Narrative Reporting & AI Use Training Consultant

Context of Work:

While Trócaire does not directly implement projects and works exclusively through local partners, its staff remains responsible for reviewing partner reports, consolidating donor submissions, and ensuring narrative quality, consistency, and alignment with donor requirements and Trócaire’s values. As part of its Learning and Development commitments and localisation strategy, Trócaire is seeking an external consultant to design and deliver a training for both internal and its partners’ staff. The training will focus on enhancing narrative reporting skills through case study development as well as impact, outcome and output reporting. Moreover, given the rise of Artificial Intelligence in the NGO sector, the training should also incorporate a module on the efficient and ethical use of AI tools.

1. Objectives of the Assignment:

The objective of this consultancy is to strengthen the reporting capacity of Trócaire staff and partners in Lebanon and Syria by enhancing skills in producing donor-aligned reports, integrating data with narratives, and improving storytelling. The training will also cover ethical use of AI, clarify reporting levels, and ensure reports reflect Trócaire’s values and standards.

1. Strengthen Trócaire staff capacity in:

• Strengthen capacity to harmonize and consolidate partner reports into high-quality donor submissions.
• Producing clear, concise, and donor-aligned narrative reports.
• Using AI tools ethically and efficiently in report drafting and editing, without compromising data protection.
• Reviewing and providing constructive feedback on partner reports.
• Integrating Trócaire’s values, tone, and voice in narrative writing.
• Improving storytelling and case study development skills.
• Enhance ability to identify gaps, inconsistencies, or risks in partner reporting and propose corrective actions.

2. Strengthen Trócaire’s Lebanon and Syria partners’ staff capacity in:

• Producing clear, concise, and donor-aligned narrative reports.
• Using AI tools ethically and efficiently in report drafting and editing, without compromising data protection.
• Clarification of the different reporting levels (impact, outcome, output, activity) and best practices on how to report at each level.
• Improving storytelling and case study development skills.
• Develop practical skills for integrating quantitative data and qualitative narratives into coherent reports.

2. Target Audience:

• Trócaire staff involved in project management, MEAL, partnerships and grants. Estimated participants: 10-13 staff members
• Trócaire’s Lebanon partner staff involved in reporting i.e. project managers, MEAL and grants staff. Estimated participants: 10-15 staff members
• Trócaire’s Syria partner staff involved in reporting i.e. project managers, MEAL and grants staff. Estimated participants: 5 staff members

3. Key Topics to Be Covered:

Based on the internal team survey, the training to Trócaire staff should mainly cover:

Narrative Reporting:

• Understanding donor reporting requirements (including activity/ output/ outcome/ impact)
• Structuring narrative reports for clarity and compliance
• Writing key sections: context, results, outcomes, lessons learned, sustainability and success stories
• Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Reviewing Partner Reports:

• Assessing partner report quality, structure, and credibility
• Providing constructive and supportive feedback
• Aligning partner reports with log-frames and indicators

Use of AI Tools:

• Introduction to AI tools (mainly ChatGPT) in the workplace
• Ethical use of AI in donor reporting (such as originality, data protection, plagiarism concerns)
• Practical exercises: AI for proofreading, outlining, summarizing, prompting

Storytelling and Trócaire’s Voice:

• Embedding Trócaire’s values and tone in narrative reports
• Writing partner-centred and values-based stories
• Case study development: sourcing, consent, and narrative

Based on the survey filled out by partners, the training to partners’ staff should include:

Narrative Reporting:

• Understanding donor reporting requirements and guidelines (including difference between activity/ output/ outcome/ impact – focus on impact)
• Structuring narrative reports for clarity and compliance
• Writing key sections: context, results, outcomes, lessons learned, sustainability and success stories (focus on context analysis)
• How to balance between conciseness and describing in detail (what to prioritise?)
• How to interact with the MEAL team to gather, select and analyse the most relevant data on which the report / case study / success story can be built.
• Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Use of AI Tools:

• Introduction to AI tools (mainly ChatGPT) in the workplace
• Ethical use of AI in donor reporting (such as originality, data protection, plagiarism concerns)
• Practical exercises: AI for proofreading, outlining, summarizing, prompting

Storytelling and impact reporting:

• Writing in a way that triggers an emotional response while showing the impact
• Writing beneficiary-centred and values-based success stories
• Case study development: sourcing, consent, and narrative

4. Methodology:

The consultant is expected to use interactive, hands-on methods, including:

• Real examples of narrative reports (anonymized if needed)
• Small group writing and peer review exercises
• AI tool demonstrations and guided practice
• Templates and checklists
• Feedback sessions and coaching

Delivery: Three training workshops will be delivered in person—or online if in-person delivery is not possible – one for Trócaire staff, one for Lebanon partners, and one for Syria partners.

Training duration: 1-2 days per workshop

5. Expected Deliverables:

• Detailed training agenda and materials (PowerPoint, handouts, exercises)
• Templates or practical tools (such as report checklist, AI use guide) if any
• Delivery of the training (in-person)
• Short training report with participant feedback and recommendations
• Pre- / post-test

6. Timeline:

• Contracting: Mid November 2025
• Training Delivery: End of November to mid-December 2025
• Training Report: Within one week after delivery

7. Required Qualifications:

• Proven experience in training or coaching on narrative reporting in the humanitarian/ development sector
• Solid understanding of donor reporting requirements
• Experience using or teaching responsible use of AI tools in communications or writing
• Strong facilitation and coaching skills
• Familiarity with Trócaire’s mandate and partner-led programming is an asset
• Fluency in English and Arabic