Job Description
Democracy International (DI) is seeking to hire an
Individual Consultant or Firm to Conduct Organizational Development Assessments of PAA Implementing Partner CSOs. PAA is a five-year Activity that supports the Government of Ghana (GoG) to deliver quality local public services and improve local public service accountability. The PAA is funded by USAID and implemented by Democracy International (DI) in 70 districts, spread across 10 regions in Ghana.
This consultancy is open to Ghanaian citizens only.
Job Summary:
These Terms of Reference (TOR) specify the details for the engagement of a firm or individual consultant to conduct organizational development assessments of the 12 partner organizations through which the Performance Accountability Activity (PAA or the Activity) is being implemented. PAA conducted preliminary capacity assessments as part of the selection process for these partners, but it is now necessary to assess each of these implementing partner (IPs) organizations to determine their individual organizational development needs as part of PAA’s partner graduation strategy. The results of these assessments will form the basis of organizational capacity building plans and strategies for each IP to facilitate their graduation from the PAA partnership to be fully capacitated in monitoring and managing issues related to accountable government service delivery.
PAA is a five-year Activity that supports the Government of Ghana (GoG) to deliver quality local public services and improve local public service accountability. The PAA is funded by USAID and implemented by Democracy International (DI) in 70 districts, spread across 10 regions in Ghana. The overarching development hypothesis for PAA is that IF civil society is better able to monitor government performance and act to hold government accountable (Objective 1), AND IF the Government manages policy implementation for efficient service delivery (Objective 2), AND IF local-level service providers adhere to quality standards (Objective 3), THEN Ghanaians will benefit from higher quality, more equitably distributed services and have improved prospects for leading healthy, productive lives (Goal).
DI’s strategy focuses on anchoring performance accountability activities to core Ghanaian values of respect, solidarity, and collectivism, as well as traditional participatory structures and authority systems that hold significant cultural weight. The design was developed with the Government of Ghana’s
Ghana Beyond Aid initiative in mind, for which the strengthening of behavioral foundations of active citizenship and responsive and accountable governance is key.
Essential Job Duties:
The overall goal of the organizational development assessment is to provide the basis for capacity building and institutional strengthening for PAA IPs that will build on its results. An organizational development plan will be developed for each of the IPs to graduate from the PAA program as organizations that have the capacity to fully implement PAA in Years four and five of the program without substantial support from DI.
This assessment has the following two objectives that incorporate a number of assessment activities to meet those objectives as detailed below:
- Assess the institutional strength of each PAA IP in terms of the organizations’:
- Governance structure, internal management, and community reporting processes.
- Fiscal stability, fundraising priories, and sustainability strategies.
- Internal financial processes, including annual audit reports.
- Human resources and performance management
- Assess the technical capacity of each PAA IP in terms of the organizations’:
- Program development and management processes as they relate to implementing PAA.
- Identification, community entry, and sensitization of communities on the PAA’s objectives and overall goal.
- Technical capacities of the staff that support PAA activity implementation.
- Communication and PR capacity.
- Monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes capacity.
The consultant/firm will develop an outline of a capacity building and institutional strengthening program for each assessed IP that would be sufficient to capacitate them to meet the requirements of the PAA Graduation Strategy. DI will provide a tool to track and monitor each IP program based on the outcome of the program implementation data for each program and provide guidance to the consultant/firm as necessary to ensure each program meets DI’s graduation standards and requirements.
The assessment instrument to encompass the above tasks may be developed by the consultant/firm, or the standard USAID Capacity Assessment Tool could be used or adapted if necessary.
While the selected consultant or firm will be expected to present a rigorous assessment methodology, the assessment does not require sampling. It includes all 12 PAA IPs.
Secondary Job Duties:
- The selected consultant or firm will be provided with the details, including principal contacts, of each of the 12 PAA IPs that will be working over the Activity lifespan and DI’s graduation strategy document.
Deliverables:
- An inception report, to be submitted one week after the contract award, explaining the methodology and timetable for the capacity assessment. The report should include the tools to be used in the various review and assessment tasks detailed in these ToRs.
- Six weeks after data collection commences, present to DI the preliminary findings and outcomes of the capacity assessment and elicit feedback for incorporation into the final report. This presentation must include one of the 12 IP capacity building programs for one of the assessed IPs to prepare them for graduation in line with the Graduation Strategy.
- A final report to be submitted at the end of the assessment.
- Twelve capacity building programs, one for each of the IPs, that take into account their unique needs and areas for desired growth.
Qualifications:
- The consultant or firm staff should have at minimum a degree in Management Studies, Organizational Development, or a related field, with:
- At least 7 years of demonstrated knowledge and experience in conducting and facilitating organizational development, including feasibility studies and sustainability modeling, for CSOs/NGOs, preferably regional and rural CSOs.
- Ability to conduct assessments, including reviews of organizational strategy, governance, project management, financial management, and HR.
- Knowledge and experience in using participatory approaches and innovative techniques, with organizational leadership.
- A detailed understanding of local governance in Ghana and familiarity with working with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies.
- Excellent analytical and report wring skills.
- Fluent in English and preferably also in Twi and able to communicate well in both spoken and written forms.
Reporting:
- This position reports to the Ghana PAA Chief of Party.
Application Process:
Interested agencies are requested to submit an electronic copy of their proposal by July 25, 2024, with the subject “Proposal for PAA Implement Partners’ Capacity Assessment” to:
info.ghana@democracyinternaonal.com Applicants must forward:
- Technical proposal, including:
- Technical approach demonstrating the consultant’s/ firm’s understanding and proposed approach to performing the capacity assessment detailed above, including any revisions to the scope and methodologies, if necessary, to complete the work within the budget and meline specified by DI.
- Management plan detailing the consultant’s/firm’s proposed staff and their qualifications, roles, and responsibilities, and each staff member’s experience with similar activities. CVs should also be included.
- Past performance demonstrating the consultant’s/firm’s experience conducing similar assessments and a list of references.
- Financial proposal:
- The consultant/firm must submit an itemized budget to support costs for the proposed activities.
- DI will determine the final budget in consultation with the consultant/firm based on the scope of work.
- The itemized budget should be presented in Microsoft Excel
Democracy International maintains the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.
Criteria for Selection of Best Offer:
DI will evaluate proposals based on price reasonableness and technical factors, including a demonstrated knowledge of the subject mater; experience and skills in the subject area; methodology, activities, and workplan; and experience and skills in facilitation/consultation and coordination among relevant stakeholders. Applicants should also submit a list of references.
About the Organization
DI provides technical assistance, analytical services and project implementation for democracy, human rights, governance and conflict mitigation programs worldwide for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. State Department and other development partners. Since its founding in 2003, Democracy International has worked with civil society organizations, political parties, election-management bodies, government agencies, legislatures, justice-sector institutions, and others in 80+ countries.
DI welcomes and supports a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and for DI employees. DI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at DI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities.
