Terms of reference to edit ActionAid Rwanda Country Strategy Paper III ( 2024-2028) 

• Background 

ActionAid Rwanda (AAR), an affiliate member of ActionAid International (AAI) Global federation, is   an anti-poverty agency working with the poor. The organization has been working in Rwanda as a full Country Programme since 1982 to contribute towards eradication of poverty and injustices with a focus on tackling the root causes of poverty. ActionAid Rwanda implements its programme and projects with main objective of promoting women’s rights to resilient sustainable livelihoods free of GBV and any other form of injustices. AAR implements programmes in 5 Districts namely Nyanza, Gisagara, Nyaruguru in the South, Karongi in the West and Musanze in the North. 

In 2017, AAR phased out it’s CSPI in which was mainly to deliver on Development Based on Rights and Dignity with all interventions aligning to people’s needs and national priorities. The current Strategy Paper II (2018-2023) “Transformative Development Based on Rights and Dignity -Together for Social Justice” was developed toward achieving social justice, gender equality and poverty eradication by shifting power, redistribution of resources, strengthening the resilience of communities and enforcing rights of people living in poverty and exclusion. While this current strategy is approaching its conclusion, ActionAid is seeking a consultant to edit the developed subsequent Strategy III, which will span a five-year period (2024-2028). 

AAR Vision

A country without poverty and injustice in which every person enjoys their right to a life of dignity. 

AAR mission

We work with people living in poverty with a focus on women and girls to eradicate poverty and injustice. 

AAR Theory of Change 

We believe that justice, gender equality, freedom from want and dignified life for all people are achieved through empowering and educating people living in poverty, especially women, youth, children and their agencies to challenge power structures and negotiate their interests with duty bearers aiming at effectively addressing the structural causes of poverty that prevent them from enjoying a life of dignity. This theory of change is informed by our context, as well as experiences amassed over time. Consequently, we believe that supporting women and youth to become the agents of change is the ultimate solution to overcoming poverty and inequality. 

• Purpose of the assignment 

ActionAid Rwanda seeks to hire a highly qualified consultant to participate to the process of developing its Country Strategy Paper III (2024-20208) 

• Objectives 

The primary objective of this consultancy is to finalise the process of developing a comprehensive 5-Years Country Strategy Paper III (CSPIII 2024-2028) that aligns with the organization's mission, vision, and values while taking into consideration the findings and recommendations of the evaluation report for Country Strategy Paper, the current PRR report from AAR and other relevant documents (SGGs, AA Global federation, and from the GoR’s thematic policies) that informs achievement of the CSP II.

Specifically, the consultant is expected to:

• Review and analyse the CSPII evaluation report, highlighting key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats identified to inform the CSPIII.
• Engage with relevant stakeholders, including ActionAid staff, partners, and Rights holders, to gather input and insights to inform the CSPIII development.
• Edit the currently developed CSPIII that outlines clear goals, objectives, strategies, and action plans for the next five years, taking into consideration the following layout;
  • Acknowledgement
  • Table of Content
  • Acronyms
  • Foreword
  • Organizational Overview
  • External and Internal Context
  • Strategy Implementation Framework -2 (SIF2)
  • Operational Context
  • Theory of Change
  • Strategy Guiding Frameworks
  • Overview of Country Strategy Paper III (2024-2028)
  • Strategic Priority and operational objectives
  • Coordination, monitoring and evaluation 

• Specific Objectives   

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Edit the current CSPIII and submit the detailed CSPIII to AAR for comments and inputs.
2. Present the draft CSPIII to ActionAid Rwanda for feedback and make necessary revisions based on the feedback received.
3. Submit the final CSPIII document, including an abridged version of the CSPII, a PPT presentation of the CSPIII, an implementation plan, Logical framework, and a critical pathway. 

4.0 Consultancy Deliverables: 

The following will be the expected deliverables from the consultancy:

• Inception report: before to start the inception, report will be submitted electronically in English, specifying a core work on the whole process of developing the CSP III. The inception report will be discussed and adjusted if deemed necessary before being approved by AAR. The inception report needs to cover the workplan and the time line of the whole assignment to be agreed with ActionAid Rwanda.
• DETAILED CSPIII DOCUMENT: The consultant will produce a detailed and compressive Country Strategy Paper III of ActionAid Rwanda which will also include all annexes required by AAR
• Validation workshop: The consultant will present the draft CSP III, during the validation workshop and produce the final version after the validation.
• Final review report: The consultant will take into account the feedback from AAR, partners, and adjust the draft CSP III, detail the sections of the draft CSP III and any additional elements agreed upon. 

5.0 Duration and time frame 

The whole process of developing the CSP III is expected to take approximately 35 days (This include submission of inception report, submission of the draft CSPIII, validation workshop and submission of the final SCP III. 

6.0 Consultants expertise required 

1. Relevant academic qualification and experience in policy development, economics, social sciences, or related field. 

2. The consultant should possess at least Master’s degree in social sciences, project management, gender studies or any other relevant fields with at least 5 years’ experience of developing organization strategies preferably for NGOs.
3. Demonstrable experience working on women’s rights and gender equality programmes, particularly relating to women’s economic empowerment and GBV prevention/response.
4. Technical expertise in women’s rights, particularly related to women’s economic empowerment, unpaid care work and violence against women, ideally alongside knowledge of sustainable rural livelihoods and agroecology.
5. Geographic knowledge of the implementation locations/Districts of ActionAid Rwanda.
6. Previous experience working with communities for a better understanding of their context and issues.
7. Selected consultant(s) will be expected to sign and abide by ActionAid values and key policies (including Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy, Child Protection Policy, etc.) 

• Application 

To apply for this consultancy, applicants are required to submit the following:

• Profile of the consultant including information on past experience and CVs of the principal and dedicated consultants not more than 4pages.
• The consultant’s understanding of the assignment and a proven track record/Examples of similar work (at least 3 references) with certificate of completion given by recognized organizations and their telephone contacts.
• Assignment technical proposal with proposed methodology, and time frame
• Detailed financial proposal (VAT inclusive)
• Relevant academic certificates
• Company profile (only applicable for a consulting firm)
• Business license (only applicable for a consulting firm)
• Certificate of incorporation (only applicable for a consulting firm)
• TIN number and Tax clearance certificate 

Interested consultants/consulting firms are requested to submit both their technical and financial proposal to Rwanda.Jobs@actionaid.org not later than 10^th November 2023 before 5:00PM. Applications coming after the deadline will not be considered. Only successful consultant/consulting firm will be contacted. 

Please address your request to the Executive Director ActionAid Rwanda and remember to indicate “Development of the CSP III” in the subject. 

Note: Female candidates are encouraged to apply.