My Vote Counts (MVC) emerged out of campaigns by South African civil society, in the early 2000s, to address corruption and the hollowing out of South Africa’s democracy. It was launched as a public campaign in 2012 with two main objectives. The first was to advocate for an electoral system that utilises both proportional representation and constituency-based representation. The second was to instigate increased transparency and openness in terms of political party funding. Both campaigns garnered traction and began contributing to shaping the future of politics and democracy in South Africa.
In 2016 MVC registered as a Non-Profit Organisation. In 2017 MVC successfully challenged the constitutionality of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) and this influenced the development of the Political Party funding Act (PPFA). PAIA was amended in 2019 and both it and the PPFA came into operation in 2021. The PPFA is one of the most important pieces of legislation in South Africa’s democracy and is the first piece of legislation that governs the internal workings of political parties. The enactment of the legislation has taken the work of MVC to a new phase of its life cycle. In this context, in 2023 MVC adopted a 5-year strategy with the aim of deepening democracy in South Africa.
MVC’s work is run with a modest budget and led by a young and dynamic team of 8 staff members, with expertise in campaigning, research, strategy, and communications.
MVC seeks a consultant to facilitate an organisational development process that will align the organisation’s programmatic structure and processes with the adopted strategy and vision.
Deadline for this RFP: 27 June 2024, 11:59PM
Objectives of the strategy and learning process:
The process must be consultative and participatory, and achieve the following objectives:
- To undertake an assessment of MVC’s organogram/programme structure and related strategic coherence.
- To develop a process to ensure coherence between MVC’s programme structure and strategy.
- To develop a process to ensure staff integration and continuous development, in line with MVC’s strategic objectives.
- To develop a process for internal leadership development, including development of strategic thinking around organisational goals and activities.
Additional expectations of the consultant
To achieve the objectives, the consultant’s process must include, but is not limited to:
- In-person and virtual consultations with the Executive Director, other staff members, board members and key stakeholders.
- Analyses of existing strategic documents of the organisation, including its Vision 2027 strategy document.
- Prepare a written organisational development plan, to meet the objectives.
- Present the document to MVC staff and board members.
- A qualitative approach should be given preference over a quantitative approach.
Timeframes:
The process must run between 1 July 2024 and 10 November 2024
Proposal requirements:
- The submissions will be assessed on the strength of the proposal itself and on the experience of the organisation or individual.
- Proposals must be in the required timeframe.
- Specific considerations regarding the proposals are the appropriateness of the methodology proposed and cost-effectiveness.
- Specific considerations regarding the experience of the consultant are:
- A commitment to MVC’s principles (democracy, accountability and transparency, social justice, and people’s power)
- Experience and understanding of South African civil society.
- Experience in and understanding of civil society strategy, strategic campaigning and organisational development.
- Some experience in change management and strategy evaluation in a non-governmental environment.
- Capacity to produce comprehensible reports and presentations.
- Proven track record in producing reports and technical documents of high quality and usability.
The proposal must be submitted by 11:59PM on 27 June 2024 to info@myvotecounts.org.za with the subject “MVC OD CONSULTANT” and must include:
- CVs/profiles of consultant/s with at least two relevant references
- Outline of the planned process
- Brief explanation and justification of the methods to be used; and
- A complete cost structure (to enquire about the budget, please email minhaj@myvotecounts.org.za)