CONSULTANCY TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF CARTA’S STRATEGY INTO THE FUTURE

Preamble

The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA), is a consortium of eight African-partner universities, four research institutions, and eight Non-African partner institutions jointly led by the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Kenya, and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), South Africa. The Program was formed, in 2008, to support the development of a vibrant African academy able to lead world-class multidisciplinary research that impacts positively public and population health. The consortium enhances the capacity of African universities to create sustainable multidisciplinary research hubs by supporting junior faculty members to undertake their doctoral training locally and to become internationally recognized research leaders. Ultimately, CARTA strengthens university-wide systems to support research. CARTA offers a well-thought-out approach to rebuilding and strengthening the capacity of African universities to produce world-class researchers, research leaders, and scholars.

Objectives 

The objective of this consultancy is to propose a suitable and sequential design process and facilitate a strategic planning process that is inclusive, iterative and solicits and integrates input from key stakeholders.

Specific tasks and deliverables will include:

1. Design a process for developing the strategic plan;
2. Review and analyze CARTA’s strategic documents along with other organizational documents;
3. Facilitate planned virtual meetings with key stakeholders including secretariat, Directors, focal persons, board members, and other stakeholders like fellows, graduates, facilitators, etc;
4. Draft a programme for a 2-day retreat of CARTA stakeholders (September 25-26, 2024) aimed at discussing the whole strategic plan and proposals;
5. Document and synthesize the retreat and meeting outcomes;
6. Propose a suitable overarching framework for the CARTA Strategy into the future.
7. Produce a draft Strategy based on the balanced scorecard approach;
8. Make at least three presentations to the executive management and Partners Forum between January and February 2025 for validation purposes.

Timeframe

The contract will commence the last week of August 1, 2024 and conclude by March 10, 2025.

Responsibilities of APHRC

• Provide relevant background documents.
• Liaise and assist in communicating with and mobilizing key stakeholders.
• Handle all logistical arrangements for retreats/ virtual meetings.

Qualifications and experience

A consultant or consulting firm experienced in the design, facilitation and documentation of strategic plans will be hired for this assignment. The successful applicant should have at least ten years’ professional experience in strategic planning and organizational development. The consultant/consulting firm must be available to do the work between August 1, 2024, and March 10, 2025.

Interested consultants (individuals/firms/institutions) should submit a proposal including:

• Cover letter explaining their eligibility for the assignment and interpretation of the tasks;
• Details of the methodological approach, its suitability and any underlying organizational development frameworks;
• CV of the individual consultant or CVs of members of the consulting team;
• Work profile including reverse chronological list of similar projects/assignments and contact details (name, email/phone) of supervisors/clients; and
• A financial proposition with the expected remuneration.

The proposal should be submitted to [email protected] copying [email protected] with the email subject: “Consultancy to develop the CARTA Strategy.”  The deadline for submission of proposals is June 05, 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications should be addressed to:

The Human Resources Officer

African Population and Health Research Center, Inc

APHRC Campus, Manga Close, off Kirawa Road, Kitisuru

P.O. Box 10787-GPO, Nairobi

For further information on APHRC, visit the APHRC and CARTA websites https://www.aphrc.org and https://cartafrica.org.

Special Notice

APHRC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications and organizational needs. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process