Terms of Reference: CRPAANP Strategic Plan and Manuals Development
Introduction
The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) supports the Committee for the Registration of Political Associations and Approval of National Parties (CRPAANP) in Somaliland to enhance its operational capacity significantly. This support includes developing key organizational policies—encompassing human resources, procurement, and finance—and creating a robust, updated strategic plan that reflects best practices and aligns with CRPAANP's mandate. This comprehensive approach aims to strengthen CRPAANP's ability to govern Somaliland's political landscape effectively.
Established under Law No. 14/2023, CRPAANP plays a vital role in Somaliland's democratic development. As an independent body, it safeguards internal party democracy, facilitates dispute resolution, and ensures adherence to democratic processes while upholding the rights of political associations and citizens. This commitment to democratic principles necessitates a strong institutional framework. To achieve this, NIMD is seeking a highly competent international firm possessing both a deep understanding of international best practices and demonstrable experience working within the specific context of Somaliland. The successful firm will possess expertise in organizational development and capacity building within the political arena and will be capable of adapting international standards to the unique requirements of the Somaliland political environment.
Objectives
This consultancy's primary objectives are to significantly enhance CRPAANP's operational effectiveness and ensure its long-term sustainability. This will be achieved through a multi-faceted approach focusing on strategic planning, organizational structure, policy development, and capacity building. Specifically, the consultancy will:
· Align Strategic Planning with Legal Frameworks: Conduct a comprehensive review of CRPAANP's strategic plan, ensuring its full alignment with the newly enacted Law No. 14/2023 and all relevant legislation. This will involve identifying and addressing any inconsistencies or gaps to ensure the plan's continued relevance and effectiveness.
· Optimize the institution’s Structure and Roles: Undertake a thorough review of CRPAANP's organizational structure, developing clear roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines. This will enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability within the organization. The process will involve developing detailed functional descriptions and job specifications for each position, clarifying mandates and responsibilities.
· Develop and Modernize Key Policies: develop and/or revise key organizational policies related to human resources, procurement, and finance. These policies will be designed to reflect best practices, enhance transparency and accountability, and ensure efficient and effective management of CRPAANP’s resources.
· Enhance Institutional Capacity: Conduct tailored training sessions for both CRPAANP staff and committee members. These sessions will focus on building capacity to effectively implement the revised strategic plan and newly developed policies, ensuring the sustainability of the improvements made through this consultancy. The training will utilize participatory methods and incorporate practical exercises to maximize its impact and relevance.
Scope of Work
This consultancy will undertake a comprehensive and participatory process to strengthen CRPAANP's strategic direction and operational effectiveness. The scope of work is structured in four key phases:
1. Strategic Plan Enhancement: This phase goes beyond a simple review. It involves a thorough analysis of existing strategic plans and relevant documentation, assessing the current situation, and anticipating future challenges. The consultant will Conduct a comprehensive literature review. Analyze the situational context, identifying both current and emerging challenges. Revisit and refine CRPAANP's vision, mission, and core values, ensuring their continued relevance. Develop a clear articulation of strategic themes, objectives, and targets. Define strategic initiatives, projects, and programs to achieve stated goals. Design a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework. Develop a detailed implementation work plan outlining specific actions and timelines. Facilitate a comprehensive review process with multiple rounds of stakeholder feedback to ensure alignment. Conduct a validation workshop with key stakeholders to refine the plan based on their input. Submit the finalized strategic plan.
2. Organizational Structure Optimization: This phase aims to create a more effective and efficient organizational structure: Conduct a thorough review of CRPAANP’s existing structure, roles, and functions. Identify existing gaps and assess the functionality of each unit. Develop an organizational chart (organigram) aligned with CRPAANP’s mandate. Develop clear and concise job descriptions and specifications for each position, clarifying roles and responsibilities. Conduct a validation workshop with both committee members and key staff to ensure alignment and address concerns. Finalize and submit the updated organizational structure and job descriptions.
3. Policy Development: This phase focuses on creating modern and effective policies. Draft new policies for finance, procurement, and human resources based on best practices and legal frameworks. These will reflect a commitment to transparency and accountability.
4. Capacity Building: This crucial phase ensures effective implementation of the improved strategic plan and policies: Conduct a leadership training session covering strategic planning, the new organizational structure, and the revised strategic plan for CRPAANP committee members. Conduct a separate training session for CRPAANP staff and directors covering the new organizational structure, updated strategic plan, and relevant operational procedures. This will focus on building capacity for effective implementation.
Deliverables
This consultancy will deliver a comprehensive suite of outputs designed to enhance CRPAANP's operational capacity and effectiveness significantly. These deliverables are not simply individual documents but represent a cohesive and integrated system for improving governance and management. Specifically, the consultant will deliver:
1. Revised and Updated Strategic Plan: A dynamic and forward-looking strategic plan that is fully aligned with CRPAANP's mandate, reflects best international practices, and incorporates feedback from all stakeholders. This plan will serve as a roadmap for CRPAANP's future development, guiding its actions and resource allocation.
2. Comprehensive Policy Manuals: Three detailed and user-friendly manuals covering finance, procurement, and human resources. These manuals will provide clear guidelines and procedures for managing CRPAANP's resources effectively, promoting transparency and accountability.
3. Clear Definition of Roles and Responsibilities: A detailed description of departmental functions and job descriptions for all positions within CRPAANP. This will clarify roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines, improving efficiency and coordination within the organization.
4. Targeted Capacity Building: Two tailored training programs—one for CRPAANP committee members and another for CRPAANP staff—designed to ensure effective implementation and long-term sustainability of the developed strategic plan and policies. These training programs will utilize participatory methods and will be tailored to the specific needs and context of CRPAANP.
Duration of the Assignment
The consultancy is anticipated to be completed within a timeframe of 30 working days, spread across February and March 2025. This timeframe is designed to allow for a thorough and effective assessment while ensuring timely delivery of the deliverables. The schedule will be carefully managed to ensure that all tasks are completed efficiently and effectively within the allocated period. This timeframe accounts for potential challenges and will incorporate flexibility where needed to ensure the successful completion of all project objectives.
Consultant’s Qualifications
The ideal international firm consultant will possess a unique blend of expertise and experience to lead this critical consultancy effectively. The successful candidate will demonstrate:
1. Strategic Planning and Organizational Development Expertise: A proven track record of successfully developing and implementing strategic plans and driving organizational development initiatives, ideally within similar political or governance contexts. Evidence of successful organizational transformations and capacity-building projects will be highly valued.
2. Senior Official Training Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in designing and delivering high-impact training programs for senior officials, including experience tailoring training content to specific needs and contexts. A proven ability to effectively engage and motivate senior leaders will be essential.
3. Strong Analytical, Financial, and Communication Skills: A sophisticated skillset encompassing strong analytical capabilities to assess complex situations, financial acumen to manage budgets and resources effectively, and exceptional communication skills to build consensus and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
4. Policy Development and Capacity Building Experience: A proven ability to draft clear, concise, and effective policies, aligning them with best international practices and local contexts. Experience in designing and implementing capacity-building programs and fostering sustainable organizational improvements is essential.
Payment and Fee Structure
The firm will be compensated based on the following milestone payments:
Reporting and Supervision
The consultant will be accountable to the leadership of CRPAANP, providing regular reports on progress and addressing any emerging challenges. This direct reporting line ensures responsiveness to CRPAANP's needs and priorities. Furthermore, the consultant will collaborate closely with the NIMD project team, fostering a productive and coordinated working relationship. This collaborative approach ensures seamless communication, efficient problem-solving, and the effective management of resources to achieve all project deliverables. Regular meetings and transparent communication channels will be established to guarantee smooth coordination and the timely achievement of the project's objectives. This dual reporting and collaboration structure optimizes both responsiveness to local needs and adherence to international best practices, maximizing the project's overall impact.
International consulting firms interested in this opportunity are invited to submit technical proposals that outline their approach, methodology, relevant experience, team composition, reference contacts, and financial proposal. Proposals should be sent to hargeisa@nimd.org with the subject line " CRPAANP Procedural Development" by January 26, 2025, at 18:00 EAT.
NIMD works to promote peaceful, just and inclusive democracy worldwide. To that end, we work with the entire political sector in a country, from aspiring politicians to political leaders and from the national to the local level. Together with the par... Read More
