The deadline for submission of applications for the first round of consideration is March 31, 2019. Subsequently submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis through December 2019.
Application Instructions:
Qualified candidates are requested to apply to OCDC Research Group at ResearchGroup@www.ocdc.coop with the reference “RG TrainingDesigner Roster_last name”.
Applications should include:
– Cover letter (include your proposed daily rate), CV, 1 sample of designed training.
– Contact details for 3 references.
The OCDC International Cooperative Research Group (Research Group) is inviting applications from qualified Training Designers to design, develop, and implement a training portfolio on cooperatives and cooperative development programming. Experience working in developing countries and familiarity with at least one of the following areas is highly desirable:
- Cooperative enabling environment
- Cooperative business performance
- Cooperative governance
- Community-based development
- Gender inclusion
- Inclusive economic development
- Program management, monitoring, and evaluation.
Selected Training Designers will work with the Research Group and OCDC’s member Cooperative Development Organizations to expand their knowledge and increase learning of cooperative business model and cooperative development programming and thus contribute to effective international cooperative development.
Qualified applicants will be included in OCDC’s Vetted Training Designer Roster for a period of 2 years. Inclusion in the Training Designer roster does not guarantee a contract with OCDC.
About the OCDC, Research Group of the OCDC, and OCDC’s Member Cooperative Development Organizations
OCDC, the U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council, brings together eight organizations committed to building a more prosperous world through cooperatives. Its mission is to champion, advocate, and promote effective international cooperative development. Our members’ international activities are powered by grants from the Cooperative Development Program of USAID as well as other funding sources. Working individually and as one, we together promote sustainability and self-reliance through cooperatives and local ownership.
The International Cooperative Research Group (Research Group) is a division of OCDC, and its purpose is to develop evidence and create knowledge about effective cooperative developing in developing countries. Its research is designed around two predominant lines of work: (1) establishing evidence of the usefulness and impact of cooperative development for poverty alleviation and inclusive economic growth; and (2) understanding more deeply the environments and conditions in which cooperatives flourish – or fail to flourish – so as to advance the economic and social well-being of their members.
Focused on issues related to the impact and effectiveness of cooperatives in developing countries and emerging markets, the Research Group designs, directly undertakes, and partners with academic and practitioner organizations and experts to carry out rigorous research that helps to bridge the gap between theory and practice. It also fosters a learning community within OCDC and provides resources and information related to cooperative development to OCDC members and to the broader international cooperative and development community.
OCDC’s member Cooperative Development Organizations (CDOs) work to improve enabling environment for cooperative development and strengthen cooperative businesses in agriculture, health, finance, energy, housing and community development and information technology sectors in more than 18 countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The CDO’s programs promote sustainability and self-reliance through cooperatives and local ownership.
Roles and Responsibilities
Training Designers will assist the Research Group in:
- Developing training materials and curricula addressing issues in development relating to the functioning of on cooperatives and cooperative development programming as identified by the RG and its partner CDOs
- Working with the Research Group and CDOs to transform their knowledge and experience into effective tools for greater cooperative development impact
- Conducting learning needs analysis among Research Group, CDOs and their partner local cooperatives
- Designing tools and accompanying training materials that link the research results to practical application
- Delivering quality training for the Research Group and CDOs on subjects of their interest, including Training of Trainers (TOT’s)
- Analyzing learning effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and strategize/implement new ways to develop learning.
NOTE: The training anticipated is “non-academic” in nature. It will include active participation and be based on adult learning principles. However, it is expected that the trainers and training design specialists will be knowledgeable about training theory and have the ability to translate that into effective materials.
Profile of Training Designer
*Qualifications may vary by project
- A master’s degree and five years relevant experience is preferred, a BA and robust training design and delivery experience in developing countries may substitute.
- Demonstrated experience in developing tools and materials that are effective in a developing country context, including addressing cultural, educational and other relevant matters.
- A combination of practical on-the-ground experience in developing countries and emerging markets with training design skills demonstrated through training modules and curricula.
- Experience in delivering training using engaged learning approaches, participatory methods, and adult learning techniques.
- Experience in designing and developing training, experience in content design/development.
- Experience working in cooperative sector desired but not required.
- Highly effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work independently/remotely as well as a member of a team and with diverse audience, good organizational skills, and a demonstrated record of meeting deliverable timelines.
Evaluation of Candidates:
An evaluation of all applications will be conducted, based on a balanced assessment of candidates’ qualifications and competencies as specified above, and including:
- Knowledge of adult learning techniques.
- Record of training design, development, and delivery.
- Knowledge of cooperatives and cooperative development and international development.
- Field experience in developing countries and emerging markets.
- Educational background.
- Knowledge of French or Spanish or other foreign language relevant to the areas in which the RG and CDOs work highly desirable.
Additional Information
Consulting Arrangements:
Successful candidates will be included in OCDC’s Vetted Roster for Training Designer in International Cooperative Development for a period of 2 years. Inclusion in the training designer roster does not guarantee a contract with OCDC.
When a need for training design/curriculum development services arises, the Research Group shall:
- Select at least three qualified training designers from the roster.
- Send a scope of work for the project to the selected training designers with a request to confirm availability and submit a cost proposal.
- Depending on the project, a short proposal outlining the proposed approach to the scope of work may be required.
- Review the submissions and select a training designer(s) for the project.
- Issue an individual contract(s) to the training designer(s) detailing deliverables, contract term, and frequency and methods of payments.
Project location: varies and may be home-based, in OCDC’s Washington, DC or CDO headquarter offices (greater metropolitan Washington DC area and elsewhere in the US), or overseas, primarily where the Research Group and the member CDOs are implementing cooperative development activities.
Contract type: expected to be a fixed price based on level of efforts and term.
Contract duration: varies from a few days to several months depending on the project.