Request for Proposals: Training Development and Facilitation Consultant(s)

About Cooperation Canada 

Cooperation Canada is the national independent voice for international cooperation. As a coalition representing nearly 100 organizations, we convene, coordinate, and collaborate with Canadian civil society and global partners to drive policies and programs that foster a fairer, safer, and more sustainable world. Our work is grounded in principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.  

Background 

Canadian organizations working on global development are not just addressing urgent global issues—they’re building bridges of trust and solidarity across diverse communities. The values of inclusivity, safety, and justice are not optional in this work; they are fundamental. We can do better, and transformative change begins within our own institutions.   

The Canadian international cooperation sector has made strides but continues to grapple with systemic challenges:   

• Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH): Persistent issues of harm and misconduct undermine the very trust upon which development efforts are built.   

• Racism and Bias: The international cooperation sector perpetuates inequities through unconscious bias, systemic racism, and harmful power dynamics in their policies and practices.   

• Locally-led development: Despite commitments to empowering local actors, power imbalances still prioritize donor-driven agendas.   

• Intersectional Feminism: A lack of truly intersectional approaches can further marginalize communities based on intersecting systems of oppression and hinder progress towards gender equality.   

• Humanitarian Action and the Triple Nexus: The sector often struggles to effectively implement the triple nexus approach—linking humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts—in ways that are inclusive and equitable. This can lead to fragmented responses, power imbalances, and the exclusion of marginalized voices in addressing complex crises.   

Cooperation Canada has created capacity-strengthening opportunities in these key areas, with activities like trainings, resources, events and communities of practice. These initiatives are practical, impactful, and grounded in the values we aspire to uphold as a sector. By learning from and taking advantage of these opportunities, organizations can align their work with the highest ethical and operational standards. It’s time for the Canadian international cooperation sector to take bold steps toward transformation. Together, we can build a sector that not only delivers results but does so with integrity, justice, and compassion at its core.  

Request for Proposals Summary 

• Purpose: Cooperation Canada is launching a series of training engagements as part of its Capacity Strengthening Initiatives. These trainings aim to equip Canadian international cooperation organizations with practical knowledge, skills and tools to address systemic challenges including: 

• • Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) 

• • Anti-racism  

• • Locally-led development  

• • Intersectional Feminism 

• • Humanitarian Action and the Triple Nexus 

The selected consultant(s), in collaboration with Cooperation Canada, develop and deliver one or more training sessions that are practical, values-driven, and grounded in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, to address the above topics (see Annex for more details on what we are looking for). 

• Audience: Target audiences will differ by training, and may include: Canadian practitioners in the global development and humanitarian sector, Cooperation Canada staff, board, and members, Global Affairs Canada (GAC), etc.  

• Reports to: Capacity Strengthening Manager 

• Timeframe:  

• • Trainings will be completed between June 2025 and June 2026, based on availability of the providers and the capacity strengthening schedule developed by Cooperation Canada. 

• • Proposals will be accepted until July 20th, 2025 at midnight EST.  

• Estimation of the cost: Total budget per training should not exceed $20,000 CAD. Cooperation Canada is open to a variety of methodologies and formats for the training, from a one-hour webinar to four days of in-person training. We recognize that some proposals may be much smaller or larger than others, so the proposals will be evaluated more in value for money than the final figure.  

• Location: Home-based/virtual, unless in-person training delivery is deemed appropriate. 

*Please note that the Cooperation Canada team will support with the facilitation of virtual trainings in terms of setting up online platforms and logistical needs during the training itself. 

Objectives 

• Strengthen capacity in areas foundational to ethical and inclusive international cooperation 

• Promote practices that challenge systemic racism, bias, and exclusion informed by lived experience and community knowledge systems 

• Embed intersectional, feminist, anti-racist, locally led, and survivor-centered approaches 

• Support practical learning that is applicable by Canadian and global staff, volunteers, leaders and partners working in international cooperation 

 Project Scope and Intended Contributions 

Each training engagement will include: 

• Design and development of a virtual or in-person training module 

• Facilitation of the session(s) 

• Creation of brief, accessible, actionable resources/tools for participants/the sector 

• Optional: 

• • Participation in communities of practice meetings or events 

• • Individual support to organizations on the selected topics 

We welcome proposals that prioritize relational, community-based, or lived experience approaches. Cooperation Canada recognizes that sharing knowledge, especially from equity-deserving or made-marginalized communities, is a deeply rooted responsibility that takes time and care. Proposals should include appropriate compensation for all contributors, including Elders, Knowledge Holders, grassroots experts, or community members. Honoraria, accessibility measures, and ceremonial or cultural expenses may be included in the budget where applicable. 

Budget 

A maximum of $20,000 CAD is available per training. We are open to various methodologies, from short webinars to series of multiple sessions, as appropriate to the objectives and scope of the learning outcomes. We recognize that this may lead to a variety of budgetary considerations, so budgets should reflect all related expenses, including: 

• Design and preparation 

• Facilitation 

• Resource development 

• Compensation for co-facilitators, Knowledge Holders, Elders, or community contributors 

• Accessibility or other costs as needed 

* Please note that Cooperation Canada covers costs for online connection (i.e. zoom), communications and dissemination, translation of materials into official languages & interpretation during the course (if not offered bilingually). 

Work Modality  

The consultant will be home-based, providing remote support to the Cooperation Canada Team. The consultant will be expected to meet with the Capacity Strengthening Manager periodically, including initial, mid-term and final meetings with the team, and to engage using online platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom and SharePoint. 

Eligibility: Who Can Apply 

We welcome applications from a diverse range of qualified individuals and organizations. This includes, but is not limited to, independent consultants, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, research groups, and private sector entities. Applicants should demonstrate relevant experience, subject matter expertise, and the capacity to deliver the requirements outlined in this RFP. Collaborative proposals involving multiple entities are also encouraged, provided that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined. 

Selection process 

Cooperation Canada is committed to justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Cooperation Canada is a signatory to the 2021 Anti-Racist Cooperation Framework. Inclusive procurement considerations must be included in selection criteria for purchasing. The goal is to provide equitable opportunities for vendors of all sizes and backgrounds, including Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC)-owned vendors as well as, vendors representing diverse gender identities and abilities, to be successful in a procurement process. Including inclusive procurement considerations can help reduce unnecessary barriers for diverse vendors when bidding on opportunities. Through a holistic approach to living up to these commitments, here is a summary of the evaluation criteria: 

• Proposed Approach (35%) – The clarity, feasibility, and effectiveness of the proposed methodology.  

• Experience and Qualifications (25%) – Demonstrated expertise in training design/delivery, and resource development. Relevant experience may include lived experience, oral knowledge transmission, community-based leadership, or other non-academic pathways of knowledge. 

• Cost (25%) – Cost-effectiveness of the proposed budget. 

• Equity Considerations (15%) – Alignment with Cooperation Canada’s procurement policy, including considerations for inclusive and diverse vendors. *Each member of the team will have to sign the Cooperation Canada code of conduct. 

Please note that submissions will be evaluated against other proposals pertaining to the same areas (ie. proposals on PSEAH will be evaluated against each other, etc.). Proposals covering more than one area of focus will be evaluated against other multifocal, cross-cutting training proposals.  

Proposal Guidelines 

In a spirit of flexibility and openness to all forms of expression, you are invited to share your proposal through the format of your choice, including but not limited to a letter of interest, video, spoken submission, etc. You must include at least the following elements:  

• Proposed training(s): you may offer multiple courses, depending on your interests, skillset, and availability. Cooperation Canada reserves the right to select a proposal in full, or in part (i.e. we may be interested in a subset of the trainings proposed). 

• For each training, please indicate/describe the following: 

• • Thematic area(s) – identify all that apply: 

• • • • Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) 

• • • • Anti-racism  

• • • • Locally-led development  

• • • • Intersectional Feminism 

• • • • Humanitarian Action and the Triple Nexus 

• • • • Other 

• • Title 

• • • • Learning objectives 

• • • • Brief description of the topic and its relevance to the Canadian international cooperation sector 

• • • • Target audience 

• • • • Format 

• • • • Approach (learning methodologies, key activities, outputs, etc.) 

• • • • Timeline (development and delivery) 

• Proposed approach and work plan outlining key activities, deliverables, and timelines. We value creativity in proposed format and approaches! 

• Demonstration of interest: This could include: 

• • • Who you are – tell us a little about yourself! 

• • • The reasons why you want this consultancy. 

• • • An overview of the background and related experiences (i.e. CV, portfolio) of all parties involved (if applicable).  

• • • Examples of past work. 

• Financial proposal: A detailed breakdown of expected costs, with an explanation of itemized fees. Please keep in mind our maximum budget is $20,000. We are hoping to work with you on finding what is possible within those parameters. *Please note that all proposals should include clear pricing. All costs must be itemized to include an explanation of all fees and costs. All costs included in the proposals must include any outsourced or contracted work.   

• Equity considerations: how the consultant/firm integrates inclusive practices.  

Submission Process 

Interested parties should submit their application materials to bnzigiye@cooperation.ca by midnight on July 20th, 2025. 

• We accept applications in English or French.  

• Interested applicants are welcome to request a conversation to explore alignment before submission. 

We look forward to receiving proposals from interested parties who can support this important initiative! 

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Annex: Potential Trainings  

Please note that these are only suggested trainings – we welcome creativity and new ideas in your submissions. You may also be inspired by the following list:  

• Operationalizing Intersectionality & Equity (Series) 

• • Format: 5-part series with introductory seminar and four weekly workshops 

• • Topics: 

• • • Ethical data management (AI, safeguarding) 

• • • Equitable procurement/resourcing 

• • • Internal policies (travel safety/security) 

• • • Program development / Monitoring & Evaluation 

• • Resources: Practical tools and applications 

• • Audience: HR, CFO, COO, Program teams 

• Risk Analysis (Series) 

• • Format: 5-part series with introductory seminar and four weekly workshops 

• • Topics: 

• • • Finance/resourcing 

• • • PSEAH and intersectional feminist considerations