TERMS OF REFERENCE: CONSULTANCY FOR FACILITATING DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE SHIFT PROGRAM

Deadline:  October 14, 2024

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About APHRC

The African Population and Health Research Center is a premier research-to-policy institution, generating evidence, strengthening research and related capacity in the African research and development ecosystem, and engaging policy to inform action on health and development.

The Center is Africa-based and African-led, with its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, and a West Africa Regional Office (WARO) in Dakar, Senegal.

APHRC seeks to drive change by developing strong African research leadership and promoting evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) across sub-Saharan Africa.

1. Background & rationale

In 2018, the Executive Director and the leadership team, as part of managing change, recognized the need to collectively identify key institutional culture issues that needed to be addressed.

APHRC was transitioning in various dimensions including leadership, growth (projects, staff, funding), and increased demand from peers, funders, and consumers of research products. It was a pivotal moment that demanded changes to the way we work.

The change was deemed necessary to sustain the momentum of our achievements and growth while creating and nurturing an environment where the quest for professional achievements did not trump individual staff wellbeing. APHRC retained the services of a consultant to spearhead the work of institutional culture shift and managing change.

This process identified three priority areas: i) promoting a culture of speaking up; ii) maintaining a culture of excellence; and iii) promoting work-life balance.

In early 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, the implementation of the various activities was paused. Over time, different things have taken place at the Center that have had a direct bearing on the culture shift program. 

These are: i) the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the way we work, including remote working; the significant increase in staff numbers, a bold and ambitious strategic plan including a new organization structure, and growth in our programmatic portfolio that has introduced various complexities in the way we work and relate both internally and externally.

2.     Objectives of the Consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to restart the culture shift program including identifying priority areas.

. The specific objectives are;

1. To conduct a comprehensive review of the culture shift program;
2. To identify key institutional culture priority areas and actions needed for change; and
3. To develop a culture shift implementation plan
4. Facilitate implementation of some of the identified actions

3.     Scope of Consultancy

The culture shift program should be comprehensive to include both the Head Office and the West Africa Regional Office as separate entities that could have distinct cultures but also as inter-connected entities that jointly make up the APHRC culture.

4.     Roles and Responsibilities

The consultant will:

1. Develop the induction and orientation module outlining clear topics to be covered during the session and the proposed mode of delivery
2. Conduct key informant interviews and focused group discussions with leadership and staff
3. Conduct training on culture shift with staff and or champions based on recommendations generated from the undertaking.
4. Provide coaching for key groups and individuals essential for the implementation of the culture shift

5.     Reporting and Supervision

The successful consultant (or team of consultants) will work under the supervision of the Chief of Staff in close consultations with the Executive Director and the culture shift committee.

6.  Qualifications and Experience

APHRC is seeking a consulting firm or individual with demonstrated experience in conducting culture shift programs or institutional change management especially for not-for-profit international organizations. The consultant or, in the case of a firm, the lead consultant should be highly skilled and experienced with the following:

• At least 10 years demonstrated experience in training, coaching and leadership in not-for-profit organizations
• Strong planning, facilitation, interpersonal and communications skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication in English.

7.     Submission of Proposals

Interested parties are asked to submit a capability statement and CVs of the consultant(s), cover letter, evidence of similar work, and references from previous clients for similar assignments.

Application documents should be submitted to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] and Sheila Mwero at [email protected] by October 14 , 2024. The cover letter should clearly detail how the consultant’s experience fits the specifications.

The application documents should also include an outline of the methodology to be used, a work plan, and a financial proposal.

Special Notice
APHRC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive
workplace. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications and organizational needs.
Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to
support their participation in the recruitment process.