Organisational Development Expert

1. Background: The AHEAD Africa project is focused on empowering civil society across Africa, including citizen observers, in strengthening electoral systems and processes, to contribute to higher levels of electoral integrity in African Union member states. The underlying methodology of the Action is the AHEAD approach which emphasizes that follow-up to election observation recommendations can be a key driver for more inclusive electoral systems, building public trust and preventing conflicts. By focusing on ‘electoral follow-up’, civil society can effectively advocate for democratic accountability and play a significant role in fostering transparent and accountable electoral processes. As a member of the Consortium for the implementation of AHEAD Africa, DRI is supporting an Organisational Development programme by providing a training programme to local CSOs based in Sub-Saharan Africa based on the findings of the needs assessment.

2. About the AHEAD Africa Project: The underlying methodology of the Action is the AHEAD approach – Action for a Holistic Electoral Approach for Democracy – which emphasises that follow-up to election observation recommendations can be a key driver for more inclusive electoral systems, building public trust and preventing conflicts. By focusing on ‘electoral follow-up’, civil society can effectively advocate for democratic accountability and play a significant role in fostering transparent and accountable electoral processes.

   Strengthening the capacities of CSOs to collaborate in regional and continental networks on matters of democratic governance, particularly on election observation and follow-up;

• Reinforcing the capacity of domestic citizen observer groups to meaningfully observe electoral and democratic processes;
• Increasing the evidence base on the state of democratic governance and civic space in the African Union member states;
• Reinvigorating spaces for dialogue, coordination and collaboration on electoral observation and follow-up, between CSOs, citizen observers and other stakeholders;
• Launching, accelerating and upscaling civic initiatives on monitoring, observation, dialogue and/or advocacy, incorporating tested civic tech solutions as needed.

1. Objectives: DRI will conduct an organizational assessment to identify organizational needs and develop a targeted capacity building plan for the selected grantees. This assessment will serve as a baseline for measuring progress and guide our Capacity Building strategy.

   The Organizational Development Expert will be responsible for conducting the Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) for 19 grantees to identify their needs for improving their organizational performance. The expert is expected to work closely with each grantee and clearly assess and identify the capacity building interventions they will require. The OCA should include specific, measurable objectives aligned with each grantee’s strategic goals as well as recommendations for tailored capacity building initiatives.

2. Scope of Work:

   The expert will be responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive OCA methodology, evaluating key organizational domains (see below), conducting assessments and interviews, suggest tools, analyzing data, and submitting a comprehensive report that highlights both the shared and unique needs of the organizations. This report will serve as a critical tool for understanding the distinct and collective challenges faced by each entity, facilitating targeted and effective capacity-building measures.

The OD expert will evaluate key organizational domains, not limited to, but including

1. Governance and leadership
2. Strategic planning and management
3. Program design and implementation
4. Financial management and sustainability
5. Human resource management
6. Monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems
7. External relations and partnerships
8. Fundraising and sustainability

Deliverables:

• Develop a detailed and comprehensive needs assessment methodology for grantees.
• Administer Self-Reflection Tool for Grantees, complemented by Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) for Data Triangulation and Validation. This process should involve facilitating the use of a structured self-reflection tool with grantees to assess their organizational capacities. The insights gathered will be further enriched and validated through key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs), ensuring a robust, triangulated understanding of grantees’ strengths, challenges, and capacity development needs.
• A comprehensive report to be delivered at the end of the assignment, providing a detailed analysis of the organizational needs identified.
• The report should also include practical, tailored capacity-building recommendations and serve as a baseline reference to track the progress and development of each organization over time.
• A concise workplan of the different trainings as well as an individual objectives list for each grantee.

1. Duration: 23 days.
2. Reporting: Organizational Development Expert will report directly to the Project Manager and maintain close communication and collaboration with the project’s Communications & Visibility Expert, including providing regular updates and participating in strategic meetings.
3. Qualifications:

• Proven expertise in grant management, specifically in democratic governance and electoral processes.
• Relevant experience in facilitating and conducting organisational capacity assessments, especially with CSOs.
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, development studies, communications, or a related field. Advanced degrees are preferred.
• Demonstrated ability in using organisational assessment tools with diverse organisations, capable of conducting evaluation assessments.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Capability of working in a multicultural environment, with relevant experience in Sub-Saharan Africa is an advantage
• Fluency in English; proficiency in French or other regional languages is highly advantageous.