Duration: 20 consultancy days

ABOUT FEMNET

The African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) is a pan-African, membership-based feminist network established in 1988 to advance women’s rights, gender equality, and the human rights of women and girls across Africa. FEMNET works with a diverse membership of national women’s networks, civil society organisations, and strategic partners in over fifty (50) African countries to strengthen women’s leadership, influence public policy, and promote social justice.

Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, FEMNET serves as a regional platform for knowledge sharing, advocacy, movement building, capacity strengthening, and strategic partnerships. Through its programmes and institutional initiatives, the Network supports evidence-based advocacy and contributes to policy development

For more information about FEMNET, prospective bidders may visit www.femnet.org.

2. PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT.

The Network’s current SP covers the period 2020-2029, which was a result of a very consultative and participatory process involving all key stakeholders in their diversities, and clearly defined the strategic priorities and thematic areas. The priority areas are:

• Climate Justice and Natural Resource Governance
• Transformative Women’s leadership
• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
• Economic Justice and Rights
• Meaningful Engagement for Transformation Action
• Institutional Capacity Strengthening

Monitoring and Evaluation Framework was also developed alongside to enable tracking and measuring of the Strategic Plan implementation.

Summary of some of the notable aspects and environmental dynamics during the period 2020-2026 are as below:

• At the onset of the SP period was Covid-19 which had so many effects and informed some new operational and strategic approaches etc. Similar sporadic calamities have befallen FEMNET constituencies in many countries.
• Organisation’s capacities and capabilities improved. This includes but not limited to increase in staff headcount to support new scope and number of projects (portfolio of high-quality programme activities categorised under well-defined thematic areas), the annual budget absorption went up, there has been rigorous resource mobilisations efforts and goodwill from FEMNET’s partners and members. FEMNET robustly improved system policies and procedures.
• The Network carried out a baseline review of the strategic plan in 2022-2023. The baseline presented that the organisation has strategically positioned herself in key spaces and platforms to influence discourse on pushing governments and other bodies to make some policy commitments towards promoting the rights of women and girls. However, it also noted areas of possible improvements on research and other key approaches.
• Related to part (b) above, FEMNET managed substantial subgrants for women’s rights organisations from all subregions of Africa. It also played very key roles in strategic partnerships, alliances and consortiums with organisations based in both global south and north.
• FEMNET had many institutional and special project audits and assessments which made recommendations, most of which have been implemented, and others are on the current work plans. The Network also had two in-person and virtual General Assemblies- GA (General Member Conventions), which showed gains and hinderances in women’s rights as well as the evolving and future key stakeholder and / or membership needs. The GAs also contributed to new governance structures etc.
• Political and economic landscape experience many dynamics with both favourable and unfavourable effects on FEMNET’s work and global gender equality movement as whole.
• There have been changes at key decision-making platforms i.e. governments, sub-regional and multilateral bodies that may influence some of the strategic priorities and thematic areas.
• The anti-rights movement has also grown in breadth and depth challenging fundamental gender equality gains in the region and globally.
• Key guiding policies or protocols e.g. the Maputo Protocol have also faced scrutiny and attack.

The above summarised non-exhaustive dynamics and other imminent risks including shrinking space for CSOs and WROs are for reflection to ensure delivery on FEMNET’s mandate. During the Mid Term SP review, the list will be comprehensively built as some present new opportunities that have sprung up in the last five years of implementation that can also propel our actions to achieve even exceptional results. All these factors, call for Agile-Absorption strategy, alignment and modifications that has led to consideration of a review process.

The purpose of this consultancy is to undertake a comprehensive and independent Mid-Term Review of FEMNET’s 2020-2029 SP with the aim of ensuring the Network stays competitive (if not above competition), bring out the underperformance over period if any, support realignment of periodic actions with our mission and vision. Specifically, we aim to:

• Track progress of performance against set milestones and target over the period
• Remain agile (nimble) to timely spot and exploit market opportunities.
• Build absorptive and adaptive capacities to navigate the ever-turbulent environmental dynamics.
• Optimise the underperformances (fixing what has not worked best)
• Test and realign vision and mission, if necessary, given the listed dynamics.
• Support resource mobilisation and optimal allocation of resources for competitive advantage with aim of sustainable mission and vision.

In summary, the assignment is expected to culminate in practical, prioritised, and implementable recommendations that will guide FEMNET in optimising its work in developing and implementing portfolio high quality programmes that is able to attract resources, competencies and systems of vast capabilities of integrating these elements for sustainable mission and vision.

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT.

The overall objective of this consultancy is to undertake an independent and comprehensive review of FEMNET’s Mid Term SP with the following summarised areas below.

The specific objectives of the assignment are to:

• Evaluate whether the objectives and priorities of the strategic plan remain relevant in the current context, considering the organizations’ mission, vision and core values, as well as the evolutions in context, described under (2) above.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of programmes and actions and track progress against key performance indicators (KPIs) and strategic objectives.
• Evaluate whether the FEMNET set up allows for adaptation to the current context (the context as highlighted under “2” above and some the internal context(resource availability and discrepancies in SP implementation) and whether FEMNET is “fit for purpose” / able to implement the adapted strategic plan that will come out of the review and if not Identify what should be changed.
• Evaluate the Network’s agility-absorptive capacity in the market.
• Review the relevance and validity of the strategic assumptions and registered risks made during strategic plan formulation and recommend update them as necessary.
• Check if resources are being allocated efficiently to support the plan’s strategic priorities. Assess whether there is a discrepancy between secured financial, human and technical resources and those necessary to implement the strategic plan and subordinate objectives, outcomes, outputs and actions, as well as to serve the FEMNET network as its members. We are looking at resources as important ingredient for developing necessary capabilities( systems) and competencies for competitive advantage.
• Provide opportunities for learning and improvement for the future based on past performance and results.
• Evaluate to what extent FEMNET services are valuable and advantageous to the network members, and identify needs currently and in the near future, and how FEMNET can draw optimal beneficial support from members.

4. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES. 

The consultant shall produce the following deliverables to the satisfaction of FEMNET within the agreed assignment period

• Inception Report: A detailed work plan outlining the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, implementation schedule, key stakeholder engagement plan, data collection tools, quality assurance approach, and risk management measures etc.
• Realigned and focused strategic plan with an action plan to implementation
• Revised M&E Framework with SMART practical indicators that align with the plan
• Draft reports and final agreed upon report
• Simplified PPT presentations outlining SP changes and key areas in the final report
• Datasets from the process (quantitative & qualitative)

5. METHODOLOGY.

The Strategic Plan review process will largely be consultative and participatory. We will work with a mixed methodology where both quantitative and qualitative methods are to be applied in data collection. A refined combination of tools including Expanded SWOT-PESTLE Analysis, expanded “7S”, BSC, Expanded Porter’s Five Forces, Core Competency and other relevant tools will be employed.  Feminist lens will also be applied with our constituents’ contributions and perspectives being intentionally included throughout the process. Decisions will be based on rigorous consultations among the stakeholders.

Key stakeholders during the process will include the FEMNET staff, FEMNET governance, members, relevant constituents/communities, CSOs we closely work with, policy makers, funding and strategic partners.

6. DURATION, REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS AND LEVEL OF EFFORT.

6.1 Duration of the Assignment

The consultancy is expected to be completed within a period not exceeding two (2) calendar months from the date of contract signature.

The estimated level of effort for the assignment is twenty (20) consultancy days, distributed across the assignment in accordance with the consultant’s approved work plan.

The consultant shall propose a detailed implementation schedule as part of the Technical Proposal, indicating the allocation of personnel, level of effort, and timelines for each major activity and deliverable.

6.2 Reporting Arrangements

The consultant shall report directly to the Executive Director or an officer designated by FEMNET for the administration of the contract.

The consultant shall work closely with FEMNET’s Management Team and other designated staff throughout the assignment to facilitate access to information, validate findings, and ensure effective stakeholder engagement.

FEMNET shall designate a contract manager who shall be responsible for:

• Coordinating communication between FEMNET and the consultant;
• Facilitating access to relevant documentation, systems, and personnel;
• Reviewing and providing comments on draft deliverables;
• Coordinating stakeholder consultations and validation meetings; and
• Certifying satisfactory completion of deliverables.

7. CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES.

7.1 Eligibility

This Request for Proposal (RFP) is open to qualified and competent Individual Consultants with demonstrated experience in formulating, implementing and evaluating strategic plans.

Joint ventures or individuals affiliated to consulting firms may submit proposals, provided that one applicant is designated as the Lead Consultant and assumes overall responsibility for contract performance.

7.2 Consultant Experience and Qualifications

The consultant or team member shall demonstrate:

• Postgraduate degree in Strategic management, Business Administration, Monitoring, evaluation and learning, Organisational Development, Change Management or any other relevant discipline
• A minimum of seven (7) years of continuous experience in providing consultancy services relating to Strategic planning, Organisational and change management. Should also have experience in our priority areas mentioned above.
• Successful completion of at least five (5) assignments of similar nature and complexity within the last five (5) years.
• Demonstrated experience working with international and / or regional non-governmental organisations (INGOs), public benefit organisations (PBOs), development partners, regional institutions, or other comparable organisations. Experience working with women’s rights organisations, feminist organisations, or human rights organisations will be an added advantage. Should also be aligned to feminist principles.
• Excellent report writing, stakeholder engagement, and project management skills.
• Ability to design theory of change and results framework for policy advocacy, communication, capacity strengthening and movement building
• In-depth knowledge and experience in applying a combination of organisation assessment tools and strategy concepts, including but not limited to resource-based view and market positioning in general and specifically; Expanded SWOT-PESTLE Analysis, Expanded “7S” Expanded Porter’s 5 Forces, Blue Ocean strategies, Core Competencies, Agile-Absorption strategies, strategic change management and most recent tools.

7.3 Professional Standards

The consultant shall perform the assignment in accordance with internationally recognised professional standards and best practices applicable to Strategic Plan formulation, implementation and evaluation.

The Consultant shall maintain independence, objectivity, professional integrity, and confidentiality throughout the assignment.

7.4 Supporting Documentation

The proposal shall include, at a minimum:

• Profiles and curriculum vitae (CVs) of proposed key personnel.
• Copies of relevant professional certifications and licences.
• At least five (5) reference assignments completed within the last five (5) years, including client contact details.

8. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS.

8.1 General Instructions.

Interested consultants are invited to submit separate Technical and Financial Proposals prepared in accordance with the requirements of this Request for Proposals (RFP).

The Technical Proposal and the Financial Proposal shall be prepared independently. The Financial Proposal shall not contain any technical information, likewise, the Technical Proposal shall not contain any pricing information.

All proposals shall be submitted in the English language.

The proposal shall remain valid for a period of ninety (90) calendar days from the proposal submission deadline.

8.2 Technical Proposal

The Technical Proposal shall demonstrate the Consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, technical capability, and experience in undertaking similar assignments.

The Technical Proposal shall not exceed five (5) pages, excluding annexes and supporting documentation.

At a minimum, the Technical Proposal shall include;

• Profile of lead consultant,
• Understanding of the assignment,
• Proposed methodology and approach (consultants are encouraged to propose internationally recognised methodologies and best practices relevant to this assignment)
• Work plan and Implementation schedule
• Experience of the lead consultant
• Proposed team members and their complete profile, where applicable.
• References (provide at least five (5) references for assignments of similar nature and complexity completed within the last five (5) years.

8.3 Financial Proposal

The Financial Proposal shall be submitted separately from the Technical Proposal and shall include:

• A detailed breakdown of professional fees by personnel category.
• Level of effort (consultancy days) for each proposed team member.
• Reimbursable expenses, where applicable.
• Applicable taxes.
• Total proposed contract price in United States Dollars (USD) (or Kenya Shillings (KES), depending on FEMNET’s preferred contracting currency).

The Financial Proposal shall clearly indicate whether the proposed price is inclusive or exclusive of applicable taxes.

8.4 Proposal Submission.

Proposals shall be submitted electronically by email to recruitment@femnet.or.ke

The subject line of the email shall clearly state:

” FNT/RFP/40/2026/INST: Mid Term Review of Strategic Plan.“

For hard copy applications, bidders shall submit:

• One (1) Original Technical Proposal.
• One (1) Copy of the Technical Proposal.
• One (1) Original Financial Proposal in a separately sealed envelope.

All applications to be addressed and/ delivered to:

The Executive Director
African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET)
FEMNET Offices, Next to Forest Plaza, Off Kolobot Road, Parklands
P.O. Box 54562 – 00200
Nairobi, Kenya

8.5 Submission Deadline:

Proposals must be received no later than 18:00 Hours (East Africa Time) on 4^th October 2026. Late submissions shall not be accepted and shall not be considered during the evaluation process.

9. PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND CONTRACT AWARD.

This procurement shall be conducted through an Open Competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The procurement shall be administered in accordance with FEMNET’s Procurement Policy and Procedures, principles of fairness, transparency, value for money, equal treatment, and accountability, and any other applicable internal policies.

10. ETHICAL STANDARDS, SAFEGUARDING, COMPLIANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY.

FEMNET is committed to prevention of any type of unwanted behaviour including sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse, and lack of integrity as well as other ethical breaches. All staff and consultants are expected to share this commitment through our code of conduct and Safeguarding Policy. Offers of engagement will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and fraud.

We welcome people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, culture, and experience. We will make any practical adjustments to enable people with disability participate fully in an inclusive working environment. By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have given consent to the collection, use and/or disclosure of your data by us for the purposes set out in this RFP.

Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only selected consultants will be contacted. All applications will be kept for immediate future use, where possible. Applicants observing sustainability in their operations are encouraged to indicate so and apply.