Terms of Reference:
Call for expression of interest – ILGA World Strategic Planning 2025-2029
The image shows a background in six rounded frames, each of them with a colour of the Pride flag. Text reads: “Call for expression of interest: ILGA World Strategic Planning 2025-2029” and offers details about the opportunity, deadline for bids, and objective and scope of the consultancy. The ILGA World logo sits at the bottom centre of the image
1. Purpose
ILGA World - The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association is seeking a consultant or a team of consultants to support the organisation in developing a new strategic plan for 2025 – 2029. Part of the development will be an evaluation of the current plan.
Our work is governed by the ILGA World board and informed by ILGA World´s strategic plan. The current strategic plan has been approved by our membership at the World Conference in Wellington in 2019 and covers the years 2019 – 2023. The strategic plan offers strategic guidance and direction for Board and staff.
2. The organisation
ILGA World is a worldwide federation of more than 1,800 organisations from 169 countries and territories campaigning for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex persons, since 1978. We want a world where the human rights of all are respected and where everyone can live in equality and freedom: a world where global justice and equity are assured and established regardless of people’s sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). ILGA World has ECOSOC consultative status at the United Nations. Our members are based in our six regions: Pan Africa ILGA, ILGA Asia, ILGA-Europe, ILGALAC (Latin America and the Caribbean), ILGA North America and the Caribbean, and ILGA Oceania. Governed by an elected Board of 19 activists representing our global family, ILGA World is queer democracy in action. For more information, look at https://ilga.org/.
3. Background, timeline milestones of the strategic planning process
3.1 Evaluation of current strategy
The first step in the process is to assess the current strategic plan with regard to two parameters:
- the achievements of the organisation versus the goals set in the strategic plan
- the practicality, usability, and applicability of the current strategic plan to inform ILGA World´s work
The methodology of the evaluation will be developed by the consultant(s) in collaboration with the staff working group and the Board strategic planning committee. The methodology may include a range of tools including but not limited to surveys, interviews with both staff and Board and possibly external stakeholders as well.
Key milestones:
- Methodology developed (May 2023)
- Evaluation report (July 2023)
3.2 Consultation with membership, Board, staff and external stakeholders on the new strategic plan
Based on the evaluation report, ILGA World seeks to consult with ILGA members, key external stakeholders, staff and the Board in order to unpack the needs of the communities we serve, ILGA World’s strengths and weaknesses, aspirations by our members and partners around the organisation’s work.
The consultation methodology shall be developed by the consultant(s) in collaboration with the working group. It should as a minimum include an online survey among members, interviews with external stakeholders and possibly discussion groups and bellwether interviews.
Key milestones:
- Methodology and online consultation developed (June 2023)
- Interviews and stakeholder discussions (until September 2023)
- Evaluation and report back of results (October 2023)
3.3 First and second drafts of the strategic plan
Based on the evaluation of a first draft of the strategic plan and the results of the consultation, a first draft of the strategic plan should be developed by the consultant(s) for discussion both in the Board and staff. If resources and timeline allow, the first draft could be reviewed and analysed in focus groups that consist of some of the persons and members interviewed in phases 1 and 2. The first draft of the strategic plan should include a sophisticated theory of change, then the current one.
The feedback, insight and knowledge acquired in this phase will be used to develop a second draft.
Key milestones:
- First draft available (end of 2023)
- Second draft available (March 2024)
3.4 Board discussion, approval and consultation with the membership
The second draft of the strategic plan should be discussed among the whole Board in the first Board meeting in 2024 to produce the third and final draft of the strategic plan. This version then will be sent to the membership for discussion and consideration already prior to the first mailing to allow for enough time among the membership to absorb and discuss the plan. Early feedback from the membership may be taken on board by the Board for the first mailing version in mid-2024.
Key milestones:
- Third draft of plan available (May 2024)
- Final version sent to the membership in conference mailing (August/September 2024)
4. Role of the consultant(s)
The consultant(s) will work closely with both the Board and the staff of ILGA World throughout the process. The primary person of contact will be the Executive Director (ED). The consultant(s) will support the Board and the ED in the implementation of the above-outlined strategic planning process and together with the staff working group be the key drafter of all documents.
The selected contractor(s) must have knowledge and expertise of:
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in developing and managing strategic planning processes for international NGOs
- Expert knowledge and experience with human rights, feminist and/or LGBTI organisations
- Several years of experience in working with or for international civil society organisations
- Strong knowledge and expertise in the application of an intersectional approach to human rights incorporating feminist and other social justice movements, and trauma-informed principles
- Strong feminist background
- Sound moderation and facilitation skills especially in multicultural and CSO settings
- Excellent writing skills, in particular expert- level report writing skills - and specifically on organisation Strategic Plans
5. Outputs/Deliverables
The consultant(s) is (are) expected to produce the following outputs:
Written reports/concepts
- Assessment of current strategic plan 2019-2023 (report)
- Methodology for stakeholder engagement as the basis for the first draft (methodology)
- First, second and third drafts of the strategic plan (three draft plans)
In person Meetings/workshops
- One two-day workshop with the Board and staff to inform draft one and/or draft two that should be implemented in cooperation with the ED and the board (agenda and methodology)
6. Timeframe of the consultancy
The project will start on 1 April 2023 and will conclude with the conference mailing (September 2024 – depending on finalised dates of the World Conference).
7. Payment modalities
Bidders should provide a quote for the completion of all work with their application.
The compensation shall be due and payable upon receipt of an invoice after the completion of the consultancy.
Travel costs to meetings should not be included in the bid. Travel-related expenses will be covered by ILGA World directly.
8. Application process
Bids should be sent by Wednesday 22 February 2023, 1:00 PM Central European Time.
The bid should contain:
- The bidder’s curriculum(s) vitae
- Methodology of proposed approach
- Experience with other international NGO’s
- Evidence of work related to the objectives mentioned above including at least one example of a text or report written by the bidder
- two references that can verify the applicant's expertise
- A full quote for the work (all types of costs shall be given in CHF, excluding VAT).
Bids are to be submitted by e-mail to Julia Ehrt, ILGA World’s Executive Director, at executivedirector(at)ilga.org. Please write “ILGA World Strategic planning consultancy” in the subject line of the email. Any questions can be directed by e-mail to executivedirector(at)ilga.org. The successful consultant(s) will be contacted in February. We will not be able to offer any compensation for any of the work included in the bids that will not be selected.
ILGA World may select a team of consultant(s) to cover all the objectives mentioned above.
Consultants with lived LGBTI experiences and from global south key affected contexts are highly encouraged to apply.
9. Evaluation criteria
The bids will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- responsiveness of the bid according to the need outlined above with a focus on timelines, process, and outputs/deliverables
- proven knowledge of strategic planning processes for international NGOs
- several years of experience in working with LGBTI, feminist or human rights organisations
- value-for-money approach: bids that provide the best overall value for money - taking into account quality, cost, experience, and preliminary assessment - will be preferred over unbalanced or abnormally low bids