Terms of Reference (ToR) for Recruitment of a Consultant to Develop the Akazi Kanoze Access (AKA) Strategic Plan 2027-2031

Re: Terms of Reference (ToR) for Recruitment of a Consultant to create the AKAZI KANOZE ACCESS (AKA) Strategic Plan 2027-2031

1. Background

Akazi Kanoze Access (AKA) is a charitable, social, non-profit, non-governmental and non-political organization committed to equipping young people with market-relevant livelihood skills, work-readiness competencies, practical training opportunities and linkages to employment, entrepreneurship, access to capital and other assist services. AKA works with government institutions, development partners, private-sector actors, training institutions, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to promote youth skills development and economic empowerment.

As AKA enters a new strategic period, the organization intends to create its Strategic Plan for 2027–2031. The Strategic Plan will deliver a clear direction for organizational growth, programme development, partnerships, resource mobilization, institutional strengthening, learning and accountability. It will build on AKA's achievements, lessons learned and organizational experience while responding to emerging opportunities, challenges and the evolving needs of young people, particularly in employability, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, access to finance and sustainable livelihoods.

AKA therefore seeks to recruit a qualified and experienced consultant to guide a participatory process for developing the Strategic Plan 2027–2031.

2. Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to assist AKA in developing a practical, evidence-based, participatory and results-oriented Strategic Plan for 2027–2031.

The process should enable AKA to define its strategic direction, priorities, objectives and expected results while ensuring that the plan is realistic, measurable, aligned with the organization's mandate and responsive to the needs of its beneficiaries and stakeholders.

3. Objectives of the consultancy

The consultant will:

1. evaluate AKA's current strategic direction, programmes, achievements, challenges and lessons learned.
2. Assess the internal and external environment, including opportunities, risks and emerging trends affecting AKA.
3. Facilitate consultations with the Board, management, staff, youth and relevant external stakeholders.
4. evaluate and, where necessary, refine AKA's vision, mission, values and strategic positioning.
5. detect strategic priorities and objectives for 2027–2031.
6. create a practical results framework with outcomes, indicators and targets.
7. Recommend strategies and implementation approaches for achieving the identified priorities.
8. create a Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Accountability framework.
9. Facilitate validation of the Strategic Plan with AKA leadership, staff and Board.
10. Incorporate feedback and submit the final Strategic Plan for approval.

4. Scope of Work and Methodology

The consultant will guide the strategic planning process from inception to finalization. The assignment will include:

a) Document evaluate and organizational assessment

evaluate relevant AKA documents, including previous strategic plans, annual and programme reports, evaluations, policies, monitoring and learning information, financial and resource-mobilization information, partnership information, and relevant national development policies and strategies.

The consultant will detect key achievements, organizational strengths, challenges, lessons learned and areas requiring improvement.

b) Context and stakeholder analysis

Assess AKA's internal and external operating environment, including:

• SWOT and stakeholder analysis;
• Youth employment and skills-development trends;
• Emerging opportunities and risks;
• AKA's comparative strengths and strategic positioning;
• Sustainability and resource-mobilization opportunities; and
• Relevant national, regional and global development priorities.

c) Stakeholder consultations

perform inclusive consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the AKA Board, management and staff, youth representatives, government institutions, development partners and donors, private-sector partners, training institutions, civil society and implementing partners.

Consultations should capture views on AKA's achievements, challenges, strengths, future opportunities and strategic priorities.

d) Strategic Planning and Results Framework

Facilitate a participatory strategic planning process to define or refine:

• Vision, mission and core values;
• Strategic positioning;
• Strategic priorities/pillars;
• Strategic objectives;
• Expected outcomes/results; and
• Key strategies and approaches.

The consultant will create a results framework containing strategic priorities, objectives, outcomes, indicators, baselines where available, five-year targets, means of verification, assumptions and risks.

e) Implementation and validation

deliver practical recommendations for operationalizing the Strategic Plan, including institutional capacity, human resources, programmes, partnerships, resource mobilization, communication, monitoring and learning, risk management, and annual planning and budgeting. The consultant will facilitate a validation session with AKA stakeholders, incorporate agreed feedback and submit the final Strategic Plan.

5. Key Deliverables and Timeline

The final Strategic Plan should include, at minimum: an executive summary; organizational and contextual analysis; strategic planning methodology; key findings and lessons learned; vision, mission and values; strategic priorities and objectives; strategies/interventions; expected results; results framework and indicators; implementation considerations/roadmap; Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning framework; key risks and assumptions; and sustainability/resource-mobilization considerations.

6. Duration

The consultancy is expected to take approximately 4–6 weeks from the date of contract signing. The selected consultant will propose a detailed workplan, with the final schedule agreed upon with AKA.

7. Required qualifications and experience

The assignment may be undertaken by an individual consultant or a consulting firm with an identified guide consultant.

The consultant/team should have:

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Strategic Management, Organizational Development, Development Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, Economics, Social Sciences, or a related field. A Master’s degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in strategic planning, organizational development, institutional strengthening or related areas.
• Demonstrated experience developing strategic plans for NGOs, development organizations or similar institutions.
• Proven experience facilitating participatory strategic planning processes.
• Additional qualifications in strategic planning, organizational development, monitoring and evaluation or related areas will be an advantage.

8. Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit:

1. Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
2. Copies of academic qualifications.
3. Evidences of relevant strategic plan development assignments.
4. At least three professional references.

Submission Deadline: 16 October 2026 at 18:00

Submission Email: info@akazikanoze.org

Subject Line: Application for AKA Strategic Plan Preparation 2027–2031

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.