Capacity Strengthening and Innovation Process Development At Catholic Relief Services

https://www.crs.org/about/bid-opportunity Please visit the CRS website for the full scope of work and attachments.

Human-centred design – capacity strengthening and innovation process development
I. BACKGROUND
CRS/ICT4D recognizes the importance of designing with the user as we seek to leverage technology to improve outcomes in humanitarian assistance and development work. To this end, we have decided to strengthen our knowledge and skills regarding human-centred design as well as embed human-centred design (HCD) concepts in our innovation process.
II. PURPOSE
The consultant will be engaged to:
• design, plan and facilitate a series of capacity strengthening activities aimed at introducing key HCD concepts to a group of ICT staff
• co-create an innovation process based on HCD concepts
III. SPECIFIC TASKS
• Conduct a series of capacity strengthening activities that introduce key HCD concepts to a group of ICT staff and provide participants with an opportunity to put these into practice. The consultant is expected to propose their own methodology for completing this task, to be finalized together with CRS. The activities (including any offline work for the participants) should not exceed 8h. Content of sessions should be provided for review at least once ahead of the sessions.
• In collaboration with key CRS staff, co-design a step-by-step innovation process that embeds HCD concepts. The process should outline key steps to take and questions to ask to ensure any project is, to the extent feasible and realistic, designed with the user, while also leveraging existing research and best practices. The consultant is expected to propose their own methodology for completing this task, to be finalized together with CRS. The methodology should include developing an understanding of: CRS’s current innovation process; our operating environment; and capacity to leverage HCD.
IV. DELIVERABLES
• Capacity strengthening sessions as agreed in contract
• All supporting materials for sessions (case studies, powerpoints, flip charts, etc.)

Template outlining key steps innovation projects should take (“the innovation process”) based on HCD concepts, adapted for CRS’s context and realities.

o Mock-up of process template should be provided for review prior to commencing more detailed work
o Drafts of the template should be provided for review twice.
V. TIMETABLE OF ACTIVITIES
• Capacity strengthening sessions should be delivered over a period of 2-3 weeks, before the end of March 2022
• The innovation process template should be completed in March-May 2022
VI. DATES OF PERFORMANCE
The consultancy will be conducted between March 21, 2022, and May 15, 2022.
VII. LEVEL OF EFFORT
This assignment is estimated to be completed within a level of effort of approximately 20 working days.
VIII. LOCATION
The consultant(s) shall work outside the CRS office, working remotely from his/her/their home, personal office, or usual place of business. No travel is planned, whether overseas or domestic. Meetings and discussions with CRS staff will take place virtually.
IX. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
Consultants interested in being considered for this consultancy need to adhere to the proposal submission deadline and submit the following documents and information by 11:59 pm ET on February 14, 2022, to Jasmine Ferrell (jasmine.ferrell@crs.org):
A. Résumé
B. Demonstrated experience in User Center Design training.
C. Demonstrated experience in developing innovation frameworks and associated processes.
D. A proposal that includes a description of how the consultant would approach the development of these deliverables including typical processes, objectives.
E. At least two examples of previous frameworks from similar assignments
F. Total cost for the service and level of effort

G. Reference list (names and contact information for at least three professional references)
Note: Applications that do not include the requirements noted above will not be considered.
X. Q&A OPPORTUNITY
Prospective bidders may submit any clarification questions to the same contact email address noted above, jasmine.ferrell@crs.org, by February 6, 2022. Responses will be provided to any known prospective bidders on February 8, 2022.
XI. TERMS OF PAYMENT
The consultant/s shall be compensated for on a fixed-price basis for provision of the deliverables outlined above. Payment shall be disbursed in two tranches upon receipt of an invoice after completion and approval of the following milestones:

XII. CRS CONTACT PERSONS
The main contact person for this assignment is Nora Lindstrom, Senior Director of ICT4D. The consultant will be assisted by a staff member in the delivery of the capacity strengthening activities. For the development of the innovation process, the consultant will work in close collaboration with Ognen Plavevski, ICT4D Solutions Analyst focused on innovations.
XIII. QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal consultant will possess the following qualifications:

• 10 years experience in user center design
• 5 years experience in developing and delivering training in user center design
• A relevant bachelors degree in design, UX or similar
• Demonstrated experience in developing innovation frameworks
• Experience with international development organiations and technologies that are often used by these organizations