1. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
1.1 Introduction
Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V. (Johanniter International Assistance), in consortium with World Relief and Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), has been invited by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to submit a full proposal under the BMZ Structural Transition Assistance (TDA) 2026 funding window. The proposed project, entitled Building Adaptive, Shock-Resilient and Inclusive Systems for Populations Affected by the Sudan Crisis in Sudan, South Sudan and Ethiopia (BASIS), seeks to address the growing humanitarian, development and peacebuilding needs arising from the Sudan crisis through an integrated and multi-country Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus approach. The intervention will support refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees and host communities through investments in food security and nutrition, climate-resilient basic services, disaster risk management, protection, social cohesion, local systems strengthening and institutional resilience.
The proposed intervention is rooted in BMZ’s Structural Transition Assistance (TDA) framework, which seeks to bridge humanitarian response and long-term development by strengthening the capacities of crisis-affected populations, communities and institutions to absorb, adapt and transform in response to recurrent shocks and stresses. The full proposal is expected to further strengthen its resilience framework, localization approach, gender and inclusion strategy, conflict sensitivity analysis, sustainability planning, institutional strengthening components and monitoring systems. To support this process, Johanniter seeks to engage a highly experienced consultant or consulting firm with demonstrated expertise in BMZ proposal development, HDP Nexus programming, resilience frameworks, systems strengthening and consortium-led programme design in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
1.2 Consortium and Organizational Background
Johanniter International Assistance
Johanniter International Assistance is the humanitarian and development arm of Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V., one of Germany’s largest humanitarian organizations. Headquartered in Berlin, Johanniter operates in more than twenty countries worldwide and implements humanitarian, transitional and development programmes in some of the world’s most complex and fragile contexts.
For over 60 years, Johanniter has worked to improve the lives of vulnerable populations affected by conflict, displacement, disasters, poverty and climate-related shocks. The organization has extensive experience implementing integrated interventions across health, nutrition, WASH, food security and livelihoods, disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, social cohesion, protection, localization and institutional capacity strengthening.
Johanniter has maintained a significant operational presence in South Sudan since 2011 and has registered last year for its operations in Ethiopia. Through support from BMZ, the German Federal Foreign Office (AA), Dg-ECHO, UN agencies and other institutional donors, Johanniter has developed substantial expertise in implementing Nexus-oriented programmes that strengthen community resilience while improving access to essential services and enhancing local institutional capacities.
World Relief
World Relief is an international humanitarian and development organization with more than 80 years of experience supporting vulnerable populations affected by conflict, displacement, poverty and disasters. The organization works globally to strengthen resilience, improve livelihoods, support food systems, promote social cohesion and empower local communities to address the root causes of vulnerability.
World Relief has a strong operational presence in Sudan and extensive experience implementing humanitarian, recovery and resilience programmes across Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan. The organization has successfully managed large-scale donor-funded interventions focused on food security and livelihoods, climate-smart agriculture, nutrition, disaster risk reduction, market systems development, natural resource management and community resilience.
Through its deep engagement with local civil society organizations and community institutions, World Relief has developed strong contextual understanding and trusted partnerships that enable effective programme delivery in highly complex and insecure environments. Within the BASIS programme, World Relief will provide strategic leadership for implementation in Sudan and contribute substantial technical expertise in food systems strengthening, climate resilience, livelihoods, agricultural development and community-based resilience approaches.
Nonviolent Peaceforce
Nonviolent Peaceforce is an internationally recognized peacebuilding and protection organization specializing in Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). For more than 20 years, the organization has worked in some of the world’s most fragile and conflict-affected settings to strengthen community-based protection systems, prevent violence and promote peaceful coexistence.
The organization has extensive experience supporting local protection structures, early warning and early response systems, community mediation initiatives, conflict prevention mechanisms and social cohesion processes. Its work places particular emphasis on the participation and leadership of women, youth, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups in peacebuilding and protection efforts.
In South Sudan and across the wider region, Nonviolent Peaceforce has built a strong track record in strengthening local protection capacities and supporting communities to address conflict drivers through inclusive and locally owned approaches. Within the BASIS consortium, Nonviolent Peaceforce will lead efforts related to protection mainstreaming, conflict sensitivity, peacebuilding, social cohesion, disability inclusion and the integration of peacebuilding outcomes across all programme sectors.
Local Partner Organizations
A central pillar of the BASIS programme is its commitment to localization and locally led development. The consortium will work closely with a network of experienced local organizations in Sudan, South Sudan and Ethiopia that possess deep contextual knowledge, strong community relationships and proven implementation capacities.
In Sudan, implementation will be undertaken in partnership with organizations including HOPE, Community Development Foundation (CDF), Sudanese Development Organization (SUDO) and AORD, all of which have extensive experience delivering humanitarian and resilience interventions in conflict-affected areas. In Ethiopia, Johanniter will collaborate with RACIDA, a respected national organization with significant expertise in refugee response, governance, livelihoods and resilience programming. In South Sudan, local implementation will be supported through partnerships with I-WIN, Hasad and Mobile Theatre Team (MTT), organizations that have demonstrated strong capacities in food security, livelihoods, community protection, peacebuilding and social cohesion.
1.3 Regional Context and Rationale
The conflict that erupted in Sudan in April 2023 has triggered one of the world’s largest displacement and humanitarian crises, with profound consequences for Sudan and neighboring countries. Millions of people have been displaced internally, while millions more have crossed borders into South Sudan, Ethiopia and other countries seeking safety and protection. The crisis continues to evolve against a backdrop of chronic poverty, weak institutions, climate variability, environmental degradation, food insecurity and recurrent conflict, creating a highly complex operating environment that requires integrated and long-term responses.
Across Sudan, South Sudan and Ethiopia, communities are increasingly exposed to multiple and overlapping shocks. Conflict and displacement have disrupted livelihoods, damaged infrastructure and weakened already fragile service delivery systems. At the same time, recurrent droughts, floods and climate-related hazards continue to undermine agricultural production, exacerbate food insecurity and increase competition over scarce natural resources. Economic instability, inflation and market disruptions have further reduced household coping capacities and increased vulnerability among already marginalized populations.
Women, children, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, refugees, returnees and internally displaced populations face heightened protection risks and significant barriers to accessing services and livelihood opportunities. Social tensions between displaced and host populations have increased in many locations, while local authorities and service providers are struggling to respond to rapidly growing demands with limited resources.
Despite these challenges, local communities, institutions and civil society organizations continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptive capacity. Existing community structures, traditional leadership systems, local governments and civil society actors remain critical contributors to service delivery, social cohesion and crisis response. Strengthening these systems and institutions represents a critical opportunity to reduce humanitarian dependency and support long-term recovery and resilience.
The BASIS programme has therefore been designed as a regional resilience initiative that seeks to bridge humanitarian assistance, development programming and peacebuilding interventions. Through integrated investments in food systems, nutrition, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, protection, social cohesion and institutional strengthening, the programme aims to support individuals, households, communities and local institutions to better withstand future shocks while advancing sustainable development outcomes.
BMZ has specifically requested that the full proposal further strengthen its articulation of resilience pathways, stabilization-adaptation-transformation outcomes, localization strategy, sustainability mechanisms, conflict sensitivity, gender analysis, disability inclusion and monitoring systems. Addressing these requirements will require a highly participatory and technically rigorous proposal development process involving multiple stakeholders across three countries.
2. PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY
The overall purpose of this consultancy is to provide strategic, technical and facilitation support for the development of a high-quality, evidence-based and fully compliant BMZ TDA full proposal package for submission to BMZ.
The consultant will lead and facilitate the proposal development process, ensuring that all proposal components are technically robust, internally coherent and aligned with BMZ requirements. The consultant will support the consortium in refining the program’s Theory of Change, strengthening its resilience framework, articulating Nexus outcomes, enhancing localization approaches and ensuring the integration of gender equality, disability inclusion, safeguarding, conflict sensitivity and sustainability considerations throughout the proposal.
The consultant is expected to guide the consortium in presenting a compelling intervention that demonstrates measurable contributions to stabilization, adaptation and transformation capacities while strengthening local systems and institutions and promoting sustainable resilience outcomes.
3. SCOPE OF WORK
The consultant will serve as the lead technical advisor and facilitator for the development of the BMZ TDA full proposal package and will be responsible for the following tasks:
Inception and Document Review
- Conduct a comprehensive review of all relevant project documentation, including:
- BMZ TDA guidelines, application templates and compliance requirements;
- Approved concept notes and supporting annexes;
- BMZ feedback and invitation letter;
- Existing programme documents and consortium strategies;
- Sectoral assessments, resilience analyses and conflict analyses;
- Relevant national, regional and sector policies and strategies;
- Previous project reports, evaluations and lessons learned where applicable.
- Develop and submit an inception report outlining:
- Understanding of the assignment;
- Proposed methodology;
- Detailed workplan and timeline;
- Stakeholder engagement approach;
- Information gaps and additional data requirements.
Programme Design and Facilitation
- Design and facilitate a structured and participatory proposal development process involving Johanniter, World Relief, Nonviolent Peaceforce, local partner organizations and relevant technical advisors.
- Organize and facilitate:
- Technical design workshops;
- Bilateral consultations;
- Planning and validation meetings;
- Proposal review sessions;
- Consolidation workshops and technical discussions.
- Support consortium members in refining and strengthening the overall programme design and intervention logic.
- Facilitate alignment and coherence among consortium partners regarding programme priorities, implementation approaches, expected outcomes and strategic positioning.
Technical Design and Strategic Framework Development
- Refine and strengthen the programme Theory of Change.
- Support the consortium in clearly articulating:
- Stabilization capacities;
- Adaptation capacities;
- Transformation capacities;
- Resilience pathways at individual, household, community and institutional levels.
- Strengthen the integration of:
- Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus approaches;
- Resilience and systems strengthening approaches;
- Localization and locally led development principles;
- Institutional capacity strengthening strategies;
- Sustainability and exit strategies.
- Ensure that cross-cutting themes are adequately integrated throughout the proposal, including:
- Gender equality;
- Disability inclusion;
- Protection mainstreaming;
- Conflict sensitivity;
- Environmental sustainability;
- Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP);
- Safeguarding and Do No Harm approaches.
Proposal Development and Documentation
- Lead the drafting, consolidation and refinement of all required BMZ proposal documentation.
- Develop and/or refine:
- BMZ Application Form;
- Technical Narrative;
- Theory of Change;
- Results Framework;
- Financing Plan and Budget Narrative;
- Nexus Chapeau Paper;
- Sustainability and Exit Strategy;
- Gender and Inclusion Strategy;
- Capacity Strengthening Framework;
- Any additional annexes or supporting documentation required by BMZ.
Quality Assurance and Proposal Finalization
- Ensure consistency and alignment across all proposal components, including narrative, log frame, budget and supporting annexes.
- Conduct technical quality assurance reviews to ensure:
- Compliance with BMZ requirements and quality standards;
- Internal consistency and coherence;
- Evidence-based and results-oriented programming;
- Strong articulation of resilience and Nexus outcomes.
- Facilitate iterative review and feedback processes with consortium members and technical advisors.
- Incorporate comments and recommendations received from consortium partners and Johanniter management.
- Prepare and submit a complete, high-quality and submission-ready BMZ proposal package within the agreed timeframe.
Coordination and Reporting
- Maintain regular communication with Johanniter and consortium partners throughout the assignment.
- Participate in coordination meetings and provide periodic progress updates against agreed milestones.
- Flag any risks, challenges, delays or information gaps that may affect the quality or timeline of the assignment.
- Submit all deliverables in accordance with the agreed workplan and contractual requirements.
4. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
The consultant shall provide the following deliverables:
Deliverable 1: Inception Package: A comprehensive inception report outlining the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, methodology, detailed workplan, stakeholder engagement approach, communication protocols, timeline and identification of information gaps and risks.
Deliverable 2: Programme Design Package: A consolidated design package documenting consultation outcomes and presenting the refined Theory of Change, resilience framework, intervention logic, preliminary results framework, localization approach and sustainability pathways.
Deliverable 3: First Draft Proposal Package: A complete first draft package including the technical narrative, application form, draft logical framework, financing plan, MEAL framework, risk matrix, gender and inclusion strategy, sustainability strategy, localizsation strategy and Nexus Chapeau Paper.
Deliverable 4: Revised Proposal Package: A revised version of the proposal package that incorporates feedback from Johanniter, consortium partners, technical advisors and local organizations and addresses identified technical and compliance issues.
Deliverable 5: Final Submission Package: A complete submission-ready proposal package containing all finalized proposal documents, annexes, supporting materials and quality assurance checks required for BMZ submission.
5. TIMELINE AND LEVEL OF EFFORT
The consultancy is expected to commence on 17th August 2026 and conclude on 16th September 2026, covering a period of approximately one month.
6. MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS
The consultant will be contracted and managed by Johanniter International Assistance and will coordinate directly with the Regional Funding Coordinator-Africa. Johanniter will provide overall strategic guidance, coordination support and access to relevant programme documentation.
The consultant will work closely with technical and programme staff from Johanniter, World Relief and Nonviolent Peaceforce, as well as representatives from local partner organizations. Given the multi-country and consortium nature of the assignment, strong coordination and communication skills will be essential.
The consultant will be expected to facilitate consultations, coordinate stakeholder inputs, prepare progress updates and ensure timely submission of deliverables. Regular progress meetings will be organized with Johanniter and consortium partners to review progress, discuss emerging issues and provide technical guidance.
Final approval of all deliverables will be provided by Johanniter in consultation with consortium members.
7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PROTECTION
All intellectual property, documents, analyses, frameworks, methodologies, concepts, proposal narratives, logical frameworks, budgets, annexes, presentations, reports and any other materials produced under this consultancy shall remain the exclusive property of Johanniter International Assistance and its consortium partners, including World Relief and Nonviolent Peaceforce. The consultant shall have no ownership rights over any outputs developed during the assignment and may not use, reproduce, distribute, publish, share or adapt any materials generated through this consultancy without prior written authorization from Johanniter.
8. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES
The consultant or consultancy team should possess the following qualifications and experience:
- Advanced university degree in Development Studies, International Development, Humanitarian Assistance, Public Health, Agriculture, Economics, Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations, Social Sciences or a related discipline.
- A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian, development and resilience programming.
- Demonstrated experience leading the design and development of successful BMZ-funded proposals, particularly under Structural Transition Assistance (TDA), Transitional Development Assistance, Nexus, resilience or stabilization funding windows.
- Strong knowledge and practical experience in Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus programming, resilience frameworks, systems strengthening, localization, institutional capacity development and sustainability planning.
- Demonstrated experience facilitating multi-stakeholder and consortium-led proposal development processes involving international NGOs, local organizations, government institutions and technical experts.
- Proven expertise in developing Theories of Change, logical frameworks, results frameworks, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) systems, risk management frameworks and donor-compliant proposal documentation.
- Strong understanding of cross-cutting themes including gender equality, disability inclusion, protection mainstreaming, safeguarding, conflict sensitivity, localization and the Do No Harm approach.
- Demonstrated familiarity with BMZ proposal templates, compliance requirements, quality standards and review processes.
- Experience working in Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia or other fragile and conflict-affected contexts in Sub-Saharan Africa will be considered a strong advantage.
- Excellent facilitation, analytical, communication and technical writing skills.
How to apply
09. APPLICATION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Interested consultants or consultancy firms are invited to submit complete applications electronically to: [email protected]; and copy [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected], [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; with the subject line:
“BMZ TDA 2026 BASIS Proposal Development Consultancy Application”
Applications must be submitted no later than 31st July 2026.
Late submissions, incomplete applications or applications submitted through channels other than the designated email address will not be considered.
Requests for clarification regarding this consultancy should be submitted in writing to:
[email protected]; or [email protected] and copy [email protected]; [email protected];
10. MANDATORY SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Interested consultants or consultancy firms shall submit the following documentation:
- A technical proposal outlining the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, workplan, quality assurance approach and team composition.
- Updated curriculum vitae (CVs) of the lead consultant and any proposed team members highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.
- At least 3 examples of successful BMZ proposal development assignments completed within the last five years.
- At least 2 references from comparable assignments undertaken during the previous five years, including client organization, contact person, email address, telephone number and nature of assignment.
- A detailed financial proposal in USD, including a breakdown of professional fees, level of effort, taxes and any other costs.
- Legal company registration documents (for consultancy firms only).
- Tax registration certificates and other applicable statutory compliance documentation.
- Signed declaration of acceptance of the Terms of Reference.
- Banking details for contracting purposes.
11. BID EVALUATION PROCESS
Applications will be evaluated by an evaluation committee established by Johanniter in accordance with organizational procurement policies and relevant donor requirements.
The evaluation process will consist of two stages:
The first stage will involve an administrative compliance review to determine whether applicants have submitted all mandatory documentation and meet the minimum eligibility requirements.
Applicants that successfully pass the administrative review will proceed to the technical and financial evaluation stage. Johanniter reserves the right to conduct interviews, request additional information, seek clarifications and undertake reference checks before making a final selection.
12. AWARD CRITERIA
When analysing the offers, Johanniter will take into consideration the following award criteria to achieve best value for money:
Criteria 1: Relevant Experience and Qualifications (30%)
Assessment will focus on:
- Experience of Lead Consultant in undertaking similar tasks in humanitarian, recovery or development contexts. Required: A copy of an updated CV and academic credentials.
- Experience working with BMZ, GFFO or other German institutional donor frameworks. Required: A minimum of three (03) copies of approved reports for previous similar consultancies for projects funded by the listed donors.
- Experience in conducting resilience assessments, systems-strengthening analyses, gender analyses and environmental assessments in humanitarian, recovery or development contexts. Required: A minimum of three (03) copies of approved reports for previous similar consultancies.
Criteria 2: Technical Approach and Methodology/Validation of Technical Capacity (Oral Interview) (40%)
Assessment will focus on:
- Demonstrate clarity and understanding of assignment, interpretation of the terms of reference and workplan and timeline
- Alignment of proposed methodology to the terms of reference and context.
- Quality assurance mechanisms.
- Stakeholder engagement and facilitation approach.
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to participate in an interview or presentation as part of the technical assessment process.
Criteria 3: Financial Proposal/Price (30%)
Assessment will focus on:
Based on the details in the TOR, the consultant is required to develop a detailed financial proposal aligned with the proposed workplan. All prices must be quoted in United States Dollars (USD), the validity period of the financial proposal stated (Minimum 90 days), professional fees and other logistics costs must be quoted separately and not as a lumpum. The overall consultancy fees must include all relevant taxes. The consultancy cost must be summarized as indicated below.
No. Item Description Unit Unit Cost(EUR) Total Cost(EUR)
1. Professional Fees Days ___________ ___________
2. Coordination and Facilitation Costs Lump Sum ___________ ___________
3. Communication and Administrative Costs Lump Sum ___________ ___________
4. Other Costs (Specify) ___________ ___________ ___________
Subtotal ___________
Taxes (if applicable) ___________
Grand Total ___________
13. PAYMENT TERMS
Payments shall be linked to the successful completion and approval of agreed deliverables as follows:
- 30% upon contract signature and approval of the Inception Report and detailed workplan.
- 40% upon submission and approval of the Comprehensive First Draft Proposal Package.
- 30% upon submission and approval of the Final Submission-Ready BMZ Proposal Package.
All payments shall be subject to contractual terms and applicable statutory deductions.
14. OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Johanniter reserves the right to accept or reject any application, suspend the procurement process or cancel the consultancy at any stage without incurring any liability.
The selected consultant or consultancy firm shall be required to comply with all applicable Johanniter policies, including policies related to safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), child protection, anti-fraud and anti-corruption, data protection, conflict sensitivity and ethical conduct.
All documents, analyses, proposal materials, budgets, frameworks and other outputs produced during the consultancy shall remain the sole property of Johanniter International Assistance and its consortium partners.
The consultant shall be responsible for providing all resources required to undertake the assignment, including computers, software, internet connectivity, communication equipment and other necessary tools.
15. BIDDER’S DECLARATION
I hereby certify that I have carefully read and understood the contents of this Terms of Reference and confirm that all information provided in support of this application is accurate, complete and truthful to the best of my knowledge.
I further confirm my willingness and capacity to undertake the assignment in accordance with the requirements, timelines, standards and conditions outlined in this Terms of Reference.
Name of Consultant/Firm: __________________________
Authorized Representative: _________________________
Signature: _______________________________________
Date: ___________________________________________
More Information
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