TERMS OF REFERENCE | CONSULTANCY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NUTRITION ACTION ZIMBABWE (NAZ) STRATEGIC PLAN (2026–2030)

Duties and Responsibilities

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY
The main objective is to develop a comprehensive, actionable, and results-oriented NAZ Strategic Plan for 2026–2030.

Specific objectives include:
Conduct a comprehensive strategic review that analyzes the performance and context of the 2021–2025 strategy, identifying lessons learned, opportunities, and constraints from both programmatic and organizational perspectives.
Facilitate the revision of NAZ’s Vision, Mission, and Core Values and define a new set of strategic goals, objectives, and key results for 2026–2030.
Develop a robust Theory of Change (ToC) and a clear Results Framework/Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Plan for the new strategic period.
Identify and integrate core strategic pillars/cross-cutting themes that address both rural and urban vulnerabilities, climate resilience, and organizational systems strengthening.
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3. SCOPE OF WORK (SOW)
The Consultant shall execute the following four phases of work:
Phase I: In-Depth Analysis and Diagnostics
Document Review: Analyze all key NAZ documents, including the previous Strategic Plan, the 2020–2025 Program Report, and the comprehensive set of presentations and minutes from the June/July 2025 Strategic Review.
Contextual Analysis: Conduct a robust PESTEL analysis of the operating environment in Zimbabwe, paying close attention to climate risks, socio-economic volatility, and national/global development agendas (e.g., Vision 2030, SDGs), strategic focus of funding agencies and incorporate approaches that identify partnership opportunities with institutional donors, private foundations and private sector firms.
Internal Audit (SWOT): Conduct internal analysis that goes beyond programs to deeply assess Organizational Development, specifically addressing governance, partnerships and operational aspects critical for the success of the organization.

Phase II: Strategic Formulation (ENHANCED FOCUS)
Thematic Prioritization and Global Integration: The Consultant must facilitate the definition of 3-5 core Strategic Pillars, driven by the gaps identified by the technical team and aligned with the best global practices:

A. Nutrition & Health
Dual Burden of Malnutrition: Explicitly address both Chronic Undernutrition (stunting, micronutrient deficiency in adolescents/schools) and the emerging threat of Overnutrition (overweight/obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases - NCDs) through a whole-of-life approach.
IYCF & Exclusive Breastfeeding: Define clear, high-impact strategies to address the confirmed low prevalence of Exclusive Breastfeeding (BF), including research and Barrier-Facilitator Analysis to understand the root causes.
Integration and Specialized Groups: Prioritize multisectoral layering of nutrition with FSL/WASH/Gender/Youth, and develop targeted strategies for key vulnerable groups: Adolescent Nutrition, Nutrition in HIV/Mental Health, and the Operationalization of School Nutrition Strategies.
Governance & Advocacy: Strengthen Nutrition Governance by generating evidence and collaborating with government and religious/community leaders to embed nutrition in policies and other sectors.

B. Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL)
Climate-Resilient Food Systems: Shift the focus from singular Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) techniques to a comprehensive Climate-Resilient Food Systems approach, encompassing production, market access, value addition, and environmental management.
Market-Led Pathways: Prioritize Market-Inclusive Livelihoods through formalized Value Chain Development, producer-consumer hubs, and private sector engagement (e.g., two-tiered egg incubator model for vulnerable and productive groups).
Environmental Management & Conservation: Integrate Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) and conservation principles by addressing Soil Health, Water Table Recharge, and Vegetation Loss as core FSL concerns, leveraging approaches like agroecology and sustainable livestock management (mobile kraaling, mobile veterinary services).
Urban Food Security: Define specific, replicable models for Urban Agriculture (hydroponics, drip irrigation) and diversification of urban livelihood options.

C. Cross-Cutting & Strategic Innovation
Gender-Transformative Approaches (GTA): Move beyond gender mainstreaming to fully embed Gender-Transformative approaches (e.g., expanding SAA/GALS) that actively challenge harmful norms, ensure Child Safeguarding, and promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Youth & Economic Empowerment: Address the challenge of low young mother attendance through flexible scheduling and scaling up Youth Hubs that incorporate nutrition messaging into context-specific economic/entrepreneurship activities.
Evidence-Based Social Behavior Change (SBC): Ensure all SBC strategies are data-driven, utilizing Barrier-Facilitator Analysis to tailor communication and scale up successful innovations like the use of mid and mass media.
Digitalization and Data: Develop a strategy for robust Digital Data Management (e.g., use of basic digital tools, satellite vegetation monitoring) to improve the flow and quality of data from the community to the National Level platform, enhancing timely decision-making and accountability.
Theory of Change (ToC) Development: Facilitate the development of a clear, evidence-based Theory of Change for the 2026−2030 strategy, linking NAZ's core integrated interventions to desired long-term impact.
Goal and Objective Setting: Define 3-5 high-level strategic goals and corresponding measurable objectives and key results (OKRs or similar).

Phase III: Results Framework and Implementation Planning
Results Framework & M&E Plan: Develop a comprehensive Results Framework (logframe or equivalent) with clear indicators, baselines (where possible), targets, and means of verification for the 2026–2030 strategy.
Resource Mobilization & Partnership Strategy: Define a clear strategy for funding diversification, partnership due diligence, and leveraging NAZ's existing technical capacities (e.g., agroecology, SBC, emergency programming). Expand the focus beyond institutional donors to private foundations and private sector firms through partnership that can develop communities.
Risk Management Framework: Outline key strategic and operational risks for the 2026−2030 period and propose mitigation strategies.

Phase IV: Deliverables and Validation
Draft Strategy: Produce a comprehensive first draft of the Strategic Plan based on all previous phases.
Validation Workshop: Facilitate a final workshop with the NAZ Board and Senior Management to present, review, and validate the final draft of the Strategic Plan.

4. KEY DELIVERABLES
Deliverable 1 | Inception Report
Description | Detailed work plan, methodology, schedule, stakeholder list, and initial findings from document review.
Due Date (TBD) [8 days after contract signing]

Deliverable 2 | Stakeholder Consultation Report
Description | Summary of findings from interviews and workshops, including key thematic priorities and OD gaps.
Due Date (TBD) | [15 after contract signing]

Deliverable 3 | Draft Strategic Plan (2026-2030)
Description | Comprehensive documents including: Vision, Mission, ToC, Strategic Pillars, Goals, Objectives, Results Framework, and M&E Plan.
Due Date (TBD) | [25 after contract signing]

Deliverable 4 | Validation Workshop
Description | Facilitate a half-day session with NAZ leadership and board members to finalize and adopt the strategy.
Due Date (TBD) | [35 days after contract signing]

Deliverable 5 | Final Strategic Plan (2026-2030)
Description | Final, polished, print-ready document incorporating all feedback from the Validation Workshop.
Due Date (TBD) | [45 Days after contract signing]