Strategic Planning Expert

Background
   
Aid Watch Palestine (AWP) was founded after the 2014 Israel attack on Gaza as an independent, Palestinian initiative to make international aid more accountable to Palestinians. We invite the Palestinian community and aid actors - local and international, public and private - to join us in critical and constructive scrutiny of aid and to fundamentally re-envision aid. More information is available at www.aidwatch.ps

AWP is seeking to engage an expert to assist it and its members in renewing and updating AWP strategy plan (2017-2020). The expert will work with AWP Steering Committee and staff to accomplish this mission.

The strategy is intended to allow AWP to pursue systematically and in a timely manner its organizational vision within the current Palestinian context, objectives; indicators, targets, and actions. The AWP strategic plan is the result of a participatory process involving a series of consultations with AWP stakeholders and incorporates lessons learned over the past two years.

Purpose and Objective

The purpose of this assignment is to conduct background assessments and facilitate the development of a renewed strategic plan for AWP for the period 2018-2020. Specific Objectives:

-    Synthesis of results and identify strategic opportunities
-    Support the Director in designing appropriate metrics using the Theory of Change model to best align with identified strategic priorities
-    Preparation of a work plan and an appropriate Assessment Framework
-    Plan and facilitate a day-long workshop with Steering Committee members, staff and others to prioritize strategic directions
-    Draft and finalize AWP’s strategic plan

Scope and Focus of the Assignment

The scope and focus of the assignment is to provide technical, strategic and facilitation support to enable the renewal of AWP’s strategic plan. After an initial document review, the expert will develop an analysis framework and work plan to guide the assessment.

The expert will conduct a thorough but focused assessment of AWP's strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats, with a view to identifying appropriate strategic options for the 2018-2020 operational period. The assessment will include review of relevant documents, in particular AWP's vision and mission statements, existing strategic plan and key project documents, strategic plans of key partner agencies, donor organizations, and related national and international reports. The expert will also 1) conduct individual interviews with key informants, and 2) facilitate in-depth focus group/facilitated discussions among AWP members and non-member stakeholders in WB and Gaza.

The use of participatory processes is expected. Critical reflection by members and stakeholders is integral to this strategic planning initiative. As such, the expert will be expected to provide for active and meaningful engagement of AWP members, relevant stakeholders.

It is expected that data will be analyzed by using a demanding and transparent analysis framework, summarized and presented back to AWP to aid in prioritization of strategic directions. A key aspect of the consultancy is preparation for and facilitation of a one-day strategic planning meeting with AWP Steering Committee members and staff. All data and the results of the workshop will be consolidated into a draft and finalized strategic document, including analysis and the presentation of metrics using a Theory of Change model approach.

The ideal expert will have knowledge of and/or proven expertise in:

-    Palestinian Civil Society and the development context in oPt
-    Participatory approaches in conducting assessments and facilitating strategic planning processes
-    Familiarity with the Theory of Change approach
-    Strategic planning document preparation

Deliverables

The expert will provide the following deliverables (in Arabic & English):

-    An analysis framework based on the Terms of Reference
-    A strategic plan workshop agenda and facilitation plan

-    A strategic plan document including:
-    Executive summary
-    Background
-    Internal and External Analysis
-    Strategic priorities
-    Metrics to assess progress made in the attainment of these strategic priorities (using Theory of Change and/or similar methodology)
-    Strategic plan

Budget

The budget should include the hall rent in Ramallah and Gaza for meetings and other related expenses. It also should be provided in US Dollars (TAX included). The assignment expected to be completed by August 31, 2017.

Including the costs of and managing communications and logistics associated with the assessment:

-    Conducting one focus group meeting with AWP team in both WB & Gaza.
-    Conducting one-day brain storming session with AWP team & steering committee members.
-    Meeting with relevant stakeholders to share their point of view of AWP goals.
-    Conducting one meeting to present the findings and the semi-final strategy draft.


Qualifications and Competencies:

Interested candidates must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

Education:

- A degree in a field relevant to the assignment, for example in Development Studies, Statistics, economics, related social science fields, or economics

Experience:

-    + 5 years of experience in the area of research, strategic planning, and related capacity building
-    Proven experience in strategic planning of development projects
-    Experience in qualitative and quantitative approaches and data analysis
-    Good knowledge of international donors systems, procedures and operational activities for development is an advantage

Competencies:

-    Possess a Strategic vision, strong technical and analytical capabilities
-    Demonstrate integrity and openness and ability to receive/integrate feedback
-    Strong analytical skills and effective interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
-    Possess strong Facilitation, training, computer skills

-    Fluency in Arabic and English

Application Process/ Submission

Interested experts are invited to send the below requested documents in English to
 

[email protected]

no later than 03.08.2017, indicating the Consultancy title (Strategic Planning Expert) in the email subject line.

-    Technical proposal to conduct the strategy revision including a brief methodology
-    Financial proposal should include a budget breakdown with all details mentioned in the budget section
-    Resume– this should highlight past experience of similar projects/assignments
-    Sample of previous work in similar consultancy work (develop a strategic plan and strategic plan revision).

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