The U.K. Department for International Development (DFID) and SABCOHA would like to appoint a suitable consultant to conduct an organisational assessment and operational planning process in relation to its strategy developed in 2006.

• Co-ordinating the business response to HIV;

• Empowering business;

• Sharing and managing knowledge;

• Developing internal capacity.

SABCOHA's mandate has expanded rapidly since 2003, with a growing need to empower business through projects, public/private partnerships and other initiatives, but also the need to co-ordinate businesses response at a provincial and local level. SABCOHA's membership has grown from 23 companies to 145 in less than five years. Staffing and financing has also grown over this time, and become more complex. SABCOHA now has a range of projects underway, including some that are linked to targeted resources from donors.

Rationale for the Review and Operational Plan Development

While the need for an effective business sector response to AIDS in South Africa is clear, the question for this process is whether SABCOHA as currently configured is fit for this purpose. And if there are reservations - whether adjustments to the strategy, business model or operational planning - these can assist the organisation to gear up to meet these needs. There are thus two major reasons why this review and planning exercise are warranted.  Firstly, with five years of SABCOHA operations, there is need to take stock of progress made and experience and review the adequacy of SABCOHA'S support strategy and business model.  This is particularly important given the substantial changes in the South African response to AIDS in the two years since the strategy was agreed. Secondly, SABCOHA needs to develop a longer-term strategic framework upon which to base its operational planning, to develop multi-annual budget processes and a resource mobilisation strategy. 

Scope of Work

The main aims of the consultancy are to:

• 1. Review and document progress and experience made by SABCOHA in the implementation of its strategy since 2006. More specifically, the review should assess the extent to which planned results have been achieved; review how SABCOHA priorities have evolved - and the adequacy of the 2006 strategy in orienting and organising SABCOHA's work; and analyse and comment on experience and lessons learned.

• 2. Consult with internal and external stakeholders to gain their perceptions on the value of SABCOHA's current strategy, areas of strength and weakness, and advice on future priorities and roles.

• 3. Review the adequacy of SABCOHA's staffing, organisation, systems and management to achieve agreed results and make recommendations to improve and strengthen SABCOHA's efficiency and effectiveness in achieving planned results.

• 4. Assess the validity of the current strategic framework, and draft an operational plan and budget for the period 2009 - 2011 (3 years).

Tasks

Under the overall supervision of the DFID SA Senior Health and AIDS Adviser (Robin Gorna), and the SABCOHA CEO (Brad Mears), the consultant will:

• 1. Conduct a desk review of SABCOHA's strategy, plans, quarterly and annual progress reports to assess the extent to which SABCOHA has fulfilled planned results; and review the adequacy of SABCOHA‘s organisation and staffing capacity to meet planned results.

• 2. Conduct internal and external stakeholder interviews to gain their perspectives on the value of SABCOHA's strategy and services.

• 3. Provide recommendations on what actions need to be taken to align the strategy with the external environment, including what resources SABCOHA will require. This will include an assessment of SABCOHA's infrastructure, systems, personnel, and financial resources.

• 4. Draft SABCOHA's operational plan and budget and revise/update the current strategy.

• 5. Facilitate meetings with SABCOHA staff and external stakeholders to review the proposed operational plan and budget, as well as any proposed revisions to the strategy.

Expected Outputs

• 1. SABCOHA review report. A 20- to 30-pages maximum document that would: a) describe SABCOHA progress made, experience and lessons learned; b) present key findings of stakeholder survey; c) review adequacy of current strategic framework, staffing capacity, organisation and management for meeting planned results; and d) make recommendations on how SABCOHA's effectiveness and efficiency and relationships could be improved.

• 2. SABCOHA Operational Plan and budget. A 15-page (maximum) document outlining SABCOHA ‘s aims, role and strategic priorities (results framework); office management plan - outlining staffing, organisation, management arrangements and budget.

Recommended profile

o       Thorough understanding of the response to AIDS in South Africa

o       At least 10 years experience working on organisational development, including strong planning and budgeting skills.

o       Excellent analytical and strategic skills.

o       Good communication and interpersonal skills

o       Excellent writing skills in English.

o       Proposals with a comprehensive budget need to be submitted to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Closing date

3 December 2008

Time Frame and Key Dates

Up to 20 days consultancy, of which approximately 10 days spent on review and 10 days on the development of the operational plan and budget.

Contacts:

Hilary Nkulu (012 431 2101). Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Brad Mears (011 880 48 21 )/(083 2090 858). Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it