Background:
Founded in 2011, Kaleidoscope Trust works to uphold the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) people in countries around the world where they are discriminated against or marginalised due to their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression. We work with British and international institutions and partners to support the work of LGBT+ activists to bring about positive legislative, policy, and social change for LGBT+ people everywhere. We do this principally through our research- and evidence-based advocacy and our high-impact programmes.
Kaleidoscope Trust is a founding member and host to the Secretariat of The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN), the first civil society network to sustainably advocate on behalf of LGBT+ people in the Commonwealth. Since its foundation in 2013, TCEN has actively participated in Commonwealth spaces to raise the profile and mainstream the discussion of LGBT+ people and their rights and concerns, and to engage with national-level decision-makers and policymakers on these topics. A significant result of this work was our contribution to influencing former Prime Minister Theresa May to express her deep regret for the legacy of discrimination and violence that colonial-era legislation continues to inflict on people across the Commonwealth, at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The network currently comprises over 60 member organisations representing 47 Commonwealth countries drawn from all regions. It was accredited to the Commonwealth in 2017, the first LGBT+-focused group to ever receive this status which recognises commitment to the values and principles of the Commonwealth as laid out in its Charter.
Scope of Work:
Kaleidoscope Trust is seeking a consultant/consultancy team to conduct a Learning and Development Needs Assessment (LDNA) of TCEN members. The objective of the Assessment is double-fold:
- Identify and analyse member organisations’ learning and development needs, by exploring the main gaps between their current and desired knowledge and skills. The assessment will prioritise needs around organisational and institutional strengthening, advocacy and research or community monitoring and evaluation, among others that might be identified throughout the assessment process.
- Provide a series of evidence-based outputs (see deliverables below) to help inform the development of relevant educational and training opportunities for TCEN members.
This assignment is an exciting opportunity for professionals who can demonstrate knowledge and experience working in civil society empowerment, organisational development or more generally in the areas of human rights, non-discrimination, and social justice.
The consultancy will be carried out as part of a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)-funded programme aimed at supporting LGBT+ civil society organisations in Commonwealth countries.
Methodology:
The LDNA should be participatory and consultative and based on methods agreed with Kaleidoscope Trust and TCEN’s Management Committee. It is expected that the assessment will be built around organisational self-assessments and broad consultations with TCEN member organisations, followed by a gap analysis and a detailed report containing recommendations for further capacity building development. The assessment tools could include, but are not limited to, surveys, interviews, focus groups, and analysis of existing data.
The assessment methodology should recognise the local complexity and challenging environments in which the assessed organisations operate, and the capacities required to effectively and sustainably promote and protect the rights of LGBT+ people in the Commonwealth.
The consultant/consultancy team will present the assessment analysis and its findings to Kaleidoscope Trust and TCEN’s Management Committee during a validation workshop and the submission of a report detailing their recommendations and advice on relevant themes and educational activities to be developed.
Deliverables:
Under the supervision of Kaleidoscope Trust’s Programmes Team and in close collaboration with TCEN Management Committee members, the selected consultant/consultancy team will be expected to deliver the following deliverables:
- Develop the LDNA approach, detailing its methodology, criteria and quality assurance plan, data collection and analysis strategy and tools;
- Conduct the LDNA of TCEN member organisations, ensuring a proper consent process and communication are in place;
- Produce a subsequent report with the analysis of the completed LDNA, summarising its findings, limitations, and recommendations for relevant education and training activities for the assessed organisations, with Kaleidoscope Trust’s inputs and feedback considered;
- Present the LDNA report and recommendations during a validation workshop;
- Provide weekly updates (either written or verbal, as agreed at kick-off with the Programmes Team) on the progress in the execution of all tasks.
Qualifications and Experience:
The consultant/consultancy team should demonstrate experience in:
- conducting learning and development needs assessments of civil society organisations;
- developing institutional and capacity strengthening strategies for civil society organisations;
- delivering high-quality products from start to finish;
- managing deliverables to strict timelines;
- working on international development, human rights (especially LGBT+ rights and women and girls’ rights) and social injustice in the Global South and Global East.
This position is open to suitable candidates, regardless of their current location. Due to the current COVID-19 related situation, it is expected that this consultancy will be based remotely (home-based).
The successful consultant/consultancy team will be expected to attend online meetings in London’s time zone and/or respective focus country time zones.
Timeline:
An agreed timeline for deliverables and a work plan will be discussed with the selected consultant/consultancy team. However, Kaleidoscope Trust expects this assignment to be completed in full by 11:59 pm GMT on 15th December 2021. The number of days required to complete the deliverables will be based on the agreed work plan.
| Activity | Expected timeline |
| Application submission | before 11:59 pm GMT 4 November 2021 |
| Selection result and kick-off meeting | before 8 November 2021 |
| Submission of the finalised work plan and draft LDNA approach | before 15 November 2021 |
| Finalisation and roll-out of the LDNA approach | before 19 November 2021 |
| Submission of the draft LDNA report and recommendations | before 10 December 2022 |
| Presentation of the finalised LNA report and recommendations | before 15 December 2022 |
Budget:
The maximum available budget for this consultancy is £5,350.00, inclusive of VAT.
How to Apply
Kaleidoscope Trust is committed to equality and diversity and we particularly encourage applications from women, all sections of the LGBT+ community and all minorities. To apply, please submit a written proposal explaining:
- your interest in consulting with Kaleidoscope Trust;
- how your relevant skills and experience meet the qualifications and experience for this role;
- how you expect to conduct this work, including a proposed timeline for the work and budget.
Please email the above documents to katsiaryna.borsuk@kaleidoscopetrust.com, titling your communication: “TCEN Learning and Development Needs Assessment”.
Closing date: 11:59 pm GMT 4th November 2021
This project was funded with UK aid from the UK government
