Summary:
North York Community House (NYCH) is a dynamic, multi-service neighbourhood centre that has been working with residents in under-resourced and low income neighbourhoods of northwest Toronto for over 30 years. We are committed to building strong, vibrant communities, and we do this by engaging residents, understanding their needs, and supporting them in achieving their goals. As a result of our work, newcomers are able to develop the skills, knowledge and connections to settle, gain employment and build successful lives in their new home; children and youth are supported in becoming active, healthy citizens - gaining the skills, knowledge and self-esteem they require to meet their long-term goals; and local residents are provided with training and opportunities that enable them to become leaders in improving their own lives and their neighbourhoods. NYCH believes that all the community members we serve have the strength and ability to meet their goals – our role is to help them get there.
One of the priorities of NYCH’s 2020-24 strategic plan is to “Lead in service delivery and sector development through learning and innovation.” Over the past couple years NYCH has been working on ways to enhance innovative practices and integrate innovation within NYCH’s programs and culture. During the pandemic, NYCH has taken opportunities to experiment with different methods of providing new and innovative digital programs and engaging the community. NYCH has recently developed a definition of innovation and has distributed a survey to staff to further identify some of the existing innovative practices.
This Request For Proposals is a search for a consultant to work with the North York Community House management and staff teams to further enhance and integrate innovation among NYCH’s programs and the organization. We are looking for a consultant who will work with all levels of NYCH staff-senior management, middle management and frontline- to build on the innovative work already done, to facilitate learning and reflection and support staff to integrate innovation more fully in their work.
General Information
1.0 Background
North York Community House (NYCH) is a dynamic, multi-service neighbourhood centre that has been working with residents in under-resourced and low income neighbourhoods of northwest Toronto for over 30 years. We are committed to building strong, vibrant communities, and we do this by engaging residents, understanding their needs, and supporting them in achieving their goals. As a result of our work, newcomers are able to develop the skills, knowledge and connections to settle, gain employment and build successful lives in their new home; children and youth are supported in becoming active, healthy citizens - gaining the skills, knowledge and self-esteem they require to meet their long-term goals; and local residents are provided with training and opportunities that enable them to become leaders in improving their own lives and their neighbourhoods. NYCH believes that all the community members we serve have the strength and ability to meet their goals – our role is to help them get there.
One of the priorities of NYCH’s 2020-24 strategic plan is to “Lead in service delivery and sector development through learning and innovation.” Over the past couple years NYCH has been working on ways to enhance innovative practices and integrate innovation within NYCH’s programs and culture. During the pandemic, NYCH has taken opportunities to experiment with different methods of providing new and innovative digital programs and engaging the community. NYCH has recently developed a definition of innovation (see attached) and has distributed a survey to staff to further identify some of the existing innovative practices.
Scope of Work:
2.0 General Purpose
This RFP is a search for a consultant to work with the North York Community House management and staff teams to further enhance and integrate innovation among NYCH’s programs and the organization. We are looking for a consultant who will work with all levels of NYCH staff-senior management, middle management and frontline - to build on the innovative work already done, to facilitate learning and reflection and support staff to integrate innovation more fully in their work.
2.1 Activities
The activities could include working with the management team to:
Identify where innovation is currently happening now in programs and how to build and enhance it.
Identify ways to support current and future innovation & build the structures to do it
Help to identify barriers to innovation and develop plans to minimize barriers Support and coach management team on innovation so they can model innovation and support their staff
Clarify innovation roles needed in the innovation
Develop a longer term plan for innovation at NYCH
The activities could include working with the management team to:
Support program teams to build on the innovation they are currently doing Provide training and coaching in innovation methods and practices Assist program teams to reflect on their learnings
Support innovation champions to take leadership
2.2 Timeframe
This work begins in February 2022 and ends by June 30, 2022.
2.3 Deliverables
With the engagement of NYCH frontline staff and the management team, the consultant will be responsible for providing expert advice and facilitation throughout the project, and for meeting the following deliverables:
The identification of current innovative practices at NYCH, barriers to innovation at NYCH and experimenting with ways to address these barriers
Engage with staff to identify, learn about and experiment with tools and processes that facilitate innovative thinking and practices
The development and facilitation of coaching and training to management and frontline staff on innovation
The development of a longer-term plan to integrate and enhance innovation at NYCH, based on the learnings of this project
The consultant is free to identify additional deliverables based on the activities and/or their own experience in innovation.
2.4 Budget
Consultants are to propose a project budget including the number of working days required to achieve deliverables and provide a daily consulting rate(s) for the work. This will create a budget for the project which should not exceed $23,000.
Selection of Applicants:
3.0 Evaluation of Applicants
All applicants will be reviewed by the NYCH senior management team. The team is not obliged to accept the lowest, or any bid.
Consultants will be evaluated on the following criteria. These criteria will be the basis for review of the written proposals and interview session.
Understanding of our organization, the context, and task
Project Approach
Consultant Firm Experience
Primary Consultant’s Experience
3.1 Qualifications of Applicants
To accomplish the scope requested, the consultant will need to possess the following:
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in social innovation, using
innovative practices and organizational change
Strong facilitation, training and coaching skills
Ability to work with and engage staff at all levels of the organization
Knowledge of the non-profit sector and issues
3.2 Proposal Elements
A: Overall Submission
Letter of Introduction including an executive summary that demonstrates an understanding of the scope and requirements of the project.
B: Organization and Staff Experience and Abilities
Profile of Consultant (Experience and Qualifications)
Proposed Staff Team (Resumes recommended)
Experience with similar projects and two References
C: Work Plan and Resource
Work Plan that includes a clear breakdown of the tasks, activities and the methods you will undertake to meet the deliverables, and a timeline. Description of how consultants plan to achieve the goals. In the case of more than one consultant, identify the principal and anticipated division of work. Identification of any expected challenges
A brief description of how you would work with the senior management team
D: Total Fixed Price
Estimate of hours/days of work
Daily rate(s) of consultant(s)
Total cost plus HST
The total price quoted must include all labour, other overhead, materials, equipment, travel, communication and delivery costs, consultant time and disbursements.
3.3 Proposal Submission
Submissions should be sent by email to: Rashmi Sheth rsheth@nych.ca The deadline for proposals is Monday, January 17, 2022 by 11:00pm EST.
Incomplete proposals will be rejected. Proposals that are delivered late will not be considered.
DEFINITION OF ‘INNOVATION’ AT NYCH
DEFINITION
We define innovation as a way to improve what we do and how we do it, as well as developing new ways of working, making NYCH more adaptable, resilient, and responsive to emerging needs of our clients and communities. This definition, while continually evolving, encompasses the following principles:
WORKING WITH COMMUNITY
Innovation begins with asset-based community knowledge as a way to understand goals and needs, and how we can have the greatest impact through our work.
CREATING CULTURE
To innovate we adopt a learning mindset and create a collaborative, work
environment where positive change, creativity, new ideas, and experimentation can thrive.
VALUING EQUITY
Innovation encourages us to hold open conversations about power and systems, and ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources that support innovative work.