Terms of Reference for the Strategic Plan Development 2021-2025
Background/Context
The Foundation For Tomorrow (TFFT):
TFFT is a dynamic and fast-growing non-governmental organization that focuses on addressing
vulnerability through the power of education. We offer individual orphan and vulnerable children the
opportunity to succeed through access to quality schooling, health and psychosocial support, and life
skills programs. Additionally, we work to improve the quality of instruction and school management to
ensure widespread, sustainable impact through training educators to strive for and attain excellence in the
delivery of basic education. TFFT believes systemic change happens from the community level and is
excited to play a role in transforming the education landscape in Tanzania. Our new initiative – The
Learning Centre – will expand and strengthen TFFT’s commitment to the students, teachers, families, and
communities that we have been working with for over 10 years. The Learning Centre’s participatory
environment will bolster TFFT’s existing programs, engage the entire community, and ignite lifelong
learners. The centre is designed in partnership with the local government and with the support of our most
steadfast partners.
In order to deliver on our goal to combat vulnerability with education, TFFT recognizes the value of
developing a strategic plan to assess the strengths and weaknesses of our approach and to consider the
internal and external factors that influence the trajectory of our work. TFFT plans to develop a five year
strategic plan for 2021-2025, to reconfirm the Organization’s vision and to establish a design process and
approach for the effective implementation and sustainability of its mandate over the next five years. TFFT
firmly believes that its staff members, scholars, boundary partners and key stakeholders are at the centre
of this strategic planning effort, helping to assess ways in which to strengthen the impact of the
organization, providing direct input into consultations.
Purpose of the consultancy
The strategic development consultant will facilitate a directional analysis of TFFT and a communications,
monitoring, and evaluation plan. This includes assessing the Theories of Change employed by TFFT and
examining how they serve to deliver TFFT’s mission. The consultant will support the definition of a
detailed outcomes measurement methodology for TFFT’s anticipated Learning Centre. The purpose of
this consultancy is to implement a strategic methodology and support and lead TFFT staff, partners, and
board in a participatory planning process, ensuring a sense of ownership, engaging meaningfully with the
boundary partners, board of governance and key stakeholders. The substantive outcome is a five year
strategic plan for the period 2021-2025.
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Scope of Work
The plan must address, amongst other things, development of strong partnerships and resource
mobilization initiatives and how to more effectively engage government agencies and communities more
meaningfully in the realization of TFFT’s mission and vision. The consultant will draw from any best
practices within similar strategic plans for other non-governmental organizations with similar modus
operandi as The Foundation For Tomorrow.
Elements of the plan will include but not limited to:
1. Develop a sound methodology that grounds the strategic plan and facilitates a directional
analysis for TFFT’s current operations and the integration and development of The Learning
Centre.
2. Conduct a needs assessment of the Organization including consideration of situation analysis and
identification of constraints and opportunities for growth and development.
3. Guide stakeholder mapping and consultations and understand, obtain, and analyze qualitative and
quantitative data relevant to stakeholders and partners.
4. Develop plans and strategies with clear deliverables, indicators and tools that address the
constraints and create the needed support systems and incentives.
5. Development, validation, finalization and costing of the strategic plan 2021-2025, including
outcome mapping for monitoring and evaluation, detailed implementation for 2021-2022, and
general activities for 2023-2025.
6. Recommend methodology and tools for evaluating outcomes and develop monitoring and
communication strategy.
7. The Consultant will collect, evaluate and lead in the presentation and validation process. Some of
these elements may be included in the final document, as an appendix or cited as separate
literature.
Specific Task
The Consultant will:
1. Carry out a desk review of documents relevant to an understanding of the mandate, legal frame,
work and context of TFFT.
2. Review existing national strategies/actions, laws and policies on education and governing NGOs
in the education sector and include these when developing strategic actions.
3. Assess existing Theories of Change employed by TFFT and support the TFFT team in
establishing an Organizational Theory of Change for 2021-2025.
4. Conduct needs assessment of TFFT, which shall include a review of the existing structure,
financial strategy and sustainability and engagement with a view for the future expansion to be
components of the final strategy.
5. Support the definition and development of the Learning Centre, including:
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● Facilitate an assessment of what role The Learning Centre will play in furthering TFFT’s
mission and incorporate its development/operations into our model for growth and
Theory of Change.
● Map out and finalize the program design process, timeline, and scope and delivery of
each Learning Centre component, inclusive of staffing.
● Support the strategy for reaching target populations and map and characterise the
community needs in the target area.
● Understand, obtain and analyze data relevant to target population (e.g. community
conditions).
● Recommend options for metrics for program evaluation and outcomes for each program
of The Learning Centre.
● Review strengths and weaknesses of existing community learning center models and
utilise best practice and evolving trends to inform The Learning Centre development
model.
● Provide a risk matrix for each program and an overview of major challenges of
implementation.
6. Develop a comprehensive methodology and work plan for a participatory process with a view of
achieving support from members and partners, which includes holding consultations and
facilitating interviews with relevant stakeholders including, but not limited to, donor and
development partners, private sector and civil society NGOs.
7. Together, with the steering committee, lead a program of wider consultations to receive feedback
on the draft strategic plan.
8. Finalize the strategic plan, including the log frame and detailed implementation plan, for
2021-2022 and provide general activities for 2023-2025. The plan should include priority
programs and strategies, baselines and targets, timelines and resource allocations and a
monitoring plan and communication plan.
9. Include a plan to align actions with existing relevant sectors’ strategies informed by best practices
internationally and within Africa and Tanzania working in a similar environment.
Deliverable Outputs
Based on the above, Consultant shall prepare and complete the five year strategic plan. This shall entail,
among other things the following:
1. A five year strategy with clear deliverables, key milestones, and direct guidance on
implementation to strengthen The Foundation For Tomorrow’s mission and vision.
2. External environment assessment and internal environment assessment of the stakeholders/SWOT
analysis.
3. Establish specific objectives for the communication strategy and implement tools for evaluation
of the communication strategy.
4. Present the draft strategic plan to stakeholders to validate.
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Commitment to Quality Work
The consultant shall use an evidence based approach and ensure the highest standards of work and timely
deliverables at every stage of this assignment. The consultant shall ensure clarity of objectives and
process during the consultations, counter check all facts and figures cited, ensure that the content and
format of the draft strategic plan meets the high standard for such documents and ensure proper editing
and clarity.
The consultant shall, at the onset of the planning process, identify all stakeholders having a direct and
indirect interest in the strategic plan. Listing people, groups and institutions that influence the work of
TFFT. All stakeholders must be able to make inputs into the strategic plan to promote ownership of the
plan.
Method
The consultant shall obtain disaggregated data, review relevant literature, interviews, and undertake field
visits in selected areas. The consultant is permitted to form a team for the delivery of the objectives of the
consultancy. TFFT’s Form 4 leavers and alumni may be trained in semi-structured interview methodology
by the consultant to assist in community interviews.
Qualifications/Competencies/ Experience
TFFT is seeking for the services of a professional or a consultancy firm to develop a five year strategic
plan. The firm/individual must possess the following:
1. Relevant work experience in strategic planning and development
2. Excellent and proven analytical skills
3. Excellent organizational and communication skills, ability to prioritize and work with minimum
supervision
4. Possess knowledge in the general social, economic and political environment that influences
education landscape in Tanzania
5. Understanding of participatory approaches to management and operations
Duration
The consultancy shall be for a period no longer than two months, beginning on January 25th, 2021.
Details:
● Remuneration and Method of Payment: To be negotiated
● The consultancy costs for travel and meetings should not exceed USD $750
● The Consultant shall receive 20% of the final cost after delivery and acceptance of the work plan,
40% of the final cost after the delivery and acceptance of a satisfactory report based on the terms
of reference, and 40% of the final cost after meeting all deliverable outputs
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● The payment shall be by cheque or bank transfer
● Penalty: The consultant is subject to a 15% reduction of the total agreed once
○ The report is submitted two weeks after the agreed timelines (without just
and reasonable mutually agreed explanation) and
○ Non delivery of the tasks shall lead to withholding of the final payment (40%) until
receipt and approval of all deliverables’ outputs
Application materials:
● Interested parties should submit a concise proposal for how the work will be carried out.
Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their bids alongside detailed proposals, indicating
their work schedule from the commencement to the end of the consultancy. Included should be:
● Technical approach and suggested timeline (maximum 5 pages)
● Case studies of previous experience of strategic development planning (maximum 2 pages)
● Budget for work to be undertaken (submitted in a single Excel worksheet and broken down into
personnel, fees, travel and other)
● Any restrictions on consultant availability to begin work on 25th January 2020
● Any restrictions on consultant availability to travel during the contract
Application timeline
Proposals should be submitted to: [email protected], with the subject line ‘TFFT
Strategic Planning Consultancy’
Application deadline: Monday, January 4th 2021
● Short-listed applicants may be invited to attend a video conference interview the week of
January 11th and an in person interview in Arusha, Tanzania January 22nd. Candidates should
endeavour to be available on these dates
● Any questions should be sent to the email address above by 29th December 2020, with “TFFT
Strategic Planning Consultancy” in the subject line.
