Organization
* Swiss Solidarity
Posted 10 Sep 2025 Closing date 22 Sep 2025
Introduction/Background
Swiss Solidarity's Standard Operating Modality Is To Fund Swiss Organisations That Implement Projects In Humanitarian Contexts, Directly Or, Partly Or Entirely, Through Local Partners. In 2022–23, Swiss Solidarity Piloted Providing Small Grants Ranging From CHF 20'000.- To CHF 50'000.- Directly To Local Organisations In Moldova And Romania. Building On This Experience, Swiss Solidarity Developed a Preliminary Position On Localisation, Structured Around Two Workstreams. Since 2024, These Workstreams Have Been Pursued As Part Of a Two-year Pilot Phase. The Underlying Hypothesis Is That Pursuing The Following Two Workstreams Contributes To Strengthening Locally Led Humanitarian Practice
* Support the quality of Swiss partner organisations' partnerships with local organisations
* Finance local actors directly
For the first workstream - to support the quality of Swiss partner organisations' partnerships - Swiss Solidarity has commissioned a study on the quality of partnerships in Ukraine and Syria involving both local and Swiss partner organisations. One of the key deliverables of this study is a set of actionable recommendations for Swiss partner organisations and for Swiss Solidarity. For the second workstream - to finance local actors directly -, Swiss Solidarity has provided direct funding ranging from CHF 300'000.- to CHF 500'000.- to three organisations operating in Ukraine and three in Syria.
Aim
The principal aim of this evaluation is to test Swiss Solidarity's hypothesis that its two workstreams contribute to promoting locally led humanitarian practice and that they do so while maintaining the relevance and quality of funding. The evaluations should thus assess (i) the relevance and effectiveness of the measures that Swiss Solidarity plans to promote equitable and complementary partnerships, (ii) evaluate the modalities it uses for the direct funding and (iii) assess the advantages and disadvantages of direct funding of local NGOs compared to the standard modality of funding Swiss NGOs that partner with local NGOs. The evaluation should provide learnings pertaining to the measures and conditions that promote equitable and complementary partnerships, and to the situations, conditions and modalities under which direct funding is feasible and adds value.
Evaluation questions
* To what extent is Swiss Solidarity's approach to promoting locally led humanitarian practice relevant, effective, and aligned with key sectoral policies and recommendations?
* How relevant is Swiss Solidarity's focus on supporting the quality of partnerships, from the perspectives of Swiss and local partner organisations, and what effects has it had or is expected to have in the future?
* How relevant are the planned next steps and recommendations for strengthening the quality of partnerships?
* What are the advantages and disadvantages of directly funding local organisations from the points of view of the concerned local organisations and of Swiss Solidarity?
* How relevant, effective, and efficient are Swiss Solidarity's risk management and due diligence processes pertaining to direct funding?
* How relevant, effective, and efficient is the monitoring mechanism for direct financing, and what adjustments or alternative approaches, if any, could be considered?
* Under what situations, conditions, and modalities does the approach of directly financing local organisations enable local partners to function effectively and deliver relevant, high-quality programming?
Scope
This evaluation covers Swiss Solidarity's approach to promoting locally led humanitarian practice during 2024–2025. It will examine whether the two workstreams, implemented since 2024, effectively contribute to advancing locally led humanitarian practice. This will involve reviewing a range of internal and external documents, as well as gathering perspectives from staff of local organisations, Swiss partner organisations, and Swiss Solidarity.
Key Internal Documents To Be Analysed Include
* Internal positioning paper outlining the two workstreams
* Study on equitable and complementary partnerships
* Documents outlining the selection and monitoring of projects through the direct financing approach
In addition, the evaluation will consider relevant sectoral reference documents, frameworks, and policies. Where relevant, additional interviews with sector leaders and experts may be conducted.
Cost
The maximum amount of working days for this consultancy is set at 18 working days, plus expenses.
For more details, please consult here
How to apply
Bid instructions
Bidders Should Submit The Following
* A cover letter (max. one (1) page) outlining the motivation and qualifications to apply. It must be clearly stated that the contractor is able to respect the here above outlined timeline.
* Summary table outlining how the bidder fulfils each of the assessment criteria
* CV(s) of team member(s)
* Samples of previous works
* A short (no more than two (2) page) conceptual framework with the proposed methodology, including limitations and ethical considerations
* A succinct workplan for the assignment
* A financial proposal with a detailed breakdown of costs (in Swiss Francs) for the overall assignment. This should include:
* The daily cost and number of days by task for each expert
* All other costs for the evaluation
Submission of offers
Bids should be submitted by 23h59 (Geneva time) on to: - with the subject "Evaluation of Swiss Solidarity's Approach to Promoting Locally Led Humanitarian Practice".
Job details
Source
* Swiss Solidarity
Type
* Consultancy
Career category
* Monitoring and Evaluation
Years of experience
* 10+ years
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