1. PURPOSE OF THIS CONSULTANCY
The direct motive for this procurement for consultancy services to develop a Partnership Framework and a comprehensive time-bound Partnership Transition Plan for the SAF Cluster that outlines the approaches, tools, processes, resources, systems, milestones, and structural shifts required to transition power, resources, and decision-making to partners across the region.
2. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
Oxfam has been transforming itself and its ways of working in response to a rapidly changing world and context wherever it works. This transformation includes a new partnership approach, which centres on decolonisation, localisation, and feminist principles. This partnership framework builds on Oxfam International Partnership principles which are designed to leverage diversity and the added value of partnering to make impact at scale.
The Southern Africa (SAF) Cluster is a regional Oxfam entity with offices and hubs in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, working in close collaboration with local and national partners. Oxfam is part of a global movement advocating for transformative development models and systemic change by working alongside marginalized and vulnerable communities to challenge structural inequalities.
Our regional strategy framework is rooted in the belief that empowering local actors to influence systems and institutions is essential for achieving social justice. Guided by values of equality, empowerment, solidarity, inclusiveness, accountability, and courage, Oxfam in Southern Africa contributes meaningfully to national development plans, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
In April 2025, Oxfam concluded a comprehensive review of the SAF Cluster Model, which identified strategic shifts and key areas for improvement to strengthen our regional impact. One of the core recommendations was the development of a Partner Transition Plan that will be anchored on an up-to-date Partnership Framework. This Transition plan will systematically guide the transfer of power, resources, and decision-making to local and national partners. This Plan will define a clear roadmap for the next 3–5 years, aligned with Oxfam’s Pledge for Change, localization commitments, and transformative partnership principles.
Terms of reference 2
3. SCOPE OF WORK
The consultant will be expected to build on the SAF Cluster Model Review findings and recommendations on Partnerships through:
1.Reviewing existing partnership policies, frameworks and tools and check their alignment with Oxfam Internationals Partnership Framework. This will enable the refinement of the Partnership framework documents, tools and a step-by-step guide on the approach to Partnerships for the SAF Cluster.
2.Review and analyse the current SAF Partner Portfolio for each Pillar/Country using various parameters such as; length of partnership, level of funding, project performance KPIs, capacity needs and adequacy of Oxfam current accompaniment resources.
3.Map current power dynamics, funding flows, and decision-making mechanisms between Oxfam and partner organisations and consult with Oxfam staff, partner organizations, and key stakeholders to co-create transition priorities and identify both barriers and enablers.
4.Develop a transition framework that includes:
a.Key shifts in operational, programmatic, and financial responsibilities
b.Competencies required within both Oxfam and partner teams over time to enable a strong accompaniment to partners.
c.Defined minimum standards, procedures, and risk mitigation strategies
d.A phased, 3–5 year timeline with milestones and benchmarks
e.Recommend governance, compliance, and monitoring mechanisms to support and sustain the transition.
5.Draft a Partner Transition Plan with actionable steps and an implementation roadmap.
6.Facilitate a validation workshop with stakeholders to review and refine the plan.
4. EXPECTED OUTPUTS
Specific outputs
The consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs:
1)OUTPUT 1 – Partnership Framework
The consultant will review current partnership framework documents and update the Partnership Framework that will correspond to the new strategic period 2026 to 2030. This will also developing include a step-by-step guide on partnership and associated tools.
2)OUTPUT 2 – Updated Partner Database
The Consultant will update the current partner data base by reviewing the current partner portfolio in line with agreed parameters and create a central repository for all partner related documentation and information. This will also be accompanied by a Partner needs assessment report to inform any capacity strengthening activities going forward.
3)OUTPUT 3 – Partner Transition Plan
The Consultant with develop a Partner Transition that with clear actional milestones for the next 3-5 years.
5. METHODOLOGY
The Consultant may propose how they will go about the assignment to ensure the objectives of this consultancy are met.
Terms of reference 3
Coordination of the Assignment
The consultant will collaborate with the Oxfam in Southern Africa, Policy Advocacy and Influencing Lead and other relevant Program staff to define key deliverables and timelines. The development of the Partnership framework and development of the Partner Transition Plan will be conducted over a period of 50 days.
A detailed time schedule of various activities to be undertaken during the consultancy must be provided by the Consultant.

More details are available on link https://oxfam.box.com/s/znyc82f785iebms8o0u6tf5da1cbsdde

How to Apply:

Submission deadline
Quotations and applications must reach Oxfam no later than 1st June 2025, 17: 00hrs CAT
Submission instructions
Responses must be submitted electronically to: Zimtenders@oxfam.org.uk
Terms of reference 4
The subject of the mail should be :
[ToR Reference – Partnership Transition Plan + [Name of bidder]]

More details are available on https://oxfam.box.com/s/znyc82f785iebms8o0u6tf5da1cbsdde