Consultancy for Facilitating Development of Strategic Plan

1. BACKGROUND

Care Cooperative Savings and Credit Society Limited was established in 1995 under the guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. It started off as a small Cooperative through contributions from employees from Care International, with an initial membership of 50, and has now grown to over 3,000 members drawn from various non-governmental organizations and general members who are former employees of member organizations.

1.1 Vision

Care Cooperative Savings and Credit Society Limited’s Vision is to provide affordable and flexible finance to enhance a member’s standard of living.

1.2 Mission

The Cooperative’s main objective is to encourage Savings from its members and advance them with loans for development and any emergencies.

1.3 Strategic Plan (2013 – 2017)

The Care Cooperative Savings and Credit Society Ltd (hereinafter called “Care Coop”) previous strategic plan was designed for the period 2013 – 2017.

During the life of the strategic plan, Care Coop reported phenomenon growth in terms of membership from 1,371 members in 2013 to 2,747 members at the close of 2017, representing a 100.3% increase. Member organizations increased from 31 to 63, a 103% increase. The asset base increased by 159% from K25.32million in 2013 to K65.68million at the close of 2017. This growth can be attributed to among other initiatives, the heightened member recruitment and diversification of the investment portfolio through share offer to members.

Care Coop is at the threshold of the next level in its development, requiring it to develop a feasible and visionary blueprint for advancing its vision and mandate for the next 5 years. These are the terms of reference for the facilitation towards the formulation of the 2018 – 2022 strategic plan for Care Coop.

2. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this assignment is to lead the process in facilitating for the development of a renewed strategic plan for Care Coop for 2018-2022. As part of this process, the consultant will review and assess the implementation of the Care Coop strategic plan for 2013 – 2017 and based on these reviews and assessments facilitate the preparation of a renewed strategic plan for Care Coop for the 2018 – 2022.

2.1 Specific Objectives:

• Assess and analyze Care Coop’s internal environment.
• Assess and analyze the Care Coop’s external environment and stakeholders.
• Review and assess to what extent the 2013 – 2017 strategic plan was implemented.
• Review and identify key areas of success and key areas of challenges in 2013 – 2017.
• Synthesize results of the assessments above and identify alternative directions.
• Plan and facilitate workshop/s to prioritize strategic directions.
• Support in designing appropriate metrics to best align with identified strategic priorities.
• Review and recommend Care Coop’s structure to effectively discharge its mandate.
• Draft and finalize Care Coop’s strategic plan.

3. SCOPE AND FOCUS OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The scope and focus of the assignment are to provide technical, strategic and facilitation support to enable the drafting of Care Coop’s strategic plan for 2018 – 2022. After the initial document review, the Consultant will develop an analysis framework and work plan to guide the assessment and the development of the strategic plan. S/he will conduct a thorough but focused assessment of Care Coop’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats, with a view to identifying appropriate strategic options for the 2018 – 2022 period.

The use of participatory approaches throughout the process is desirable, with vital input from Care Coop Board of Directors, Management and the membership. It is expected that data will be analyzed using a rigorous and transparent analysis framework, summarized and presented back to Care Coop to assist in prioritization of strategic directions. A key aspect of the consultancy is preparation for and facilitation of a strategic planning workshop/s with Care Coop Board of Directors, Management and a select number of members and other critical stakeholders. All data and the results of the workshop will be consolidated into a draft and finalized strategic document.

4. METHODOLOGY

The methodology will consist of document review, interviews, analysis and synthesis presented in a report, workshop facilitation and strategic plan drafting. The consultant will first familiarize him/herself thoroughly with the legal and policy framework, including the Cooperative Act of 1998 and Care Coop By-Laws. This will be followed by a well-planned set of interviews with all key stakeholders to assess Care Coop’s internal and external environment. This process will be followed by packaging the results in a report, including identification of strengths and weaknesses as well as identifying alternative strategic focus areas for Care Coop. Once the assessment process has been completed, the consultant will plan and facilitate a workshop with Board members, Management and other key stakeholders with the aim of prioritizing the strategic directions for 2018 to 2022.

5. REQUIRED EXPERTISE

5.1 Academic Qualifications:

1. At least a master’s degree in a relevant field.
2. The ideal Consultant will have knowledge of and/or proven expertise in:

• Strategic planning document preparation.
• Proved experience in strategic planning and management.
• Participatory approaches in conducting assessments.
• Facilitating strategic planning processes
• Familiarity with the Theory of Change approach

5.2 Skills and Competencies:

• At least 7 years of professional experience
• High level written and oral communications skills in English.
• Must be result-oriented, a team player, exhibiting high levels of tact.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and professional skills.
• Skills in facilitation of stakeholder engagements/workshops.
• Evidence of having undertaken similar assignments

6. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

6.1 Care Coop will be responsible for:

• Actively engaging with the Consultant during the assessment.
• Identifying stakeholders and relevant documents as needed.
• Managing communications and logistics associated with the assessment.
• Selecting, contracting and managing the Consultant.
• Covering the costs of the strategic planning workshop.
• Providing technical advice and inputs throughout the process.
• Identifying stakeholders and relevant documents as needed.

6.2 The Consultant will be responsible for:

• Preparation of a work plan and an appropriate Assessment Framework.
• Actively engaging all stakeholders using participatory processes.
• Regular progress reporting.
• Production of deliverables in accordance with the requirements and timeframes.

7. DELIVERABLES

The consultant will provide the following deliverables:

• An Analysis Framework based on these Terms of Reference
• A summary assessment report (outcomes of document reviews and interviews)
• Outlining alternative strategic directions)
• A strategic plan workshop agenda and facilitation plan

8. TIME SPAN

The assignment is expected to be completed within 45 working days.

9. APPLICATION PROCESS

Send a cover letter responding to the Terms of Reference that includes a CV, a proposed work plan including a timeline and a proposed fee note to [email protected]. Applications should be submitted by Monday 25 June 2018. Please ensure that you mention www.gozambiajobs.com as the source of this job advertisement.