Terms of Reference
Consultancy: Development of the ITF’s Strategic Framework Process
1. Background and Rationale
The International Trans Fund (ITF) is the only global participatory grantmaker that is exclusively dedicated to supporting trans-led groups as they work to secure rights for trans people and improve their lived realities. The ITF envisions a network of robust, resilient, and well-resourced trans organizations and movements working inclusively and intersectionally to increase safety and liberation for trans people worldwide. The mission of the ITF is to mobilize sustainable resources for strong, trans-led movements and collective action, and to address and eliminate funding gaps impacting trans groups across the globe. The ITF is a registered non-profit organization in Canada but has staff working in multiple regions. Since 2017, the ITF has awarded US$8M to 214 grantee partners in 99 countries.
2. Purpose and Scope of the Consultancy
The ITF’s first Strategic Plan covered the period of 2021-2025. The ITF’s Board and Secretariat has decided to embark on a fully participatory process to establish a strategic framework. The purpose of the strategic planning process is to develop a new strategic framework that will guide ITF’s work and institutional transformations over the next ten years, with the aim to increase our impact and ability to fulfil our mandate. Elements of the strategic planning process will include (but will not be limited to):
- A critical review and refresh of ITF’s vision, mission, and purpose, as well as an exploration and re-commitment to the values, practices, and principles that guide and enable our work, prioritizing our collective care and wellbeing.
- Articulation of the ITF’s Theory of Change (ToC).
- Review of the ITF’s regional designations.
- Review the ITF’s approach to language justice and inclusion.
- Review of ITF operating model, M&E framework, internal capacity and governance structure to ensure relevance and alignment to the new Strategic Framework.
- A situation analysis of the organization (e.g. strengths, weaknesses, and unique value proposition) and of the ecosystem in which we operate (e.g. opportunities and threats related to the state of trans rights, trends of LGBTQI/feminist organizing, funding for trans rights, etc.).
- An assessment of the 2021-2025 strategic plan and its implementation.
- The identification of ITF’s goals, key strategies, and thematic priorities for the next decade.
- Clarity and agreement on governance, transparency, and accountability mechanisms for the functioning of the ITF.
- Stakeholder management: A purposeful and participatory process to include the perspectives of the ITF team and Board and a wide and diverse range of stakeholders (e.g. trans activists, grantee partners, key partners and potential partners, funders, etc.)
- Development, validation, and finalization of the strategic framework.
- Support the ITF team in operationalizing the strategic framework including the creation of goals, targets, financial and human resources needs and strategies, and other elements to enable the development of the annual operating plans.
- Support the ITF team in identifying the organizational development priorities that are required to fulfill the strategic framework.
- Support the ITF with the creation of the first year operating plan to offer a blueprint for the organization to follow in future years. This plan will also include the high level budget and funding requirements.
3. Proposed Methodology and Deliverables
The consultant(s) will provide strategic, technical, and facilitation support to the ITF in the development of our new strategic framework. As a participatory grantmaker, we value deep, active, and meaningful participation throughout this process. We envision consultation with various stakeholders: (1) ITF (staff, current and former Board, Grant Making Panel, and grantee partners); (2) Trans activists and movement actors (not already funded by the ITF), allies, strategic service providers, and key potential partners; and (3) Current funders and potential funders.
The ITF is also committed to language justice and strives to ensure that we are engaging with diverse global communities. The ITF actively works in English and Spanish, and also accepts applications in French, Russian, and Simplified Chinese.
We suggest that the strategic planning process follows the below phases, which will be finalized with the consultant(s):
3.1 Inception (refine the scope of work, methodology, process, and timelines, as well as the strategic questions and key priorities).
- Key Stakeholders: ITF Executive Director and the Strategic Framework Advisory Committee.
- Deliverables: Inception report including workplan and detailed methodology (March 2025).
3.2 Research, Consultations, and Analysis (analyze key documentation and seek stakeholder feedback).
- Key Stakeholders: Internal and External stakeholders as identified in section (3) above.
- Deliverables: Report presenting the outcomes of the desk review and consultations and the proposed outline of the strategic framework; engagement with Advisory Group, organization, and the draft plan to facilitate the ITF Board Meeting in June to discuss and draft the Strategic Framework (March – May 2025).
3.3 Development of the Strategic Framework
- Key Stakeholders: ITF Secretariat and Board of Directors.
- Deliverables: Facilitation of a meeting in June to present the findings and proposed contents of the Strategic Framework to advance the Strategic Framework process, June meeting summary; Final strategic Framework including feedback received (June – October 2025).
3.4 Presentation and Dissemination of Strategic Framework
- Key Stakeholders: ITF Executive Director and the Board of Directors.
- Deliverables: Presentation of the Strategic Framework to the ITF Board for adoption, development of a public-facing/summary version of the Strategic Framework (November 2025).
3.5 Operationalization and Implementation. Support the ITF in developing the timeline, specific goals and objectives for the Strategic Framework including financial and human resources, resource mobilization strategies, and organizational strengthening priorities along with the first year’s annual operating plan (November– January 2026).
4. General Conditions and Other Terms
4.1 Collaboration with the ITF
The consultant(s) will report to the ITF’s Executive Director. This work will be supported by an Advisory Group composed of ITF Board members.
4.2 Timeline
The consultancy will take place from February 2025 – January 2026.
4.3 Consultant Profile
We welcome applications from individual consultants or teams of consultants. The consultant(s) should have the following qualifications and experience:
- Expert knowledge of trans rights, experience in trans/LGBTQI/women’s rights, human rights, philanthropy, and/or international development; understanding of global majority contexts and understanding of philanthropy is desirable.
- In-depth understanding of feminist principles and how they relate to strategy and organizational development.
- Written and spoken fluency in English is required; ability to work in Spanish is desirable.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic and/or organizational planning.
- Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills.
- Experience in developing, leading, and documenting consultations.
- Strong project planning and management skills.
- Ability to work independently and deliver on time.
- Excellent presentation, interpersonal, and facilitation skills.
We are committed to representing the diversity that exists across the trans community. We especially welcome applicants who are typically underrepresented in consultancy positions, including trans women and trans feminine people, BIPOC, sex workers, people with disabilities, and people born or who originate from a global majority country are encouraged to apply.
As one of the few trans-led funders in the philanthropic space, we are committed to expanding the circle of trans people active in this sector. Trans people are encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from mixed teams (cis and trans) but will prioritize the involvement of trans people in this work.
If you possess the majority of the qualifications and would like to partner with others, please indicate this and express your interest and willingness to be matched or to partner with other consultants selected by the ITF.
5. Application Steps
The deadline to submit a proposal is February 9, 2025 by 11:59 pm ET. Please apply here.
Interested consultant(s) should submit:
- Proposal that outlines the proposed approach, process, methodology, timeline, and costing. In particular, we would like to know about your approach to ensure a fully participatory and meaningful engagement with stakeholders.
- Profile and experience of the consultant or consultant team. Please share any relevant details about your positionality, how trans people are involved, etc.
- Samples of relevant work.
- Resume/CV (or a pdf of the CVs from the consultant team).
If you have questions, please contact Broden Giambrone ([email protected]).
The ITF is only accepting applications via BambooHR.
This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)