EMDA Strategic Plan Development 2026 – 2030

Terms of Reference (ToR) for

1. Background

EMDA Establishment: –

Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council established the Ethiopian Muslims Development Agency, EMDA, as its development wing in November 2000 to fill the development gaps of Muslim community through initiating different development programs. EMDA was re-registered with Charities and Societies Agency of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in 2009 with registration # 0374. It recently renewed its license on March 20, 2020, by the registration number 0374 and licensed in accordance with the new CSO proclamation as board lead local faith-based organization.

EMDA Position and Constituency

The Ethiopian Muslims Development Agency (EMDA) serves as the developmental arm of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council (EIASC). It represents more than 45 million Muslim populations in the country as its constituency. Under the current Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia government and among its good governance initiative, the house of parliament issued the key proclamation No.1207/2020, which provided a robust legal framework for the formation of Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council (EIASC). The proclamation significantly exceeded the position of not only EIASC, but also the status of EMDA as well positively changed. Then onwards, EMDA holds a prestigious national position similar or equivalent to the already formed huge development actors of other religions in the country.

EMDA Reform

Recently, the EIASC’s current progressive leadership has appointed a new Board of Directors for EMDA as a sovereign governing body and a higher administration unit to lead the massive reform initiative of EMDA. The reform aimed at taking the organization to the new height by bringing a new qualified and experienced professional from the NGO sector as higher executive leadership team, improving organizational system, creating conducive working atmosphere, improving the program management, and eventually, growing the overall program portfolio and status of EMDA. The well-selected and the high caliber appointed members of the Board of Directors are given the full responsibility and authority to totally and independently administer and manage the organization, EMDA, to mark a new era of serving the Muslim society in particular and the entire Ethiopians in general.

Thus, Ethiopian Muslims Development Agency (EMDA) is currently undertaking its extensive reforms aiming to equip EMDA with major organizational capabilities and systems, which in turn helps EMDA to succeed its effective operations of programs, projects and its different development activities transparently ensuring the accountability framework, and abiding by the higher international standards, with utmost effectiveness and efficiency.

One of the recent EMDA’s OCA findings and forwarded recommendations clearly indicated the need to develop a context specific strategic plan. The termination of the previous EMDA strategic plan period by end of 2024, moreover, necessitates the development of a new strategic plan for period 2026 up to 2030. Fortunately, it matches with the currently launched reform and will allow the organization to revisit and set its new vision, mission, strategic directions that perfectly fits with the new “EMDA ERA” paradigm shifts, the new dynamics, and shifting priorities. The consideration of EMDA’s large constituency, the Ethiopian Muslims, and their developmental roles in the country is vital factors that the new strategic plan should align with.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The main objective is to develop a five-year strategic plan 2026 – 2030 that will guide the organization’s interventions, improve impact, and ensure sustainability. The strategic plan developed through this consultancy will guide EMDA in enhancing its impact and operational efficiency, ensuring that its contributions align with both national needs and global strategic objectives, thereby making a lasting difference in the lives of the people it serves.

Specific objectives include:

• Conduct a situational analysis (SWOT or SPOT and PESTLE) of the NGO’s internal and external environment.
• Review both the previous strategic plan and the recent OCA report to identify gaps and inputs for the new strategic plan.
• Define strategic priorities, goals, and objectives aligned with Ethiopia’s development context, the large constituency and the new paradigm shift of the reform.
• Develop a clear implementation framework (MandE, resource mobilization, risk management).
• Ensure stakeholder engagement (staff, beneficiaries, Board of Directors, the Mejlis mother agency (EIASC), donors, government, and partners).

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will:

• Desk Review: – Analyze existing documents (reports, policies, evaluations of EMDA and other equivalent faith-based organizations).
• Stakeholder Consultations:

– Conduct interviews/FGDs with staff, board, partners, and beneficiaries.

– Engage government and donor representatives where relevant.

• Strategic Planning Workshops: Facilitate participatory workshops at different stages to formulate objectives, validate findings and draft strategies.
• Draft Strategic Plan: Present a document with:

– Vision, mission, core values

– Strategic goals and objectives

– Theory of Change/Results Framework

– Implementation plan (activities, timelines, responsibilities)

– Risk assessment and mitigation strategies

– Monitoring and Evaluation framework (⁠with Key Performance Indicators, review tools)

– Sustainability and resource mobilization strategy

• Finalization: Incorporate feedback and submit the final strategic plan.

4. Deliverables

1. Inception Report – (work plan, methodology, tools).
2. Stakeholder Consultation Report – (summary of findings).
3. Draft Strategic Plan for review.
4. Validation Workshop Report.
5. Final Strategic Plan (including an executive summary and full document).
6. PowerPoint Presentation – summarizing key elements.
7. Organizing a training to the steering committee on overall process of the strategic plan development
8. The consultant will help the management in developing the first annual plan.

5. Roles and Responsibilities

• Consultant: Lead the process, conduct research, facilitate workshops, and produce deliverables.
• EMDA Executive Top Management: Provide necessary documents, arrange meetings, and participate in reviews.
• Board of Directors: Actively Participate, oversea the overall process and final approval
• Steering Committee: a sub-committee composed of three members from the Board of Directors and four members of the executive team – Oversee the process and approve deliverables in each step.

6. Duration and Timeline

7. Qualifications and Experience

– Advanced degrees in Development Studies, Business Administration, or related fields.

– 5+ years in strategic planning for NGOs/INGOs in Ethiopia (or similar contexts).

– Similar experience with faith-based NGOs with large public constituency is a plus.

– Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.

– Knowledge of Ethiopia socio-economic, political, and NGO regulatory environment.

– Knowledge of the Ethiopian Muslims Development aspires and national position

– Excellent report writing in English (Amharic or other local languages a plus).

8. Evaluation Criteria and Payment Terms

Application proposal will be assessed, and the financial proposal will be weighted 60% while the technical will be 40% of the evaluation. The least reasonable bidder will be selected for the assignment, indeed, if it lies in the range of the allocated total budget and is technically fit. Finally, only the winner will be communicated.

The payment will be effected as follows:

• 30% upon signing a contract.
• 40% after draft submission.
• 30% upon final approval.

9. Application Process

Interested consultants should submit:

• Technical proposal (methodology, timeline, relevant experience).
• Financial proposal (daily rate, total cost).
• Renewed Trade license and VAT Certificate for consulting firms or CV and references from past similar assignments for individuals.
• Sample of previous strategic plans (if available).

Submit your application to: info@emda.org.et

Deadline for Submission: Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

10. Approval and Review

The final strategic plan will be approved by the designated Board of Directors of the organization,EMDA.