TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

Provision of Professional Soft Skills Training Services

1. Background & Introduction

 

Background and Introduction

1.1 Organizational Profile

JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) is a global public health organization dedicated to strengthening health and education systems to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities worldwide. Operating with the foundational belief that all people deserve the resources to live healthy lives and achieve their full potential, JSI partners with government agencies, community organizations, and the private sector to design pragmatic strategies for complex structural problems. Globally, JSI has successfully designed, delivered, and scaled programs in more than 50 countries, driving measurable impact across public health and healthcare delivery.

In Ethiopia, JSI has been a steadfast partner to the Ministry of Health since 1994, with initiatives that touch the lives of over 70 million people. What began as a focused effort on reproductive and maternal health has grown into an extensive portfolio of more than 65 projects dedicated to transforming the national health landscape. Today, JSI’s operations span all regional health bureaus—strengthening primary healthcare, optimizing medical supply chains, and leading the digital transformation of the health sector across more than 15,000 health facilities.

1.2 Context of the Assignment

To sustain this nationwide impact and support our diverse workforce in navigating complex, fast-paced professional environments, JSI recognizes the critical importance of continuous professional development. Fostering robust cross-functional collaboration, driving operational excellence, and maintaining institutional resilience are central to achieving our strategic goals.

Accordingly, this Terms of Reference (TOR) is issued to solicit technical and financial proposals from qualified, legally registered training provider organizations or independent consultants. 

The selected vendor will partner with JSI to design, customize, and deliver a comprehensive Soft Skills Training Program tailored to enhance the interpersonal, leadership, and professional effectiveness of our staff.

 

 

2. Objective of the Assignment

The primary objective is to equip our staff with essential interpersonal, communication, and self-management skills. The training should be highly interactive, practical, and directly applicable to day-to-day organizational operations, ultimately enhancing team cohesion, workplace productivity, and professional growth.

3. Scope of Work & Target Focus Areas

In consultation with the people and culture unit the selected vendor will be responsible for the end-to-end design, customization, and delivery of the training. The core curriculum should cover, but is not limited to, the following priority modules:

1. Core Soft Skills (All Staff)

These foundational programs focus on individual effectiveness, teamwork, and personal productivity.

• Effective Communication Strategies: Active listening, cross-cultural communication, assertive communication, and professional business writing.  

• Emotional Intelligence (EQ) at Work: Self-awareness, recognizing behavioral triggers, building empathy, and managing workplace anxiety. 

• Teamwork & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Building trust across technical and support teams, virtual collaboration tools, and cultivating psychological safety. 

• Conflict Resolution & Mitigation: De-escalating workplace disagreements, constructive peer feedback, and managing difficult conversations. 

2. Leadership & Management Development (Supervisors & Leads)

These modules are designed to help technical experts transition into people management roles and guide existing managers in steering teams strategically.

• Emerging Manager Development: The transition from "doing" to "developing others," delegation techniques, and building initial leadership credibility. 

• Coaching & Mentorship in the Workplace: How to conduct performance coaching, active talent development, and guiding junior staff through career paths. 

• Strategic Decision-Making Under Pressure: Root-cause analysis, data-driven decision-making, risk assessment, and managing consensus.

• Change Management & Leading Through Transitions: Communicating structural updates with empathy, overcoming resistance to change, and maintaining morale during reorganizations. 

• Performance Management & Accountability: Setting clear objectives (KPIs/OKRs), conducting objective appraisals, and addressing underperformance constructively. 

• Influence Without Authority: Navigating matrixed organizations, stakeholder management, persuasive communication, and negotiation skills.

 

3. Advanced & Future-Ready Modules

These specialized options address modern workplace shifts, combining soft skills with evolving operating environments.

• Digital Leadership & Managing Virtual Teams: Keeping remote or hybrid teams engaged, maintaining data hygiene, and leading digital workflow transitions. 

• Inclusive Leadership & Unconscious Bias: Recognizing implicit bias in recruitment and promotions, fostering equality, and managing diverse, multicultural teams.

• Crisis Leadership & Resilience: Maintaining operational continuity and team stability during sudden external shifts or regional disruptions.

•  Mental Health and staff wellbeing: - the training must focus on building a resilient "Culture of Care" while equipping staff and supervisors with practical tools to manage stress, recognize burnout, and navigate transitions.

5.  Target Audience & Delivery Methodology

• Target Audience: Approximately [Insert Total Number, e.g., 100- 150] staff members, split into manageable cohort sizes [e.g., 20-25 participants per batch] to ensure maximum engagement.

• Format: [ In-person or Virtual (Hybrid)]. For the in-person location will be, Addis Ababa.

• Methodology: The training must move away from heavy lecture-style presentations. It should utilize experiential learning methodologies, including:

  • Case studies and role-playing scenarios relevant to our industry sector.

  • Interactive group discussions and breakout exercises.

  • Self-assessment tools (e.g., communication style or EQ self-tests).

  • Action planning templates for post-training application.

6.  Key Deliverables

The successful vendor will be expected to submit the following:

1. Inception Report & Work Plan: Detailed methodology, finalized training modules, and a delivery schedule within [5] days of contract signing.

2. Training Materials: Digital and physical copies of participant workbooks, reference guides, tools, and presentation slides.

3. Training Delivery: Execution of the interactive training sessions across agreed cohorts.

4. Final Evaluation Report: A comprehensive post-training report analyzing participant feedback, assessment scores, and recommendations for continuous learning integration.

7.  Timeline & Duration

The assignment is expected to be completed within a period of [e.g., 6 to 12 weeks] from the date of contract commencement. Training sessions are tentatively scheduled to take place during [August – October 2026].

Job Requirements

8.  Vendor Qualifications & Requirements

Interested firms or independent consultants must demonstrate:

• A proven track record of at least [e.g., 10 years] in designing and delivering soft skills or corporate professional development programs.

• Lead facilitators with advanced degrees or recognized professional certifications in HR, Organizational Development, Psychology, or related fields.

• Strong experience working with [specify sector, e.g., international NGOs / corporate entities / public sectors].

• Excellent facilitation, communication, and reporting skills.

9.  Proposal Submission Guidelines

Vendors are requested to submit a comprehensive proposal containing:

• Technical Proposal:

  • Understanding of the assignment and proposed training methodology.

  • Profiles and CVs of the lead facilitators who will actually conduct the sessions.

  • References/Contact details of at least three (3) client organizations served in the last three years.

• Financial Proposal:

  • Itemized budget breaking down professional fees, material costs, and any logistical expenses.

  • Validity period of the financial bid.

 

How To Apply

Interested applicants/companies who want to take a part on this process should send full proppoal documents as outlined on the TOR throug hrecruitment.et@jsi.org . Please submit Only your application letter and CV in English detailing your experiance , exposure and skills that are relevant to the post. Please do not attach copies of your transcripts, academic degrees or recommendation letters with the application. You will provide them upon request.

Job Requirements Candidates should have a proven track record of at least 10 years of experience in designing and delivering soft skills or corporate professional development programs. Applicants should also hold an advanced degree or recognized professional certification in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Psychology, or a related field How to Apply Submit your non-returnable application and CV along with supporting documents in Via email hrecruitment.et@jsi.org