Consultancy: Developing a Context Analysis and High-Level Program Strategy Paper for AFSC work in Morocco

Consultant Terms of Reference: Developing a Context Analysis and High-Level Program Strategy Paper For AFSC work in Morocco

BACKGROUND

Founded in 1917, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is an international organization that works with communities and partners worldwide to challenge unjust systems and promote lasting peace. In collaboration with communities and local partners, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems. AFSC’s programs foster understanding and reconciliation, promote economic development and food security, educate the public on various social issues, and foster diversity, inclusion, and equality in communities around the world.

During 2020, AFSC worked on building its new ten-year global strategic plan, based on it the Middle East regional office is developing its own regional strategy. This regional strategy is contextualized to meet the needs of the local communities in the region. To this end, the Middle East regional office, based in Amman, is conducting a series of internal and external consultations, including this consultancy, to contribute directly to strengthening AFSC’s understanding of the local context in Morocco and the development of the country specific program strategy, as well as for the North African Region.

PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The objective of this consultancy is to help AFSC better understand the local context of Morocco and the needs of local communities, therefore, identifying possible areas of intervention. This will help AFSC create a high-level program strategy that links these local needs in Morocco to AFSC’s global strategic plan. Specifically, the consultant will:

• Perform a comprehensive review of regional programming assessments, AFSC’s new strategic plan and existing AFSC projects.

• Develop a country-level context analysis to identify needs, priorities, and areas of intervention in line with AFSC’s global strategic plan.

• The context analysis will cover political, economic, social, and legal factors, while the needs assessment will focus on AFSC’s strategic plan thematic areas and the organization’s mandates.

• Provide recommendations and plans for relevant areas of intervention, based on AFSC’s mandate, and identify gaps and priorities in the local context.

• Produce a comprehensive country-level context analysis and a high-level programing strategy in line with AFSC new strategic plan. Both documents should be developed in close collaboration with the AFSC staff.
  SCOPE OF WORK:

• Prepare an evaluation plan outlining the approach/methodology used in executing the country-level context analysis and the high-level program strategy with:

• Timeline/schedule of activities

• Detailed methodology of how to collect, triangulate, analyze and summarize information in a brief, high-level manner.

• Actively participate in regular meetings with AFSC staff from the regional office in Amman, consulting on research plan/methodology/timeframe, discussing results and findings and agreed recommended follow-up actions.

• Compile a comprehensive first draft of the country-level context analysis and high-level programming strategy according to format agreed upon with AFSC staff.

• Prepare and submit a final country-level context analysis and high-level programming strategy including:

• PowerPoint presentation with summary findings for formal presentations to key stakeholders.

• Conduct de-briefing meeting with the AFSC Regional office in Amman, Jordan.

  METHODOLOGY

The country-level context analysis will utilize both qualitative and quantitative methods to collect data ensuring in-depth analysis of the context in Morocco. Data collection methods will include a review of organizational documents including the AFSC strategic plan and AFSC’s current data and reports.

The consultant will be supported by AFSC staff in arranging logistics for meetings with key stakeholders; AFSC will guide the review of the consultant inception write up and drafts.

DURATION OF THE ROLE

The consultancy will be conducted between December 2021 to February 15th, 2022. The specific level of effort for the consultant is based on the agreed work plan that will be finalized with the contract.

KEY DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE (NEGOTIABLE AND TO BE FINALIZED WITH AFSC STAFF

1. AFSC Consultations and documents review (December 16th, 2021)
   Initial consultations will begin and extend throughout the duration of the planning period Review/develop evaluation framework and analysis framework.

2. Submission of Inception Report (December 23rd, 2021)
   Evaluation Plan: Methodology/Data Collection Tools

3. Fieldwork (Key Informant Interviews) Plan Completed (December 28th, 2021)
   Visits and interviews

4. Validation workshop (January 20th, 2022)
   Consultation with key AFSC staff for revision and validation of findings

5. First Draft Report (January 27th, 2022)
   Country-level context analysis draft and High-level programming strategy draft

6. Final Report (February 10th, 2022)
   Final country-level context analysis and final high-level programming strategy

QUALIFICATIONS

An entity consultant/consultancy firm/group with at least 3-8 years of experience in the research and/or evaluation field, including experience in political analysis and peace and conflict research, quantitative and qualitative data collection, analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, and reporting.

1. Experience in context analysis and/or programming strategy development is a must.
2. Experience using participatory methodologies and following OECD-DAC principles for evaluation and measurement.
3. A master’s degree in a related field such as political sciences, international relations, and social studies.
4. Proven Experience of the political and economic context in Morocco and the region.
5. Proven record of previous similar studies
6. Proficiency in Arabic and English

PROPOSAL APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Interested organizations/individual consultants are requested to submit proposals including the following documents:

• Cover letter including the consultant’s/firm’s suitability for the assignment and current contact information.

• The CV includes contact details of 3 references.

• Include 2-3 samples of previous work.

• Detailed response to TOR (Terms of Reference), including technical proposal with specific focus addressing the purpose and objectives of the assignment, methodology to be used and key selection criteria (max. 2 pages).

• Financial Proposal: Detailed budget breakdown in USD based on expected daily rates and initial work plan.

• Initial draft of the proposed work plan in form of a Gantt chart.

Please note the available budget is USD 3,500, the selection will be based on the technical proposal and consultant profiles.