Consultancy, Industry and Job Readiness Training

Terms of Reference

Consultancy to Develop and Deliver HIRES Industry and Job Readiness Training

1. Introduction

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a Canadian international development and refugee sponsoring non-profit organization. Present in over 25 countries, we improve education, employment, and empowerment opportunities for young people around the world. We work with a unique and powerful network of post-secondary institutions, private sectors partners, and volunteers to fulfill our mission and vision of creating a world where all young people can grow up in safe, secure, and supportive environments; where they can learn, work, and play a vital role in their country’s development.

A central component of WUSC’s strategic plan is to expand durable solutions for refugees. For decades, WUSC has connected non-traditional actors, such as postsecondary institutions, students, staff and faculty, with opportunities to sponsor refugees and support their inclusion in Canadian communities. In 2019, WUSC launched HIRES, a pilot that has resettled, trained and placed refugees directly into vacant entry level jobs in Canada. Currently, HIRES is focused on selecting program participants (refugee youth 24-30 years old) based in Kenya and engaging employers in the Hospitality and Tourism industry in British Columbia, Canada. To date, 59 refugee youth have been matched to employment and welcomed to Canada under the HIRES program. Three cohorts of participants have received post-arrival hospitality specific training upon arrival to Canada. The fourth cohort of participants will be welcomed in 2024, and receive comparable training in Kenya, prior to their departure.

WUSC is seeking a qualified consultant to develop and deliver Hospitality and Tourism industry and soft-skills training to the HIRES participants customized to the industry context. The proposed training will support the HIRES participants to be equipped for their entry into their new jobs in the Hospitality and Tourism industry.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy

This consultancy will contribute training expertise and capacity to enable the HIRES program to develop and deliver industry-informed short-term, quality training that will prepare HIRES participants to enter the workplace with foundational knowledge and skills for their new work placements/jobs.

3. Purpose and Objective of the HIRES Industry and Soft-skills Training

The objective of the training that will be developed and delivered will be to:

• Identify the skills and knowledge necessary to build confidence of HIRES participants to take on their new roles, and safely perform their duties in a new working context
• Expose HIRES participants to Canadian workplace norms, professional expectations, and industry culture and terminology relevant to their transition to anticipated new jobs
• Support HIRES participants to develop / bring to the forefront the soft skills that will enable them to thrive in their first job in Canada

4. Key Activities and Deliverables

The selected Consultant will have overall responsibility of working in collaboration with WUSC staff to ensure the above mentioned consultancy objectives are achieved and the quality of all deliverables.

The key activities and deliverables expected from the Consultant(s) for this assignment are as follows:

• Participate in a planning meeting: to clarify expectations of the mandate and provide contextual information necessary to produce and advice on the training material.
• Develop process: to collaboratively work with WUSC as project leads, to develop and deliver training. In addition, explore the potential process to incorporate a volunteer Canadian trainer in the design and delivery of the training program.
• Identify and secure training venue: Kakuma or Nairobi are the intended training locations. though WUSC is open to proposals in either location, or across both.
• Review, collaborate, and refine training material: review existing training material of both parties (WUSC and consultant) and ideas of WUSC staff or other experts, as a starting point to build on.
• Training products
• Develop training approach that is responsive to the industry context, that can be delivered over 2 consecutive weeks in Feb 2024
• Incorporate hands-on learning in a range of industry roles
• Develop training approach that emphasize soft-skills needed to be successful in industry roles (i.e. navigating difficult conversations, communication with managers, problem-solving with guests and colleagues, teamwork, and flexibility)
• Training delivery: deliver 10 full day in-person training over 2 consecutive weeks to between 12 and 17 HIRES participants in February 2024 in Kakuma or Nairobi. The consultant is free to draw up a schedule of service delivery. .

5. Time Frame

The contract is expected to commence from January 8th 2023 ; onboarding and training development to take place over the next 3 weeks and the training delivery to take place over 2 consecutive weeks, in early February.

6. Qualifications of Consultant(s)

• Minimum of 5 years experience in the design and delivery of professional training, including hospitality specific skills training.
• Ability to work effectively with a Canadian industry volunteer and understand the training needs of the tourism and hospitality sector in British Columbia, Canada.
• Knowledge and experience with refugee youth population in Kenya is an asset, as is knowledge and expertise in diversity and inclusion concepts and training approaches
• Knowledge of the barriers and challenges facing newcomers in a Canadian employment context, is an asset, and/or understanding of Canadian workplace culture.
• Ability to produce high quality work under tight and fluid timeframes.