The indicative areas of intervention of the Forum will include, but will not be limited to:

• improving democratic governance through parliamentarism across the SADC region;
• achieving gender equality and promoting universal human rights including the right to health and SRHR;
• Addressing climate change and eco-friendliness through parliamentary initiatives;
• increasing capacity development of MPs, national Parliaments, staff and related partners through programmes, projects and other initiatives that are coherent with the Sustainable Agenda 2030 and the SADC Vision 2050;
• transformation to a SADC Regional Parliament;
• enhancing inter-parliamentary leadership and strategic partnerships with other inter-parliamentary entities and international organisations;
• enhancing prudential planning, financial management, and corporate governance through risk analysis and regular reporting.

2. Objectives and deliverables of the assignment

The objectives of the assignment are to fulfil the following key deliverables:

1. Identification of final key strategic objectives of the Forum for the next 5 years (1^st January 2024- 31^st December 2028) after consideration of the findings of the Mid-Term Evaluation of the current Strategic Plan, and directional guidance from the Forum’s representative
2. Preparation of a complete strategic plan with infographics which includes, but not limited to, the following skeleton:

PART A: Blueprint

1. Foreword from Chairperson;
2. Executive Summary;
3. Vision
4. Mission Statement
5. Core Values
6. Guiding Principles
7. Organisational structure
8. Strategic Objectives
9. Theory of Change
10. Budget

PART B: Annex

1. Strategic Objectives broken down by activity, measurement indicators, time frames, and costed financial projections (to be carried out for each Strategic Objective identified);
2. Structure and costed financial projections for the retention of quality staff and talent within the organisation; and
3. Recommendation of Membership Contributions to generate revenue for activity uptake over the 5-year period.
4. Presentation of methodology and findings to the appropriate Forum organs prior to finalisation of the Strategic Plan.

3. Time frame for the assignment

The deliverables for the assignment should be delivered in editable word format within 7 weeks (35 working days) of the start of the assignment. The start date shall not be later than 31^st August 2023.

4. Qualifications

1. Education:

• Advanced Degree in Project Management, Strategic Planning, or equivalent qualifications

2. Competencies and Experience:

• Experience in developing similar strategic plans required;
• Preference will be given to candidates who have successfully conducted similar work for organisations of similar standing as the Forum.

3. Language and other skills:

• English language fluency and strong writing skills is mandatory.
• Computer skills: full command of Microsoft word and common Internet applications will be required.

4. Core Values:

• Professionalism: knowledge and understanding of the context of the SADC PF within the institutional framework of the SADC in Southern Africa;
• Planning and Organizing: allocates appropriate time and resources for completing assignment within the set deadline.

5. Assignment fee

The Assignee will be paid a total assignment fee of USD 15,000 which will be paid upon delivery of final deliverables referred to in paragraph 2. Part payments may be accepted on such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed between the parties and in accordance with the completion of milestones under a pre-approved work plan.

The SADC PF shall ensure that the deliverables meet acceptable standards as per this Request for EOIs and that the deliverables are endorsed and approved by the Secretariat. SADC PF reserves the right to withhold payment for the services rendered if the deliverables are of unacceptable quality, provided that the Assignee shall, as soon as possible and in writing, be furnished with a detailed report of such inadequacies. Should the Assignee fail or neglect to address the said inadequacies forthwith after receipt of the notice advising of the need to address any identified inadequacies, the SADC PF reserves the right to decline payment altogether.

6. Execution of the Assignment

In the execution of this Assignment, the Assignee is encouraged to consult regularly with the officer(s) designated by the Secretary General to ensure that the contractual expectations are met. The designated officer(s) will provide a consolidated verbal/written feedback on the first draft of the deliverables after which the Assignee will incorporate the feedback and return the final copy via the electronic mode of communication.

7. Termination of the Assignment

In the event that the Assignee terminates his/her Assignment before submission of the deliverables, or in the alternative, the Forum terminates the Assignment, no payment will be made. The Forum’s obligations to the Assignee will cease, except for payment of expenses incurred up to the date of termination. Termination may be based on, but not limited to, lack of work; change in position description; uncooperative attitude and unsatisfactory relationship with the Forum; counterpart personnel, or co-workers; conflict of interest; incompetence; carelessness; insubordination; failure or refusal to work; or other acts of misconduct as determined by the Forum.

8. Confidentiality

The Assignee shall not disclose or use at any time, either during or subsequent to the expiry of this Assignment, any confidential information or knowledge obtained or acquired by their being party to this Assignment, unless such information or knowledge is in the public domain without their own wrongdoing. The Assignee further agrees not to impart information relating to work or services performed hereunder to any person not entitled to receive it, and to safeguard any confidential or other classified data that may come into his/her possession by virtue of this Assignment.

9. Copyright and prohibition of use of AI tools

The SADC PF shall retain ownership and copyright of all materials delivered under this Assignment, and shall reserve the right to reproduce, edit or amend the material for official use by the Forum. The Forum shall, however, acknowledge the intellectual contributions of the Assignee.

The use of Artificial Intelligence tools to generate literary content is strictly prohibited. 

10. Enforceability

In the event that any provision of this Request for EOIs shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall apply only to that provision and shall not affect or render invalid or unenforceable any other provision of same.

11. Medical Cover

The Forum shall NOT be responsible for any costs relating to the Assignee’s medical expenses during the course of this Assignment. The Assignee shall, therefore, be personally responsible for his/her own medical cover for the duration of the assignment.

12. Management of Assignment and Domicilium and Correspondence

The management of the assignment shall be conducted by the Secretary General of the SADC PF, Ms Boemo Sekgoma, and the address for correspondence shall be:

SADC Parliamentary Forum

SADC Forum House

Parliament Gardens

P/Bag 13361

Windhoek

NAMIBIA

Tel: +264 61 287 0000

Fax: +264 61 247 569

Email:  

Applications shall be made electronically to the above address and be copied to , before 24^th August 2023. Applications should include a motivation letter and a CV detailing the relevant experience of the Consultant.

N.B: The Forum is an equal opportunity organisation. Please note that the Forum reserves the right not to make any appointment pursuant to this Request for Expressions of Interest.

Effective date of advertisement: 17^th August 2023

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REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EOIs) FOR A CONSULTANT WITH REGARDS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN (2024-2028) FOR THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM