Request for Proposals: Facilitator, Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) Alumni Seminar in Tbilisi, Georgia – International

How to Apply: Please submit a proposal via email to the two individuals listed below. In your proposal, please elaborate on how you would structure the three days of sessions and activities for the seminar. You may include a draft agenda if you prefer. Please include your fees for design, planning, and implementation in your proposal.

Melanie Winters, Program Officer: Melanie.Winters@worldlearning.org

Jordan Ferrick, Program Officer: Jordan.Ferrick@worldlearning.org.

If you have any questions as you prepare your proposal, please contact the people listed above.

Request for Proposals: Facilitator, Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) Alumni Seminar in Tbilisi, Georgia - International

Reports to: Program Officer on the Global UGRAD Team at World Learning

Location: Tbilisi, Georgia

Duration: October 27-31, 2025

Application Deadline: June 20, 2025

This document serves as an invitation for an open bidding process to solicit proposals from interested consultants and includes the following:

• Background
• Responsibilities
• Anticipated deliverables
• Requirements
• Application instructions
• Selection Process

Background: A program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) is an opportunity for exceptional young leaders from over 60 countries/areas to attend colleges and universities across the United States for a semester of non-degree study and cultural exchange. The program is designed to increase participants' understanding of the United States and enhance their leadership skills through academic coursework, community service, and professional development activities.

Each year, over 300 students are selected by U.S. Embassies and Fulbright Commissions to participate in the Global UGRAD Program through a competitive application process that considers leadership potential, academic promise, and community involvement. World Learning then partners with over 60 institutions of higher education across the United States to host Global UGRAD students on their campuses and provide high-quality academic programs, superior international student support, and impactful professional development activities.

World Learning is preparing to implement a Global UGRAD regional alumni seminar in Tbilisi, Georgia for 50 Global UGRAD alumni (age range of 22-35) from countries in Europe and Central Asia.

Proposed sessions will be tailored to meet the participants' backgrounds, expectations, and skill levels as derived from the participants' self-assessments and applications. Session formats include interactive skill-building workshops, small group discussions, moderated panel discussions, scheduled social activities, and casual conversations for increased one-on-one networking and partnership development.

The seminar will focus on the following objectives:

• Increase alumni participant networking to establish a shared Global UGRAD alumni community.
• Create the foundation for mentorship and support networks in career development for current and future alumni.
• Build alumni participant capacity in community engagement and project management so that alumni can implement and manage projects in their home communities.

World Learning is accepting proposals from experienced individuals to serve as the lead facilitator, which will include leading sessions and activities for three days on mentorship and building support networks, community project design and management, and career and higher education development.

World Learning asks consultants to include their fees or proposed rates of service for design, planning, implementation, and travel. The World Learning program will arrange the facilitator's travel, hotel accommodations, and a per diem for meals unless the facilitator lives in the city where the seminar will take place.

There will be three planning calls (one hour in length) before the seminar with World Learning staff and intermittent email communication in the three months leading up to the seminar. The selected facilitator will need to be available in person at the seminar in Tbilisi for three full days (8:00 am to 6:00 pm).

Responsibilities include:

• Provide curriculum development, materials preparation, and lead facilitator services for the seminar.
• Meet with World Learning staff for three virtual planning meetings (one-hour in length per meeting).
• Design curriculum materials before the seminar and provide World Learning with a requested supply list for activities and sessions.
• Serve as the seminar lead facilitator and lead sessions and activities on mentorship and building support networks, community project design and management, career and higher education development, and a seminar reflection.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• Over five years of experience in facilitating workshops/seminars on mentorship and building support networks, community project design and management, career, and higher education development.
• Ability to adapt to change and make decisions in ambiguous situations.
• Proven track record in designing and executing impactful workshops/seminars for early to mid-career professionals.
• Preference for applicants with experience facilitating workshops/programs for U.S. Department of State-funded exchange programs.
• Applicants must be authorized to work either in the United States or in the country of the alumni seminar.

Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until June 20, 2025. World Learning reserves the right to request a brief, virtual interview with any shortlisted candidates as preferred. World Learning intends to contract the applicants who submit the best value application, based on the requirements.