Technical Proposal for Consultancy Service to

Develop Strategic Plan (2024/25-2028/29) For Awolia

Schools’

Submitted to: Awolia Relief and Development

Organization (ARDO)

Prepared By:
Maxbridge Education and Development S.C
Address: Addis Ababa, Wello Sefer, Garad Building, 10th Floor,
E-mail: [email protected]
Mobile + 251-941-788- 888
+251-942-788-888

March, 2024

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Table of Contents

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 1. Introduction

Strategic planning is an ongoing process by which an organization sets its forward course by bringing all
of its stakeholders together to examine current realities and define its vision for the future. It examines its
strengths, weaknesses, and strengths, resources available, and opportunities. Strategic planning seeks
to anticipate future industry trends. During the process, the organization creates a vision, articulates its
purpose, and sets strategic goals that are long-term and forward-focused.

Strategic planning is an organizational management activity that is used to set priorities, focus energy
and resources, strengthen operations, and ensure that employees, board members, and stakeholders
are all working toward common goals. It is an effort that will guide fundamental decisions and actions to
shape the future of your school, that’s to say Awolia Schools’.

It is a living document used to communicate the organization’s goals, the priorities needed to achieve
those goals, and metrics used to measure progress on those goals. It includes both the academic and
operational aspects of the school.

This document expected to includes both the academic and operational aspects of the intended school
improvement model. This model includes three domains namely Leadership Capacity, Learning Capacity and
Resource Capacity. Those Domains are statements that define the capacity of awolia school district to provide
quality student experiences as measured by a set of standards and meet the rigorous demands of continuous
school district improvement. A strategic plan will align the work of the school in both academic and operational
strategic initiatives, goals and result metrics.

The new Strategic Management Plan (2024/25-2028/29) for Awolia Schools’ will be developed based on
Ethiopia’s five-year strategic plan as well as ARDO’s previous Strategic Management Plan.

The New Strategic Management Plan for awolia Schools’ will set priorities, focus energy and resources,
strengthen operations, ensure that employees and other stakeholders are working toward common goals,

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establish agreement around intended outcomes/results, and assess and adjust the organization’s direction in
response to a changing environment.

Also, the new strategic plan offers the opportunity to:

 Look up from the day-to-day issues and try and see the big picture for the future;

 Listen to and build better relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders;

 Build teamwork and expertise amongst staff;

 Bring coherence to different projects and parts of the organization, ensuring they are pulling together;
and

 Prioritize where to focus energies and resources in the future to maximize its potential for achieving its
mission

We strongly believe that the new developed Strategic management Plan will have a paramount importance for
the following reasons:

 Helps in building up the main initiative behind ARDO. It clearly states the mission and vision of ARDO
and gives an overall direction to its way- forward.

 Best decisions are taken when ARDO have a strategic plan in hand. At any given instance, members
can refer to the vision and define its further course of action. Therefore, a complete plan acts as a
useful guide all throughout the organizational journey.

 ARDO can have good idea and understanding about its strengths and capacities, weaknesses and
problems as well as resources. A SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, threats) analysis shall
enable ARDO to analyze their strengths and build upon opportunity. In this process, ARDO can also
determine their core competency.

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  Know what all it needs to do in order to accomplish its set targets. ARDO can execute their duties and
functions in accordance to their strategic planning. This shall make its activities more organized and
well planned.

 Can manage your investment and resources, define a budget for a specific time period and proficiently
utilize your funds.

 Members can share responsibility and be accountable for specific work. This will also enhance
organizational management and better utility of human resource.

 Can enjoy good competitive advantage by following your strategies. ARDO can develop good image
and reputation and gain market recognition. Furthermore, ARDO can create their own identity and
secure a good position in the marketplace.

Hence, our company, Maxbridge, is the right firm to evaluate and develop a strategic Management plan for
awolia Schools’ Seto channel its project activities in a well-planned manner and finally to enhance its success
and achievements and look into further prospects in the long run.

Maxbridge Education and Development S.C is a privately held company engages in education, short-term
training, research and consultancy services in Ethiopia. It has been providing consultancy and training services
to individuals, financial institutions, governmental and non-governmental Organizations, academicians and
researchers in interest-free finance, business, finance and accounting, information technology and health
related areas, including preparation of Strategic Management Plan, Feasibility Study and Business Plans.

Our team consists of experienced consultants with a proven track record in strategic planning for educational
institutions. Each team member brings a unique set of skills, ensuring a well-rounded approach to address the
challenges and goals of Awolya School.

Maxbridge trainers and consultants are composed of senior consultants, experienced trainers, qualified
researchers and academicians who have long-time work experience in private, governmental and non-
governmental organizations. One of the focus areas of our company is Strategic Management Plan.

So far, we have successfully provided a consultancy services to a number of organizations both nationally and
internationally, as we have abroad offices in foreign countries like Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Doha, and Dubai
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etc. We have provided a number of training programs to individuals and financial institutions and offering
advisory services in the area.

2. Objectives of the Consultancy Services

The central objective of the consultancy Service is to develop a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan document
for Awolya School. The strategic plan will serve as a roadmap for the school's growth, development, and
overall improvement over the next five years. The primary aim is to provide a clear and strategic direction that
aligns with the school's mission and vision, ensuring sustainable progress and success

Specifically, the consultancy service intends to achieve the following specific objectives:

 Assessing ability to achieve ARDO goals and identify problems

 Ensuring ARDO’s teaching and learning activities are consistent with its DNA
 Ensuring that ARDO’s school project activities are being performed within the defined parameters
 Assess the current strategic goals and objectives of ARDO and evaluate its performance
 Identify strengths and weaknesses as well as external challenges, and opportunities of ARDO so as
to Perform stakeholder analysis, industry analysis and internal environment
 Collect information in the educational vulnerability of population, especially OVCs and women
 Assess the future expansion of ARDO.
 Assess the potential resources opportunities available in and outside of the community.
 Review the current status and future partnership directions of ARDO
 Obtain a strategic document that would help to identify possible sources of resources and
mechanisms through which resources are utilized properly.

3. Scope of the Work

The scope of the work for the consultant will focus on

 Stakeholder Engagement:
 Conduct interviews and meetings with key stakeholders, including school management, staff,
parents, students, and relevant community members.
 Gather input and insights to understand the diverse perspectives and expectations regarding
the school's future.

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 SWOT PESTL Analysis:
 Perform a comprehensive SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats)
analysis to identify internal and external factors affecting the school's performance.
 Review of Current State:
 Assess the current state of the school, including its academic performance, infrastructure,
financial health, and overall operational efficiency.
 Mission, Vision, and Values Refinement:
 Collaborate with stakeholders to refine and, if necessary, redefine the school's mission, vision,
and core values to ensure they accurately reflect the aspirations and goals of Awolya School.
 Goal Setting:
 Establish clear, measurable, and achievable goals for the school in alignment with the mission
and vision. These goals should cover academic excellence, infrastructure development, staff
development, and community engagement.
 Strategic Initiatives:
 Develop specific strategies and initiatives to achieve the established goals. This may include
curriculum enhancements, technology integration, staff training programs, and community
outreach activities.
 Resource Planning:
 Identify the resources required to implement the strategic plan successfully, including
financial, human, and technological resources.
 Risk Assessment and Mitigation:
 Identify potential risks and challenges that may hinder the implementation of the strategic
plan. Develop mitigation strategies to address these risks effectively.
 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework:
 Design a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to regularly assess the progress of the
strategic plan. This should include key performance indicators (KPIs) and milestones.
 Documentation:
 Compile all findings, analyses, goals, strategies, and action plans into a comprehensive and
well-organized strategic plan document.
 Presentation and Training:
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  Present the strategic plan to key stakeholders and conduct training sessions if necessary to
ensure a clear understanding of the plan's objectives and implementation strategies.

During the assignment, it is expected that Board members, Senior Managements, Staffs, Partner and pertinent
Organization and some relevant stakeholders like education offices, TVET colleges, women and children
affairs office, health, micro and small scale enterprise development, job creation and safety net, both at
weredas and sub city level will be reached to produce standard strategic document.

In doing so, to make the strategic management plan perfect, we will accompany different effective planning
tools such as Visioning, Metrics or charts, SWOT analysis, Pestle analysis, Affinity diagrams, Portfolio analysis
and Interrelationship digraph.

4. Methodology
Developing a 5-year strategic plan for Awolya School requires a systematic and participatory approach. Below
is a suggested methodology that encompasses various stages to ensure a comprehensive and effective
strategic planning process
i. Preparatory Phase:
a. Orientation and Familiarization:
 Hold initial meetings with school leadership to understand their expectations, concerns, and
objectives.
 Familiarize yourself with existing documentation, including previous strategic plans, financial
reports, and academic performance records.
b. Stakeholder Identification:
 Identify key stakeholders, including school management, teaching and non-teaching staff, parents,
students, and relevant community members.
 Develop a stakeholder engagement plan to ensure representation from all relevant groups.
ii. Information Gathering:
a. Surveys and Interviews:
 Conduct surveys and interviews to gather insights from stakeholders on their perceptions of the
school's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
 Collect data on current academic performance, infrastructure, and financial status.
b. Document Review:
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  Review relevant documents, such as academic reports, financial statements, and operational
procedures, to gain a holistic understanding of the school's current state.
iii. Analysis Phase:
a. SWOT Analysis:
 Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify internal and external factors that impact the school.
 Analyze the results to prioritize key strategic areas for improvement.
b. Benchmarking:
 Research and benchmark against other successful schools or educational institutions to identify
best practices and potential areas for improvement.
iv. Strategic Planning :
a. Vision-Mission-Values propositions:
 Facilitate with key stakeholders to refine or redefine the school's mission, vision, and values.
 Ensure consensus and alignment among participants.
b. Goal Setting Sessions:
 Conduct goal-setting sessions to establish clear, measurable, and time-bound objectives for the
school over the next five years.
 Prioritize goals based on importance and feasibility.
v. Strategy Development:
a. Initiative Identification:
 Work collaboratively with stakeholders to identify specific initiatives and strategies to achieve the
established goals.
 Consider academic enhancements, infrastructure development, staff training, and community
engagement.
b. Resource Planning:
 Determine the resources (financial, human, and technological) required for each initiative.
 Develop a budget and resource allocation plan.
vi. Drafting the Strategic Plan:
a. Document Compilation:
 Compile all the gathered information, analyses, goals, strategies, and action plans into a cohesive
strategic plan document.

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  Ensure the document is clear, concise, and accessible to various stakeholders.
vi. Review and Validation:
vii. Implementation Planning:
viii. Monitoring and Evaluation:
iv. Documentation and Reporting:

5. Deliverables

A strategic management plan typically includes several key deliverables to guide an organization in achieving
its goals and objectives. These deliverables may vary based on the specific needs and context of the
organization, but here are

The expected outputs/deliverables include the following:

 Inception report that includes

 Project schedule and communication plan
 Stakeholders map
 Agreed approach and methodology.
 Tentative outline of the strategic plan
 Situation and Gap Analysis report
 Draft 5-year strategy document
 Final approved Strategy document that includes
o Refined corporate organization structure
o Implementation plan
o Monitoring and Evaluation plan

More specifically, the following deliverables will be provided as part of this project:

Vision Statement: A concise and inspirational statement that outlines the long-term aspirations and desired
future state of the organization.

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Mission Statement: Clearly defines the purpose and reason for the organization's existence, including its core
values and the value it brings to its stakeholders.

SWOT Analysis: An assessment of the organization's internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external
opportunities and threats, to inform strategic decision-making.

Goals and Objectives: Clearly defined, measurable, and time-bound statements that articulate what the
organization aims to achieve. Goals are usually broader, while objectives are more specific and actionable.

Strategies and Tactics: Strategies are high-level plans or approaches to achieve the goals, while tactics are
specific actions or steps taken to implement those strategies.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Metrics used to measure the performance and success of the organization
in achieving its objectives. KPIs should be aligned with the goals and objectives.

Implementation Plan: A detailed plan outlining how the strategies and tactics will be put into action, including
timelines, responsibilities, and resource allocation.

Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: A system for regularly assessing and reviewing the progress of the
strategic plan, identifying any deviations or challenges, and making necessary adjustments.

Risk Management Plan: Identification of potential risks that could impact the success of the plan and strategies
for mitigating or managing those risks.

Communication Plan: A plan for how the organization will communicate the strategic plan to internal and
external stakeholders, fostering understanding, buy-in, and support.

Budget and Resource Allocation: Allocation of financial and human resources required for the successful
implementation of the plan (Five years of financial projections).

Organizational Structure and Roles: Clarification of the roles and responsibilities of individuals or teams
involved in executing the plan, and any necessary adjustments to the organizational structure.

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 Review and Update Process: A schedule and process for reviewing and, if necessary, updating the strategic
plan to ensure its relevance and effectiveness over time.

These deliverables collectively provide a roadmap for the organization, aligning its resources and efforts to
achieve its long-term vision and objectives. Keep in mind that strategic management is an iterative process,
and plans may need to be adjusted in response to changes in the internal or external environment

6. Timeline
Our company plans to complete this consultancy services within 45 days from the date of contract signing
with utmost quality and entertaining comments from the selected and key stakeholders arranged by the client.
ARDO recognizes the importance of adhering to a timeline and budget to ensure the successful
implementation of the strategic plan. The estimated timeline for completing this project will be determined
based on the complexity of the work involved.
SN Major Tasks Time frame set for the tasks (W=week)
W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6
1 Signing of contract

2 Review and Evaluation of the Previous

Strategic Plan
3 Develop data collection tools
4 Collection of primary and
secondary data
5 Analysis and Preparation of the
Strategic plan
6 Submission of 1st draft

7 Organize a workshop to receive

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 feedback or comment period
8 Incorporating comments and
producing the final document
9 Conduct Validation Workshop

10 Submission of all documents & winding of

contract

7. Strategy for Implementing the Consultancy Services

In the development of new Strategic Management Plan, the Consultant will involve different bodies which
helps ARDO clarify, consolidate or establish its strategic framework. Embedded in the strategic framework
are the values and vision of the organization. Because of this, it is important to involve the whole
organization in at least part of the planning process. We suggest the following:
Strategic planning phase Who should be involved?

Planning the process The management team of the project or organization.

Understanding the context All staff and Board members: Administrative staff should be
involved if it is important for them to understand the organization’s
issues and problems.

Vision, values and mission All staff and Board members. It is very important to involve all
discussion staff, including administrative staff in this discussion as it is likely to
provide a set of operating principles – in other words, to make it
clear why people who work in the project or organization are
expected to work and behave in a certain way.

Review of strengths and Program or professional staff for the whole of this process; include
weaknesses, opportunities and administrative staff in the discussions around internal strengths and
threats weaknesses.

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 Discussion of strategic options and Professional staff and Board members.
goals.

Organizational structure The management team with input from the rest of the staff.

Also, ARDO will facilitate data collection support letters for different organizations and workshops/meetings
with the management staff as well as stakeholders.

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 8. Team Composition/Expertise Profile of the Proposed Technical Staff

Team Member Education & Experience Position

Team Leader & Project Analyst
  Provide Strategic Plan Management training for different government sectors
Birhanu
 Lead the strategic development team
 Organize and provide Strategic Plan Management training
 Scan internal and external environments assessments, with emphasis on the economic
environment from the remote environment and the industry structure (externally) and finance and
systems internally,
 Facilitate on revisiting organizational purpose, strategy formulation, objective setting, setting
measures, and prioritizing strategic initiatives of the company
Amina Menur Mudesir  Coach and Analyst
(PhD)
 Ample experience on education sector
 Worked as education analyst in Ministry of Education
 organizational purpose, strategy formulation, objective setting, setting measures, and prioritizing
strategic initiatives of the company
Data Collector, Analyst, and Team Member in Developing the Strategic Plan
 Identify and structure the information to be gathered
 Ph.D. in Finance  Gather information about our environment
 MSc in Accounting and  Identify and assess capabilities, opportunities, threats, and future scenarios
Hussein Jarso (PhD) Finance
 Identify and resolve strategic issues
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  BA in the accounting  Scan internal and external environments assessments, with environment from the remote
 Over 15 years of environment and the industry structure (externally) and finance and systems internally
experience  Facilitate on revisiting organizational purpose, strategy formulation, objective
setting, setting measures, and prioritizing strategic initiatives of the company
 Post-doctoral research Data Collector, Analyst, and Team Member in Developing the Strategic Plan
Abdu Seid (PhD) fellow in Microfinance  Gather information and new learning about our environment
and Entrepreneurship  Establish strategies, goals, and objectives
 PhD, Business  Identify PESTEL And SWOT Analysis
Administration (Finance)
 Internal and external environments assessments, with emphasis on leadership, governance and
 MA, Islamic Economics structure internally, and legal, cultural, economic factors from the remote environment and industry
and Finance analysis
 MSc, Accounting and  Facilitate on revisiting organizational purpose, strategy formulation, objective setting, setting
Finance measures, and prioritizing strategic initiatives of the company
 BA, Accounting  Develops final strategic plan document

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 9. Our Company and Experience
9.1 Background and Organization of Our Company
Our Company, Maxbridge Education and Development S.C, is a licensed consultancy for Economic,
Development, Business, & Investment and training firm located in Addis Ababa. Maxbridge Education and
Development S.C is internationally recognized company which is registered and issued under Ethiopian
commercial Registration and Business License proclamation No 980/2016 and bearing the Principal
registration and Business License Numbers KK/AA/2/0015357 and KK/AA/14/706/1356981/2014 respectively
and based in Bole Sub-city, Wollo Sefer at Garad Mall, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Maxbridge Education and Development S.C is established by more than 48 highly educated professionals (the
majority holding PhD degree) based in Addis Ababa and is a privately held company engages in education,
short-term training, research and consultancy services in Ethiopia. It has been providing consultancy and
training services to individuals, financial institutions, governmental and non-governmental Organizations,
academicians and researchers in interest-free finance, business, finance and accounting, information
technology and health related areas, including provision of various training to Banks and Microfinance
Institution, both in Ethiopia and abroad.

Currently, we are providing short term trainings and consultancy services for individuals, businesses, experts,
managements, board members and regulators on different training topics, including development of Strategic
management plan document for GOs, NGOs, Private organizations and associations, Business and Financial
Organizations like Banks and Insurances.

Short term trainings in Maxbridge, among others, include

 Regular training at our training centers

 Demand based trainings for different organizations
 Exposure visits and trainings abroad

We also have direct access to world-class trainers and consultants from Turkey, UAE, Malaysia and UK. In
additions, Maxbridge has established working relations with the following institutions in Turkey.

 Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI)

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  ISRA International Consulting in Malaysia
 Association of interest-free banks in Turkey (TKBB)
 Sahara Group Training and Consultancy in Turkiye
 The Central Sharia Advisory Board in Turkiye
 Finance office of Presidency of the Republic of Turkiye
 Institute of Islamic Economics and Finance of Marmara University
 Research Center for Islamic Economics and Finance of Sakarya University (Turkiye)Institute of
Islamic Economics and Finance of Marmara University
 Economics and Finance Research and Application Center(ISEFAM) of Sabahattin Zaim University

9.2 Our Firm Experience

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