ARMA Qualifications Review – Request for Quote

About ARMA UK 

ARMA (UK) is the professional association for research management in the UK. We represent research leaders, managers and administrators, offering professional development and opportunities to build networks, knowledge and skills.  

Background 

Professional development is at the core of ARMA’s mission. We offer a range of recognised professional qualifications that enable members to progress their careers and deliver their roles at the highest standard. The ARMA Certificate in Research Management qualifications have been designed to provide both formal recognition and a structured learning framework for research management professionals at any stage in their career.  

Each of our qualifications is offered on a part-time self-learning basis and relate closely to the work environment. Students are provided with online resources and access to ARMA professional development training opportunities. All qualifications have been developed by ARMA, in partnership with Awards for Training Higher Education (ATHE), which is a regulated Ofqual awarding organisation. 

As part of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, a Qualifications Working Group was established to review all units involved in both, the ARMA Foundation and Advanced certificates. This review has been completed with a number of recommendations to improve the programme in the short and longer-term. A number of changes were submitted to the ATHE and implemented for the current cohort that started in the autumn of 2024.  

This review however highlighted the need for transformational review at various levels:  

• Modules level: provide a more in-depth update (re-write) of some of the units and addition of new ones to ensure that our qualification programme continues to meet the training and skills needs of the RM&A sector for the next 5 years and beyond.  
• Programme level: it will consider the integration with the overall training and development programme (and refreshed professional development framework).  
• Models of delivery: review the model of delivery, accreditation, audience appropriateness and provide scenarios for cost-benefit analysis.  

It was agreed that this work should be led by a suitably qualified external consultant. 

Aims 

The purpose of this Request for Quote (RFQ) is to invite providers with suitable subject knowledge and expertise of both the Research Management and Administration sector and producing high quality accredited education programmes, to submit a quote to review, refresh and rewrite ARMA UK’s Qualifications Programme.  

The updated programme will need to: 

• Fully meet current and future sector needs  
• Align with the professional development framework 
• Consider latest technological advances such as Artificial Intelligence and regulatory demands 
• Continue to be best qualification programme in class and in the UK.  

Objectives 

It is proposed that this project will involve 3 phases: 

1. A review of all elements of the current qualifications programme (content, audience, financial model and accreditation).  
2. Based on the recommendations of phase 1, fully refresh the programme aligned to the sector professional needs.  
3. Produce and support the implementation of all new programme/curriculum elements (including supporting assessors, trainers and office staff).  

Project budget and timescales 

The budget available for this tender is £45,000 +VAT 

Tender assessment 

All providers wishing to provide a quote should do so by email to james.dunphy@arma.ac.uk by Monday 24th February at 17:00. Please do not provide more than 6 sides of A4 and please outline the below: 

• Your understanding of the proposal and your approach 
• Your proposed timeline including milestones and risks 
• Key interdependencies 
• Your proposed budget 
• Quality assurance (highlight the people involved) 

*See more information for full tender assessment criteria. 

More information

Please click here for a full information pack.