Expression of Interest for Blended Learning Training Content Development and Capacity Building Implementation Publication Date: 02/25/2026 12:00 AM EST EOI Deadline: 03/12/2026 11:59 PM EDT Background/Purpose of Assignment: The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank Group (WBG), pursues its mission of reducing poverty and improving peoples lives by promoting private sector development through investment and advisory services. Building on IFCs mission, Agribusiness Advisory (AS) promotes sustainable business practices to encourage good corporate governance, build the capacity of farmers, and support management and investment decisions that are sustainable and inclusive. IFC AS and its agribusiness partners have identified the existence of solid, professional agri-enterprises, including cooperatives, last-mile retailers and lead farmers as a critical factor for the development of sustainable supply chains in value chains with large numbers of smallholder farmers. Solid agri-enterprises may work as aggregation points that can facilitate input provision, training, crop procurement, and amongst their farmer bases. To support agri-enterprises becoming profitable, well-managed businesses, IFC AS has developed the Agribusiness Leadership Program (ALP) Agribusiness leadership program, a blended learning capacity-building initiative launched in 2016, that integrates assessments with blended learning training and coaching in a 6- to 24-month program designed to measurably improve the management skills and professionalism of agri-enterprises, including agri-entrepreneurs (AE). For this project, IFC has partnered with the Better Life Farming Alliance (BLFA) Home | Better Life Farming, led by Bayer, to provide capacity building agri-entrepreneurs (AE) operating Better Life Farming Centers (BLFC), a one stop shops for smallholder farmers, in target countries. IFC is developing a global blended learning program, including methodology, training of facilitators and coaches, facilitation guides, digital content, interactive virtual coach chatbot and coaching guides to support BLFA projects worldwide. Localization of the global content will be through facilitator guides, case studies, activities, and selection of content based on a training needs assessment and client approved implementation strategy. BLF Bangladesh will be one of the first countries to use the global curriculum. IFC has conducted training needs assessments (TNA) for BLF Bangladesh and a capacity building strategy based on TNA findings and client inputs. IFC is currently developing a gender mapping exercise to be completed in January. The results of this exercise will be incorporated into the implementation strategy and content development. Capacity building strategies call for baseline and endline assessments for all AE, using ALP Metrics, as well as blended learning capacity building that includes in-person orientation sessions, small group training, zoom meetings, and one-on-one coaching. Monitoring and evaluation data will also be collected to track farmer utilization of BLF products and services. Specifically, the 2-year program will develop the skills of 100 Bayer agri-consultants to serve as facilitators and coaches for program implementation. The agri-consultants will be trained and mentored in three cohorts of 40, 30 and 30 agri-consultants, respectively. The agri-consultants will work with 1,000 start-up AE to develop their business management and farmer engagement skills. The AE will join the program in three cohorts of 400 AE, 300 AE and 300 AE respectively. Agri-consultants will be reimbursed for time and travel as part of the third party implementor contract. We estimate that each agri-consultant will be assigned to this work for 6 months with time and travel estimated to be 25,000 taka per month per agri-consultant. Farmers will receive Farming as a Family Business training and training on good agricultural practices, incorporated in the farmer field days at BLFC demo plots. IFC, with the support of the firm, will customize existing materials. The firm will train and mentor Bayer AC on delivery of the content to farmers. The blended learning program for AE is supported by digital learning paths and a virtual coach chatbot. Additionally, the capacity building program will incorporate gender sensitization for agri-consultants and agri-entrepreneurs as well as awareness of the importance of climate smart production practices. Gender aspects include training women AE as well as the ability of AE to provide needed products and services to women customers. Implementation of capacity building will utilize ALPs cascade approach. Content is customized and translated by IFC, Bayer agri-consultants will receive a Training of Trainers (facilitators) on ALP facilitation skills and content. Bayer agri-consultants will also receive Training of Coaching Skills (TOC). The vendor will receive orientation and support from the IFC project team and an experienced IFC Master Trainer. IFC would like to hire an experienced vendor to serve as master trainers and mentors for Bayer agri-consultants in their roles as facilitators and coaches. Further, the firm will lead the orientation sessions for AE as well as the ToTs and ToCs for Bayer AC and will oversee and mentor agri-consultant activities related to this project. The firm will also support the development of the blended learning content, specifically review of facilitation guides, activities, development plans and coaching materials for implementation of the Bangladesh project. The vendor will also support gender sensitization integration. Additionally, the vendor will provide a review of translated materials working with hired translation firms. The firm is also asked to provide content for training on good production practices, including climate smart practices for rice, corn, onions, and potatoes. The materials may be slightly revised based on input from ToTs and ToCs. The capacity building materials will be delivered in three batches. The firm will support project coordination and management, designating a representative to participate in regular project management calls with IFC and the client. Firm representatives should also participate in ALP Metrics enumerator training to better understand the ALP assessment tool, reports, and integration into the capacity building program. A third-party firm will be hired to conduct baseline and endline assessments. Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/6623/view.html
