Background

WE-Action is a feminist women’s rights civil society organization implementing development and humanitarian programs aimed at promoting equal rights and opportunities for women, girls, men, and boys. The organization operates across five regions through 14 field offices, with strategic leadership and coordination provided by its Head Office.

As the current strategic plan period approaches completion, WE-Action seeks to review its existing strategic plan to assess achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and emerging priorities, and to develop a new Strategic Plan for the period 2027–2031.

To support this process, WE-Action intends to engage a qualified consultant or consulting firm to facilitate the strategic plan review and development process using a participatory, evidence-based, and inclusive approach.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive review of WE-Action’s current strategic plan and develop a new Strategic Plan (2027–2031) that clearly defines the organization’s strategic direction, priorities, goals, implementation approaches, and results framework.

3. Objectives of the Consultancy

The specific objectives of the assignment are to:

1. Review the implementation and performance of the existing strategic plan.

2. Assess organizational achievements, challenges, gaps, lessons learned, and emerging opportunities.

3. Conduct internal and external environmental analysis relevant to WE-Action’s mandate and operational context.

4. Facilitate stakeholder consultations with management, staff, partners, beneficiaries, donors, and relevant stakeholders.

5. Review organizational vision, mission, values, and strategic priorities as necessary.

6. Develop a comprehensive Strategic Plan for 2027–2031, including strategic objectives, implementation framework, monitoring and evaluation framework, and resource mobilization considerations.

7. Support validation and finalization of the Strategic Plan.

Scope of Work

The consultant/firm will undertake, but not necessarily be limited to, the following tasks:

4. Inception Phase

• Hold inception meetings with WE-Action management.

  • Review relevant organizational documents, including:

    • Existing Strategic Plan

    • Annual reports

    • Project reports

    • Monitoring and evaluation reports

    • Organizational policies and manuals

    • Donor and partner reports

 

• Prepare and submit an inception report detailing the methodology, work plan, and tools for the assignment.

5. Strategic Plan Review

• Conduct desk review and organizational assessment.

• Analyze achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and gaps from the previous strategic plan.

• Conduct SWOT/PESTEL analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) and/or (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal Analysis)

• Assess organizational capacity and strategic positioning.

• Facilitate consultations through interviews, focus group discussions, workshops, and surveys as appropriate.

6. Strategic Plan Development

• Facilitate strategic planning workshops with key stakeholders.

• Review and refine: Vision, Mission, Core values and Strategic priorities.

• Develop:

  • Strategic objectives and outcomes

  • Theory of Change (if applicable)

  • Results framework and indicators

  • Implementation framework

  • Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework

  • Risk management considerations.

  • Operational and Administration Structures

  • Resource mobilization strategies

  • Partnership and sustainability strategies

7. Validation and Finalization

• Present draft Strategic Plan to WE-Action management and stakeholders.

• Facilitate validation workshop(s).

• Incorporate feedback and finalize the document.

• Submit final Strategic Plan and all relevant supporting documents.

Deliverables

The consultant/firm is expected to produce the following deliverables:

1. Inception Report with detailed methodology and work plan.

2. Strategic Plan Review Report.

3. Draft Strategic Plan (2027–2031).

4. Facilitation of validation workshop(s).

5. Final Strategic Plan (2027–2031) incorporating stakeholder feedback.

6. Presentation slides and all relevant data collection tools and reports.

8. Methodology

The consultant is expected to apply a participatory and consultative methodology, which may include:

• Desk review.

• Key informant interviews

• Focus group discussions.

• Stakeholder consultations

• Workshops

• Surveys/questionnaires

• Organizational assessment tools

The methodology should ensure meaningful participation of staff, management, partners, beneficiaries, and relevant stakeholders.

9. Duration of the Assignment

The consultancy is expected to be completed within 3 months working days/months from the date of contract signing. The consultant shall provide a detailed work plan with timelines for each activity.

10. Reporting and Management

The consultant/firm will report directly to the Executive Director or designated focal person of WE-Action.

WE-Action will provide:

• Relevant organizational documents

• Coordination support

• Facilitation of stakeholder engagement where necessary

Job Requirements

11. Required Qualifications and Experience For Individual Consultants

The consultant should possess:

• Advanced degree in Strategic Management, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Organizational Development, Public Administration, or related fields.

• Minimum of 7 years of proven experience in strategic planning and organizational development.

• Demonstrated experience in developing strategic plans for NGOs/CSOs/development organizations.

• Strong facilitation, analytical, and report writing skills.

• Experience in participatory planning approaches.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

For Consulting Firms

The firm should demonstrate:

• Proven track record in strategic planning assignments.

• Availability of qualified multidisciplinary experts.

• Experience working with NGOs, civil society organizations, and donor-funded projects.

• Strong organizational and facilitation 

• Renewed firm license.

12. Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested consultants/firms are required to submit:

Technical Proposal

Including:

• Understanding of the assignment

• Proposed methodology and approach

• Work plan and timeline.

• Team composition (if applicable)

• Relevant experience and sample previous work

Financial Proposal

Including:

• Detailed budget breakdown

• Professional fees

• Operational/logistical costs

• Applicable taxes

Supporting Documents

• Updated CV(s)

• Company profile (for firms) recommendations letters for individual

• Copies of relevant licenses/certificates

• References from previous similar assignments

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

Assessment AreasPoint AllocationUnderstanding of the TOR10%Methodology and technical approach20%Relevant experience and qualifications20%Quality of previous work20%Financial competitiveness30%Total100%

13. Confidentiality and Ownership

All documents, data, reports, and materials produced during this assignment shall remain the property of WE-Action. The consultant shall maintain confidentiality of all information obtained during the assignment and shall not share or reproduce any materials without prior written authorization from WE-Action.

How To Apply

Interested consultants/firms should submit their technical and financial proposals electronically to:

martha.n@we-actionethiopia.org or mulushegayene@gmail.com

Subject Line: Consultancy for WE-Action Strategic Plan Review and Development (2027–2031) Application Deadline: June 15, 2026

14. Disclaimer

WE-Action reserves the right to accept or reject any application without assigning any reason thereof and may cancel the recruitment process at any stage.

Job Requirements The role requires advanced academic credentials in fields such as Strategic Management or Development Studies and at least seven years of proven experience in strategic planning and organizational development for NGOs/CSOs. Candidates must demonstrate strong facilitation, analytical, and report‑writing skills, with expertise in participatory planning approaches and stakeholder engagement. How to Apply Submit your technical and financial proposals electronically via email to martha.n@we-actionethiopia.org or mulushegayene@gmail.com. Include the subject line "Consultancy for WE-Action Strategic Plan Review and Development (2027–2031)".