German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) Proposal Writer Consultancy – RFP-RO01-002801

1.Who is the Danish Refugee Council?

Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO and one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. Active in 40 countries with 9,000 employees and supported by 7,500 volunteers, DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement affected people and communities. DRC works during displacement at all stages: In the acute crisis, in displacement, when settling and integrating in a new place, or upon return. DRC provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance; supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies; and works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence.

DRC East Africa & Great Lakes (EAGL) operates in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda in order to prevent displacement, support communities on the move and help people achieve durable solutions. The Regional Office supports initiatives focusing on mixed migration, durable solutions and borderlands, as well as advocacy and policy initiatives related to the displacement agenda at national, regional and global level.

2. Purpose of the consultancy

The Regional Office in EAGL seeks a short-term consultant to provide proposal writing support for two (2) upcoming German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) full proposals:

• GFFO Sudan Emergency Response. This project addresses the Sudanese humanitarian crisis stemming from violence since April 2023, causing extensive displacement (over 7 million people), severe food insecurity, and protection risks. DRC aims to provide comprehensive assistance to vulnerable groups in Sudan (White Nile, Central, and West Darfur states), South Sudan (Upper Nile and countrywide), and Chad (Ouaddai and Wadi Fira regions). Activities include protection, cash assistance, shelter, and collaboration with local actors in hard-to-reach areas. DRC emphasises adaptability, mobile response, and cross-border initiatives for this dynamic crisis.
• GFFO Horn of Africa. DRC’s project builds upon the ongoing GFFO-funded initiative in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya implemented by DRC, focusing on providing timely multisectoral lifesaving aid to crisis-affected populations. It emphasises collaboration with local partners, enhancing their capacity and response efficiency. DRC maintains a needs-based approach, inclusive of minority/marginalised groups, and addresses the effects of consecutive failed rainy seasons and severe flooding. Services include Protection, WASH, SNFI, and cash assistance, aiming to improve the protective environment and service delivery in high-displacement areas. The project prioritises locations based on food insecurity, humanitarian gaps, and organisational and partner capabilities.

The proposal will be led by the Regional Office in close collaboration with the Country Offices.

3. Background

The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs (GFFO) has become a major global humanitarian donor, steadily increasing its humanitarian contribution – from 78USD Million in 2010 to 5USD billion in 2022. It is the second largest humanitarian donor overall, after the US and before the EU.

In 2023, GFFO funded projects in 50 countries, including the following top 10 – Ukraine (17%), Syria (16%), Somalia (6%), South Sudan (6%), Afghanistan (5%), Yemen (4%), Ethiopia (4%), D.R Congo (3%), Burkina Faso (2%) and CAR (2%).

Germany announced for 2024 a 500M EUR cut to its humanitarian budget. Despite this, however, it will remain a major donor of humanitarian funding to NGOs.

DRC has developed relationships on central level over the past year and outside the funding cycle through strategic visits and the establishment of an office presence in Berlin. In February-March, DRC EAGL submitted three concept notes. We are now awaiting the shortlist and requests to develop fully fledged proposals. Therefore, the Call for GFFO Writer seeks to secure proposal writers for the prospective proposal development.

4. Objective of the consultancy

The objective of this consultancy is to write full proposals for the GFFO Sudan Emergency Response and GFFO Horn of Africa (see above) once we are shortlisted.

The proposal writer will be expected to:

• Put forward their CV in response to this specific work.
• Propose a competitive rates/fees.

The selected consultant can perform this consultancy from distance if the consultant can ensure an effective communication channel but may be invited to travel to the countries involved in the proposal.

The scope of work of the consultant, as well as the timeline and the exact number of working days, will vary according to the requirements of this specific call for proposals and the available capacities within DRC’s teams at the time of application.

5. Scope of work and Methodology

The consultant is required to:

• Serve as lead writer for two GFFO proposals in accordance with DRC and donor requirements.
• Carefully review the call for proposals and ensure the final submission product complies with the call guidelines and donor requirements.
• Lead technical proposal development in collaboration with subject matter experts, Heads of Programme of the Country Offices and proposal coordinator, including contributing to technical design sessions on proposal strategy and facilitating development of win themes.
• Draft proposal narrative as per identified donor requirements.
• Conduct problem analysis and validation workshops with relevant staff and stakeholders.
• Draft Theory of Change for the whole project and/or draft overall result management framework, with clear expected outcomes and SMART indicators of progress for the entire project.
• Draft other proposal-related documents when required.
• Collaborate with proposal team members to ensure alignment of narrative proposal, Log frame and Budget.
• Report progress regularly back to the Regional Business Development Coordinator and the Head of Programme.

6. Deliverables

The consultant will deliver:

• Two narrative proposals in line with the budget ready to be submitted to the donor in line with the expectations of the call for proposals that DRC is responding to.

7. Duration, timeline and payment

The total expected duration to complete the assignment will be up to 40 workdays. However, the work order will define the timeframe for this assignment once the donor completes the shortlist. The tentative timeframe will probably be May-June 2024.

Payment will be:

• Transferred after the successful completion of aforementioned deliverables.

8. Eligibility, qualification, and experience required

• Essential:
  • Master’s degree with eight (8) years work experience in the humanitarian sector or bachelor’s degree with at least ten (10+) years work experience in the humanitarian sector
  • At least five years of experience designing programs and writing successful proposals of more than $5 million for GFFO
  • Experience working in and/or writing proposals for emergency response/ preparedness
  • Demonstrated experience collaborating with country office staff and working with technical and business development teams under time pressure
  • Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office products, particularly Word and SharePoint
  • Demonstrated organisational and critical thinking skills
  • Available for occasional international travel
• Desirable:
  • Proven success in acquiring grants and funding for country programmes in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya and/or Ethiopia, and the East Africa context in general.
• Qualification:
  • Educational level: degree in a relevant field such as International Development, Business Administration, Fundraising Management, Peace and Conflict Studies, or a related discipline.
• Skills and knowledge:
  • Understanding German Federal Foreign Office strategic priorities, formats and ways of working
  • Proficiency in drafting high-quality proposals, grant applications, and programme descriptions.
• Language requirements:
  • Excellent written and spoken fluency in English, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely.

9. Technical supervision

The selected consultant will work under the supervision of:

Direct management:

• Regional Business Development Coordinator, David Serra

Other key stakeholders:

• Regional Head of Programme, Harriet Bland
• Marten Mylius, DRC Berlin Representation

10. Location and support

The Consultant will work on her/his own computer. The assignment can be carried out in DRC’s offices across the region or remotely.

11. Travel

The consultant may be expected to travel to the countries during the duration of the consultancy. DRC EAGL Regional Office will be responsible for travel arrangements and related expenses.

Please find complete bidding documents in the link below; RFP-RO01-002801 – German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) Proposal Writer Consultancy