Call for tenders- “Environmental Peacebuilding in Practice”

The Academy for Conflict Transformation, part of forumZFD, is looking for a trainer to develop and deliver a two-week online thematic training on the topic of “Environmental Peacebuilding in Practice”, scheduled for November/December 2023.

Application Deadline: 12.03.2023

1. Background information

forumZFD supports people involved in violent conflicts on the path to peace and strives to help overcome war and violence.

Our Academy for Conflict Transformation, the qualification department inside forumZFD, offers a learning space for professional, international peace work and is training experts in the field of civil conflict transformation. Our educational work is an expression of our conviction that non-violent, constructive ways of dealing with conflicts can be both taught and learned. The main goal is to provide specialists who already work or intent to work on international peace projects and conflict-sensitive development cooperation with practical tools that allow them to contribute to building lasting peace. In our courses and trainings, we create learning spaces where theory meets practice. Within this, our educational concept focuses on personal development, self-determination, responsibility and the ability to act in conflicts. One of our central concerns is fostering a personal attitude oriented towards peace-related values among all those who participate. The international intercultural exchange and participatory learning are particular strengths of all our trainings.

The Academy’s portfolio consists of longer, comprehensive training courses in peace and conflict work as well as shorter trainings focused on specific topics – both as in-person and online. Furthermore, we offer specific exchange platforms for alumni and orientation trainings for people interested in the Civil Peace Service (CPS). The Academy also offers tailor-made trainings in the field of peace and conflict transformation.

2. Training description

With the thematic online trainings, the Academy aims to reach peacebuilders who want to expand and deepen their existing knowledge through specialized topics in the field of peace and conflict work. These trainings are designed to allow participation alongside a regular job and from a variety of locations around the world. The majority of the participants are active in peacebuilding and already have knowledge on basic theories around peace and conflict.

In 2023 the Academy aims to offer a thematic online training on the topic of “Environmental Peacebuilding in Practice”. For the first time this topic was covered in our training offers in 2022. The training in 2023 should even more focus on its direct application in practice. After the training, participants should at least have accomplished the following learning objectives.

Participants:

…have a common understanding about the links between environment, conflict and peace work.
…understand the specifics of environmental conflicts.
…are able to consider environmental aspects in their conflict analysis.
… are able to identify intended and unintended consequences of peacebuilding projects for the environment.
… are able to mitigate negative impacts and foster positive impacts through project planning and implementation in the project they are working in.
…can connect these to existing peacebuilding approaches (e.g. DNH, conflict analysis).

The planned schedule is two weeks of training with two four-hour live sessions per week. Adjustments are possible, if they are suitable for the topic. Between the live sessions, the participants will work independently and together with others on provided material (literature, podcasts, videos or similar). The training aims to be as hands-on-oriented as possible and to be embedded in the context of the participants. However, the weekly workload for the participants in addition to the live sessions should be about 2-4 hours.

The Academy for Conflict Transformation promotes an interactive, varied and playful learning environment and exchange-oriented communication of content in the digital space. In addition to input from the trainer, the exchange of ideas among the participants, for example in group work and discussions, is also crucial and a valuable resource. We emphasize a warm, encouraging, trusting and appreciating atmosphere in this online setting. The facilitator’s expertise and the personal exchange between participants will constitute key components of these trainings. To ensure a productive exchange on both a professional and personal level, the target number of participants is 16 people. If there are any changes in this regard, the trainer will be notified in a timely manner.

Our online thematic trainings are conducted on the learning platform ILIAS. For the live sessions we use BigBlueButton. This virtual learning space is only open to participants and the facilitator.

3. Deliverables

The trainer shall perform an online thematic training (preparing, holding and follow-up) and is responsible for designing and accompanying both the synchronous and asynchronous parts of the learning process, supported by and in agreement with the Academy’s team. This includes the following tasks:

Conceptualization and preparation of the training

Providing information on the training for the acquisition of participants
Depending on the needs at least one consultation with the Academy’s educational consultant on the tools used during the training. After a detailed briefing we expect the facilitator to be able to use these platforms independently.
If useful: Providing one basic reading document ahead of the training for the participants to prepare
Providing the content for the different modules on the learning platform and designing the tasks and deliverables for participants to invest 2-4 hours weekly in the training in regular consultation with the educational consultant
The detailed and updated training outline shall be sent to the educational consultant four weeks before the start

Implementation of the training

Independent facilitation of the live sessions and preparation thereof
Feedback to participants’ deliverables and contributions
Creating a safe space in the online environment
Adapting the training to participants’ needs and the learning process
Friendly and responsive communication with the participants

Evaluation of the training

One last evaluative meeting with the educational consultant or a written report

The Academy for Conflict Transformation supports the methodical and content-related organization and is responsible for the advertising of the training, done in cooperation with the facilitator. It also provides the technical infrastructure for the training (e.g. access to the learning platform ILIAS and the video conferencing tool BigBlueButton). Additional software and platforms, such as interactive whiteboards or brainstorming tools, can be used and offered by the Academy if agreed to in advance. Furthermore, we provide the trainer with information on participants’ experience and expectations before the start of the training. The educational consultant is always available for consultation.

4. Requirements to apply and assessment procedure

The following seven criteria have to be fulfilled:

Substantial knowledge of the theory of the training subject
Relevant hands-on experience in areas related to the training subject
Substantial experience as a trainer and/or in adult education in transcultural contexts
Strong communication skills, ability to recognize and respond to participants’ needs, willingness to implement constructive feedback
Previous experience with online learning processes, dynamic and interactive online tools and the creation of safe spaces in the virtual environment.
Excellent skills of the training language (English)
Being aware of various power relations and one’s own role as well as taking an anti-racist stance

Rating criteria: Qualification and Experience
Weighting: 40%

Rating Criteria: Quality of the Concept
Weighting: 60%

5. Fees

The Academy offers a daily rate of 650 € (excl. VAT). This training implies four daily rates (preparation, implementation, evaluation). Remark: The Academy receives public funding and is therefore bound to an economic allocation of resources.

6. Submission of proposals

The proposals should include:

A CV
A cover letter explaining your motivation and working approaches, including information on availability
A training concept and outline (see annex 1)

Please submit all documents in English.

In case of questions, do not hesitate to contact Hannah Würbel, advisor for online trainings (wuerbel@forumzfd.de).

Please send your proposal to Vi Pundt (tender@forumZFD.de) Please make sure to clearly state in the email subject [Surname, Name, Online Training “Environmental Peacebuilding”].

We look forward to receiving your expression of interest by 12.03.23.