CALL FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO DEVELOP A FIVE (5) YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ZAMBIA OPEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS (ZOCS)

21ST APRIL 2026

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

1. Background

Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) is a vibrant and longstanding organization, established in 1992, and recognized as a flagship institution for community-based education in Zambia. ZOCS empowers communities to deliver quality basic education to 259,691 learners (127,232 girls and 132,259 boys) across 1,385 demonstration Community Schools in 95 districts throughout all ten provinces. Our work is founded on the belief that every child has a right to education.

ZOCS delivers impact through a three-pronged approach:

1. Advocacy & Influencing – Engaging with government to promote policies and legislation that expand access to quality education.

2. Capacity Building – Strengthening the capabilities of teachers and community structures to provide high-quality education.

3. Service Delivery – Supporting school development, providing teaching and learning materials, bursaries, school feeding, and enabling communities to create environments that enhance educational opportunities for vulnerable children.

These pillars guide our commitment to expanding and improving education for disadvantaged children. ZOCS remains steadfast in its vision: open, accessible, community-driven schools that prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable.

Since its establishment in 1992, the organization has implemented programs in areas such as:

 -Advocacy

-Community engagement

-Teacher training

-Early childhood education

-Digital learning

-Scholarship support

As the organization transitions into its next phase of growth, it seeks to develop a comprehensive5 year Strategic Plan to clarify its long-term direction, strengthen institutional capacity, enhance sustainability, and align programming with emerging education sector priorities.

3. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to facilitate a participatory strategic planning process and develop a clear, actionable, and results-oriented Strategic Plan covering the period 2026 – 2030.

The strategy should:

-Define organizational vision and strategic priorities

-Strengthen governance and operational systems

-Align programs with national education policies and global education frameworks

-Identify sustainable financing pathways

-Include a realistic implementation roadmap

3. Objectives of the Consultancy

The consultant will:

1. Conduct an organizational assessment (programmatic, operational, financial, governance).

2. Facilitate stakeholder consultations (Board, staff, beneficiaries, partners, donors).

3. Conduct contextual and sector analysis (education trends, policy, funding landscape).

4. Develop strategic goals, objectives, and measurable outcomes.

5. Develop an implementation framework including KPIs and monitoring framework.

6. Provide high-level financial projections aligned to strategic priorities.

7. Facilitate validation workshop(s).

8. Deliver a finalized Strategic Plan document.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

4.1. Inception Phase

 – Review key documents (policies, annual reports, financial statements, program reports)

 – Develop inception report with methodology and workplan

4.2. Organizational and Context Analysis

 – SWOT or similar strategic assessment

 – Sector trend analysis

 – Stakeholder mapping

 – Review of governance structures

 – Program portfolio analysis

 – Resource and financial sustainability review (including a resource mobilization audit as part of the organizational assessment phase).

4.3. Stakeholder Engagement

 – Conduct interviews and/or focus group discussions

 – Facilitate strategic planning workshops

 – Ensure inclusive participation (gender, youth, marginalized groups)

4.4. Strategy Development

 – Review/refresh mission, vision, values

 – Define 3–5 strategic pillars

 – Develop strategic objectives and results framework

 – Identify cross-cutting priorities (e.g., gender equality, safeguarding, digital transformation, climate resilience, WASH & health and women and youth participation)

 – Develop institutional strengthening priorities

4.5. Implementation Framework

 – Results framework with KPIs

 – Risk analysis and mitigation plan

 – Resource mobilization strategy

 – High-level financial projections

 – Sustainability Framework

 – Phased implementation plan

5. Deliverables

The consultant will produce:

1. Inception Report (methodology, timeline, tools)

2. Organizational Assessment Summary

3. Draft Strategic Plan

4. Validation Workshop Report

5. Final Strategic Plan (designed and board-ready version)

6. Presentation to Board of Directors

All deliverables shall be submitted in English in editable format (Word/PowerPoint).

6. Duration and Level of Effort

 – Duration: 6–8 weeks recommended

 – Estimated Level of Effort: TBA

 – Expected start date: TBA

7. Reporting and Management

The consultant will report to:

 – Executive Director / CEO and may have an opportunity to interface with the Board Strategic Planning Committee.

During the process, regular progress meetings will be scheduled bi-weekly or as agreed.

8. Required Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should have:

1. Advanced degree in Education, Development Studies, Public Policy, Business Administration, or related field

2. Minimum 7–10 years experience in strategic planning for NGOs or education institutions

3. Proven experience facilitating participatory planning processes

4. Strong understanding of education sector policy and financing

5. Experience in results-based management

6. Strong analytical and report writing skills

7. Experience working in [country/region] preferred

9. Proposal Requirements

 – Interested consultants should submit:

 – Technical proposal (understanding of assignment, methodology, workplan)

 – Financial proposal (daily rate and total cost)

 – CV(s)

 – 2–3 references from similar assignments

 – Sample of previous strategic planning work (if available)

10. Evaluation Criteria

 – Proposals will be evaluated based on:

 – Relevant experience (30%)

 – Quality of methodology (30%)

 – Qualifications of consultant/team (20%)

 – Financial proposal (20%)

11. Submission of proposals

 – All proposals to be submitted to zocs2008@gmail.com on Thursday 8th May 2026 at 16:00 hours

 

Zambia Open Community Schools is an equal opportunity employer and women are encouraged to apply