Request for Tenders to undertake the design, development, and initial delivery, of The Nonprofit Sector Leadership Academy

Tender description

Independent research carried out, on behalf of The Wheel, points to significant challenges existing in training for leaders of community and voluntary organisations, whether paid professional staff or unpaid directors/management committee members/charity trustees. In the recently published Investment Appraisal of Upskilling of Employees in the Nonprofit Sector (Indecon, 2020), a skills gap was identified in Leadership and Management skills, with over 60% of organisations surveyed stating upskilling in this area was required to meet current needs, and nearly 80% stating that upskilling was needed to meet anticipated future growth of the organisation. Furthermore, in the Consultation Report on Support Needs of the Nonprofit Sector (Sheila Cahill Consulting, 2021), a clear need for developing leadership and management skills was identified by the wide-ranging focus group and stakeholder participants. Existing leaders in organisations need support, and a new generation of leaders must be developed. The successful contractor is to design, drive and commence implementation of a new ‘Nonprofit Sector Leadership Academy’, with a view to integrating this project into the work of The Wheel’s Skills Team at a future point. The Academy will take the form of a suite of upskilling and competency-based engagement opportunities, professional development and networking programmes for senior leaders working in Ireland’s charities and nonprofits.