SCCF

Secours Catholique – Caritas France (SCCF), whose mission is to support the most vulnerable populations was created in 1946 and is a member of Caritas Internationalis confederation and an officially recognized non profit organization.

The association is active throughout France, while also offering support to partners in more than 70 countries. SCCF addresses all sources of poverty, inequality and exclusion. It raises awareness among authorities and the general public, and puts forth lasting solutions.

All SCCF initiatives are grounded in the principles of beneficiary involvement and capacity-building for all as a catalyst for collective action. It aims at transforming society to reach social justice for all, by contributing to fighting the socio-environmental crisis.

Strategy of the SCCF at the international level

The DAPI, like Secours Catholique-Caritas France, is a generalist CSO. However, in accordance to to its vision and global context analysis, it focuses on the following topics: favoring a just and ecological transition (including agricultural issues and food sovereignty), promoting and protecting migration rights, particularly in the context of climate change and environmental degradation, advocating for indigenous peoples’ rights, supporting peace and social cohesion, socio-economic integration for decent work and income, promoting gender equality and special attention to youth, and standing for fundamental rights and freedoms. These varied thematic issues echo the different local and global challenges and are consistent with SCCF and the DAPI’s vision.

The DAPI operational plan consists of four priorities:

1. Articulating actions on the ground and advocacy/influence at different scales to respond to the socio-environmental crisis (construction and appropriation of a vision of a fair ecological transition, awareness-raising, mobilization and advocacy actions + climate change adaptation, resilience building and disaster risk reduction activities)
2. To adopt, promote and defend a rights-based approach in our actions to lead to social transformations (Democratic expression is encouraged and civic spaces are protected + projects to defend vulnerable communities’ rights, gender approach, capitalization on social transformation)
3. Empowering partners and local civil society through an adapted partnership strategy (diversified, dynamic and differentiated partnership strategy, plans, multi-actor programs)
4. Aligning our practices and strengthening our expertise to increase our impact (management, learning and accountability are improved through a continuous monitoring and evaluation system, Cross-cutting collaborations, mutual learning with partners and the French network, environmental responsibility)

The Asia and Eastern Europe department current priority areas of intervention are:

• Social and Solidarity Economy
• Fair Ecological transition
• Migration
• Strengthening local CSOs

Context and Description of the Secours Catholique’s action in the Balkans

Secours Catholique Caritas France has been involved in the Balkans since the 1990s with the Yugoslav wars. SCCF worked with Caritas partners in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia on emergency projects but also against human trafficking, local economic development, inclusion of minorities, etc.

Over the past few years, SCCF has reduced its scope of intervention and partners in the region. Today, SCCF has two partners in Albania and Kosovo, and is involved in the justice system in Albania and access to employment in both Albania and Kosovo.

Within this context, SCCF is looking for a consultant that will support SCCF to redesign its strategy in the region and maximize its impact with existing and/or new partners.

Purpose, Objectives and scope of the assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to conduct a gaps’ analysis in the Balkans and to provide strategic programme development recommendations for the SCCF intervention.

The primary users of the assessment will be the SCCF Asia and Eastern Europe Desk team and the overall Direction of Advocacy and International Action who will utilize the findings to inform strategic and programmatic decisions and adjustments.

More specifically, the objectives of the assignment will be to conduct:

• a Needs’ analysis – identification of the major needs in the non-EU countries of the Balkans;
• Stakeholder analysis – analysis of the main actors involved in the aid and development sector (who does what where);
• Based on 1) and 2), identification of gaps that the SCCF could contribute to address, in line with its strategy and mandate. This might include a prioritization of certain countries.
• Identification of organizations with whom the SCCF could work with.

The consultant will work in close collaboration with the Program Officer and the Head of the Department.

Methodology: the methodology is expected to be elaborated in the proposal by the consultant.  A mixed method approach (KIIs, FGDs, Desk review) is expected.

Deliverables:

• Inception report (15 pages max) detailing the approach to the assignment, proposed methodology and a table of contents for the final deliverable
• Draft report and presentation to the SCCF team, that will include the following:
  • Needs assessment
  • Stakeholder mapping and analysis
  • Gaps Analysis
  • Recommendations on potential countries of action and potential partners
• Final Report after revision by SCCF

The deliverables could be either in English or French.

Profile:

Essentials

• Advanced degree in development studies, international relations, social science or related disciplines;
• Proficiency in English;
• Experience in strategy development and programme development, i.e need assessment, stakeholder analysis, gaps analysis:
• Knowledge of and experience working in the Balkans region, including knowledge of major actors and coordination mechanisms:
• Knowledge of and experience working with local partners.

Desirable:

• knowledge of the Social Economy, Ecological transition and/or migration topics
• knowledge of the value for money framework

Suggested timeline

The consultancy is expected to take place between the beginning of October and the end of December for approximately 30 to 35 days of assignment (to be finalized based on a proposal from the consultant). This will include:

• review of background documentation and briefing with SCCF team
• information gathering, Desk Research
• development of assessment design and Tools and presentation to SCCF team
• Data collection
• Data Analysis and report preparation
• Presentation of draft report and consultation with SCCF team
• Finalisation of report

The proposed timeline is as follows (subject to revision based on the consultant proposal and discussion with SCCF):

• Inception report with a detailed schedule of work – 5 days after signing the contract
• Draft report – end of November
• Final report – end of December

The consultant will work in close collaboration with the Program Officer and the Head of department.

How to answer

Proposals should be submitted to both dept.personnelappuiexterne@secours-catholique.org and haifa.al-labadi@secours-catholique.org by the 22^nd of September 2023.

Only duly registered independent consultant or employee of a consulting firm may answer.

The consultant should submit the following documents:

• a detailed CV outlining relevant work experiences and references of previous similar assignments
• a technical proposal outlining the methodological approach and a work plan
• a financial proposal in euros with a breakdown of all costs,(excluding VAT and with VAT). If a visit to the Balkans region is planned, costs should also be included.