Terms of Reference
1. Background
The Economic Governance Platform (EGP) is a civil society led policy dialogue, coordination, and advocacy platform that brings together stakeholders from government institutions, civil society organisations, academia, the private sector, the media, and development partners to engage on issues of fiscal governance, public financial management, debt sustainability, and inclusive economic policy in Ghana. Since its establishment, EGP has served as an important convening space for evidence-based dialogue between state and non-state actors on critical economic governance reforms.
Over the past decade, EGP has contributed to strengthening fiscal accountability and transparency through policy dialogues, research, advocacy initiatives, and public engagement. The Platform has facilitated informed engagement on national budget processes, debt management, fiscal responsibility, and broader macroeconomic policy issues, while also supporting the participation of civil society actors in economic policy debates. Its sustained existence over time reflects both its relevance and the value it has provided within Ghana’s economic governance ecosystem.
Notwithstanding these contributions, the context within which EGP operates has evolved significantly. Ghana has experienced periods of acute macroeconomic stress, rising public debt, fiscal consolidation efforts, and engagement with international financial institutions. At the same time, there have been shifts in donor priorities, increasing emphasis on results, sustainability, and value for money, as well as emerging governance risks and changing expectations from stakeholders regarding the effectiveness, responsiveness, and accountability of civil society platforms. These dynamics have implications for EGP’s strategic focus, governance arrangements, operational model, and long-term sustainability.
In light of these changes, there is a clear need for EGP to undertake a structured and forward-looking reflection on its mandate, strategic positioning, governance framework, and ways of working. EGP therefore intends to commission a comprehensive strategic review to assess its performance to date, examine the robustness of its governance and institutional arrangements, and evaluate its strategic orientation and sustainability prospects. The review will provide an evidence-based assessment of EGP’s effectiveness and generate practical, actionable recommendations to strengthen its relevance, impact, and long-term viability in an increasingly complex economic governance environment.
2. Objectives of the Strategic Review
2.1 Overall Objective
The overall objective of the strategic review is to undertake an independent, in-depth assessment of the performance, governance arrangements, strategic positioning, and operational effectiveness of the Economic Governance Platform (EGP), with a view to generating practical and actionable recommendations that will strengthen its impact, institutional credibility, and long-term sustainability.
2.2 Specific Objectives
Specifically, the review will:
- Assess the extent to which EGP has achieved its stated objectives and contributed to improved economic governance outcomes;
- Examine the adequacy and effectiveness of EGP’s governance structures, decision-making processes, and accountability mechanisms;
- Analyse EGP’s strategic positioning and relevance within Ghana’s evolving economic governance and policy environment;
- Review the operational and institutional arrangements supporting the Platform, including the role and effectiveness of the Secretariat;
- Assess financial management practices, resource mobilisation strategies, and sustainability prospects;
- Identify key strengths, weaknesses, risks, and opportunities facing the Platform;
- Propose clear, practical, and prioritised recommendations to strengthen EGP’s governance, strategy, and operations.
3. Scope of the Strategic Review
The strategic review will take a holistic view of the EGP and will cover its performance, governance, strategy, operations, and sustainability.
Performance and Impact
- Assessment of EGP’s achievements against its mandate and objectives;
- Review of key activities, outputs, and outcomes, including policy dialogues, advocacy, and research;
- Analysis of EGP’s contribution to fiscal transparency, accountability, and economic policy discourse.
Governance and Institutional Framework
- Review of governance structures, leadership arrangements, and oversight mechanisms;
- Clarity of roles and responsibilities among convenors, Secretariat, and member organisations;
- Effectiveness of accountability, transparency, and internal governance practices.
Strategic Orientation and Relevance
- Assessment of EGP’s vision, mission, and theory of change;
- Relevance of thematic focus areas to current and emerging economic governance challenges;
- Alignment with national priorities and broader policy frameworks.
Operational and Organisational Effectiveness
- Review of the Secretariat’s functionality and coordination role;
- Assessment of planning, implementation, and monitoring arrangements;
- Adequacy of human resource capacity and institutional systems.
Financial Management and Sustainability
- Review of financial management systems and controls;
- Assessment of funding sources, donor dependency, and financial risks;
- Analysis of existing and potential resource mobilisation strategies.
Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
- Assessment of membership composition and participation;
- Effectiveness of engagement with government, civil society, media, and development partners;
- Communication, visibility, and public engagement approaches.
4. Methodology and Approach
The reviewer is expected to design and apply a robust, participatory, and evidence-based methodology appropriate for a strategic and institutional review. The approach should combine desk-based analysis of relevant documentation with qualitative data collection through interviews and consultations with EGP leadership, Secretariat staff, member organisations, partners, and selected external stakeholders. Where appropriate, group discussions or validation sessions may be used to test emerging findings.
The methodology should allow for triangulation of evidence from multiple sources and may include benchmarking against comparable platforms or networks. The reviewer will be expected to present a clear analytical framework linking findings to conclusions and recommendations, and to ensure that the review process is transparent, inclusive, and proportionate to the time and resources available.
5. Roles and Responsibilities of the Reviewer
The appointed reviewer or review team shall be responsible for:
- Developing an inception note detailing the methodology, workplan, and data collection tools;
- Conducting the strategic review in line with these Terms of Reference;
- Ensuring independence, objectivity, and analytical rigour throughout the assignment;
- Engaging relevant stakeholders in a respectful and inclusive manner;
- Producing high-quality deliverables within the agreed timeline;
- Presenting findings and recommendations to EGP leadership and stakeholders as required.
6. Expected Outputs and Deliverables
The reviewer will be expected to produce a set of high-quality deliverables that support learning, decision-making, and institutional strengthening. These will include:
- An inception report outlining the proposed methodology, analytical framework, and detailed workplan;
- A draft strategic review report presenting findings, analysis, and preliminary recommendations and a final strategic review report that incorporates feedback from EGP stakeholders;
- The final report should present clear, evidence-based, and prioritised recommendations that are practical and implementable within EGP’s operating context;
- A concise executive summary suitable for sharing with partners and stakeholders should also be provided;
- The reviewer may be required to present findings and recommendations to EGP leadership or a broader stakeholder group.
7. Duration and Timeline
The strategic review is expected to commence on September 21 2026 and be completed by October 31 2026. The reviewer shall propose a detailed timeline aligned with this period, taking into account data collection, analysis, validation, and reporting requirements.
8. Reporting and Use of Findings
The reviewer shall report to the EGP through its coordinator. The final report shall be the property of EGP and will be used to inform strategic decision-making, governance reforms, and institutional strengthening initiatives.
9. Confidentiality and Independence
All information obtained during the review shall be treated as confidential and used solely for the purposes of this assignment. The reviewer shall maintain full independence and avoid conflicts of interest in conducting the review and presenting findings.
10. Qualifications and Experience of the Reviewer
The reviewer or review team should demonstrate:
- Proven experience in organisational or strategic reviews of civil society platforms, networks, or policy institutions;
- Strong understanding of economic governance, public financial management, or fiscal policy issues;
- Expertise in governance analysis, institutional development, and sustainability planning;
- Excellent analytical, facilitation, and report-writing skills;
- Familiarity with the Ghanaian policy and civil society context.
11. Selection Criteria
Expressions of interest will be evaluated on a competitive basis against the criteria set out below. Each proposal will be scored, and the assignment awarded to the applicant offering the best combination of technical quality and value for money.
| Criterion | Key Indicators | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Relevant Experience and Track Record | Proven experience conducting organisational or strategic reviews of civil society platforms, networks or policy institutions, with comparable assignments successfully completed. | 30% |
| Technical Approach and Methodology | Clarity, quality and appropriateness of the proposed methodology, analytical framework and workplan, and a demonstrated understanding of the assignment. | 25% |
| Team Qualifications and Expertise | Qualifications and experience of the reviewer or review team in governance analysis, institutional development, and economic governance, public financial management or fiscal policy, including familiarity with the Ghanaian policy and civil society context. | 25% |
| Financial Proposal and Value for Money | Reasonableness and competitiveness of the financial proposal relative to the scope, deliverables and expected quality of the assignment. | 20% |
Total: 100%
12. Submission of Expression of Interest
Interested Consultants / Service Providers are invited to submit:
- A technical proposal outlining the understanding of the assignment, the proposed methodology, analytical framework and a detailed workplan;
- A brief company or individual profile, including relevant experience and at least two references from comparable assignments;
- Curriculum vitae (CV) of the reviewer or the key members of the review team;
- A financial proposal, or invoice, covering the full scope of the assignment (professional fees and any reimbursable costs).
Kindly complete all sections of the EOI form below and submit it, with the supporting documents above, to egpghana20@gmail.com (copied automatically to EGP Admin when you submit online) with the subject “Expression of Interest - EGP Strategic Organisational Review” by 5:00 pm (GMT) on Friday, 9th September 2026.
Submissions should be in PDF or Microsoft Word. Late submissions will not be considered, and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.