all stages issues of the process the following issues should be taken into account:
• The mandate of the Red Cross
• Gender, disability and social inclusion
• Good development and training practice
• Resource implications (time and money) and consideration of best value (consideration/documentation of options)
• The sustainability of plans/recommendations

2.2 Methodology
As detailed above, various methods are expected to be used including:
• Document reviews
• Interviews with key stakeholders at national and county levels (including external stakeholders as relevant)
• Individual and group discussions
• Participatory self-assessments.
2.3Deliverables
A comprehensive report to clearly spell out;
a. The overview of KRCS skills and competencies required to deliver the DM-Operations mandate
b. An in-depth analysis if the existing capacity within DM-Operations staff/volunteers and support functions
c. A gap analysis to address
o Training needs – training /development plan outlining key course contents to be covered under each training
o Revised or new positions and their corresponding job descriptions
o Proposed structure for DM- Operations showing linkage to other departments
3.0 Duration and Timetable
This consultancy is expected to take 15 days. The final outputs must be submitted to KRCS no later than 7thDecember 2015
4.0 Expertise and minimum qualifications required
• Massive experience and understanding of:
o Disaster Management approaches and at least MUST have been a head of a major operation
o Handling Human Resources in Emergencies context
o Different approaches to learning, development and training
o Developing training plans and curricula.
o Development and training needs assessments.
• Excellent English – speaking and writing skills
• Excellent analytical, research, writing and communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and work well with diverse people.
• Post graduate degree in a relevant field (human resource, disaster management or general management)
5.0 Intellectual property rights
All documentation related to the assignment will remain the sole and exclusive property of the Kenya Red Cross Society.
6.0 Submission of Proposal
Deadline to submit applications is Wednesday 4th November 2015, at 11:00 am.Applications should be delivered at the Tender Box situated at the reception of Kenya Red Cross Headquarters, situated in South C (Bellevue), Popo Road off Mombasa Road. The Technical Proposal will be opened at 12:00 noon at the Society’s Headquarter on the same day in the presence of the bidders and/or their representatives who choose to attend.
A Complete Proposal with two separate technical and financial proposals, enclosed in one outer sealed envelope should be clearly marked with the Proposal No. as shown below:
Interested parties are invited to submit a proposal by to 4th November 2015 to the undersigned;
PREQ03964: Identify key competencies required for disaster management operations in KRCS and undertake an assessment of learning and development needs
Chairperson-Tender committee
Kenya Red Cross Society
P.O. Box 40712-00100 GPO
Nairobi.
The proposal should;
a. Include an indicative budget (including all consultancy fees) as per the format below;
ItemUnit # of Units Unit Cost Total Cost (Ksh.)Consultancy Fee. Per working day 14Grand Total
b. Be presented in the following format;
1) Introduction: Description of the Firm, the Firm’s Qualifications and statutory compliance
2) Proposed Methodology
3) Experience in undertaking assignments of similar nature and experience from the geographical area for other major clients
4) Proposed Team Composition (indicate who the Lead consultant will be)
5) References
6) Work Plan
c. Submit “An outline of a training needs assessment involving 30 Disaster Management staff and volunteers (no more than 1 page)”
7.0 Evaluation and award of consultancy
KRCS will evaluate the proposals and award the assignment based on technical and financial feasibility. KRCS reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without giving reasons. KRCS is not bound to accept the lowest or the highest bidder.
[1] Issue 33 April 2006 Training managers for emergencies; time to get serious?

HOW TO APPLY:
Submission of Proposal
Deadline to submit applications is Wednesday 4th November 2015, at 11:00 am.Applications should be delivered at the Tender Box situated at the reception of Kenya Red Cross Headquarters, situated in South C (Bellevue), Popo Road off Mombasa Road. The Technical Proposal will be opened at 12:00 noon at the Society’s Headquarter on the same day in the presence of the bidders and/or their representatives who choose to attend.
A Complete Proposal with two separate technical and financial proposals, enclosed in one outer sealed envelope should be clearly marked with the Proposal No. as shown below:
Interested parties are invited to submit a proposal by to 4th November 2015 to the undersigned;
PREQ03964: Identify key competencies required for disaster management operations in KRCS and undertake an assessment of learning and development needs
Chairperson-Tender committee
Kenya Red Cross Society
P.O. Box 40712-00100 GPO
Nairobi.