TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

Midyear Review of the Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) Strategic Plan 2023–2027

1. Introduction

The Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) is the leading national humanitarian organization in Liberia, established by an Act of Legislature and recognized as an auxiliary to public authorities in matters of humanitarian assistance. Guided by the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the Society’s mandate is to “to respond to the needs of vulnerable people affected by emergencies, disasters, ill-health and contextual social issues at all times and to treat them with dignity and without discrimination”.

In 2023, the LNRCS launched its Strategic Plan 2023–2027, which serves as the organization’s roadmap for achieving its humanitarian and development goals. The strategy aligns with the following key frameworks:

• IFRC Strategy 2030, which envisions a world where communities are empowered to adapt, survive, and thrive in the face of crises.
• The ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development of Liberia, which emphasizes Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism as the country’s key national development priorities.
• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

At this midpoint of implementation, the LNRCS is undertaking a Midyear Strategic Review to assess progress, challenges, and lessons learned; ensure continued relevance and effectiveness; and identify strategic adjustments for improved delivery during the remaining implementation period (2026–2027).

2. Scope of the Consultancy

The LNRCS is now halfway through the implementation of its Strategic Plan 2023–2027. This review presents an opportunity to reflect together with key stakeholders on progress made against strategic priorities, document lessons learned, and identify areas where the Society can strengthen its approaches and ways of working.

The scope of the consultancy will cover the following:

• Assessment of progress made under each strategic priority area;
• Identification of achievements, challenges, and performance gaps;
• Review of institutional, operational, and partnership arrangements; and
• Formulation of strategic recommendations to enhance organizational performance and impact in the remaining strategic period.

3. Overall, Purpose

The purpose of this Midyear Review is to assess the progress, performance, and continued relevance of the LNRCS Strategic Plan 2023–2027, ensuring that the organization’s strategic priorities remain aligned with Liberia’s evolving humanitarian landscape and the needs of vulnerable communities.

3.1. Objectives

1. The mid-term review should assess the overall performance of LNRCS in line with our values, principles, roles, and against the key This should be done with a view to identifying options to deepen impact in the last two years of the current strategic plan, as well as identifying and highlighting key elements where targets are not met. It is important
2. To also review the relevance of the current goals in the current strategy period and beyond this strategy period.
3. The mid-term review should also assess the performance of the Secretariat and Board and provide further input to strengthen the performance of the Secretariat as well as strengthen the governance.
4. To provide an opportunity for the Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) to gather feedback and perspectives from key stakeholders — including governance bodies, county chapters, volunteers, partners, donors, and government counterparts — on the Society’s performance, relevance, and impact during the first half of the Strategic Plan 2023–2027. This will help ensure that the voices of internal and external stakeholders inform the direction and priorities for the remaining implementation period.
5. The mid-term review should be facilitated through a learning process by which we use our critical learning questions to better understand our roles in the sector
6. The mid-term review should also provide reflections on what should be prioritized in the second half of the strategy

3.2. Intended Use

Findings from this review will be used to:

• Inform strategic decision-making and adjustments for the remainder of the SP lifespan 2026–2027.
• Strengthen accountability and transparency to partners, donors, and communities.
• Promote institutional learning and adaptation across all levels of the Society.

4. Key Review Questions

The review will address the following thematic and cross-cutting questions:

1. Progress Against Strategic Priorities
2. Disaster Management and Climate Resilience

• To what extent has LNRCS improved community preparedness, response, and recovery capacities across counties?
• How effective are the Disaster Response Teams, Early Warning Systems, and EVCA processes in reducing vulnerability?
• What progress has been made in integrating climate-smart and risk-informed approaches into programming?
• How effective are partnerships with NDMA, MoA, WASH Commission, and local authorities in disaster preparedness and response?

2. Health and Wellbeing, WASH, and Social Services

• To what extent have community health, epidemic preparedness, and hygiene promotion programs achieved intended results?
• How effectively has LNRCS contributed to epidemic and pandemic preparedness (e.g., cholera, COVID-19, Lassa fever)?
• Are WASH interventions improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in targeted communities?
• How have gender, protection, and inclusion been integrated into health and WASH programming?

3. Livelihoods and Community Resilience

• How effectively has LNRCS supported livelihoods recovery and food security interventions for disaster-affected populations?
• Have initiatives such as the provision of seeds, tools, and livelihood training strengthened household resilience?
• What partnerships and innovations have enhanced income generation and community adaptation to climate and market shocks?
• How are the resilience outcomes measured and sustained at community level?

4. Institutional Strengthening and Sustainability

• How effective are the governance and management systems (Board, General Assembly, and Secretariat) in implementing the strategy?
• What progress has been made in strengthening county chapter functionality, volunteer engagement, and membership development?
• What efforts have been made to improve financial sustainability, resource mobilization, and donor confidence?
• How is LNRCS leveraging its auxiliary role to influence national policy and strengthen humanitarian coordination?

1. Organizational Effectiveness and Delivery

• How well are the coordination and communication mechanisms functioning between headquarters and county chapters?
• To what extent are partnerships with IFRC, ICRC, government, and partners adding value to strategic goal achievement?
• Are internal systems (planning, monitoring, reporting, finance, HR) fit for purpose and adequately resourced?
• How effectively does LNRCS integrate learning and adapt programs based on evidence?

1. Cross-Cutting Questions

• How are gender, diversity, and inclusion integrated across all strategic areas?
• What are the key lessons learned from implementation so far?
• What strategic priorities should be scaled up, adjusted, or phased out for the remaining period?
• What enabling factors (leadership, partnerships, funding) can enhance LNRCS’s overall performance?

4. Methodology and Approach

The review shall mainly be conducted through interviews, group discussions, and a desk study. The process of review will develop and apply a rigorous analytical framework to identify the impact of strategy, particularly in terms of advocacy, policy, campaigning, and communication activities. Reviewers are expected to detail this framework in the technical offer.

The review will assess the impact of the advocacy, policy, campaigning and communication activities led by the LNRCS Secretariat, and the overall governance mechanisms that facilitate delivery of the strategy. The process will draw out how LNRCS contributes to the impact of its members’ organizational and technical capacities and factors affecting the engagement of these stakeholders with LNRCS for this type of work. A critical analysis of the impact of factors external to the platforms and coalitions, including donor-driven processes, and effects related to partners, including LNRCS, should be included. Consultants will be expected to collect data from a cross-section of representatives of implementing partners, members, and external key stakeholders, including a diversity of respondents and different levels of seniority. Interviews with implementing partners and external partners, including representatives of donor agencies, national governments, international institutions such as the NDMA and SRC, and CSOs, should be undertaken. The review methodology and data collection tools will need approval from the LNRCS technical Team.

Principles underpinning the reviewer’s approach are:

• Participatory and culturally sensitive process valuing knowledge and approaches from within the context;
• Impartiality and independence of the review process from the programming and implementation functions;
• Credibility of the review, through the use of appropriately skilled and independent experts;
• Transparency of the process, including wide dissemination of results;
• Usefulness of the findings and recommendations, through timely presentation of relevant, productively critical, clear, and concise information, and commitment to building a way forward for the next 2 years;
• The review will have a cross-cutting consideration for inclusion, ensuring that factors related to gender, culture, language, and other areas are taken into

The process of the midterm review will consist of several phases:

• Contracting: Contract is signed, and a discussion of the assignment takes First documents are provided to the consultant.
• Inception phase: An inception meeting will be held, along with the submission of an inception report. This should be more detailed in terms of the overall design of the midterm review It should also mention the method and approach that will be taken in regard to how data will be obtained and analyzed based on the key documents provided. The use of a data collection planning worksheet or a similar tool is required. Data triangulation and

5. Phases and Deliverables

6. Consultant Profile and Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Management, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in program evaluation, strategic reviews, or organizational assessments.
• Proven experience with Red Cross/Red Crescent or similar humanitarian organizations.
• Familiarity with PMER systems, resilience programming, and disaster management frameworks.

Competencies

• Strong analytical, facilitation, and writing skills.
• Experience in participatory evaluation and stakeholder engagement.
• Understanding of gender, diversity, and inclusion in humanitarian contexts.
• Fluency in English (required); knowledge of Liberian local contexts desirable.

7. Duration and Timeline

The assignment will be completed within 7 working weeks, from October 27, 2025, to December 5, 2025, as follows:

8. Management and Coordination

The consultancy will be coordinated by the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (PMER) Unit, under the supervision of the Secretary General.

Technical inputs will be provided by heads of departments (Health & WASH, Disaster Management, Livelihoods & Resilience, Finance, HR, and Communications).
Logistical and administrative support will be provided by the LNRCS PMER and HR units.

Regular progress updates will be held between the consultant and LNRCS management.

9. Application Procedure

Qualified individual consultants or firms are invited to submit applications to:
lnrcs.procurement@liberian-redcross.org
Subject: “Midyear Review – LNRCS Strategic Plan 2023–2027”

Applications should include:

1. Technical Proposal:
   • Understanding of the assignment and ToR
   • Detailed methodology and work plan
   • Relevant experience and previous assignments
   • CVs of proposed personnel
   • Samples of previous work done
2. Financial Proposal:
   • Detailed budget (in USD) including consultant fees, travel, and logistical costs.

10. Expected Output and Use

The Final Midyear Review Report will:

• Present findings and lessons learned from the 2023–2025 implementation period.
• Provide actionable recommendations and an implementation plan for 2026–2027.
• Serve as an accountability and learning document for internal and external stakeholders.
• Guide LNRCS’s alignment with the IFRC Pan-African Strategic Directions (2025–2030) and strengthen its contribution to national resilience-building efforts.