Finn Church Aid
Request for Proposal
Terms of Reference for Humanitarian livelihoods consultancy
Date of issue: 22.08.2024
Project title: Explore innovative humanitarian livelihoods beyond current FCA practices by developing a concept paper on livelihoods for FCA, creating a guidance document on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), and identifying new opportunities within the global humanitarian sector.
Deadline for submission of offers: October 31st 2024 – 9:00 CET
Contracting authority: Finn Church Aid (FCA), Helsinki office, Humanitarian Response Unit
Contact Person : Jan De Waegemaeker
E-mail: [email protected]
Introduction & Background
The Finn Church Aid Foundation, located in Finland, is seeking a consultant to advance our understanding of humanitarian livelihoods beyond our current practices, with a particular emphasis on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). The consultant will develop a comprehensive guidance document on NBS and identify opportunities to integrate these approaches within the global humanitarian sector. This initiative is a key component of our efforts to enhance our humanitarian strategy 2024 onwards. For context, this study is timely as it aligns with our Global Strategy and Global Programme development process, reflecting FCA’s ongoing work in humanitarian livelihoods and key results from 2023.
Background info on FCA
Finn Church Aid (FCA) is the largest Finnish international aid organization. We operate in 13 countries, where the needs are most dire. We work with the poorest people, regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnic background or political convictions.
FCA’s work is grounded in a Rights-Based Approach and a strong commitment to International Humanitarian Law, guiding our operations with principles of equality, non-discrimination, and accountability. As a civil society actor, FCA realizes its mission and vision through development cooperation, humanitarian assistance, advocacy work and impact investing.
FCA contributes to positive change by supporting people in the most vulnerable situations within fragile and disaster-affected areas. The main funding sources are from the Government of Finland, global institutional donors such as various UN agencies, bilateral donor agencies, and the EU, and private persons and companies. FCA has adopted the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) as its overall framework on quality and accountability and FCA is certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS). FCA is also a member of the ACT Alliance.
For more information, please visit www.kua.fi
Background info for the services requested
FCA’s 2024 Humanitarian Strategy stipulates 3 focus areas for improved Humanitarian assistance.
The study should strengthen its link with the Global Programme and the development of our humanitarian livelihoods approach, focusing on programme content and approaches across different contexts to ensure appropriate programming and impact, while integrating with our response practices.
Finn Church Aid – Humanitarian Strategy 2024 onwards (kirkonulkomaanapu.fi)
1. Capacity to respond first and being prepared for emergencies
2. Education in Emergencies (EiE) as FCA’s core emergency response focus
3. Increasing humanitarian livelihoods
FCA has effectively responded to numerous disasters, with Education in Emergencies (EIE) constituting the largest segment of our humanitarian efforts. However, our Humanitarian Livelihoods initiatives require greater clarity and depth in their objectives and implementation.
Currently, Humanitarian Livelihoods practices predominantly focus on education-related aspects such as TVET and skills training.
The new 2024 Humanitarian strategy emphasizes the following regarding Humanitarian Livelihoods:
FCA’S EMERGENCY livelihood responses address needs starting from the life-saving provision of essentials to actions that support the transition to early recovery and development. The key objectives are to reduce food insecurity and improve livelihood resilience. This includes provision of cash-based assistance during acute emergencies to those most in need: often women; people with disabilities; or those from marginalised groups. Cash is also used for leveraging incentives for educational purposes and reducing the risk of negative coping mechanisms.
Furthermore, livelihood-related skills training and agri-livelihoods are strong elements in FCA’s emergency programming. They provide support during prolonged crises by combining addressing immediate needs and contributing to building a more secure and dignified future. This includes equipping refugees with job skills and ensuring they receive certifications.
When working with communities hit by conflicts and/or affected by the negative impacts of climate change, our actions aim to strengthen their capacities to prevent new, and reduce existing disaster risk, while building resilience. FCA will also develop Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) following the guidelines from UNDRR and the humanitarian Sphere standards. The approach highlights the link between disaster resilience, sustainable practices, and livelihoods.
We aim to enhance our understanding of humanitarian livelihoods, specifically Nature-Based Solutions, and explore the opportunities available in this field for FCA. Additionally, the TOR will lay the groundwork for optimizing existing resources and integrating the expertise of our country offices, though the consultant’s role will focus on supporting and enhancing this foundational work rather than leading the optimization process.
Objectives for the Concept Paper and Guidance Document:
- Enhance Understanding and Explore Opportunities: Deepen FCA’s understanding of humanitarian livelihoods beyond current approaches and identify new opportunities, particularly focusing on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and agri-livelihoods.
- Optimize Resources and Expertise: Lay the groundwork for optimizing existing resources and integrating the expertise of FCA’s country offices, focusing on niche areas and innovative approaches within humanitarian programming.
- Develop Comprehensive Guidance: Create a guidance document for Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) that aligns with UNDRR, Sphere, and IUCN standards, emphasizing disaster resilience, sustainable practices, and recommendations for environmentally responsible humanitarian livelihoods programs.
The consultant should possess a solid understanding and experience in the humanitarian response sector, along with a comprehension of the linkages between disaster resilience, environmentally sustainable practices, and livelihoods. As highlighted in FCA’s humanitarian strategy, “the interconnected challenges faced by many communities necessitate a transformative, holistic approach to humanitarian assistance that embraces systems thinking.
Given FCA’s goal of developing a new global programme and approaches, this consultancy aims to clarify the role of humanitarian livelihoods for FCA and provide a rationale for adopting Nature-Based Solutions (NbS). The consultancy will detail both the benefits and opportunities that NbS offer. This insight is crucial for FCA to effectively integrate NbS into its strategies and to enhance its commitment to innovative and sustainable humanitarian practices
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Scope of work
The consultant will be responsible for delivering the two specified deliverables as mentioned below based on comprehensive desk research and interviews with FCA staff members, as well as outreach to a range of international actors in the fields of humanitarian livelihoods and sustainability. These international actors can include the Climate Centre of the IFRC, WWF Denmark (specialized in Nature-Based Solutions), WWF Finland (potential key alliance actor for FCA), UNHCR, WFP (World Food Programme), IOM (International Organization for Migration), Oxfam International, CARE International, Mercy Corps (which provides livelihoods support and economic development in crisis settings, including NBS), UNEP (which promotes global environmental efforts and Nature-Based Solutions), FAO (which focuses on sustainable agriculture, food security, and NBS), IUCN (dedicated to nature conservation and integrating NBS into development practices), WRI (which provides research and advocacy on sustainability and NBS), The Nature Conservancy (working on large-scale conservation and NBS to address climate change and biodiversity loss), GEF (which funds global environmental projects including NBS), GIZ (which implements programs integrating livelihoods, sustainability, and NBS), IIED (which conducts research and provides policy advice on sustainable livelihoods and NBS), and the World Bank (which supports projects focusing on sustainable livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and NBS), among others.
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Deliverables
A work plan and methodology are to be agreed upon before starting the consultancy work, with an inception report to be submitted at the beginning. This report should outline the initial approach, key milestones, and timelines. The work plan and methodology can be adjusted and reviewed throughout the process.
Two key Deliverables:
Concept Paper:
Enhance FCA’s understanding of humanitarian livelihoods and explore the opportunities available in this field for FCA.
- Identification of niche areas within the humanitarian sector for FCA’s livelihoods programming.
- Integration of systems thinking in humanitarian programming with a specific focus on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and agri-livelihoods.
- Analysis of the donor landscape for grants and collaboration opportunities.
- Inclusion of innovative approaches and digital transformation strategies to enhance the effectiveness and reach of humanitarian livelihoods programs.
Guiding Document: Development of FCA’s guidance document for Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), aligning with UNDRR guidelines and the Sphere standards. This document will emphasize the connection between disaster resilience, sustainable practices, and livelihoods. Additionally, it will include recommendations for humanitarian livelihoods programmes that incorporate sustainable local building practices with low emissions, ensuring both environmental responsibility and community resilience.
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Concept Paper:
- Length: Approximately 10-15 pages
- Content:
- Strengthen FCA’s understanding of humanitarian livelihoods and explore new opportunities in this field. Identification of niche areas within the humanitarian sector for FCA’s livelihoods programming.
- Integration of systems thinking in humanitarian programming with a specific focus on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and agri-livelihoods.
- Analysis of the donor landscape for grants and collaboration opportunities.
- Inclusion of innovative approaches and digital transformation strategies to enhance the effectiveness and reach of humanitarian livelihoods programmes.
Guiding Document:
- Length: Approximately 20-30 pages
- Content:
- Development of FCA’s guidance document for Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), aligning with UNDRR guidelines, the Sphere standards and IUCN standards.
- Emphasis on the connection between disaster resilience, sustainable practices, and livelihoods.
- Recommendations for humanitarian livelihoods programmes that incorporate sustainable local building practices with low emissions, ensuring both environmental responsibility and community resilience.
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Duration of contract
FCA plans to offer a one-time consultancy contract for a duration of 3 months, with the possibility of a 1-month no-cost extension.
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Duty Station
The consultant will undertake a distance mode of working based on the agreed work-plan and methodology.
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Transport & Logistics
As this consultancy is a distance mode of working there are no transport nor accommodation arrangements, translator and/or interpreter, etc to be covered.
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Methodology
The consultant will strictly follow the work plan and the time schedule agreed with FCA during the planning phase.
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Budget
Budget limit is 8,000 EUR excluding tax. Tax will be calculated prior to contracting based on consultant’s location.
Applicants’ proposals must include a detailed and competitive budget inclusive of all fees, costs and taxes. Consultant(s) are responsible for managing their own tax contributions. The proposed budget and its detailed break down without VAT is to be presented in Euros in the financial proposal.
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Validity
Tenders/Offers shall remain valid and open for acceptance for a period of <30 days> after the closing date for the submission.
Prior to the expiry of the original tender/offer validity period, the Contracting Authority may ask tenderers/candidates in writing to extend this period. Tenderers/candidates that agree to do so will not be permitted to modify their tenders/offers. If they refuse, their participation in the tender procedure will be terminated.
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Timetable
Inception report & work plan: 1 week
Draft concept paper and guiding document: 4 weeks
Final concept paper and guiding report: 6 weeks
TOTAL DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT: 6 weeks
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Payment Modalities
The payments will be processed upon completion of the following milestones.
- 20% after completion, submission and acceptance of inception report and workplan
- 30% after completion, submission and acceptance of draft concept paper and guidance document.
- 50% Submission of final consultancy completion and acceptance of the final concept paper and guidance document.
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Desired Skills and Knowledge
Education qualification of the Lead consultant:
Demonstrated consultancy skills, supported by documented evidence of delivered reports and guidance documents. The documents provided by the consultant, including previous consultancy examples, recommendation letters, and/or references.
Experience & Expertise of the Lead Consultant: A CV along with a short text outlining the consultant’s understanding of climate, environment, and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) matters.
- Extensive experience working in the Global South and within our sector.
- Deep understanding of climate and environmental issues, including Nature-Based Solutions (NbS).
- Fluency in both written and spoken English.
- Basic understanding on integrating gender and inclusion perspectives into humanitarian assistance
Eligibility Requirements
The lead consultant and the consultancy firm must meet the minimum requirements below to be eligible for evaluation. Please contact us via [email protected] to receive detailed list of eligibility requirements
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Contract Award Criteria
The offers will be evaluated according to the contract award criteria below:
Please contact us via [email protected] to receive detailed list of evaluation criteria.
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Evaluation Process
The evaluation process is managed by FCA’s Procurement Committee.
Candidates will be first evaluated for eligibility according to the requirements in section 12 Eligibility Requirements. Candidates which are eligible will be allowed to proceed to the evaluation phase and their offers will be evaluated according to the section 13 Contract Award Criteria.
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Application procedure
Deadline for submission of offers is October 28th, 2024, 9:00 Finland Time.
Candidates must send their offers via email to [email protected] no later than the deadline as mentioned above. Any tenders after received the deadline will not be considered.
Candidates must put Humanitarian Livelihoods Proposal in the subject line of their emails when submitting their offers.
No tender may be changed or withdrawn after the deadline has passed.
The candidate shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of the offer and the Contracting Authority will in no case be responsible or liable for these costs, regardless of the conduct or outcome of the procurement process.
For any questions, please contact us using the email stated above.
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Terms of contract
- The Consultant is responsible for payment of all social costs, other employment related costs and insurance contributions and for all other liabilities of a statutory nature in his/her country of domicile.
- During the assignment, the consultant does not represent FCA and has no mandate to negotiate, make commitments or agree on behalf of FCA.
- The consultant is expected to use own computer and other equipment required for the works.
- By submitting an offer, the candidate/consultant/service provider confirms to abide by FCA Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policy.
- The ownership and copyright(s) of the report(s) and any other produced material will remain with FCA.
- The Contracting authority may for its own convenience and without charge or liability cancel the tender process at any stage.
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Documents comprising this procurement
The candidate shall complete and submit the following documents with his tender:
- Technical & financial proposal
- FCA Code of Conduct for Service Providers, duly signed
- Annex 1 – Application form and required documentation as part of eligibility and evaluation criteria. Please contact us on [email protected] to obtain Annex 1.
How to apply
Deadline for submission of offers is October 28th, 2024, 9:00 Finland Time.
Candidates must send their offers via email to [email protected] no later than the deadline as mentioned above. Any tenders after received the deadline will not be considered.
Candidates must put Humanitarian Livelihoods Proposal in the subject line of their emails when submitting their offers.