Request for Proposal – Endline evaluation and new strategy development

The Request
The current 5-year EPN Strategic Plan is ending in December 2025. EPN invites eligible Consultants to submit a proposal to undertake an Endline Review (Period 2023-2025) and in addition the Strategy development for EPN for the period 2026-2030 including a detailed plan of action and budget by 14.04.2025.

The Organization
EPN is a non-profit Christian and Membership Organization whose mission is to support Churches and Church Health Systems provide and promote just and compassionate quality pharmaceutical services. EPN is committed to the provision of quality pharmaceutical services as a means to achieving global goals and targets on health and access to medicines. EPN is the only global church-based membership organization that works specifically to increase access to medicines and strengthen pharmaceutical services in the Faith-Based Sector. The beneficiaries of our services include health institutions, health boards and managers, medicines policy makers, health professionals, church leaders, and staff involved in medicines management and pharmaceutical service delivery. The working languages for the Network are French and English.

Structure
EPN serves its members through its Board and Secretariat. The EPN Board is responsible for policy and the strategic direction of the organization. The Board members are drawn from the member organizations and serve a period of up to six years. The Board meets quarterly a year to determine priorities, needs and activities-all within the framework set by its members. The Secretariat is the operational arm of the organization and provides a variety of services and products to its members and others for the benefit of the wider community. Members are largely responsible for implementation of activities and interventions in their respective countries.

Current Strategic Program areas:
EPN currently has six strategic focus areas:

1. Training and Capacity Development
2. Pharmaceutical systems strengthening
3. Supply chain and quality assurance
4. Donor partnership and sustainability
5. Member Engagement

Objectives of the Consultancy
Purpose: The overall purpose of the consultancy is to conduct an endline review for period 2023-2025, to complement the mid-term evaluation conducted in 2023 as well as developing a new strategic plan for the next 5-year to guide EPN’s work and ensure it meets its mission and objectives effectively after the end of the current strategy 2021-2025. The key Goals would include identifying strategic priorities, improving organizational effectiveness, ensuring financial sustainability, and aligning the organization’s operations with its mission.

Scope of Work
The Network has its Secretariat in Nairobi and has as at 31.12.2024, 141 members (individuals and institutions) in 38 countries around the world. This includes 32 Christian Health Associations (CHAs), 24 Health Systems Strengthening organizations, 18 Church Health Institutions (CHIs), 21 Drug Supply Organizations and 46 Individuals. More than 300 million people rely on health care provided by our network.

Some of the key tasks would include:

• 1. Research and Data Collection:
  • 1.1. Assess the internal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis).
  • 1.2. Gather stakeholder input through interviews, surveys, or focus groups with staff, partners,  beneficiaries, and donors.
  • 1.3. Review past strategies, organizational reports, and key performance indicators.
  • 1.4. Benchmarking against similar organizations or global best practices.
• 2. Strategy Development:
  • 2.1. Facilitate workshops or strategy sessions with EPN leadership and key stakeholders.
  • 2.2. Define long-term goals and outcomes, with actionable steps to reach them.
  • 2.3. Develop a theory of change or logical framework for the strategy.
  • 2.4. Propose a clear vision, mission, and set of strategic priorities.
• 3. Implementation Planning:
  • 3.1. Develop a roadmap with clear milestones, timelines, and responsibilities.
  • 3.2. Suggest frameworks for monitoring and evaluating progress.
  • 3.3. Identify resources required to implement the strategy.
• 4. Sustainability and Funding:
  • 4.1. Identify potential sources of funding or partnership opportunities to support the strategy.

Strategic Plan Development Deliverables
1. A detailed Strategic Plan document that includes:

• 1.1. Executive summary
• 1.2. Strategic objectives and priorities
• 1.3. Implementation plan (with timeline)
• 1.4. Risk management plan
• 1.5. Monitoring and evaluation framework
• 1.6. Sustainability plan
• 1.7. Presentation: An overview presentation to key stakeholders.
• 1.8. Stakeholder Report: A report summarizing the input gathered from stakeholders, including themes, priorities, and concerns.
• 1.9. Final Report: A comprehensive report with a clear strategy, recommendations, and a proposed action plan.

Methodology

• 1. The Consultant to define an appropriate methodology to be used to engage stakeholders, analyze data, and develop the strategy.
• 2. Timeline: Below is the possible timeline:

Consultant Qualifications

• 1. Experience: The Consultant should have prior experience in development of strategies, and prior work with not-for-profit organizations, specifically in the health or pharmaceutical sectors would be an added advantage.
• 2. Some of the additional skills expected from the Consultant would include, facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and organizational analysis.
• 3. The consultant would be required to provide references from previous similar engagements.

Reporting

• 1. The Consultant will be engaged and report to the board, and more specifically to the Executive Director
  who will also approve the deliverables works in consultation with the Board
• 2. The expected reporting on progress would be monthly and, in a format, to be defined.

Timeframe
The consultants will submit proposals to EPN by 14th April 2025 to jobs@epnetwork.org . A detailed time frame with expected milestones will be agreed upon with the consultant but the final report has to be submitted no later than 31st August 2025.