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Terms of Reference (ToR)
for
Digital Capacity Building for Grassroots Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
in Open-Source Data Management and Analytics Tools

About ActionAid: ActionAid is a non-profit organization that was established in the early 1970s and has been working in Bangladesh since the 1980s to achieve social justice and eradicate all forms of inequality. In Bangladesh, ActionAid focuses on four strategic priorities: women’s rights and gender equity; resilience and climate justice; young people; and humanitarian response.  

About SUSHIL Project:  ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB) has started to implement a European Union funded project entitled ‘’ Supporting the Unity and Sustainability of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to uphold Human Rights, National Integrity and Rule of Law in Bangladesh (SUSHIL)’’ for a four-year period from January 2023 to December 2026.  SUSHIL aims to strengthen the capacities of a wide range of CSOs to allow them to voice their concerns and aspirations while engaging, promoting, and advocating for their civil and political rights and contributing to a strong, functioning democracy. 

Background: Grassroots Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) play a vital role in promoting community development, advocating for human rights, and ensuring accountability at the local level. However, many of these organizations face significant challenges in managing and analyzing data due to limited digital capacity and access to proprietary tools. This hinders their ability to make data-driven decisions, document evidence, and report effectively to stakeholders.
To address this gap, a targeted digital capacity-building initiative is proposed to equip grassroots CSOs with essential knowledge and practical skills in using open-source data management and analytics tools. The training aims to strengthen their operational efficiency, enhance monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and promote evidence-based advocacy.

Objective: To build the capacity of grassroots CSOs in the effective use of open-source tools for data management and analytics, enabling them to better collect, manage, analyze, and visualize data for programming, reporting, and advocacy.

Specific Objectives:

  • Introduce participants to basic data concepts, data ethics, and open data.
  • Train participants on using open-source tools for data collection, cleaning, management, analysis, and visualization.
  • Develop practical skills in tools such as KOBO Toolbox, ODK, Excel, Google Sheets, Power BI (free version)
  • Improve the ability of CSOs to document and report project progress using data-driven insights.
  • Promote a culture of data use and digital collaboration among CSOs.

4. Scope of Work: The selected consultant/firm will be responsible for:

  1. Designing the training curriculum tailored to the digital literacy level of grassroots CSOs.
  2. Developing user-friendly training materials and manuals (in both English and Bengali).
  3. Conducting training sessions for 3–5 days.
  4. The training will be organized across three clusters.
  5. Providing hands-on exercises, case studies, and real-life examples relevant to the CSO context.
  6. Conducting pre- and post-training assessments to evaluate learning outcomes.
  7. Providing follow-up support e.g., tool troubleshooting, refresher Q&A (virtual drop-in sessions or a help desk) for 1–2 months post-training.

Target Participants

  • 130 representatives from 123 grassroots CSOs across nine districts (Bagerhat, Bandarban, Chattagram, Dhaka, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Kushtia, Noagaon and Sathkhira).
  • Basic computer literacy is assumed, but no prior experience in data tools is required.

Expected Deliverables

  • Inception report with detailed training methodology and schedule.
  • Training curriculum and session plans.
  • Bilingual training materials, manuals, and presentation slides.
  • Pre- and post-training assessment reports.
  • Final training completion report with evaluation summary and recommendations.
  • Recordings or resources for continued learning.

Duration and Timeline

  • Total duration: 2 Months (including design, delivery, and follow-up).
  • Final report submission: Within 2 weeks after training concludes.

Required Qualifications

  • Proven experience in digital/data capacity building for CSOs or NGOs.
  • Strong knowledge of open-source tools for data collection and analysis.
  • Experience in adult learning, participatory facilitation, and content localization.
  • Excellent communication and documentation skills in English and Bengali.
  • Experience in digital training delivery for grassroots or community-based organizations.
  • Proven expertise in open-source data tools (Kobo toolbox, ONA, PowerBI, Google form etc).
  • Familiar with CSO/NGO operations in Bangladesh or similar contexts

Budget and Payment

Budget: BDT 860,000 approximately (Including VAT & Tax)

  • The FSTP organization/firm should submit a detailed budget, including facilitation fees, training material development, and any logistical/technology costs.
  • Payment will be made in installments based on deliverables and agreed milestones.

Submission of the Proposal

Interested Consultant(S)/Consultancy Agencies are requested to submit a proposal including the following:

  • Company/consultant profile and past experience.
  • Detailed cost breakdown with detailed specifications
  • Detailed Planning and delivery timeline
  • Contact details of the focal person.

Deadline for Proposal Submission: 15 May 2025

  • Please click below the link to submit your proposals

Link: https://jobs.actionaidbd.org/consultancy

(Please note that, if you have any problem while applying, communicate at the Mobile No. 01618988183)

Disclaimer: ActionAid Bangladesh reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications without assigning any reason thereof.