Terms of Reference
Title:
Consultant for Strategic Planning for National Volunteer Corps (CNV) in Cabo
Verde
Type of Consultant:
National
Term of Contract:
Individual Contract
Duration:
20 working days full-time
Starting date:
02 February 2015
End date:
15 March 2015
1. INTRODUCTION
The National Volunteer Corps (CNV) is a governmental agency of the Ministry of Youth, Employment and
Development of Human Resources with legal "personality" defined under public law, and administrative,
financial and patrimonial autonomy, whose overall mission is “to promote voluntary work, as well as
information, training and support for organizations promoting volunteerism” (Decree-Law 25/2012). The
National Volunteer Corps is the instrument to materialize the Government's program for volunteer work
and is thereof responsible for implementing strategies and policies to promote volunteerism in the
country.
An Evaluation of the contribution of UNV to Volunteer Infrastructures, conducted in 2013, concluded that
the newly created CNV was granted manoeuvring space to define and implement strategies, however,
“needs to strengthen its own administration mechanisms, its planning, budgeting, monitoring and
reporting capacity and importantly, its capacity to mobilize and manage financial resources." It pointed
out that good governance practices are in initial stages and require support to become fully-fledged. It
also emphasized the need for the CNV to develop a communication strategy addressing all communication
issues, to review decision making processes, to mainstream the result based planning and M&E system
beyond the project level, and to forge strong strategic partnerships.
With the end of the project, and in the absence of a strategic framework for the coming period, phasing
out intervention is recommended to consolidate the newly established structure, to enhance the impact,
clarify the current position and define the future direction of CNV in a medium/long –term perspective.
Consequent to this, UNV is seeking a consultant to develop a strategic plan, needs assessment and gap
analysis of CNV.
2. BACKGROUND
Volunteerism is considered by the Government of Cabo Verde as a key element of its policy of promoting
youth and is an important part of the Youth Strategy The Project "Support to the implementation of a
National Volunteer Programme in Cabo Verde," implemented from September 2009 through February
2014, was a tripartite initiative involving the Government of Cabo Verde through the Ministry of Youth,
the United Nations System and the Cabo Verdean Platform of NGOs. The pilot project was conceived in
the wake of the project Youth Corps for the Environment, implemented from 2003 to 2006 in Santiago
Island. An external evaluation in October 2005 and the feasibility study about the possibility of a national
volunteer programme, conducted in October 2006, identified a strong need to strengthen the
involvement of civil society in public debates and actions, and to value and recognize the contribution of
citizens in developing countries. The study also highlighted the need of a legal framework for facilitating
and enhancing volunteerism and civic engagement and the need for training and support to structure
their programs in organizations, public or associative, that mobilize or wish to mobilize volunteers.
On the basis of lessons learnt and recommendations from the previous projects, the project was aimed at
creating an enabling environment for volunteering in Cabo Verde, and to set up a structure to strengthen
the capacity of volunteer involving organizations and strengthen the social impact of the voluntary
mobilization by different actors in the country, especially in the priority areas for development. It focused
on the promotion of community-based development through civil society participation and the
strengthening of community-based organizations, in close collaboration and partnership with the national
NGO Platform).
In September 2010, in the framework of the project, a Decree-Law on volunteerism was issued by the
President. An implementing Decree, adopted in March 2011, laid down the conditions allowing to
promote and support volunteerism taking into account the relevance of its application in the construction
a more cohesive and caring society. Moreover, the Statute and the Mandate of the National Volunteer
Corps were approved by the Council of Ministers and the Decree creating the Corps was published in
August 2012 (Decree-Law No. 25/2012). The National Volunteer Corps, then created, would assume the
responsibilities of the National Volunteer Programme and takeover the National Volunteer Agency after
a period of transition. The definition of legal implementation framework including a “Volunteer passport”,
envisioned to recognize the value of volunteer contribution, culminated with the publication of the
Ministerial Ordinance regulating the "Volunteer Passport” in April 2013.
These shifts, adoption of a legal framework of Volunteerism and creation of a National Volunteer Corps,
have provided a new landscape for volunteerism in the country and call for the establishment of a
strategic framework, to renew the analysis and to develop a feasible and visionary roadmap for advancing
CNV’s vision and mandate within this new landscape. The new framework should be accompanied by a
theory of change document.
3. SCOPE OF WORK
The scope and focus of the consultancy are to provide technical, strategic and facilitation support to
enable the development of a renewed strategic plan for the National Volunteer Corps for the 2015 2020 period.
Under overall supervision of the local UNV Field Unit and guidance of the CNV Coordinator, the local
consultant will be tasked to
 Assess and analyse CNV’s internal environment providing an idea of the needs and gaps in
delivering on its strategy
 Assess and analyse CNV’s environment and stakeholders
 Synthesis of results and identify strategic opportunities
 Plan and facilitate a workshop with Board members, staff and others to prioritize strategic
directions
 Support the President and Board in designing appropriate metrics using the Theory of Change
model and/or an organizational balanced scorecard to best align with identified strategic
priorities
 Draft and finalize CNV’s strategic plan
4. DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

After an initial review of organizational documents, relating to structure, finances, staff,
management, history, activities, projects and policies, aimed at identifying the current status of
the organization, the consultant will develop an analysis framework and work plan to guide the
assessment.

S/he will conduct a thorough, but focused assessment of CNV’s strengths and weaknesses, as
well as external opportunities and threats, with a view to identifying appropriate strategic
options for the 2015-2020 operational period. The assessment will include review of relevant
documents, in particular CNV’s vision and mission statements, existing strategic plan(s) and key
project documents, strategic plans of key partner agencies, donor organizations, and related
reports.

Based on the analysis of CNV’s internal environment, s/he will provide a needs assessment, a
capacity gap analysis and recommendations for the strengthening of the institution.

The consultant will also 1) conduct individual interviews with key informants, and 2) facilitate indepth focus group/facilitated discussions among stakeholders and beneficiaries in person or
using web-based technologies and/or teleconferencing, to identify the current status, future
challenges and individual recommendations

The use of participatory processes is expected. Critical reflection by staff, Board members and
stakeholders is integral to this strategic planning initiative. As such, the Consultant will be
expected to provide for active and meaningful engagement of CNV staff members, partners,
donors, and other stakeholders, including other relevant government representatives.

It is expected that data will be analysed using a rigorous and transparent analysis framework,
summarized and presented back to CNV to aid in prioritization of strategic directions. A key
aspect of the consultancy is preparation for and facilitation of strategic planning workshop with
CNV’s Board members and staff.

All data and the results of the workshop will be consolidated into a draft and finalized strategic
document, including analysis and the presentation of metrics using a Theory of Change model
and/or a balanced scorecard approach.

The strategic plan will:
o -define/clarify mission, vision, values, objectives and strategy
o -define strategic priorities and action plans
o -develop more effective communication and collaboration
o -develop an effective internal evaluation mechanism
o -propose a financial reporting system
o
-develop a sustainable fundraising strategy
-propose improvements to organizational structure
5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
UNV Field Unit and the National Volunteer Corps Coordination and will be responsible for:
 Preparing the Terms of Reference
 Selecting, contracting and managing the Consultant
 Covering the costs of and managing communications and logistics associated with the
assessment
 Actively engaging with the Consultant during the assessment
 Identifying stakeholders and relevant documents as needed
The Consultant will be responsible for:
1. Preparation of a work plan and an appropriate Assessment Framework
2. Actively engaging with staff, Board members and other stakeholders through the use of
participatory processes
3. Regular progress reporting to UNV and CNV
4. Production of deliverables in accordance with the requirements and timeframes of the Terms of
Reference.
6.EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
The consultant will provide the following deliverables:

An Analysis Framework based on these Terms of Reference

A strategic planning workshop

A strategic plan document including:
o
o
o
o
o
o
Executive summary
Background
Internal and External analysis
Strategic priorities
Metrics to assess progress made in the attainment of these strategic priorities (using
Theory of Change and/or Organizational Balanced Scorecard and/or similar
methodology)
Strategic plan
7. DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
5. Duration of the Assignment
20 working days starting on February 2, 2015 and ending no later than March 15, 2015:
8. QUALIFICATIONS/SELECTION CRITERIA

Minimum Master’s degree in social science, administration or relevant area.





Minimum 5 years of experience in design and/or monitoring & evaluation of development
projects (voluntary sector related will be an asset).
Excellent knowledge and understanding of socio-economic and political context of the country.
Excellent written and spoken skills in Portuguese and good English reading skills.
Excellent research, analytical and communication skills, both oral and written
Understanding of volunteerism/voluntary sector would be a definite asset
The ideal Consultant will have knowledge of and/or proven expertise in:
 Participatory approaches in conducting assessments and facilitating strategic planning processes
 Familiarity with the Theory of Change approach and building organizational balanced scorecards
Strategic planning document preparation
9. APPLICATION PROCESS
All applications should be submitted to the email address, procurement.cv@cv.jo.un.org indicating the
following reference “Consultant for Strategic Planning for National Volunteer Corps in Cabo Verde” by 5
February, 2015 COB, and should include the following documents:




Letter of confirmation of interest and submission of financial proposal (template annex)
Consultant CV and P11 form
Technical proposal, comprising proposed methodology and work plan;
Financial proposal, including proposed fee (lump sum)
Incomplete applications will be excluded from further consideration.
Criteria for Evaluation of Proposal: The selection will be made based on the educational background and
experience on similar assignments. The financial proposal will weigh as 30% of the total scoring
10. PAYMENT SCHEDULE.
The evaluation consultant will produce the following deliverables:
Deliverable
Content
Timing
Responsibilities
Contract signing
Analysis
Framework
Payment
Schedule
10%
Consultant clarifies timing and methods
No later than 1 week
before the workshop
Consultant submits
to CNV and UNV
Field Unit
Strategic
planning
workshop
Consultant in
coordination with
National Volunteer
Corps
Draft
Strategic
plan
document
Consultant submits
to CNV and UNV
Field Unit
10%
30%
Strategic
plan final
document
Revised document including:






Executive summary
Background
Internal and External analysis
Strategic priorities
Metrics to assess progress made
in the attainment of these
strategic priorities (using Theory
of Change and/or
Organizational Balanced
Scorecard and/or similar
methodology)
Strategic plan
Within 1 week of
receiving CNV /UNV Field
Unit comments on draft
Consultant submits
to CNV and UNV
Field Unit
50%
The report together with the annexes shall be written in Portuguese and shall be presented in electronic
form in MS Word format to facilitate comments and PDF format.