USDC STRATEGIC PLANNING CONSULTANCY

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE STRATEGIC PLAN DEVELOPMENT 2024-2029

Background

Uganda Society for Disabled Children (USDC):

Uganda Society for Disabled Children (USDC) is a registered NGO operating under permit No. 1503839. It was first established in Uganda in 1985 and began by providing small-scale welfare help to disabled children and their families, later adopting a Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) approach and to date embraces the social model of disability. USDC is a leading childhood disability focused organization in Uganda, reaching over 12,000 children with disabilities (CwDs) annually. USDC strives to offer a holistic package to CwDs, believing that every child is unique and deserves an individualized rehabilitation plan to attain their full potential. Parents take centre stage in the rehabilitation of CwDs through Parents Support Groups (PSGs) while child participation is fostered through the Child Rights Clubs (CRCs) and other fora whenever available.

The Organization operates in 14 core districts including Kampala and exists to provide equal rights and equitable opportunities for Children with Disability through inclusive learning and parenting. The Vision is to see a society in which Children with Disability can grow and develop their full potential.

To deliver on our goal of ensuring that all Children with Disabilities fulfil their potential, USDC recognizes the value of developing a strategic plan to assess the strengths and weaknesses of our approach and to consider the internal and external factors that influence the trajectory of our work. USDC plans to develop a five-year strategic plan for 2024-2029. to reconfirm the Organization’s vision and to establish a design process and approach for the effective implementation and sustainability of its mandate over the next five years. USDC firmly believes that its staff members, Parent Support Groups and key stakeholders are at the centre of this strategic planning effort, helping to assess ways in which to strengthen the impact of the organization.

Purpose of the consultancy

The strategic plan development consultant will facilitate the staff, Council of Management, community, and National stakeholders through the development of the New strategic plan. This process will include assessing the Theories of Change employed by USDC and examining how they serve to deliver USDC’s mission**. The substantive outcome is a five-year strategic plan for the period 2024-2029.**

Deliverable Outputs

Based on the above, the Consultant shall prepare and complete the five-year strategic plan.

Present the draft strategic plan to stakeholders to validate.

Commitment to Quality Work

The consultant shall use an evidence-based approach and ensure the highest standards of work and timely deliverables at every stage of this assignment. The consultant shall ensure clarity of objectives and process during the consultations, counter check all facts and figures cited, ensure that the content and

Format of the draft strategic plan meets the high standard for such documents and ensure proper editing and clarity.

The consultant shall, at the onset of the planning process, identify all stakeholders having a direct and indirect interest in the strategic plan. Listing people, groups and institutions that influence the work of USDC. All stakeholders must be able to make inputs into the strategic plan to promote ownership of the plan.

Method

The consultant shall work with the strategic development core team of USDC in the strategic plan development process. He/ She will obtain disaggregated data, review relevant literature including review of the project endline reports for all the projects within the previous strategic plan, conduct interviews, and undertake field visits in selected areas. The consultant is permitted to form a team for the delivery of the objectives of the consultancy.

Qualifications/Competencies/ Experience

USDC is seeking for the services of a professional or a consultancy firm to develop a five-year strategic plan. The firm/individual must possess the following:

• Relevant work experience in strategic planning and development

• Knowledge in Disability Programming

• Excellent and proven analytical skills

• Excellent organizational and communication skills, ability to prioritize and work with minimum supervision

• Possess knowledge in the general social, economic and political environment that influences education landscape in Uganda

• Understanding of participatory approaches to management and operations.

  Duration

  The consultancy shall be for a period not longer than two months from the date the contract will be signed.

  Budget

• Remuneration and Method of Payment: To be negotiated.

  Application materials:

  Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their bids alongside detailed proposals, indicating their work schedule from the commencement to the end of the consultancy. Included should be:

• Technical approach and suggested timeline (maximum 5 pages)

• Case studies of previous experience of strategic development planning (maximum 2 pages)

• Budget for work to be undertaken (submitted in a single Excel worksheet and broken down into personnel, fees, travel and other)