Consultancy for Development of Localization Strategy (2 consultants)

1. Background and Rationale

Save the Children (SC) has a strong commitment to supporting Local and National Actors (L/NAs) – including children themselves – in driving the sustainable realisation of children’s rights and has set itself an ambitious localisation agenda. It is Save the Children's belief that shifting power, including resources, capacity and ownership, to national and local actors will result in more timely, appropriate and effective outcomes for the children most impacted by inequality and discrimination and better fulfil the rights of children. Save the Children International’s Localisation Policy outlines the fundamental principles that govern the organisation's commitment to localisation. It applies to all contexts and aims to support and guide the organisation to understand and respond accordingly.

To operationalise the policy and ambition, Save the Children is engaged in several different workstreams to advance our localisation approach, from creating more equitable partnerships and reviewing our compliance requirements to revising our organisational capacity offer to local actors and granting flexible financing directly to local and national organisations, for example through Save the Children’s Humanitarian Fund. Save the Children is also committed to engaging with local and national actors and children in our process, at both country level and through our global partner feedback survey and global Children's Advisory Body.

Our approach is based on child rights: Our ultimate goal for localization is to more effectively fulfil the immediate and long-term rights of all children in all contexts. National and local actors, including government and civil society, have a fundamental role to play in upholding children’s rights. Civil society has a particular role in holding the duty bearers accountable to children and communities. We will work with and influence national and local actors to drive forward our commitment to inclusion, gender equality and child participation. We will ensure that children’s rights are incorporated into all our programming and advocacy activities, including prevention, emergency planning, response, and recovery frameworks.

Save the Children is advancing its Local to Global for Impact ambition, aiming to shift power, resources, and decision-making to Local and National Actors (LNAs).

The SC global direction on localization reflected a high level of ambition and is expected to help to contextualise and shape SCI oPt CO localization strategy. The strategy development process will be guided by three principles, which are expected to help ensure the strategy is relevant, inclusive, and owned by those involved: consolidating SCI’s learning in oPt, where aspects of localization have been incorporated since SC began work in 1973; understanding the perspectives of local and national actors in West bank and Gaza, including their capacities, intentions, and future potential; and promoting participation in the strategy process, with the involvement of both SCI oPt staff and current partners as a positive step towards ownership.

SCI oPt seeks to develop a context-specific Localization Strategy and Roadmap that:

• Aligns with SCI global localization commitments (Grand Bargain, Pledge for Change).
• Builds on internal assessments and partner engagement.
• Defines a clear pathway for transitioning towards locally-led programming and equitable partnerships.

2. Purpose

To support SCI oPt in developing a comprehensive Localization Strategy (4–5 years) and actionable roadmap that operationalizes localization commitments across programmes, partnerships, and operating model.

For this purpose, SCI oPt is interested in recruiting two consultants to co-lead the process along with a Localization Task Force formed of multi-department focal points from SCI oPt.

SCI policy guidance emphasizes that localization strategies should be grounded in:

• Context analysis and ecosystem mapping.
• Evidence-based assessments and SWOT.
• Active participation of LNAs and staff.
• Clear vision, objectives, and operational roadmap.

Additionally, internal discussions highlight the importance of learning from other CO strategies and adapting best practices for oPt.

The strategy development process should primarily refer to SCI’s Localization Operating Model Guidance (2025). This guidance aims to provide SCI Country Offices with a practical roadmap to assess, plan, implement, and operationalise localization efforts across different levels and contexts. The practical guidance, guided by the 7+1 dimensions of localization, has a strong emphasis on the 'how' of localization.

3. Objectives

The consultancy will:

1. Assess current localization status - Review existing partnership models, tools, and operating modalities. - Analyze localization maturity across the 7+1 dimensions. - Identify key gaps, risks, and opportunities for transition. 2. Conduct ecosystem and stakeholder analysis - Map LNAs, networks, and partnership landscape. - Identify barriers and opportunities for localization in oPt context. - Identify barriers and enabling factors for localization. 3. Facilitate participatory strategy development - Engage LNAs, partners, and cross-functional SCI teams. - Ensure co-creation approach and inclusive consultation. - Integrate partner perspectives into strategic decision-making. 4. Define strategy, priorities, and transition pathway - Develop localization vision, objectives, and strategic pillars. - Propose phased roadmap (progressive or radical pathways as relevant). - Align with SCI operating model considerations and country context. 5. Design implementation and monitoring framework - Define KPIs, milestones, and accountability mechanisms. - Integrate risk sharing, equitable partnership, and capacity strengthening principles.

4. Scope of Work

The consultants will:

1. Lead the end-to-end strategy development process in close coordination with the Localization Task Force. 2. Design and facilitate consultations (internal and external). 3. Consolidate analysis, findings, and strategic options. 4. Draft and finalize the Localization Strategy and Roadmap. 5. Provide technical advice on aligning operating model adjustments with localization ambitions.

5. Key Deliverables

• Inception Report

Methodology, detailed workplan, tools, consultation approach, and partner/stakeholder engagement plan. Lead: Consultant 1; Consultant 2 supports contextualization and engagement planning.

• Staff Survey Findings

Design, administration, analysis, and summary of SCI staff understanding of localization and equitable partnership. Lead: Consultant 2; Consultant 1 provides quality assurance.

• Localization Assessment

Current-state analysis across the 7+1 localization dimensions, including internal systems, partnership practices, risks, and opportunities. Lead: Consultant 1; Consultant 2 supports data collection and validation.

• Ecosystem Mapping Report

Mapping of local and national actors, networks, partnership landscape, barriers, opportunities, and enabling factors. Lead: Consultant 2; Consultant 1 supports strategic analysis.

• Consultation Summary Report

Key insights from LNAs, partners, government stakeholders, SCI staff, and cross-functional teams. Lead: Consultant 2; Consultant 1 supports synthesis.

• Draft Localization Strategy and Roadmap

Draft vision, strategic pillars, priorities, transition pathway, objectives, milestones, and operating model implications. Lead: Consultant 1; Consultant 2 ensures evidence and stakeholder inputs are reflected.

• Final Strategy and Implementation Plan

Final 2026-2030 Localization Strategy, implementation roadmap, indicators, governance, accountability, and monitoring framework. Lead: Consultant 1; Consultant 2 supports revisions and documentation.

• Presentation to SMT/ESMT

Final validation presentation, summary of recommendations, and endorsement materials. Lead: Both consultants.

Localisation Strategy – content includes:

• Context Analysis – externally focused

• Baseline Assessment – internally focused

• Strategy, comprising:

• Interpretation of global direction. What does this mean in oPt? Is this the right target? Is any adjustment required to create a local vision?
- What are the opportunities and risks involved? - How long will it take to fulfil the vision? - What resources will be needed? - What should be the objectives and milestones for the 2026-2030 period

6. Methodology

The consultants are expected to apply a mixed-method approach, including:

• Desk review of internal documents and global guidance
• Key informant interviews (SCI staff, partners, stakeholders)
• Focus group discussions or workshops
• Participatory co-creation sessions
• Benchmarking with other Country Offices and best practices

Approach must ensure:

• Strong participation of LNAs/partners (NGO and Governmental partners).
• Evidence-based analysis.
• Alignment with SCI Localization Operating Model guidance.

7. Duration & Level of Effort

The consultancy is expected to be completed over 8 weeks, with an estimated total level of effort of 50 working days across the two consultants. Within the period from July to October.

Consultant 1 - Strategic Lead: will work 20 working days and will be International or National Consultant (Remote/Based in WB).

Consultant 2 - Process & Engagement Lead: will work 30 working days and will be National Consultant based in the West Bank.

The final workplan and distribution of days will be confirmed during the inception phase, in consultation with SCI oPt and the Localization Task Force. The allocation is indicative and may be adjusted based on access, stakeholder availability, and operational needs in the West Bank and Gaza.

8. Required Qualifications and Experience

The two consultants are expected to collectively demonstrate:

• Proven experience in localization strategy development (SCI, INGO or humanitarian sector).
• Strong understanding of Grand Bargain, Pledge for Change, and locally led development.
• Experience in facilitating participatory and multi-stakeholder processes.
• Knowledge of partnership models, capacity strengthening, and risk sharing approaches.
• Familiarity with fragile/conflict contexts (preferably oPt or similar).
• Strong analytical, facilitation, and report writing skills.

9. Roles of the Two Consultants

To strengthen delivery, the consultancy will be delivered through a two-consultant model that combines strategic leadership, technical quality assurance, contextual knowledge, and strong stakeholder engagement.

Consultant 1 - Strategic Lead: International or National Consultant with Estimated Level of Effort of 20 working days

Consultant 1 will provide overall strategic leadership, technical direction, and quality assurance for the assignment. This consultant will be responsible for ensuring that the Localization Strategy is aligned with SCI global localization commitments, the SCI Localization Operating Model Guidance, and the oPt country context.

• Leading the overall design of the methodology, analytical framework, and strategic approach.

• Providing technical guidance on localization, equitable partnerships, operating model alignment, and transition pathways.

• Leading the development of the Localization Strategy, strategic pillars, roadmap, and implementation framework.

• Ensuring quality assurance of all deliverables, including analytical consistency, clarity of recommendations, and alignment with SCI standards.

• Supporting high-level consultations and validation discussions with SCI leadership, SMT/ESMT, and the Localization Task Force.

• Leading the finalization of the Strategy and Implementation Plan.

Consultant 2 - Process & Engagement Lead: National Consultant based in the West Bank with Estimated Level of Effort of 30 working days

Consultant 2 will lead the participatory engagement process, contextual analysis, stakeholder coordination, data collection, and documentation. This consultant will ensure that the process is grounded in the realities of the oPt context and reflects the perspectives of local and national actors, SCI staff, and partners.

• Leading stakeholder engagement planning and coordination, particularly with partners, LNAs, government stakeholders, and SCI teams.

• Facilitating interviews, focus group discussions, workshops, and co-creation sessions in coordination with the Localization Task Force.

• Supporting access, contextual understanding, and engagement with West Bank-based stakeholders, while contributing to remote or coordinated engagement with Gaza stakeholders where feasible.

• Leading data collection, documentation, and initial analysis from consultations, surveys, and stakeholder discussions.

• Preparing summaries of consultations, staff survey findings, and ecosystem mapping inputs.

• Ensuring that partner and LNA perspectives are accurately reflected in the strategy, roadmap, and implementation plan.

Applicants may apply either as a two-consultant team or individually. SCI may select two separate consultants and pair them to deliver the assignment jointly. Individual applicants should clearly indicate whether they are applying for the Strategic Lead role or the Process & Engagement Lead role, and should provide their proposed daily rate and availability in line with the estimated level of effort.