Consultant, Staff Retreat Team Building Facilitator, Data.FI Nigeria at Palladium Group

Requisition ID: req12046
Location: Lagos
Duration: 2 Days (September 27 - September 28, 2021)

Background

• In April 2019, USAID awarded implementation of the Translating Data for Implementation (Data.FI) cooperative agreement to a consortium led by Palladium. Data.FI is a $180 million, 5-year project which serves as USAID’s primary mechanism for data, technology, and health information systems to support HIV activities across strategic PEPFAR countries as part of a suite of large-scale global HIV programs representing the next generation of HIV/AIDS programs.
• The project plays a key role in USAID’s goals of helping partner countries on their journey to self-reliance and transitioning local organizations to prime recipients of USG funding.
• The overall goal of the project is to improve global, regional, and national in-depth analyses of HIV epidemiologic and program data that can be directly applied to expedite the achievement of PEPFAR targets to attain and sustain control of the HIV epidemic.
• The focus also includes directly supporting host country governments and implementing partners to further enhance existing health information system platforms to inform management responses to well-defined gaps in HIV/AIDS programming. 
• In order to ensure rapid access to high quality data, Data.FI is working towards accelerating data utilization to rapidly course correct and take to scale cost-effective and impactful activities, models and approaches required to attain and maintain HIV epidemic control; scaling and optimizing in-country health information system capabilities to collect, exchange, adapt, govern, and visualize information in order to track the attainment and maintenance of HIV epidemic control; and supporting the transition of prime funding and implementation to capable local partners.

Purpose of Position

• Palladium is seeking a qualified consultant to facilitate its Data.FI Staff retreat and to compile a report outlining the workshop's proceedings, including practical recommendations and operational tools which can be used by the team in the future.
• The consultant will support Palladium in facilitating and moderate a team building retreat that will improve working dynamics, staff motivation, communication, and enhance knowledge sharing.
• The overall purpose of this assignment is to improve staff productivity and performance at the workplace by conducting various fun, challenging, and engaging activities to strengthen team spirit, trust, and collaboration among team members.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Preparation / Planning of the Team Building Retreat Workshop:

• Facilitation of the team building retreat workshop.
• The team building exercise should be creatively organized to include strategic brainstorming sessions aimed at helping the staff to develop and articulate organization and individual work plans to ensure optimal delivery of the program outputs.
• More time shall be given to outdoor /interactive / participatory activities.

Expected Outputs
Preparation / Planning of the Team Building Retreat Workshop:

• A customized training and team building plan clearly articulating the objectives of the team building exercise.
• Interactive and flexible facilitation tools and material aids for brainstorming prepared prior to the workshop.
• Facilitation of the team building retreat workshop:
• Prepare and conduct fun and productive activities involving all staff (both indoor and outdoor) that promote team spirit and encourage an understanding of the role of teams in the work environment.
• Interdepartmental interactions - knowledge sharing session between the program activities underway within the different units.
• Brainstorming sessions aimed at identifying the mandates and harmonization of the project activities.
• Brainstorming sessions resulting in a suggested operational structure and communication skills/strategy within/by the organization.
• A team building component to enhance teamwork.

The Output of the Retreat Workshop Should be a Report Outlining:

• The retreat workshop proceedings and key outcomes.
• Identify strength and weaknesses in communication and collaboration and recommend how to build on strengths and address weaknesses.
• Strategic recommendations on the institutional design/operational design.
• The team building exercise should be creatively organized to include strategic brainstorming sessions aimed at helping the staff to develop and articulate organization and individual work plans to ensure optimal delivery of the program outputs.
• More time shall be given to outdoor / interactive / participatory activities.

Expected Outcomes:

• Ensuring that the personnel develop clear working arrangements for the effective delivery of the work plans and or duties and responsibilities outlined in their job descriptions/terms of references.
• Initiating the discussion on the best communication practices.
• Supporting the team in clarifying their respective goals and objectives with respect to the ideology of the organization.
• Facilitating sessions that would help identify those issues which have the potential to inhibit the team from reaching its goals.
• Satisfying the expectations of all staff for the team building exercise.

Required Qualifications

• Master's in Social Sciences, Human Resources Management, Program Management, Development, Communications, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Proven track record of facilitating team building and knowledge sharing workshops and consultancy experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of NGO programs management.
• Excellent analytical writing and communication skills.
• Full computer literacy and fluency in English – both written and spoken – are essential.
• Prior experience with donor supported agencies is an advantage, as is knowledge of donor policies and procedures.