Request for Proposals: Results-Based Management for Humanitarian Programming Training

Background

The Humanitarian Response Network (HRN) is a network of 50 Canadian humanitarian organizations committed to strengthening collective capacity, collaboration, and learning across the humanitarian sector. Hosted by Cooperation Canada, HRN works with its members to strengthen humanitarian preparedness and response through convening, collaboration, policy engagement, knowledge sharing, and capacity strengthening.

Through its Learning  Plan (2026-2029), HRN has identified continuous learning as a key priority to support members in responding to an increasingly complex humanitarian landscape. HRN’s Learning Plan is organized around Foundational Training Pathways, which strengthen core humanitarian competencies, and Thematic Training Pathways, which respond to emerging issues and evolving sector priorities.

HRN is committed to providing practical, accessible, and high-quality learning opportunities that strengthen the knowledge and skills of humanitarian professionals while fostering collaboration, peer learning, and the exchange of promising practices across the network. HRN’s learning approach is guided by the principles of connection, predictability, coherence, flexibility, learning pathways, and inclusivity. Consultants are encouraged to propose participatory, practical, and innovative approaches that respond to the diverse learning needs and experiences of HRN members.

The selected consultant(s) will:

• Design and develop the learning initiative.
• Facilitate the agreed learning sessions.
• Develop practical, accessible, and reusable participant resources.
• Incorporate humanitarian case studies and practical exercises.
• Submit a brief final report summarizing participant feedback, lessons learned, and recommendations.

Optional activities may include:

• Follow-up learning clinics.
• Participation in HRN communities of practice and/or working groups.
• Coaching or tailored support to member organizations.

The HRN welcomes proposals that prioritize participatory, experiential, relational, or community-based learning approaches and encourages proposals that draw upon diverse forms of knowledge and expertise. Proposals must be values-driven and grounded in humanitarian principles. We encourage creative and innovative learning methodologies that foster engagement, peer learning, reflection, and practical application.

Target Audience

The training is intended for humanitarian professionals from HRN member organizations, including staff working across programmatic, operational, technical, and leadership roles. Proposals should demonstrate how the learning approach will be relevant and accessible to participants with diverse levels of experience and responsibilities.

Selection Process

HRN welcomes a range of learning methodologies and formats, including webinars, workshops, learning series, and blended approaches.

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Proposed Approach — 50%: Clarity, relevance, feasibility, creativity, and alignment with HRN’s Learning Plan principles.
• Experience and Qualifications — 20%: Demonstrated expertise in humanitarian action, professional learning, training design, facilitation, and resource development. HRN recognizes diverse forms of expertise, including lived experience, community leadership, and practice-based knowledge.
• Cost — 25%: Overall value for money and appropriateness of the proposed budget.
• Equity Considerations — 5%: Demonstrated commitment to accessibility, inclusion, diversity, and equitable collaboration.

Work Modality and Delivery

The consultant will be home-based and will work collaboratively with the HRN Manager throughout the assignment, including participation in inception, planning, delivery, and meetings.

HRN and Cooperation Canada will support participant registration, communications, virtual platforms, and logistical arrangements for online delivery. Registration must open at least six weeks before the start of online training and at least two months before the start of in-person training. Proposed timelines must allow sufficient time for registration, participant communications, accessibility arrangements, and logistical planning.

Eligibility

Applications are welcome from qualified individuals and organizations, including independent consultants, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, research groups, humanitarian organizations, and private-sector entities.

Collaborative proposals involving multiple facilitators or organizations are encouraged, provided roles and responsibilities are clearly defined. Proposals are welcome in either English or French.

HRN, hosted by Cooperation Canada, is committed to justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, accessibility, and ethical humanitarian practice. Inclusive procurement is an important part of the selection process. HRN seeks to provide equitable opportunities for consultants and organizations from diverse backgrounds, including BIPOC-led organizations and consultants, people of diverse gender identities, persons with disabilities, and other equity-deserving groups.

All members of the selected team will be required to sign and comply with the Cooperation Canada Code of Conduct and any other applicable HRN or Cooperation Canada policies.

Proposal Guidelines

Proposals may be submitted in the format that best demonstrates the applicant’s approach and expertise. At a minimum, they must include:

• Proposed learning approach, methodology, objectives, target audience, format, and delivery model.
• Work plan and timeline.
• Relevant experience and/or examples of previous work.
• Detailed financial proposal.
• Description of how equity, accessibility, and inclusion will be integrated throughout the assignment.

Training Description and Objectives

Purpose

The Humanitarian Response Network (HRN) is seeking a consultant or consulting team to design and deliver a Results-Based Management (RBM) training initiative. The training should strengthen participants’ ability to understand and apply Global Affairs Canada’s RBM approach throughout the humanitarian programme cycle, with a focus on practical application in complex and rapidly evolving humanitarian contexts.

The training is intended primarily for intermediate-level participants with project or programme management experience, including those who are relatively new to GAC’s RBM approach as well as those seeking to refresh and strengthen their existing knowledge and skills.

While HRN has outlined an illustrative training structure below, consultants are encouraged to propose alternative approaches that achieve these objectives through practical, participatory, and scenario-based learning.

The HRN envisions a session on:

• RBM for Humanitarian Programming: Applying key RBM concepts—including theories of change, results chains, indicators, assumptions, and risk management—to humanitarian programming, while integrating localization, gender equality, protection, inclusion, and accountability to affected populations.

Objectives

• Strengthen participants’ understanding of Global Affairs Canada’s Results-Based Management approach.
• Build practical skills in developing theories of change, logic models, indicators, and performance measurement frameworks.
• Strengthen participants’ ability to integrate RBM throughout the humanitarian programme cycle.
• Improve participants’ confidence in developing donor-compliant proposals and reporting against expected results.
• Promote evidence-based decision-making, adaptive management, accountability, and organizational learning.
• Foster peer learning and collaboration across HRN member organizations.

Timeframe: Proposals will be accepted until September 21, 2026. The consultant will be contracted following the proposal review process in late September 2026. Training design and preparation will take place in late September and early October, with delivery expected online during November 2026, according to the agreed workplan and HRN learning calendar.

Approximate Budget: CAD $12,500 is available for this assignment.

Submission Process

Applicants should submit their proposal and CVs to hrncoordinator@humanitarianresponse.ca. Applications may be submitted in English or French. HRN welcomes discussions with interested applicants before submission to explore alignment with the objectives of this Request for Proposals.