TOR for Developing New Strategic Plan Development for 2025-2029

  1. BACKGROUND OF THE ORGANIZATION

The Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM) was established in the first quarter of 2007 and duly registered with the Ministry of Interior on June 15, 2007 as a non-governmental organization (NGO). CCIM was organized to work for the promotion of independent media, press freedom, freedom of expression, access to information and internet freedom.

Based on the previous work of CCIM, and the corresponding reports, a new strategy needs to be formulated, taking into account the developments of the last year in particular (closure of VOD, harassment of a female journalist, change of the organizational structure, etc.) but also the overall trends that transform the media sector and the legal environment that is shrinking the space for independent, critical media that fulfills their role as a ‘forth power’ by holding the government accountable to their actions and notifying the public about all things necessary for their well-informed, empowered decision making.

When it comes to the internal organization, the ongoing goal is to achieve improved internal governance, management, and capacities of staff with improved accountability for CCIM and its stakeholders towards self-reliance. In short, to be an institution with strong leadership and high aspirations that leads by example and functions as a lighthouse for others.

To achieve the necessary pre-conditions of press freedom, freedom of expression, access to information and a culture of evidence-based development, it is necessary to also address the following fields of work:

  • Advocacy for improved media laws and regulations, especially when it comes to restrictions that are contradicting the objectives of the constitution, UDHR or ICCPR
  • Increased professionalism in the field of journalism, including the safety and protection of journalists, media organizations and related institutions
  • Training in critical thinking, digital media and information literacy, collaboration, and further social skills
  • Strengthened community voices through supports to local-led media
  1. Objective  

The main objective of the assignment is to develop a strategic planning for 2025-2029.   

  1. Scope of Work 

The consultant/team of consultants is expected to carry out the following tasks to achieve the above-mentioned objective. 

  • To review the results from our implementation of current SMP, identify key challenges, lessons learnt, and ways forward, to contribute to promoting press freedom, professional journalism, and access to information in Cambodia.  
  • To develop a new strategic plan which will identify strategic priorities for the CCIM and the community media in the next 5 years (2025-2029) by conducting consultative meetings with relevant stakeholders and members to inform the new strategic planning, a needs assessment of members and potential members to accurately identify priorities, as well as perception survey with CCIM beneficiaries. 
  1. Timeframe 

The consultant/team of consultants is expected to spend approximately 3 months to complete this assignment (from 01 September – 30 November 2024).

  • Proposed Tasks and Deliverables

While the process still needs to be defined, it is anticipated the consultant’s activities and deliverables will include:

  • A planning process document and clear timetable of deliverables including the phases of inception (desk review, virtual and in-person consultations), formulation and validation
  • Clear and proactive communication and engagement with staff on needs and timelines
  • Organization and facilitation of staff, board, donors, organizations of particular citizen groups and other stakeholder consultations
  • Refinement of key findings and validation with lead staff to finalize a 5-year strategic plan to be launched in 2025, including possible metrics and methods for tracking progress of the implementation of the plan
  • A clear, energizing, and immediately ready-to-use strategic plan document.

It is expected that a full version of the strategic plan will be prepared for internal organizational use and a summarized version for public sharing will also be created. The full, internal version should include key components such as key shared goals and values to guide the next 5 years of CCIM, as well as key programmatic and advocacy priorities, related finance and development resourcing needs, and governance priorities

Practicalities and other information

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Executive Director and work closely with the Senior Management Team.

The consultant(s) shall:

  • Provide their technical expertise to produce the expected outputs/deliverables in a polished and timely manner
  • Report on and submit the above deliverables under this assignment to the Executive Director (ED) and the Human Resource Coordinator acting as the focal point for the work
  • Maintain regular communication with the ED and the staff during the consultancy period  
  • Center the importance of participation and inclusive approaches when involving grantees in the input and validation stages of the strategic planning process
  • Abide by CCIM policies and values

Role of CCIM focal person/team

  • The Executive Director will provide overall quality assurance for this consultancy on behalf of CCIM and will review deliverables for payment release
  • The Executive Director and the Human Resource Coordinator will act as the focal persons to interact with the consultant(s) to facilitate the assignment, the field missions, the review of each output and ensure the timely generation of the comments from stakeholders on each deliverable

Duration of the assignment and duty station

The assignment is expected to start in September 2024 and the project deliverables are expected by the end of November 2024. After completion of deliverables, there may be opportunity to extend the agreement to facilitate the roll out of the plan.

This is a location-based assignment at CCIM’s office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. However, we expect the consultant(s) to maximize the use of virtual technology to support the project goals of CCIM.

Minimum qualifications and how to submit a Proposal

CCIM is seeking proposals from experienced consultant teams who specialize in strategic planning for non-profit organizations. Responses to these Terms of Reference are due on August 23rd, 2024 and should include:

  • A description of qualifications and capacity to do this project, including:
  • Experience and expertise in strategic planning and organizational development
  • Experience working with nonprofit and human rights sectors
  • Knowledge and understanding of human rights, in particular freedom of the press and expression, association, and peaceful assembly
  • Experience in facilitating accessible and inclusive consultations and developing accessible materials
  • Experience convening groups for inputs
  • Experience working with human rights organizations or independent media organizations is desirable
  • A description of how the consultant intends to accomplish this assignment, including any ideas for enhancing or improving the organization’s efforts to undertake this process
  • A draft timeline from initial planning until delivery of a completed written plan
  • A draft estimate and full budget of what the project will cost and
  • Appendices:
  • A sample list of strategic planning processes completed by the consultant(s), a one paragraph description of the work performed, and the time required for completion
  • Resums or brief biographical summaries of all personnel who will work on this project

Contact information:

For inquiries and clarifications regarding this consultancy and project detail, please contact Ms. Suor Mory via e-mail smory@ccimcambodia.org

Interested consultant should submit the hardcopy of original proposal with signature in a sealed envelope to CCIM at the following address: #14A Street 392, Sangkat Beoung Keng Kang I, Khan Chamkarmorn, Phnom Penh or via email: jobapplications@ccimcambodia.org​ in PDF file no later than 5:00 PM on 23 August, 2024. 

Download: TOR for Developing New Strategic Plan Development for 2025-2029