About African Centre for Technology Studies

The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) is a pioneering development research think tank that focuses on harnessing applications of science, technology and innovation policies for sustainable development in Africa. ACTS is an Intergovernmental organization founded in 1988 to pursue policy-oriented research towards strengthening the capacity of African countries and institutions to harness science and technology for sustainable development.  ACTS envisions a sustainable economic, social and environmental future for Africa, through science, technology and innovation.

About the Climate Resilient Economies (CRE) Programme

The consultant will work within the CRE Programme. The CRE programme’s mission is to contribute to Inclusive, pro poor and thriving climate change resilient economies for economic, social, and environmental sustainability in Africa. The program’s strategic objective is to support the development of enabling capacities, policies, organizations, and institutions for harnessing applications of climate change related sciences, technologies and innovations for energy access and security, water quality and security, biodiversity, and natural resource management in Africa. Specifically, the consultant will support the virtual academy project.

About ACTS Learning Lab

One of the fundamental Climate Change discourses is anchored in the Paris Agreement. Implementation of the Paris Agreement requires economic and social transformation, based on the best available science. The Paris Agreement has been a front runner discourse calling for:

• Building technology frameworks: Establishing technology frameworks to provide overarching guidance to the well-functioning Technology Mechanism
• Enhancing financial commitment: Providing financial assistance to countries that are less endowed and more vulnerable, while encouraging voluntary contributions by other Parties
• Building capacity: Emphasis on climate-related capacity-building for developing countries and enhance support for capacity-building actions in developing countries

The lab is built on a bid to promote demand driven climate change training, on the premise that climate change related capacity building, on climate change relevant technologies, and financing mechanisms is important. However, there are capacity gaps in the Global South to contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and climate compatible development. Moreover, many of the initiatives, including at ACTS, have been anchored to projects, with low sustainability; or been driven by non-contextual priorities for the global south. ACTS plans to contribute to filling these gaps through ACTS demand driven climate change training.The demand driven climate change training has been developed to contribute to three solution areas:

1. Virtual academy offering live and recorded trainings, with options to support projects development, and long term secondary asynchronous trainings
2. Training of trainers to enhance the certification of Global standards Training programme, as well as graduate trainee programme (Early Career trainers)
3. Training of professionals offering modulus trainings of professionals, and that can be franchised in partnership with regional partners to offer training of professionals
4. Learning content development (interactive & multidimensional learning) the programme will empower the trainees with skills of developing relevant proposals in different areas for long-term development of the students e.g., proposal/project development
5. Summer & tropical schools which aims to train and build their skills while experiencing an exciting and enjoyable learning environment in the global south while taking advantage of the privilege of the global north. 

The uptake of virtual learning has been steep in the recent past, especially in the wave of COVID and the resultant freeze of physical interactions, including traditional learning engagements. The increased acceptance of virtual training as an integral part of learning and education stems from the realization of its potential to contribute to the democratization and borderless access to knowledge and training. Among other challenges, a major impediment to the wider implementation of virtual learning is the lack of access to robust, reliable and sufficiently equipped online learning platforms. Embracing quality technological solutions will be core to enhancing the reach of virtual learning.

The main purpose of the consultancy will be to market the virtual academy for the demand driven programme, as well as support the full scaling up of the initiative within the African continent and beyond. The consultant will be responsible for marketing the learning lab and attracting new customers and retaining the existing ones focusing on five interrelated areas: differentiation, thought leadership, competitive positioning, sale cycle acceleration and revenue growth.

Justification

Based on the objective to launch and upscale the trainings programme ACTS is seeking expert assistance to market the demand driven training programme within the continent and internationally for knowledge brokerage, sharing and thought leadership as income is generated.

Requirements and Skills of the Marketing Consultant

• Proven experience as marketing consultant firmor similar role
• Proven expertise and experience in marketing learning modules
• MSc/MA in marketing, communications, business or relevant field;
• Experience in research will be an added advantage
• Should be competent and conversant in experience of sales and marketing team leadership research experience will be an added advantage.
• Aptitude in problem-solving
• Apt in writing proposals and reports
• Knowledge of data analysis and market research
• In-depth knowledge of marketing principles and best practices
• Excellent selling, communication and negotiation skills are essential.
• Proven ability to meet and exceed sales targets within schedule.
• Should be aggressive and results focused.
• Should at least be conversant in marketing of office premises, virtual office spaces, co-working spaces and commercial space (added advantage).
• Proficient in MS Office/Working knowledge of IT and marketing software (e.g. CRM)
• Ability to think strategically and analytically
• Communication (oral and written) and presentation skills
• Outstanding organizational abilities
• Good interpersonal skills

Duties and Responsibilities and Scope of work

The consultant or firm will be responsible for marketing the training programmme including ensuring that the modules are relevant and generate income in different ways. Specifically:

• Conduct baseline research to determine the viability of our modules – includes end user research
• Marketing audit - Internal and External Analysis that includes cross platform research and competitor analysis
• Understand the various customer segments, target market & competition to create a marketing strategy and plan for launch
• Understand customer challenges and provide marketing expertise to get ahead of the competition
• Creating a clear understanding of the niche market and the trends of the industry via market audit
• Content development for marketing material to highlight USPs for up to 3 relevant platforms
• Create and implement a PR & marketing strategy and plan of action
• Create and implement a launch concept and plan
• Create partnership with potential funders and sponsors for the programme
• Ensure conversion (actual buyers of the modules)
• Conduct digital, multi-level, brand awareness, events, sales, B2B and B2C and products marketing for the programme
• Write reports with suggestions for improvements and new ideas
• Give direction to marketing efforts with the most effective methods, tools and applicable frameworks
• Study organizations/ learning hub’s needs, profile and operations to understand its marketing needs
• Conduct marketing research to identify learning trends, needs and opportunities
• Develop and implement a marketing strategy according to objectives and budget
• Prepare detailed proposals and marketing plans
• Monitor marketing projects and analyze results
• Advise on branding, positioning, communications and other marketing issues

Confidentiality

The consultant should not disclose the information regarding their engagement highlighted by the client to a third party.

Time frame

The time frame for this consultancy will be 6 months over the period from January  – June 2023. The contract may be extended based on performance.

Oversight: Head of Programme, Climate Resilient Economies (CRE)

How to Submit

Qualified applicants should submit a detailed technical proposal on how they suggest completing the task, and a financial proposal including all the applicable taxes. Additionally, applicants should include at least 3 referees, Cover Letter, portfolio of three recently completed similar consultancies. Submissions should be packaged in a single folder and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and copy to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Deadline for Submission

The deadline for submission of the application will be 13^th January 2023. Only shortlisted firms/individuals will be contacted.