Proposal Writing Consultant – Associate Consultant Service 2025

1.         Introduction

1.1Introduction

Diakonia is an international Faith Based development organization rooted in two churches in Sweden, the Swedish Alliance Mission and the Uniting Church in Sweden. The organization currently works through local offices in 24 countries in Africa, Latin America, Middle East and Asia by supporting local partners. Diakonia’s vision is a Just, Equal and Sustainable world. Our mission and goal are to change unfair political, economic, social and cultural structures that cause poverty, oppression, inequality and violence.

The basis for all our work is the will of people to change and improve the world. Our efforts are aimed at people whose lives are compromised by poverty, oppression and/or violence in various ways. Our strategy for change is to raise the awareness of individuals of their rights and empower vulnerable groups in society to come together and organize themselves to work for sustainable change. As a result, Diakonia organizes its strategies into the levels of knowledge/awareness, organizing, action and influence. Diakonia wants to give a voice to the poor and seeks to empower the rights holders to be the agents of change and owners of the process of demanding their rights.

We work in strong partnership with local organizations, based on common values, open dialogue and trust. With few exceptions, Diakonia does not implement projects but strengthens and empowers civil-society organizations to change their own reality. The concept of “good donor ship” is key to our work, characterized by partners’ ownership, support to partners’ own agendas and strategies and long-term predictable funding.

In each country the partners form a country program. Diakonia promotes cross fertilizations, encourages synergy and coordination within the partner group in a country program. In each country we identify central obstacles and problems within our thematic areas, as well as forces for change in civil society. We search to find our specific niches, and with whom to build strategic alliances for greater impact.

Diakonia focuses on 6 thematic/intervention areas namely Human Rights, Democracy, Gender Equality, Social & Economic Justice, Conflict and Justice and Emergency Response and Disaster Resilience.

1.2 Program Background

The regional program seeks to drive structural transformation by addressing the root causes of gender inequality across the MENA region. Built on a dynamic, adaptable framework, the program prioritizes intersectionality, inclusion, and long-term resilience, focusing on legal reform, movement strengthening, and policy influence. In the MENA region, the absence of rights and freedoms, along with limited access to basic necessities such as education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, continues to affect large segments of the population. Gender inequalities remain deeply rooted in social norms, legal systems, and institutional frameworks. Women and girls across the region face systemic barriers that are often intensified by intersecting crises. We believe that gender justice and feminism are essential approaches to reducing these disparities. Building on this belief, our attached regional strategy focuses on gender justice as a transformative pathway to advancing human rights and achieving sustainable, inclusive development throughout the region.

1.3 Purpose of the Assignment

• To support the MENA Gender Justice Program in developing high-quality, competitive funding proposals, including concept notes, full proposals, and related annexes, tailored to identified funding opportunities and donor requirements.
• To provide expert technical assistance and advisory services to the MENA Gender Justice Program, enhancing the program’s capacity to produce robust, evidence-based proposals that effectively advance gender justice initiatives across the MENA region.

1.4 Scope of the Assignment  

• Prepare a comprehensive action plan with a defined timeline for each Call for Proposal, covering all donor requirements.
• In line with the proposal requirements, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Develop comprehensive context analyses, identifying root causes and articulating precise problem statements.
2. Formulate clear, measurable objectives and outcomes aligned with donor priorities and program goals.
3. Design robust theories of change, integrating evidence-based pathways to achieve gender justice impact.
4. Craft strategic project interventions, including innovative activities tailored to regional gender dynamics.
5. Support in designing the budget in alignment with the donor’s requirements and the proposed project design

• Provide actionable, creative recommendations to enhance proposal competitiveness and alignment with feminist principles.
• Design transformative, feminist-informed initiatives that promote inclusive and equitable gender outcomes.

2.         Terms of Reference

2.1 Deliverables  

Specific deliverables for each assignment will be mutually identified and agreed upon by Diakonia’s MENA Gender Justice Program and the consultant at the outset of each engagement, ensuring alignment with project objectives and donor requirements. To this end, the consultant(s) will be required to submit an action plan outlining how the deliverables will be achieved before each assignment begins.

2.2 Qualification of the Consultant and Team Composition

The Consultant should have the following qualifications:

1. Proven professional experience in developing high-quality funding proposals, with a strong focus on gender equality, women’s rights advocacy, and feminist principles.
2. Proven track record of crafting successful proposals, including context analyses, theories of change, and feminist-informed project designs, for international donors such as the United Nations, European Union, and other major funding agencies.
3. Deep knowledge of feminist principles, gender justice issues and socio-political dynamics in the MENA region, with demonstrated success in designing contextually relevant, impactful interventions for international organizations.
4. Advanced strategic and analytical skills to provide innovative, evidence-based recommendations that enhance proposal competitiveness and program outcomes.

2.3 Time Schedule

The timeline and level of effort for each assignment will be determined and agreed upon by Diakonia’s MENA Gender Justice Program and the consultant(s) at the start of each engagement, tailored to the specific scope and requirements of the assignment.

2.4 Terms of Payment

As full consideration for the services performed by the Consultant under the terms of this contract and based on the level of effort required for each assignment, Diakonia shall pay the total agreed amount upon completion of the task, subject to the following conditions: certification of satisfactory performance, confirmation of the total number of days worked, approval of the final report by Diakonia, and receipt of an official invoice from the Consultant.

2.5 Contract Type

Consultancy Contract

3. Content of Tender

• Letter explaining similar experience, including a list of organizations for which the consultant has developed similar proposals. Consultants must demonstrate in writing that they have the capacity and skills required to carry out the task.
• A description of the approach, methodology, and modalities for implementing the assignment, with gender mainstreaming, following the Terms of Reference.
• A brief technical and financial proposal (maximum two pages), including the consultant’s daily rate. The daily rate should be inclusive of any applicable taxes, duties, or charges.
• CV of the consultant.
• Signed Diakonia Code of Conduct for Suppliers (Appendix 1)
• Signed “Eligibility Confirmation” (Appendix 2)