Summary of TYP 360 Strategic Plan Development Consultancy – Terms of Reference

The Youth Platform Three Sixty (TYP), Zambia’s largest youth network, is seeking a consultant to develop its five-year strategic plan for 2025-2029. TYP works to amplify youth voices, influence governance, and promote youth leadership in social, economic, and political development, advocating for adolescents’ rights and dignity. This consultancy aims to provide TYP with a clear roadmap for achieving its vision of an empowered youth population fully participating in national development.

Background:

TYP mobilizes AYP and their organizations to address critical issues, hold the government accountable, protect youth interests, and promote meaningful youth participation in decision-making. Its key strategies include movement building, activism, coordination, capacity development, innovative platforms, and evidence generation through community research.

Purpose:

The consultant will facilitate a directional analysis of TYP, develop a comprehensive strategic plan, and create a communications, monitoring, and evaluation plan. This includes assessing TYP’s Theories of Change and developing an outcomes measurement methodology for regional projects. The process will be participatory, involving TYP staff, AYP, members, partners, and the board.

Scope of Work:

The strategic plan should address:

• Partnership development
• Resource mobilization
• Effective engagement with government and communities

Key elements of the plan include:

• A sound methodology for directional analysis and integration of regional projects.
• A comprehensive organizational needs assessment, including a situational analysis and SWOT analysis.
• Stakeholder mapping and consultations.
• Development of plans and strategies with clear deliverables, indicators, and tools.
• Development, validation, finalization, and costing of the strategic plan (2025-2029), including outcome mapping, a detailed implementation plan for 2025-2026, and general activities for 2027-2029.
• Recommendations for outcome evaluation methodology and tools, along with a monitoring and communication strategy.

Specific Tasks:

The consultant will:

• Conduct a desk review of relevant documents.
• Review existing national/regional strategies, laws, and policies related to TYP’s work.
• Assess existing Theories of Change and support the development of a new organizational Theory of Change.
• Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment, including a review of TYP’s structure, financial strategy, sustainability, and engagement.
• Develop a participatory methodology and work plan, including consultations and interviews with stakeholders.
• Lead wider consultations on the draft strategic plan.
• Finalize the strategic plan, including a log frame, detailed implementation plan, and general activities for the five years.
• Develop a plan to align actions with relevant sector strategies.

Deliverables:

• A five-year strategic plan with clear deliverables, milestones, and implementation guidance.
• External and internal environment assessment/SWOT analysis.
• Specific objectives and evaluation tools for the communication strategy.
• Presentation of the draft strategic plan to stakeholders.

Quality and Methodology:

The consultant is expected to use an evidence-based approach, ensuring high standards, timely deliverables, and stakeholder engagement. The methodology will include desk reviews, interviews, and field visits.

Qualifications and Experience:

The consultant should have:

• Relevant experience in strategic planning and development.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Knowledge of the relevant social, economic, and political context.
• Understanding of participatory approaches.

Duration and Payment:

• Duration: Maximum two months, starting March 2025.
• Payment: Negotiable, paid in installments upon delivery and acceptance of deliverables.

Application Process:

Interested consultants should submit a proposal including:

• Technical approach and timeline
• Case studies of previous strategic plan development
• Budget
• Availability restrictions

Application Deadline:

February 28th, 2025. Questions should be submitted by February 18th, 2025. Proposals should be sent to sibu@theyouthplatform.org, ed@theyouthplatform.org, and sibumalambo@gmail.com  with the subject line “TYP Strategic Planning Consultancy.” Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.