Terms of Reference: Strategic Planning Consultant for AWF Rwanda 5-Year Strategic Plan

1.Background and Context

1.1 About African Wildlife Foundation (AWF)

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is Africa's oldest and largest international conservation organization, established in 1961 with over 60 years of conservation and development expertise across the continent. AWF's vision is for an Africa where sustainable development includes thriving wildlife and wild lands as cultural and economic assets for Africa's future generations.

1.2 AWF's Global Strategic Framework (2020-2030)

AWF operates under three overarching strategic goals:

• Conservation Leadership: African and Global Leadership shifts policy, planning and finance to leverage wildlife and wild lands as essential to development
• Landscape Programs: Africa's ecosystems and the services they provide are conserved, protected and restored
• Species Protection: Africa's wildlife is conserved in-situ

1.3 AWF in Rwanda

AWF has a significant presence in Rwanda, particularly through:

• Long-standing partnership in mountain gorilla conservation at Volcanoes National Park
• Co-founding role in the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP)
• Community-based conservation initiatives including the SACOLA community trust
• Support for the pioneering Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge model
• Current involvement in the Volcanoes National Park expansion initiative
• Participation in convening the Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC) 2022 in Kigali

1.4 Rwanda's Conservation Context

Rwanda is home to 65% of mountain gorillas in the transboundary Virunga Massif and has demonstrated strong commitment to conservation through:

• Successful mountain gorilla population recovery
• Integration of conservation with tourism and economic development
• Progressive environmental policies and green growth initiatives
• Leadership in regional conservation cooperation

2. Purpose and Objectives

2.1 Overall Purpose

To engage a qualified strategic planning consultant to facilitate the development of a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan (2025-2030) for AWF's Rwanda country office that aligns with AWF's global strategic vision and Rwanda's national conservation priorities.

2.2 Specific Objectives

1. Conduct comprehensive situational analysis of Rwanda's conservation landscape and AWF's current position
2. Facilitate inclusive stakeholder engagement processes with government, communities, partners, and private sector
3. Develop strategic priorities and interventions aligned with AWF's three strategic goals
4. Create implementation framework with clear targets, indicators, and resource requirements
5. Establish monitoring and evaluation systems for strategy implementation
6. Ensure integration with national policies and regional conservation initiatives

3. Scope of Work

3.1 Phase 1: Situational Analysis and Stakeholder Mapping

Key Activities:

• Review AWF's historical and current work in Rwanda
• Analyze Rwanda's policy and institutional landscape for conservation
• Assess biodiversity conservation priorities and threats
• Map key stakeholders including government agencies, communities, CSOs, private sector, and development partners
• Identify opportunities for alignment with national strategies (Vision 2050, Green Fund priorities, NDCs)
• Conduct SWOT analysis of AWF's position in Rwanda

Deliverables:

• Comprehensive situational analysis report
• Stakeholder mapping and engagement strategy
• Baseline assessment of AWF's Rwanda program

3.2 Phase 2: Stakeholder Consultation and Visioning

Key Activities:

• Conduct consultative workshops with:
  1. Rwanda Development Board, REMA, RFA,FONERWA and Ministry of Environment
  2. Local communities (particularly around Volcanoes National Park)
  3. Private sector partners and tourism operators
  4. Conservation partners and NGOs
  5. AWF staff and leadership
• Facilitate visioning exercises to define Rwanda program aspirations
• Validate AWF's comparative advantages and unique value proposition
• Identify strategic partnerships and collaboration opportunities

Deliverables:

• Stakeholder consultation report
• Summary of vision and strategic priorities from consultations
• Partnership mapping and recommendations

3.3 Phase 3: Strategic Framework Development

Key Activities:

• Develop strategic framework aligned with AWF's three global goals
• Define specific objectives, outcomes, and key results for Rwanda
• Design interventions addressing:
  • Conservation Leadership: Capacity building, policy advocacy, leadership development
  • Landscape Programs: Ecosystem conservation, community livelihoods, human-wildlife conflict mitigation
  • Species Protection: Mountain gorilla conservation, anti-poaching, wildlife monitoring
• Integrate rights-based approach and community ownership principles
• Ensure climate change adaptation and mitigation considerations
• Develop resource mobilization strategy

Deliverables:

• Draft 5-year strategic plan framework
• Theory of change and results framework
• Strategic intervention portfolio

3.4 Phase 4: Implementation Planning and Validation

Key Activities:

• Develop detailed implementation plans with timelines and milestones
• Design monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework
• Create risk assessment and mitigation strategies
• Develop resource requirements and funding strategy
• Facilitate validation workshops with key stakeholders
• Incorporate feedback and finalize strategic plan

Deliverables:

• Complete 5-year strategic plan document
• Implementation roadmap and annual work plans
• M&E framework with indicators and targets
• Resource mobilization strategy
• Risk management framework

4. Consultant Profile and Qualifications

4.1 Essential Qualifications

• Advanced degree in strategic planning, organizational development, conservation, international development, or related field
• Minimum 6 years experience in strategic planning and organizational development
• Minimum 5 years experience working in conservation and/or sustainable development in Africa
• Demonstrated experience in Rwanda's development and conservation sector
• Strong understanding of rights-based approaches and community engagement principles
• Experience with multi-stakeholder processes and participatory planning methodologies
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and analytical skills
• Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda (French is an advantage)

4.2 Desirable Qualifications

• Previous experience with AWF or similar international conservation organizations
• Knowledge of Rwanda conservation and tourism development
• Experience with landscape-scale conservation planning
• Understanding of climate change adaptation and mitigation in conservation contexts
• Familiarity with donor requirements and proposal development
• Experience in policy analysis and advocacy
• Track record of successful strategy implementation and M&E system design

4.3 Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking: Ability to synthesize complex information and develop coherent strategic frameworks
• Stakeholder engagement: Skilled in managing diverse stakeholder interests and building consensus
• Facilitation: Expert in group dynamics and participatory planning processes
• Cultural sensitivity: Understanding of Rwandan culture
• Systems thinking: Ability to understand interconnections between conservation, development, and governance
• Results orientation: Focus on practical, measurable outcomes and implementation feasibility

5.1 AWF Support

AWF will provide:

• Access to organizational documents, reports, and data
• Facilitation of stakeholder introductions and meetings
• Logistical support for field visits and workshops
• Administrative support for document production and dissemination
• Technical backstopping from AWF regional and global teams

6. Timeline and Deliverables

6.1 Overall Timeline

Duration: 4 months from contract signing

7.2 Key Milestones and Deliverables

7.3 Deliverable Standards

All deliverables must:

• Be delivered in English (with Kinyarwanda summary where appropriate)
• Follow AWF's branding and formatting guidelines
• Include executive summaries for reports over 20 pages
• Be validated through stakeholder feedback processes
• Include clear recommendations and next steps
• Be suitable for presentation to donors and partners

8. Budget and Payment Schedule

8.1 Budget Components

The consultant should provide comprehensive budget covering:

• Professional fees: Based on daily rates and time allocation
• Travel and accommodation: Including field visits and stakeholder meetings
• Workshop and meeting costs: Venue, catering, materials
• Communication and dissemination: Printing,
• Other direct costs: As justified and approved

8.2 Payment Schedule

• 25% upon completion of Phase 1 deliverables
• 25% upon completion of Phase 2 deliverables
• 30% upon completion of Phase 3 deliverables
• 20% upon final deliverable approval and completion

9. Application Requirements

9.1 Technical Proposal (Maximum 15 pages)

1. Understanding of the assignment: Demonstration of comprehension of objectives and context
2. Proposed methodology: Detailed approach and process design
3. Work plan and timeline: Specific activities, milestones, and schedule
4. Stakeholder engagement strategy: Approach to inclusive participation
5. Risk assessment and mitigation: Identification of potential challenges and solutions
6. Quality assurance: Measures for ensuring high-quality deliverables

9.2 Financial Proposal

1. Detailed budget: Breakdown by budget categories and phases
2. Daily rates: Professional fees structure
3. Cost assumptions: Clear basis for cost calculations
4. Payment terms: Acknowledgment of proposed payment schedule

9.3 Consultant Credentials

1. CV and qualifications: Detailed background and experience
2. Relevant experience: Previous similar assignments with results achieved
3. References: Three professional references from similar work
4. Writing samples: Examples of strategic planning documents produced

10. Application Process

10.1 Submission Requirements

• Deadline: 15 November 2025
• Format: Electronic submission in PDF format
• Language: English
• Email subject: "AWF Rwanda Strategic Plan Consultant - [Applicant Name]"
• Contact:rwprocurement@awf.org