Module 1: Introduction to Proposal Writing in the Humanitarian and Development Sectors

·       Defining the Proposal Landscape: Types of funding opportunities (grants, contracts, cooperative agreements)

·       Understanding the Shift: From project ideas to fundable concepts

·       The Proposal Life Cycle: From identification of opportunity to project close-out

·       Characteristics of a winning proposal: Clarity, compliance, and commitment

·       Donor Mapping: Identifying potential funding sources and their key interests

·       Practical session: Conduct a Rapid Donor Profile exercise, selecting a specific donor and identifying their core thematic areas and typical funding instruments.

Module 2: Needs Assessment and Problem Analysis

·       Techniques for Primary and Secondary Data Collection in crisis and development settings

·       Using Analytical Tools: Root Cause Analysis (e.g., the '5 Whys' technique) and Context Analysis

·       Identifying and Prioritizing Problems: Establishing clear evidence for the intervention

·       Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment: Understanding who is affected and what local resources exist

·       Developing the Project Rationale: The compelling case for intervention based on data

·       Practical session: Apply a Root Cause Analysis tool to a given case study problem and draft a 250-word problem statement supported by evidence.

Module 3: Theory of Change and Logframe Development

·       Introduction to the Theory of Change (ToC): Defining the causal pathway to desired long-term impact

·       Components of a ToC: Outcomes, outputs, activities, assumptions, and risks

·       The Logical Framework Approach (LFA): Purpose, structure, and hierarchy of objectives

·       Developing SMART Objectives: Ensuring clarity, specificity, and measurability

·       Establishing Indicators and Means of Verification: Quantifying success and identifying data sources

·       Practical session: Construct the objectives, outcomes, and output sections of a Logframe Matrix for a fictional project, including the corresponding indicators.

Module 4: Designing Project Activities and Implementation Plans

·       Linking Activities to Outputs: Ensuring alignment within the Logframe structure

·       Detailed Implementation Planning: Developing a work breakdown structure and timeline (Gantt Chart overview)

·       Operational Feasibility and Sustainability Planning: Assessing resource needs and long-term viability

·       Risk Management Matrix: Identifying, analyzing, and developing mitigation strategies for project risks

·       Defining Roles and Responsibilities: Organizational structure and staffing plans for the project

·       Practical session: Develop a detailed three-month activity plan for a specific project output, including resource allocation and initial risk assessment.

Module 5: Budgeting and Resource Mobilization

·       Principles of Project Budgeting: Accuracy, justification, and alignment with activities

·       Cost Categories and Templates: Understanding direct, indirect, and administrative costs

·       Developing a Budget Narrative/Justification: Clearly explaining and justifying every line item

·       Donor-Specific Financial Compliance: Understanding allowable costs, co-financing, and financial reporting

·       Value for Money (VfM) and Cost-Effectiveness: Demonstrating efficiency in the budget

·       Practical session: Prepare a detailed budget for a specific set of activities (e.g., training workshop) and write the corresponding budget narrative justification.

Module 6: Writing the Technical Narrative (The Core Proposal)

·       Structuring the Narrative: The standard sections of a robust proposal (Executive Summary, Background, Strategy)

·       Writing the Executive Summary: Capturing the essence and urgency of the proposal in one page

·       Articulation of the Methodology/Intervention Strategy: Describing how the project will achieve its results

·       Cross-Cutting Themes Integration: Mainstreaming gender, inclusion, and environmental considerations

·       Clarity and Persuasion: Using active voice, evidence, and storytelling techniques to engage the reader

·       Practical session: Draft the Executive Summary for the project conceptualized in Modules 2 and 3, focusing on impact and donor alignment.

Module 7: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

·       The Role of MEAL in Proposal Design: Moving from simple reporting to strategic learning

·       Developing a Comprehensive MEAL Plan: Defining data collection tools, frequency, and responsibilities

·       Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP): Integrating feedback mechanisms into the project design

·       Evaluation Planning: Defining baseline, midline, and endline evaluations and associated budget needs

·       Learning and Adaptation: Building feedback loops for continuous program improvement

·       Practical session: Design three key performance indicators (KPIs) for an assigned outcome, detailing the data source and collection method.

Module 8: Understanding Donor Requirements and Compliance

·       Decoding the Request for Proposals (RFP) or Call for Applications: Systematic analysis of guidelines

·       Common Donor Application Forms: Navigating formats from UN agencies, development banks, and major governments

·       Pre-requisites and Eligibility Criteria: Ensuring organizational compliance checks are completed

·       The Review Process: Understanding how donor review panels score proposals and common pitfalls

·       Compliance Checklists: Utilizing tools to ensure every requirement is met before submission

·       Practical session: Analyze a provided sample donor guidelines document and develop a tailored compliance checklist for key technical and administrative requirements.

Module 9: Partnership Building and Stakeholder Analysis

·       Identifying Strategic Partners: Criteria for selecting implementing partners and consortia members

·       Defining Roles and Responsibilities in Consortia: Establishing clear coordination and governance structures

·       Formalizing Partnerships: Understanding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and partnership agreements

·       Stakeholder Engagement Plan: Developing a strategy for consulting and involving key groups throughout the project lifecycle

·       Demonstrating Local Ownership: Highlighting the role and capacity of local partners in the proposal

·       Practical session: Complete a stakeholder power/interest matrix for a complex project and outline the engagement strategy for the three most critical groups.

Module 10: Review, Submission, and Follow-up Strategies

·       Internal Review Protocols: Establishing a Red Team/Green Team review process for quality control

·       The Final Compliance Review: The critical administrative and technical checks before submission

·       Technical Submission Protocols: Navigating online portals, file formats, and submission deadlines

·       Post-Submission Strategy: Pre-emptively planning for award negotiation, rejection feedback, and lessons learned

·       Proposal Debrief and Institutional Memory: Documenting the process for future success

·       Practical session: Conduct a mock "Red Team" review on a sample proposal section, providing structured feedback on clarity, compliance, and persuasiveness.

Requirements:

·       Participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

·       Applicants must live up to Armstrong Global Institute admission criteria.

Terms and Conditions

1. Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free

2. What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees cater for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

3. Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.

4. The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.

5. Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Approved. Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fees paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

Booking for Training

Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training.

Or call us on +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588

Payment Options

We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date to reserve your seat:

1. Groups of 5 People and Above – Cheque Payments to: Armstrong Global Training & Development Center Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.

2. Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.

3. Deposit directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request)

Cancellation Policy

1. Payment for all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.

2. Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.

3. No refunds will be made 14 days or less before the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training course at a later date or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Tailor Made Courses

This training course can also be customized for your institution upon request for a minimum of 5 participants. You can have it conducted at our Training Centre or at a convenient location. For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588 or Email training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com

Accommodation and Airport Transfer

Accommodation and Airport Transfer is arranged upon request and at extra cost. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588