Consultancy: Movement-Based Parties

Consultancy: Movement-Based Parties Consultant
*Please send resumes to [email protected]. Only this application method will be considered.*
 

In countries as diverse as Armenia, Italy, Mexico, Spain and Ukraine, Movement-Based Parties (MBPs) are competing in elections, entering legislatures and leading governments. These groups represent a broad spectrum of political values and goals and respond to a myriad of local and transnational issues. MBPs express a profound desire for change, not just in the policies political leaders propose but how parties are organized and how they engage citizens. Many MBPs reject the label of “political party” even as they perform functions that are the sole preserve of political parties: they field candidates for public office and seek to control the reins of government. As such, they should be treated as parts of the political party system.

Often, MBPs owe their success to support from large numbers of citizens who are dissatisfied with the institutions that are supposed to represent them. As a result, MBPs sometimes provide opportunities for more groups to participate in and identify with the political system. However, when they fail to translate initial momentum into better service delivery or other improvements in politics, they risk further accelerating disenchantment with democratic institutions. Regardless of their democratic credentials, all MBPs shed some light on unmet needs in the party system and potential threats to democracy.  In addition, democratic MBPs offer innovations and lessons learned that could be helpful for similar organizations in other countries and for renewing traditional political parties and the party system as a whole. As MBPs become features of the political landscape in several countries, they are increasingly partners in democracy support initiatives, and democracy support programs need to be tailored to their needs and interests.

SUMMARY

NDI is soliciting proposals from qualified consultants to provide technical assistance in the following areas from September 1st to November 30th, 2021.
 

• A series of training materials on selected topics that are particularly relevant for movement-based parties and designed to improve their capacity
• A series of brief reports highlighting selected innovations or lessons learned by movement-based parties.

As a result of this RFP, NDI anticipates issuing a master services agreement (MSA)–or possibly multiple MSAs. Under this mechanism, the MSA contract itself does not authorize any work or guarantee any payment but rather establishes agreed-upon rates for the work. The work itself is authorized and issued through task orders, which are subordinate agreements that outline a detailed scope, expected deliverables, and timeframe for a specific project.

GENERAL SCOPE OF WORK

NDI intends to procure the services of reputable and qualified consultants to provide technical assistance for the Institute’s Movement-Based Parties Initiative. Specific deliverables will be outlined in engagement-specific Task Orders as defined by NDI; however, a general scope of work and illustrative activities under each area are outlined below.

MODULE DEVELOPMENT

The modules will be designed with the potential for use together (sequentially) or as stand alone modules. This includes but it not limited to developing the following for each topic:
 

• Workshop agendas;
• Participant handouts, worksheets, and exercises;
• Trainer notes;

Illustrative topics include:

Mapping Session & Tool/Exercise: to help new or renewing parties assess the formal and informal rules around their party system (e.g. socio cultural norms around party organizing, voter data, formal registration requirements) and the implications for their party.

Visioning Session & Tool/Exercise: to help parties can more deliberately define who they are or want to be, their interpresentation of the concept of “representation” and other values and principles that should guide their branding, organizational structures and processes.

Adapted Strategic Planning Session & Tool/Exercise: to help parties proactively plan for short and medium term growth.

Innovation Strategy & Exercise: to help parties develop a strategy for priority areas of innovation and for proactively looking for ways to innovate party operations and outreach.

CASE STUDY DEVELOPMENT

The objective of this deliverable is to develop a series (no more than eight) of ~500 word briefs on different innovations and adaptations that movement-based parties have pioneered or implemented. Illustrative topics for the briefs include:
 

• Recruiting candidates and party officials from activist groups and social movements;
• Coalition management with other movement-based parties and civil society organizations, in government and in opposition; and
• Installing mechanisms to recruit, manage and develop new leaders.

Due to the Covid-19 situation, all work under this RFP will be conducted remotely at the start of any resulting agreement(s). If NDI and the successful consultant(s) mutually determine global health conditions have improved at a later date, travel to complete certain deliverables may be considered.

TIMELINE

Submissions are due by August 9, 2021. Early submissions are encouraged.

The agreement is expected to start in early September, 2021 for an initial three month period, with the possibility of extension based on performance, program need and budget availability in one month increments for up to three months. Task orders for specific program components will be issued as needed during this timeframe.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Potential consultants should submit a written proposal to NDI by the aforementioned deadline for full consideration. The proposal should include:
 

• Individual consultants should provide a CV; firms should provide the CV of key personnel proposed along with a corporate profile;
• A list of previous clients, with specific experience in working with political parties highlighted;
• Detailed description of past experiences conducting the types of consultations NDI is seeking to contract.
  • In this section, please articulate if any past work illustrates the consultant’s understanding of the political environment, political players, and historical context.
  • Please provide at least two references for past work.
• A sample training agenda on a relevant topic or past deliverable (such as presentation, manual, handbook or other item) that illustrates expertise in subject matter;
• Daily or hourly rate for each individual proposed to support this RFP and any other costs (excluding travel expenses);
• Please indicate if you have other major contractual commitments of any key personnel that would prevent reasonable completion of any Task Orders during the performance period; and
• Estimated level of effort (number of days) to complete the deliverables identified in the sample Task Order at the end of this RFP.

CONTACT DETAILS AND SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Please submit questions in English via email to Sef Ashiagbor at [email protected]. The deadline for submitting questions is July 30th, 2021.

NDI will evaluate bids based on the consultant’s ability to meet the description of product needed, experience and price. NDI reserves the rights to reject any and all bids. NDI reserves the right to consider bids for modification at any time before a contract is awarded. NDI will not be liable for any costs associated with the preparation, transmittal, or presentation materials submitted in response to the RFP. Proposals are expected to be binding for a period of 90 days from the published response date. Successful bidders will be expected to use NDI’s MSA template.

Bidders must provide disclosure of any known past, present or future relationships with any parties associated with NDI. For example, applicants should disclose if a member of their Board is also a member of NDI’s Board currently or in the past. The bidder also certifies that the prices offered were arrived at independently and without the purpose of restricting competition with other offerers, including but not limited to subsidiaries and that prices have not been and will not be knowingly disclosed to any other offerer unless required by law. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in NDI having to re-evaluate the selection of a potential bid.

INFORMATION ABOUT NDI

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. NDI supports the development of vibrant, accountable and inclusive multiparty systems that offer citizens meaningful choices and opportunities for political participation. The Institute’s work includes knowledge and resource sharing, and aims to expand the participation of marginalized groups including: women, youth, ethnic and racial minorities, persons with disabilities, and gender and sexual minorities. ​NDI’s assistance reaches across party organizations, from ​grassroots party members​ to mid-level ​party officials and senior party leaders. ​

For more information about NDI, please visit: www.ndi.org.

 

National Democratic Institute
Political Parties Team
Movement-Based Parties Initiative
Task Order for MBP RFP

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) hereby issues the following Task Order to ______ under the terms of the Contract.

The Task Order is as follows:
 

Item	Purpose	Description	Participant Outcomes	Timeline	Units
Mapping Session module	As new parties enter formal politics, they need to understand their political landscape and the challenges and opportunities it presents.	Development of materials for use in a two day workshop. Specific components include: a workshop agenda; participant handouts, worksheets, and trainer notes.	Increase technical understanding of: The formal requirements for registration & the electoral system’s impact on campaigning; Socio-cultural norms & informal rules around political leadership and participation; and How to use voter data and other sources of information to identify the “demand” for an alternative	September 1-30, 2021	1 Module
Case Study Report	A brief report that features different innovations that movement-based parties have pioneered or implemented	Select one movement-based party that has demonstrated successful coalition management with other MBPs and civic groups	Increase institutional and program partner learning around the phenomena of movement-based parties.	September 1 – 15, 2021	500 words