CRS THRIVE Project
Organizational Capacity Review and Development of policy guidelines and strategic plans for THRIVE Implementing Partners
Ref.2015/C/23
SCOPE OF WORK
About CRS: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for relief and development overseas. CRS carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS supports programs in over 99 countries and works with local partners. CRS has been implementing development and emergency relief efforts in Kenya for the past fifty years.
I. Background:
THRIVE is a 3-Country Approach funded by the Conrad Hilton Foundation to Improving the Early Childhood Development of Children Affected by HIV/AIDS.
THRIVE works with its partners to build on existing platforms and provide a holistic, sustainable program of child-focused interventions that will empower individuals, households, and communities to better meet the early childhood development (ECD) needs of their children. Throughout the project, CRS will reinforce referral systems to increase points of contact with mothers and caregivers of highly vulnerable children and will strengthen local community structures to ensure sustainable project interventions. CRS will also stress learning throughout the implementation of THRIVE.
All project activities are being tailored to meet the unique developmental needs of different ages and stages within the targeted 0-5 years range. For younger children (pre-natal through 2 years) the focus is on parent and caregiver knowledge of health and nutrition (including maternal health), and early stimulation for cognitive and motor skill development. For children 3-5, THRIVE continues to work on health and nutrition issues but added components relating to social development, language skills, and overall school readiness.
The overall program strategy is to develop and reinforce capacities among the four local Implementing partners (LIP) to expand ECD services and improve quality of care and support for Vulnerable Children (VC) in Nairobi, Kajiado, Migori and Homabay Counties of Kenya. Beyond providing direct culturally appropriate ECD services to beneficiaries (caregivers and children), the project is strengthening in-country technical expertise and building capacity of LIPs in governance, resource management and leadership.
To support the objectives of THRIVE, in developing and supporting capacities of four LIPs the project begun the process of supporting these partners to develop/review internal control financial guidelines, human resource policies and strategic plans for each LIP.
2:Purpose of the Capacity Building and Guidelines Development Consultancy:
Guide/support the three LIPs in developing/or reviewing governance systems, financial guidelines, programs management, human resource policies and organization strategic plans which facilitate the implementation of THRIVE program and in line with the Conrad Hilton funding and other major donor requirements.
The work will be carried out in close consultation with CRS Kenya.
3: Responsibilities
The consultancy team will be responsible for:
- Review existing capacity assessment reports and develop training plans to fill capacity gaps in all organizational system components.
- Conduct institutional capacity building to the indigenous partners on the process of guidelines, strategic plans and policies development.
- Conduct trainings to LIPs boards to improve their governance systems
- Formulate guideline manuals to guide LIPs in developing policies, strategic plans, governance structures, etc
- Support the LIPs in developing individual institutional guidelines, operational plans and policies to ensure organizational growth
- Review the extent to which the partners have promoted strategic alliances and partnerships with various groups, such as policy makers and other stakeholders; developed communication and information dissemination strategies; set up adequate systems to monitor the effectiveness of partnerships; and enhanced relations with donors and the general public in order to be recognized and respected, and therefore be able to adequately leverage resources
- Support the LIPs in developing sustainability plans that meet not only short term requirements, but also ensure the long term viability of the organization and the continuation of the benefits of its programs after the organization’s financial support come to an end.
- Determine the extent to which Individuals’ knowledge and collective experience in the LIPs have been brought together to improve the organization’s performance and the extent to which that knowledge has been captured (written down or recorded in another medium), shared, and retained for future use.
- Conduct an in-depth review of the indigenous partners’ human resource policy and its application; and support them in revising existing ones/developing new ones if not available.
- Review the levels of good stewardship in the LIPs and the extent to which effective internal control systems have been instituted to protect assets from theft or misuse, and maximizing the benefits derived from use of those assets and support them in developing financial guides if not available or review existing ones to be relevant to the donor requirements.
- Lead the agreed upon participatory process;
- Return all materials to CRS unless CRS-Kenya Country Representative specifically agreed can remain with consultant.
LIP NameLocation Specific activity Apostles of Jesus AIDS Ministries (AJAM) Kiserian, Kajiado Review of AJAM’s strategic plan 2012-2016 and preparation of the new one.
Review and updating organizational policies
Training of Board Members on Financial Oversight and Board evaluation Tools for effective Project implementation (M&E) Mercy Orphans Support Group Program (MOSGUP) Karungu, Migori Review and updating organizational policies
Training of Board Members on Financial Oversight and Board evaluation Tools for effective Project implementation (M&E) Homa Hills Community Development Organization (HHCDO) Rachuonyo, Homabay Review and updating organizational policies
Review of management structure
Criteria
- Processes are participatory
- A learning environment is maintained throughout the consultancy exercise
- Report is factual and provides relevant lessons learned.
Key contacts: Program Manager Health or his designate
4) Place of Performance:The place of performance is Kajiado, Homabay and Migori counties.
5) Period of Performance:The total period of performance will be 25 working days between 31st August and September 25th 2015.
6) Deliverables and Schedule:
DeliverablesSchedule A written 1-3 page report on the methodology – report is to validate methodology and to provide a proposed activities schedule. 1 day Draft schedules for reviewing and or developing HR, financial policies, strategic plans, improving governance and structures. 1 day A two day workshop. The workshop is intending to orient LIPs on the process of conducting Board Members evaluations and staff appraisals. 2 days Conducting field visits to each individual organization. These visits supports the LIPs on actual development of the guidelines, strategic plans and policies 10 days Draft guidelines and policies developed by the LIPs ready for review Guidelines and policies review by the consultants 4 days Consultants comments on individual LIPs guidelines, policies and strategic Plans 2 days Submission of individual LIPs draft guidelines, strategic plans and policies to CRS for review Comments from CRS to individual LIPs on the various drafts 2 days Final copies of the individual guidelines, strategic plans and policies. 2 days Consultant’s final report, explaining the entire process. 1 day Final payment to consultants
7) Qualifications
The qualified Consultants:
- Will comprise a maximum of 3 members and shall be headed by a Team Leader.
- Be a reputable organization/ group/ team with proven track record in conducting institutional capacity building, strategic management, organization development of guidelines and policies.
- Consists of individual consultants who possess graduate degree in Social Sciences. Advanced educational background in institutional /organizational development, management and strategic planning will be an asset.
- Proficiency in adult learning methods.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in developing various guidelines; policies and strategic plans for non-profit sector organizations.
- Proven understanding of the operating environment of faith- based and non-profit sector organizations.
- Self-starting, independent and responsible personality.
- Initiative and strong team-building, communication and negotiation skills.
- Familiarity with change management and institutional capacity building in systems strengthening.
- Ability to work with diverse stakeholders and achieve quality results with limited supervision.
- Have excellent writing and presentation skills.
- Respect for CRS principles
- Adherence to Copy right acts.
- Ability to work both in a team and independently
- Excellent computer literacy (internet, software such as word, excel, etc)
- Experience working with indigenous organizations in the development context
9) Annexes:
- Background information
- Individual LIPs institutional capability and performance statement
- Individual LIPs current guidelines, policies and strategic plans
10) Required Submissions
· Letter of expression of interest and demonstration of capability
· At least three previous clients and their contacts to act as references
· Both a technical proposal (how you propose to undertake the assignment, and a work plan) and a financial quotation (cost in Kenyan shillings)
HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants are kindly requested to send their CV along with a cover letter, Technical and Financial proposal and other testimonials by e-mail (see below) by Close of Business Thursday August 20, 2015.
Human Resources Manager
Catholic Relief Services – Kenya Program
E-mail: hr@ke.earo.crs.org
Please indicate the Reference Number (Ref.2015/C/23) on the ‘email subject. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Note: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) does not charge any fees from applicants for any recruitment. Further, CRS has not retained any agent in connection with this recruitment
