Call for Proposals to Design and conduct a training course on Organisational Leadership Module under the AWF Wall Leadership & Management Fellowship

About AWF

The African Wildlife Foundation is the primary advocate for the protection of wildlife and their habitats as an essential part of a modern and prosperous Africa. Founded in 1961, AWF articulates a uniquely African vision, bridging science, education, public policy, and field programs to demonstrate the benefits of conservation and build a future for Africa where people and wildlife thrive. By 2050, one in four young people on the planet will be African. By 2100, estimates predict that many of the world’s largest cities will be in Africa, and will represent more than a third of the world’s population. It is therefore AWF’s focus to invest in training and empowering young leaders who will shape a future where people and wildlife thrive together. By nurturing their talent, equipping them with knowledge, and amplifying their voices, we are ensuring that conservation is owned and led by those with the greatest stake in its success- the people of Africa.

Program Overview

Africa’s extraordinarily rich biodiversity and ecosystems are constantly under threat from elements such as extensive land and sea use change, climate change, invasive alien species  just to name a few. There is both recognition and agreement that Africa has opportunities to fully realise the benefits of her rich biodiversity and therefore needs to explore ways of using such biodiversity in a sustainable way that contributes to her economic and technological development. Since threats to wildlife have continued to increase, the wildlife conservation profession requires new and diverse skills to complement those offered by academic institutions. While many young professionals in Africa are getting skilled technically, this is often not complemented by leadership and management skills that are required to work with diverse people and to address complex organizational challenges. 

Recognizing this gap, AWF launched the AWF-Wall Leadership & Management Fellowship, a nine-month training program with a focus on self leadership, leading teams and organizational leadership. Launched in January 2023, the AWF Wall Leadership & Management Fellowship is part of the broader AWF Wall Youth Leadership Program funded by the Wall Family Foundation, which also includes its sister track, the AWF Wall Policy Fellowship. Together, these two tracks aim to:

1. Develop a new generation of African professionals equipped with the leadership skills necessary to drive and influence systemic change in the environmental sector.
2. Ensure these professionals are deeply grounded in Africa’s unique environmental context and realities, promoting homegrown solutions to conservation challenges.

Through this program, young professionals gain not only the skills to lead but also a deep understanding of Africa’s unique conservation challenges and opportunities. The AWF Wall Youth Leadership Program equips them with both technical expertise and leadership skills, preparing them to step into key leadership roles and drive African-led conservation efforts across the continent. We are seeking a consultant that can support us in scaling up this work, by leading the organisational leadership module.

Who is the Fellowship For?

The fellowship is designed for young African professionals who are already working in conservation and are seeking to:
✅ Create meaningful change in conservation but need the tools, mentorship, and network to make it happen.
✅ Strengthen leadership skills, build high-performing teams, and navigate complex conservation challenges.
✅ Position themselves for senior roles in conservation by enhancing management and strategic problem-solving skills.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the fellowship, each participant is expected to:
Develop Strong Personal Leadership Skills – Build self-awareness, confidence, and decision-making abilities.
Learn to Lead and Manage Teams – Gain practical skills in team leadership, stakeholder collaboration, and communication.
Solve Conservation Challenges – Use problem-solving frameworks to address conservation challenges effectively.
Understand Organizational Leadership in Conservation – Learn strategic planning, project management, and decision-making in conservation organizations.
Improve Public Engagement & Advocacy – Master communication strategies to influence policy, engage media, and inspire action.

How the fellowship is delivered:

The learning is designed to provide an immersive learning experience, integrating structured learning with practical application. The program is delivered through the following key elements:

Duration: 9- month learning journey from April to December.

Monthly virtual training sessions – Interactive synchronous learning on conservation leadership, self and team management, and organizational leadership.

Innovation Project—Fellows identify a challenge or tap into an opportunity within their functional area and apply the problem-solving framework taught in Module 3 to develop and test a prototype during the fellowship. The project culminates in a presentation to a conservation and innovation experts panel.  

Group and individual coaching support- Fellows are supported to practice the leadership skills in their everyday work as well as in developing their innovation projects. 

Placements -To complement the learning through curated sessions, fellows are given an opportunity to learn by observing leaders other than their current managers. For one month, fellows are supported to either join a different department in their current organisations or join another organization in the country of domicile in order to experience different leadership styles and understand the nuances of what change looks like in different contexts. 

Networking - Throughout the program, fellows are given opportunities to network with each other through peer learning activities and with experts and leaders in conservation via leadership dialogues. 

Learning Modules and Calendar

The training is anchored on four modules:

Module 1: Foundation on Conservation. The Foundation Module sets the stage for a fellow’s conservation leadership and management learning journey. The module invites fellows to reflect on the state of Africa’s biodiversity, challenges, opportunities and the urgent need for collective voice and action.

Module 2: Self Leadership & Leading Others. This module focuses on strengthening self-awareness and adaptability skills while building skills on effective ways of engaging and motivating teams for conservation impact. Fellows learn strategies to lead self and inspire purpose-driven teams. The sessions are complemented by practical assignments.

Module 3: Organisational Leadership. Focuses on building the important leadership and management skill of bringing about systemic solutions. Fellows are introduced to change management and problem-solving frameworks for solving complex conservation challenges. They work closely with coaches to develop, prototype and present the outcomes of their innovation project to a panel of experts.

Module 4: Communication. This module empowers fellows to tell their story with confidence, whether through a powerful pitch, an engaging social media presence, or a captivating public speech. They learn tools to effectively share their impact and build a strong professional profile, skills that are key for a conservation leader aspiring to inspire and influence. By the end, they will be ready to use refined communication skills to inspire, influence, and connect with diverse audiences.

Calendar for 2025

Scope of Work

AWF is seeking a qualified training institution to design and deliver Module 3: Organizational Leadership as part of the AWF-Wall Leadership & Management Fellowship. This module equips fellows with the skills to lead effectively, drive innovation, and manage change within conservation organizations.

A key part of this module is the innovation project, where fellows apply their leadership and problem-solving skills to a real challenge in their organization. This ensures they not only learn but also put their skills into action.

The consultant will design and deliver an interactive curriculum that aligns with the fellowship’s learning goals, focusing on:

• Systems thinking – Understanding how different conservation challenges connect and identifying the best ways to create lasting change.
• Change management – Learning how to navigate and lead through organizational and sector-wide changes.
• Strategic problem-solving – Tackling conservation challenges by addressing their root causes, not just the symptoms.
• Innovation in conservation – Developing creative solutions to improve conservation outcomes.
• Stakeholder engagement and leadership – Strengthening collaboration and decision-making within teams and organizations.

The consultant is expected to deliver engaging training sessions using expert instruction, real-world case studies, peer discussions, and coaching. They will also guide fellows through their innovation projects, providing feedback and support to help them apply their leadership skills effectively.

Consultant Responsibilities

The selected training consultant will be expected to:

1. Develop Training Materials:
   1. Work with our Senior Youth Officer to create a curriculum that covers essential organisational leadership skills focused on change management, innovation and systems thinking skills tailored to the conservation sector.
   2. Design interactive and engaging training materials, presentations, exercises and case studies tailored to conservation leadership.
2. Deliver Training Sessions to 15 fellows:
   1. Conduct both in-person and virtual training sessions for fellows.
   2. Facilitate discussions, group activities, and exercises to enhance learning.
   3. Disseminate and analyse training evaluations to measure impact.
3. Guide Innovation Project Development:
   1. Provide coaching and guidance to fellows as they develop their innovation projects.
   2. Ensure that each project is anchored within the fellow's organization's functional area and contribute to systemic impact.
4. Participate in Faculty Learning Exchanges
   1. Engage with other faculty members in monthly sessions to exchange insights, improve course delivery and align learning approaches.
   2. Collaborate with other faculty members to connect learning across modules and enhance fellows’ overall leadership development experience.
5. Monitoring and reporting on impact
   1. Conduct progress assessments and document success stories & challenges.
   2. Prepare a final impact report on the training’s effectiveness and fellows' growth.

Qualifications:

The ideal training consultant should have:

1. Expertise in Leadership, Innovation, and Systems Thinking

• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering leadership and management training programs, with a focus on strategic problem-solving, systems thinking, and change management.
• Proven experience in developing and facilitating training on social innovation, problem-solving, and adaptive leadership.
• Knowledge and expertise in the conservation sector or related fields, with an ability to connect leadership and innovation principles to real-world conservation challenges.

• Experience in guiding individuals and teams in developing practical and impactful innovation projects using proven methodologies.

2. Institutional Experience & Capacity

• At least 5+ years of experience in leadership development, social innovation, and capacity-building programs.
• Previous experience delivering similar training programs for organizations, fellowships, or leadership initiatives, particularly within conservation or sustainability-focused programs.

• Ability to provide qualified trainers, facilitators, and coaches with a background in leadership development, strategic thinking, and systems change.

3. Training & Facilitation Approach

• Ability to design and deliver interactive, engaging, and experiential learning sessions tailored to young professionals in conservation.
• Proficiency in adult learning methodologies, including real-world case studies, group discussions, scenario analysis, and problem-solving exercises.

• Capacity to provide customized learning materials and practical assignments aligned with the fellowship’s objectives, ensuring fellows can apply concepts effectively.

4. Stakeholder Engagement & Program Alignment

• Experience collaborating with youth leadership programs, conservation organizations, or similar initiatives to strengthen capacity-building efforts.
• Ability to work closely with AWF program staff to ensure training aligns with the fellowship’s broader learning goals.

• Expertise in supporting leadership and innovation development in diverse cultural and professional settings, building inclusivity and collaboration.

5. Training Delivery & Facilitation Competency

• Proven ability to independently manage training sessions without requiring constant supervision from the Senior Youth Officer. This includes:
  • Seamlessly conducting virtual training sessions, including managing digital tools such as Zoom breakout rooms, polls, and interactive features.
  • Developing and disseminating high-quality training materials in accessible and engaging formats.
  • Ensuring dynamic facilitation by blending instruction, coaching, and interactive learning approaches suited for adult learners.
  • Using appropriate support tools (e.g., worksheets, templates, case studies, interactive collaboration platforms) to reinforce learning and application.
  • Delivering structured presentations that are visually appealing, concise, and aligned with best practices in adult learning.

  • Demonstrated expertise in adult learning methodologies—not just content expertise but the ability to facilitate meaningful engagement, interaction, and practical application of concepts.

6. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Impact

• Capacity to design and implement assessment tools to measure training effectiveness and knowledge retention.
• Ability to track learning progress, behavioral change, and leadership growth among fellows.

• Commitment to providing post-training support, including follow-up coaching, feedback mechanisms, and learning reinforcement strategies.

7. Support for Innovation Project Development

• Ability to mentor and support fellows in developing practical and impactful innovation projects related to conservation.
• Expertise in providing structured feedback, refining project ideas, and ensuring alignment with strategic problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience in helping individuals navigate challenges in project implementation, ensuring sustainability and real-world applicability.

The consultant is expected to deliver highly engaging training sessions using expert instruction, real-world case studies, peer discussions, and coaching. They will also play a critical role in guiding fellows through their innovation projects, providing continuous feedback and structured support to ensure the effective application of leadership and innovation skills.

Eligibility Guidelines

• This Request for Proposal (RFP) is open to consultants based in the East African region. Consultants outside Kenya must ensure that their proposed budget accounts for all logistical costs, including travel, accommodation, and other relevant expenses.

• A separate RFP for Module 2: Self-Leadership & Leading Others has been issued. Consultants with the capacity to deliver both modules are encouraged to review the Module 2 RFP and submit a consolidated proposal. The integrated proposal should comprehensively outline the curriculum, methodology, and all other requirements as specified in the Proposal Submission section. You can find the other RFP here.

Proposal Submission:

Please submit a detailed proposal including but not limited to:

• Cover letter demonstrating understanding of the scope of work
• Proposed curriculum and methodology i.e Outline of training topics, learning outcomes, and delivery format.
• Budget. Transparent cost breakdown (fees, materials, logistical expenses etc)
• References.  At least two professional references from similar projects.
• Evidence of prior work. Samples of training materials, past impact reports, or testimonials.

Submission Deadline: 16th April 2025

Send proposals via email to youth@awf.org and procurement@awf.org

Subject Line for single proposal: Name of consultant_Proposal Submission – AWF-Wall Organisational Leadership Training

Subject Line for consolidated proposal: Name of consultant_Proposal Submission_AWF-Wall Leadership Consolidated Proposal.

Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria

16th April- Deadline for receiving proposals

16th April to 30th April- Review of proposals

30th April- Shortlisted proposals are contacted for further enquiries, including providing additional information where necessary. 

30th April- 5th May: Reviewing further information and making a final decision.

7th  May- Contacting selected proposal

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Contact Information

For inquiries or additional information, please contact Mbaire Kamau, Senior Youth Officer, AWF Youth Program at youth@awf.org copying procurement@awf.org