Global Development Network Awards

Global Development Awards Competition

Communications Training 2019

Terms of Reference

The Global Development Network wishes to recruit a consultant to undertake a two-day communications training for a mixed group of around nine people between early career researchers and development practitioners who are finalists of the Global Development Awards Competition 2019 and grantees on current grants of GDN. The assignment includes the design, preparation and facilitation of the training. The training is scheduled to be held in Bonn on 21-22 October 2019, ahead of GDN’s Annual Conference on 23-25 October 2019.

Background

The Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development is a competitive research grant program under the Global Development Awards Competition 2019. The Awards Competition is administered by GDN and supported by the Ministry of Finance, Government of Japan. This award program identifies and funds outstanding research proposals in developing and transition countries with high potential for excellence in research and clear policy implications for addressing development issues.

Every year, three finalists of the award categories are invited to present their proposals in a session of a GDN academic conference, in front of an eminent jury which will award the first, second and third prizes in each category. Winners enter into a grant agreement with GDN for the implementation of the awarded research proposal or development project.

In 2019, only the Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development (ORD) for research proposals addressing development issues with policy implications, and high potential for excellence will be awarded at the GDN conference.

Objective

The training will strengthen the three finalists’ presentation and communications skills on their work, preparing them for their presentation at the GDN academic conference, and to wide, non-technical audiences. The training will also include the principal investigators of the current teams of the Doing Research program whom will present what they have accomplished as the prior to the academic conference.

Activities

The activities under this assignment include the following:

1. Preparation of the two-day training

The consultant will design the agenda for the two-days training, prepare materials, provide an equipment check-list, and draft questionnaire to gather participants feedback n the effectiveness of the training. The consultant will access the paperwork submitted by the finalists for the award, and will be able to interact with them six finalists before the training if needed. Background reading on the finalists’ proposals will help to tailor the training to its participants by identifying potential headlines and key messages.

Deliverables: training agenda focused on learning objectives; training materials; equipment check-list; feedback/evaluation questionnaire (pre- and post-).

1. Facilitation of the two-day training

The consultant will facilitate the two-day training for the six finalists of the competition. In doing so, s/he will provide personalized feedback to help them improve their communications skills, refine their draft presentations, create a handout document, and prepare an elevator pitch. GDN will provide the room and equipment for the training, and handle general logistics. The training will enable participants to tell their stories, and make a pitch for an international award. At the end of the sessions, each participant must be able to connect with key audiences to clearly communicate the context and importance of their work, and provide details without losing sight of the big picture.

Deliverables: One PPT and handout per participant; two-day communications training.

1. Reporting

The consultant will prepare a brief report discussing his/her learning, insights on the needs of the trainees, a brief and critical presentation of pre- and post-training feedback from the participants, and suggestion for GDN for future trainings.

Deliverable: Final training report.

GDN will share several documents with the consultants, including: proposals of the finalists; draft PPT and handouts of the finalists; training agenda and training report from the 2016 and 2017 edition.

It is important to note that the participants in the training come from two different backgrounds: 3 are young researchers, and the remaining are from teams that have completed or are advanced on their research careers. The training will be conducted in English.

GDN will also offer the consultant a free conference pass to attend the two days of the GDN conference. More can be found on the conference at www.gdn.int/conference2019.

Profile specification

GDN seeks to engage a professional trainer with strong experience in translating and communicating research products for a wide audience, and proven experience in using online media to disseminate research.

Application procedure

Applicants are required to submit an up-to-date CV, evidence of previous experience for two similar assignments or relevant projects, and a proposition of draft agenda for the two-day training.

Selection criteria

• Expertise in research communications (1/3)
• Relevance of previous similar training assignments (1/3)
• Quality of the methodology (draft training agenda) (1/3)

Timeline and budget

A budget of USD 2,000 is available for this assignment. In addition, GDN will cover the costs of airfare, stay and meals for one trainer for the duration of the training and the conference. The full payment will be processed in one installment upon completion of the activities.