Job Opportunity: Strategic Plan Consultant for York Region Food Network
Posted: April 22, 2014
Categories: GoodFoodBites / News from Sustain Members / Opportunities / Volunteer. Job and Writing Opportunities
York Region Food Network (YRFN), a Sustain Ontario Member, is seeking proposals from consultants to assist in the development of a three-year strategic plan to leverage the network’s achieved momentum to successfully build on the programs, policies and actions aligned with their food charter.
A detailed description of the RFP is included below. Bids are to be submitted electronically to Joan Stonehocker, Executive Director of the York Region Food Network, by May 5, 2014.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Mission:
York Region Food Network offers programs, raises awareness and promotes policy changes for increased access to affordable and nutritious food produced within a sustainable food system.
Organization Background:
York Region Food Network is an incorporated charity working on food security in York Region. We were started by area food banks in 1986 to raise awareness of growing hunger and poverty in a region of apparent affluence. As part of those efforts, a number of programs were developed including the start-up of the Markham Community Garden in 1993. We were incorporated in 2001 with objectives of offering programs that increased access to food, research and education related to food security, coordination and support of food and nutrition programs among organizations and groups, and public education.
In 2010, we reframed our vision to move away from emergency responses to food insecurity towards a broader vision for a healthy food system and access to healthy food for all. This has been articulated through our leadership of the York Region Food Charter Working Group and the development of the York Region Food Charter unveiled in March 2013. This document promotes a system from farm to plate that provides access to local, affordable and nutritious food. (Appendix 1)
We offer a variety of programs that increase access to healthy food including community gardens, gleaning, community kitchens, drop-in breakfast, Good Food Box, and workshops and resources that increase food skills and knowledge.
In 2012 we began the development of an aquaponics project, upStream, a unique social enterprise that promotes innovative methods for food growing, with a mission to improve the world around us…one bit, one bite, one belief at a time.
We have also begun to support a number of organizations and groups that are working towards the same vision in York Region: this has led us to become the host agency for York Region Food For Learning, and lead two successful collaborative OTF proposals: Growing Change and LifeCorps Food Depot.
Invitation:
York Region Food Network is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to assist in the development of a new strategic plan which will guide the organization over the next three (3) years. The new strategic plan will provide clear focus to the organization, allowing us to effectively use our limited resources. It will ensure that Board and Staff are working together to achieve our goals and objectives by bringing everyone in the organization together in the development of the plan.
The successful consultant must have extensive strategic planning experience, including the ability to conduct all required research, coordinate and facilitate the planning process, complete internal and external stakeholder interviews, and create a strategic planning document with a plan for dissemination to stakeholders and community.
Scope:
In order to ensure that the values of the food charter are translated into programs, actions and policies, YRFN needs a well thought out strategic plan that will build on the momentum we have established over the last three years.
The Strategic Plan proposal should include methods for establishing key strategic objectives including but not limited to:
- A needs assessment and environmental scan
- Facilitation of Board and Staff input and review
- Internal and external key informant interviews and focus groups
- Consultation with York Region’s Local Immigration Strategy, The Human Services Planning Board and Environmental Services (sm4rt Living).
- Identification of opportunities and strategies
Deliverables:
The consultant will be responsible for providing expert advice and facilitation throughout the project, and for the following deliverables, at a minimum:
- A work plan developed in conjunction with the Board Strategic Plan Committee
- Project coordination
- Process and meeting facilitation, assisting discussion and decision making and guidance towards innovation and shared outcomes
- Documentation of research, interviews and focus groups
- Identification of opportunities and strategies
- A three year strategic plan document
- Design of a strategic plan communication including a plan and document to disseminate the strategic plan to stakeholders and community
Timeline:
- All proposals in response to this RFP are due no later than May 5, 2014.
- Evaluations and selection of the successful consultant will be completed in May 2014.
- Project milestones will be set out in a mutually agreed upon work plan.
- Final plan and communication documents must be completed by October 31, 2014.
Proposal Requirements:
We respectfully request that submissions include:
- Executive Summary
- Scope approach and Methodology
- Project Management Approach and Work Plan
- Detailed and Itemized Pricing
- Declaration of Experience and Qualifications
- References
Evaluation:
Submitted proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
15% Overall proposal suitability – meeting the scope and needs requested in a clear and organized manner.
30% Experience and qualifications of consultant.
30% Understanding of objectives and proposed methodology.
25% Value and cost
Bids are to be submitted electronically no later than May 5, 2014 to:
Joan Stonehocker
Executive Director
York Region Food Network
joans@yrfn.ca
Proposals must be prepared in accordance with the conditions outlined. All costs related to responding to this RFP are the responsibility of the consultant/firm.
For more information or clarification about this RFP, please contact: joans@yrfn.ca