At IRL, we recognise that not-for-profit organisations operate in complex, evolving contexts where clarity of vision, adaptability, and accountability are critical. Our tailored Strategic Planning Exercise helps organisations move beyond short-term responses to define long-term pathways for impact, sustainability, and growth.
Through a participatory and inclusive approach, we engage leadership teams, staff, boards, partners, and—where relevant—communities to co-create strategies that are both visionary and practical. The process typically includes:
⦁ Context and Stakeholder Analysis – mapping opportunities, risks, and stakeholder expectations to ground strategy in reality.
⦁ Visioning and Goal-Setting – aligning mission, vision, and values with emerging priorities.
⦁ Strategic Priorities and Objectives – identifying focus areas that maximise organisational impact.
⦁ Operational Planning – linking strategy to clear actions, responsibilities, and timelines.
⦁ Resource Mobilisation and Sustainability – designing approaches to financial and institutional resilience.
⦁ Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Framework – embedding systems to track progress and adapt to change.
This exercise will be facilitated by Manzoor Ahmed and Arif Jabbar Khan, together with IRL’s experienced team of facilitators and organisational development experts.
⦁ Manzoor Ahmed brings decades of senior leadership experience with Oxfam, Search for Common Ground, Global Communities, Sungi Development Foundation, and Islamic Relief. He has led strategic planning and organisational transformation processes across Pakistan, Yemen, and Afghanistan, applying participatory approaches that ensure strategies are rooted in local realities while meeting global standards.
⦁ Arif Jabbar Khan adds his extensive expertise from senior leadership roles in the humanitarian and development sectors, including country and regional management positions with international organisations. He has guided complex organisations through strategic shifts, governance reforms, and institutional strengthening processes, ensuring strategies are realistic, resilient, and future-focused.
Together, Manzoor, Arif, and the IRL team bring a unique blend of visionary leadership, practical experience, and global best practices to support organisations in shaping strategies that drive meaningful, sustainable change.
Our support ensures that the strategic plan is not just a document, but a living guide that drives decisions, strengthens governance, and enhances organisational credibility with donors, partners, and communities.
Whether your organisation is redefining its role, scaling up programmes, or preparing for future challenges, IRL’s strategic planning facilitation provides the clarity and confidence needed to thrive.
