Consultancy: Emerging Leaders Program Development

Position

Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) is seeking a consultant to collaboratively design and plan a program for emerging leaders in the non-profit sector in Canada to gain executive-level education and coaching to become successful, impactful leaders in their field.

Background

AKFC is an international development organization and registered charity. AKFC partners with Canadians and communities, businesses, and governments across Africa and Asia to promote inclusive development. Since 1980, AKFC has helped millions of women and men to unlock their own potential to build a better life.

Purpose

There are limited opportunities for emerging leaders in the non-profit sector in Canada to gain executive education and coaching to become successful, impactful leaders in their field. AKFC plans to design a leadership and development program for young leaders in the international affairs sector to enable them to be successful, impactful leaders as they advance their careers.

Specific objectives

Based on experience, research, and consultations, the successful consultant would work with AKFC and other international development stakeholders to:

1. Identify best practices and lessons learned in the design and implementation of similar programs for emerging leaders in the non-profit sector through desk research and consultation with other high calibre institutions.
2. Conduct stakeholder research with senior leaders and emerging leaders in the sector, to understand the level of interest in an emerging leaders program as well as the proposed content for the program.
3. Develop recommendations for the design and implementation of an emerging leaders program in Canada, including:
   • Defining the audience, i.e. who is an emerging leader?
   • Potential partners
   • Opportunities to expand on existing initiatives
   • Format and structure
   • Curriculum outline
   • Eligibility requirements
   • Application and selection process
   • Marketing and promotion
   • Structure and management
   • Complementary activities, including coaching, mentorship and/or other opportunities to engage with leaders in the sector

Deliverables and level of effort:

Task	Contractor’s Time Requirement(max. # of days)
Iterative discussions and engagement with AKFC throughout the program development process	2
Consultancy launch meeting	0.5
Detailed workplan	0.5
Literature review and consultations with relevant institutions and people (AKFC has a preliminary list to share)	4
Presentation of research and consultation findings to AKFC	0.5
Development of program structure, including all components outlined in section IV above	4
Presentation of proposed program design to AKFC	0.5
Refinements to program design based on feedback	2
Total	Up to 14 days

Duration of activity

The assignment is expected to be for a maximum of 14 days and is expected to start on May 28, 2021 and to be finalized by August 13, 2021. Deadlines for all deliverables will be confirmed upon signing of the contract.

Remuneration and payment modalities

Payment is linked to receipt and satisfactory acceptance of deliverables.

Qualifications:

Applicants must demonstrate how they meet the following requirements:

The consultant(s) should have:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in executive leadership education, including designing, planning, and operationalizing professional development programs aimed at executives;
• Knowledge and experience of international best practices in executive programs;
• Commitment to upholding gender equality, diversity, and inclusion practices;
• Outstanding written and interpersonal communications skills in English.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are to submit a letter of interest, outlining their relevant experience and their proposed approach to the assignment, accompanied with a proposed budget to [email protected] by June 1, 2021.  A recent CV and/or organizational profile should also be provided.

If there are any questions related to this consultancy, please direct them to [email protected].

Please use the subject line Emerging Leaders Program Development in all correspondence with AKFC regarding this opportunity.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Please note that applicants must be eligible to work in Canada.

AKFC is committed to advancing gender equality and inclusion through our programming and operations in Canada and overseas. AKFC requires all employees and consultants to review and abide by the AKFC Gender Equality Policy.

AKFC recognizes the importance of safeguarding and is committed to ensuring it manages a wide range of risks such that beneficiaries, staff, other associates, and the organization as a whole are kept safe from harm. All employees and consultants must respect the AKF Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy.

AKFC welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

FAQs

What is the budget ceiling of the consultancy?

We recommend that candidates interested in this opportunity offer a rate they feel is mutually fair for them and for a registered Canadian charitable organization.

Is this consultancy only for the development of the program and not the execution of the program?

This particular call for proposals focuses only on the development of the program. Once a program is developed, we will launch a second phase, focused on the implementation of the first program cycle.

What was the impetus of the program?

There are limited opportunities in Canada for emerging leaders in the non-profit sector to gain executive-type education and coaching to become successful, impactful leaders in their field. Through a preliminary environmental scan, opportunities for emerging leaders were mostly identified in the USA. AKFC has the opportunity to develop an affordable program for mid-career professionals with lasting impact in the non-profit sector.

Is there any relationship with AKFC’s International Youth Fellowship program?

The envisioned program is complementary to AKFC’s flagship International Youth Fellowship (IYF) program offered to young Canadians to gain valuable experience in the international development sector. The Emerging Leaders Program would focus on those midway through their careers.

Is the expectation that the consultant would design the program independently or in consultation with AKFC?

The consultancy would be consultative in nature. Although the successful consultant would lead all aspects of program development, they would regularly consult with AKFC. As part of the assignment, it is also expected that the consultant would conduct a range of consultations with various external stakeholders. A preliminary list of stakeholders with who AKFC would like to engage will be available to the successful consultant.