TERMS OF REFERENCE
CONSULTANT – DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACB STRATEGIC PLAN (2027–2030)
Required Services
Development of the African Constituency Bureau (ACB) Strategic Plan 2027–2030
Language
English (French will be an added value)
Duty Station
Remote (consultant’s country of residence)
Application Deadline
19 July 2026
ABOUT THE AFRICAN CONSTITUENCY BUREAU (ACB)
The African Constituency Bureau (ACB), established in 2012 and operational since 2017, supports African representatives serving on the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The ACB brings together the Eastern & Southern Africa (ESA) and West & Central Africa (WCA) constituencies, collectively representing 46 African countries benefiting from Global Fund resources. The Bureau strengthens coordination, policy analysis, consensus-building and strategic positioning to ensure African priorities are effectively reflected in Global Fund governance processes.
Through evidence generation, stakeholder engagement and technical support, the ACB enhances the capacity of African Board and Committee Members to influence policies, strategies and funding decisions affecting the continent.
BACKGROUND
The global health financing landscape is undergoing profound transformation. Traditional donor funding is increasingly constrained due to fiscal pressures, competing global priorities and shifting geopolitical dynamics. At the same time, there is growing emphasis on sustainability, domestic resource mobilization, co-financing commitments, and transition preparedness in countries with high disease burdens.
Multilateral health institutions and Global Health Initiatives (GHIs) are adapting to a more complex operating environment characterized by:
- Increased scrutiny on impact, efficiency and value for money
- Greater focus on integrated and resilient health systems
- Heightened attention to equity, community engagement and accountability
- Evolving governance models and allocation methodologies
- Stronger expectations for country ownership and strategic alignment
For African countries, which continue to carry a disproportionate burden of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria these shifts present both risks and opportunities. Ensuring that African perspectives are strategically articulated, coordinated and effectively represented within global health governance platforms remains essential to safeguarding equitable financing and policy outcomes.
While the Global Fund remains the primary governance space in which the ACB operates, the broader global health architecture increasingly requires strengthened coordination and coherent African representation across multilateral health financing and decision-making platforms.
As the Global Fund progresses through Grant Cycle 7 (GC7) and the global health financing landscape continues to evolve, the ACB seeks to develop a forward-looking and results-oriented Strategic Plan (2027–2030). The Strategy will guide the institution’s development, strategic positioning, operational effectiveness, and financial sustainability, while enabling the ACB to proactively address emerging challenges and opportunities and strengthen Africa’s collective voice in global health governance and financing discussions.
OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The objective of this consultancy is to design and facilitate an inclusive and evidence-informed strategic planning process culminating in the development of the ACB Strategic Plan 2026–2030.
The consultant will lead the development of a comprehensive and costed Strategic Plan that includes:
- A clearly articulated strategic framework (2026–2030)
- An updated Theory of Change
- A comprehensive Results Framework with KPIs and performance targets
- A costed 3–5 year Financial Sustainability Plan
SCOPE OF WORK
The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
1. Desk Review and Institutional Assessment
- Review ACB foundational documents and prior strategic frameworks
- Analyze relevant Global Fund strategy and governance documents
- Conduct institutional and contextual analysis (SWOT or equivalent)
2. Strategic Planning Process Design
- Develop a structured planning roadmap with clear phases and milestones
- Design a stakeholder consultation methodology
- Ensure alignment with ACB’s mandate and Global Fund governance context
3. Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation (virtual and in person)
With the support of the ACB secretariat, conduct structured consultations with key stakeholders, including:
- ESA and WCA Board/Alternate Members ; Committee Members
- ACB Secretariat
- Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCMs)
- Ministries of Health (MOHs)
- Regional institutions and bodies
- Strategic partners and technical agencies
- Civil society and relevant stakeholders
- A consultation summary report will be produced.
4. Development of the Strategic Plan (2027–2030)
The Strategic Plan will include:
- Vision, mission and core values
- Strategic priorities and objectives
- Cross-cutting themes
- Updated Theory of Change (2027–2030)
- Comprehensive Results Framework with KPIs and performance targets
- Risk analysis and mitigation framework
- Implementation roadmap
5. Costing and Financial Sustainability Plan
The consultant will:
- Cost the Strategic Plan over a 3–5 year period
- Align strategic priorities with projected resource needs
- Review ACB’s Financial Sustainability Plan
6. Validation and Finalization
- Present draft Strategic Plan to ACB Secretariat
- Facilitate validation discussions
- Incorporate feedback and finalize the document
Formal approval processes will be undertaken by ACB governance structures.
DELIVERABLES
The consultant will produce the following deliverables:
1. Inception Report
- Methodology
- Workplan and timeline
- Consultation framework
- Proposed structure of the Strategic Plan
2. Stakeholder Consultation Summary Report
3. Draft ACB Strategic Plan (2026–2030), including:
- Situational analysis
- Updated Theory of Change
- Comprehensive Results Framework with KPIs and performance targets
- Costed 3–5 year Financial Sustainability Plan
- Implementation roadmap
4. Final ACB Strategic Plan (2027–2030) incorporating feedback
5. PowerPoint presentation summarizing key elements of the Strategy
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The consultant (individual or firm) should demonstrate:
- Advanced degree in public policy, public health, development studies, governance, strategic management or related field
- Proven experience developing multi-year strategic plans for regional or international organizations
- Strong understanding of global health governance and financing
- Familiarity with Global Fund governance architecture (desirable)
- Experience conducting high-level multi-country stakeholder consultations
- Demonstrated experience developing Results Frameworks and financial sustainability plans
- Excellent analytical and strategic writing skills
- Fluency in English (French is an asset)
DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The consultancy is expected to be completed within five months from contract signature.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Interested consultants are invited to submit:
1. Technical Proposal
- Understanding of the assignment
- Proposed methodology and workplan
- Relevant experience and references
2. Financial Proposal
- Detailed budget in US Dollars (USD)
- Inclusive of all taxes and fees
EVALUATION OF TECHNICAL PROPOSAL
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Evaluation Criteria
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Score
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1
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Specific experience of the Firm / individual consultants relevant to the assignment
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15
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2
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Adequacy of the proposed methodology and work plan
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30
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3
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Key professional staff qualifications and competence
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55
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4
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Total
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100%
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A minimum score of 70% would be required out of 100% in the technical evaluation stage to proceed to financial evaluation stage. Only qualified Service Providers will be considered.
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Applications should be submitted electronically to:
Subject line: Application – ACB Strategic Plan Consultant (2027–2030)
Deadline: [19 July 2026]
PAYMENT MODALITIES
The ACB will pay the successful service provider in accordance with the agreement to be made between the two parties.