TOR AND CALL FOR PROPOSALS
CIDSE is mid-way through its current Strategic Framework for 2023-2028. However, the external context, including the funding environment is shifting in such a rapid way that a decision has been made to accelerate the review process and engage our stakeholders in focusing the strategy and proposing a revised plan for implementation and roll out by January 2027.
As such, we are seeking a consultant to accompany us in using our current strategy as a basis to read the shifting context, learning from our collective experiences, and helping us to tighten and focus our impact while creating a more adaptable approach through an interactive, consultative process which ensures legitimacy, engagement, and buy-in from our members, staff, partners, and allies.
The process is therefore not standard mid-term review, it goes beyond and aims at adapting the strategy to ensure financial sustainability, members’ buy-in and political impact of CIDSE going forward. And it must be done in a relatively short period of time.
AIM:
As a network for international solidarity and social justice organisations, seeking to address the structural systems of injustice through transformative advocacy and collective action, by putting forward alternatives proposed by communities around the world, CIDSE is seeking to continue its work in the next period while scanning the horizon and considering the impact of our changing landscape.
All around the globe, and particularly right now in Europe, Governments are cutting spending, and investment in international development aid as well as social justice programmes and public engagement and advocacy work. This has been a significant source of funding for many CIDSE members and NGOs in general. This is having an immediate impact on organisations and their capacity to continue working effectively and funding the initiatives they care about, including collective work at CIDSE.
What does it mean for the future of organisations such as ours? What does it mean for our existence, our role, our priorities, our ways of working? How are we responding, adapting, changing tactics, adjusting our strategies, seeking synergies with others, thinking systemically, collectively and more creatively? Can we learn from other movements and networks, from communities in the “Global South”, who have lived and experienced the other side of the “development” paradigm – on the receiving end of our solidarity but also on the receiving end of all our policies in the North? Is it time to unlearn and learn again, and reassess why we exist, how we move forward, how we work together, what a civil society network for justice looks like, and how we create impact?
What are the key expectations of our members? How can we best respond to those with limited resources. How can we best prioritise? Are there political, financial, organisational opportunities out there we should harvest to regain strength?
Finally, we are a learning and sharing organisation and the planning process must reflect this continuous desire to draw from each other’s strengths and knowledge and better serve our mission together.
SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES:
PHASE 1: Jan 2026 – June 2026 (Consultation and Strategy Review)
- Take stock of the first reflections and consultations to feed into the Strategy Review;
- Assess the results and learnings of the current plan (using MEL tools);
- With the support of the Taskforce (members and staff): Develop questions and criteria for the consultation process;
- Face to face or online consultations with Member Organisations, partners, allies, and staff in the existing CIDSE spaces and meetings;
- Present results of consultation with recommendations to Board of Directors at Mid-Year-Meeting in June 2026.
PHASE 2: June 2026- Jan 2027: Implementation, operationalisation
- Engage CIDSE staff and members of Taskforce in first steps of implementation and operational plan ahead of and during the CIDSE Planning Meetings (fall 2026);
- Validate the implementation and operational plan with the EXCO;
- Support the Taskforce in presenting the reviewed Strategy and Operational Plan to staff and Board of Directors (Jan. 2027).
CIDSE offer is: 20.000€ including VAT.
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
Please submit your expression of interest, motivations, CV (with examples of previous work), and a proposed plan outlining the following elements:
- Describe your motivation to work with CIDSE and to participate in this Review process of focusing our priorities as a network, as well as your experience and expertise on the topic.
- Present your ideas and proposal for a plan, including a timeline for the design of the feedback process, and methodology for the consultation process with our network (ideally 3 pages max).
- Outline the services you would provide and deliverables as well as the rate, number of days required and total cost estimate including VAT.
Send your motivation, CV, and proposal to Recruitment@cidse.org no later than January 9th, 2026, at noon Brussels’ time.
Cover image: CIDSE planning meetings 2025. Credit: CIDSE.