CONSULTANCY: Development of a Sustainability Plan for the Provision of Basic Services to Women Survivors or at Risk of GBV
Job Description
TERMS OF REFERENCE
CONSULTANCY: Development of a Sustainability Plan for the Provision
of Basic Services to Women Survivors or at Risk of GBV
1. Organisational Context
ActionAid Spain (Fundación Alianza por los Derechos, la Igualdad y la Solidaridad Internacional) is a Spanish NGO and member of the ActionAid International Federation, present in more than 70 countries. We have been working in the defense of Human Rights and Social Justice for 40 years, with a particular focus on women’s rights, environmental justice, and support for youth and migrant groups.
It has been working in Jordan since 2007. The organisation has always collaborated with Jordanian organizations of a strong feminist nature and supported the work of civil society, especially in terms of empowerment and women's rights, prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence, both with Jordanian women and refugees. Our programmatic priorities for the period 2020-2026 are:
1\. Eradicate gender-based violence suffered by women, especially young and migrant women and women rights defenders.
2\. Promoting the Human Rights of Excluded Groups
3\. Promote Climate Justice, ensuring the resilience of the groups most affected by Climate Change, and especially women, to adapt to leading the ecological transition.
4\. Protect the most vulnerable people during humanitarian crises and strengthen their resilience capacities
2. Background and Rationale
These ToR are developed within the framework of the program (hereinafter the Convenio) entitled "Strengthened the active participation of women (Jordanians, Syrian Refugees, Youth and Women with Disabilities - WwD) with a comprehensive approach to rights in Jordan", funded by the Spanish Cooperation – AECID and the Barcelona City Council.
Alianza por la Solidaridad is part of a consortium formed by three Spanish NGOs (AcionAid Spain, MPDL and NOVACT), of which Movement for Peace – MPDL is the lead organization for this intervention, along with the local partners: Be Positive; Community Based Rehabilitation Center (CBR); I Dare; and Housewives Association (HSF). The direct local partner of Alianza is HSF.
This Convenio will last until early 2027. Its general objective is to “Contribute to a life free of violence for women, preventing economic, gender, community and digital violence” and it includes 3 specific objectives:
\- SO1: Promote the sustainable and inclusive economic empowerment of Jordanian and refugee women, with special attention to young women and women with disabilities.
\- SO2: Improve the system of protection, prevention and response to gender violence in Mafraq, Zarqa and Amman.
\- SO3: Strengthen the leadership of Jordanian and refugee women, paying special attention to young women and/or women with disabilities, in peace building, preventing violent conflicts and promoting resilience in their communities.
Alianza is coordinating the implementation of SO2, in which these ToR are framed.
3. Funding Framework and Donor Conditions
This consultancy is part of the project Strengthened the active participation of women (Jordanians, Syrian Refuges, Youth and Women with Disabilities) with a comprehensive approach to rights in Jordan”, co-funded by AECID – Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, with reference number 2022/PCONV/000372, valid from 15/01/2023 to14/01/2027 (with the possibility of being extended).
The contracted person or entity must comply with the eligibility and expenditure justification conditions established by the donor, including, among others: maintaining supporting documentation, recording time dedicated (timesheet or other required format), being subject to possible external audits, and complying with the expenditure eligibility deadlines of the project.
Payments will be subject to the project’s expenditure eligibility period. Any modification to the implementation schedule must be communicated to ActionAid Spain with sufficient notice and be justified within the framework of the donor’s conditions.
4. Scope of the Consultancy
This consultancy aims to assess and strengthen the organizational and financial sustainability of HSF and three selected CBOs located in Amman, Zarqa, and Mafraq which provide basic services for women survivors or at risk of gender-based violence (GBV).
The consultant will assess the organizations strategies, governance, human resources, financial and operational systems, partnerships, resources, and capacity to provide basic services to women survivors or at risk of GBV in the medium-long term. The consultant will identify strengths, gaps, risks, opportunities, and capacity building needs, and develop a tailored organizational and financial sustainability plan for each organization.
The scope also includes practical recommendations for capacity strengthening, resource mobilization and optimization, and organizational development. A joint session will be facilitated with project partners to review and validate the findings and proposed plans.
The contracted person or entity will act as an external technical expert under the coordination of ActionAid staff in Jordan.
5. Activities and Expected Tasks
The following activities and tasks are to be carried out by the contracted person or entity within the framework of this consultancy:
Activity 1: Inception and preparation
Develop the consultancy methodology, work plan, timeline, assessment tools, and ethical approach, in coordination with ActionAid.
Activity 2: Organizational assessment
Assess HSF and the three selected CBOs towards key aspects of sustainability for service provision, such as: governance, human resources, financial management, funding, operational systems, GBV service-delivery capacity, partnerships, MEAL systems, available resources, capacity gaps, and sustainability risks.
Activity 3: Sustainability and capacity development
Develop a tailored organizational and financial sustainability plan for each organization, together with practical training and capacity-building recommendations. Including support and monitoring, at least during the initial phase of the implementation plan, is highly recommended
Activity 4: Validation and finalization
Present the findings and proposed plans during a joint validation session with project partners and incorporate their feedback into the final outputs. The consultant might include in the package the delivery of essential capacity building.
The list is not exhaustive, and the applicants may propose additional steps according to their expertise and knowledge.
The above activities may be adjusted or refined during the implementation of the service, by mutual agreement between the parties and in accordance with the needs of the project, without altering the scope or the economic conditions of the contract.
6. Deliverables and Deadlines
The contracted person or entity undertakes to deliver, as a minimum, the following outputs within the indicated deadlines:
Deliverable 1: Inception Report
Methodology, work plan, timeline, assessment tools, and ethical considerations.
Deadline: \[week 2\]
Deliverable 2: Draft Assessment and Sustainability Package
Organizational assessment findings, four tailored sustainability plans, and related capacity-building recommendations.
Deadline: \[week 7\]
Deliverable 3: Final Consultancy Package
Revised organizational analysis and sustainability plans, final recommendations, validation-session presentation and summary, and all assessment tools and supporting materials.
Deadline: \[week 9\]
All deliverables must be submitted in English and will be subject to validation by ActionAid Spain and, where applicable, acceptance by the donor. If a deliverable is not approved, the contracted person or entity will have 10\[X\] working days to make the necessary corrections. The corresponding payment will be conditional on the final approval of the deliverable.
The deadlines may be adjusted out of mutual agreement. The duration of the assignment may be extended according to the offered package (i.e. including capacity building, monitoring…)
7. Required Profile
Academic qualifications:
- Degree in Business Development, Social Sciences or related fields relevant to the assignment.
- Degree or relevant qualification in Gender Studies, Protection, Social Work, Civil Society Organisations or other fields relevant to the assignment will be an asset.
- Knowledge of the social and institutional framework within which services for the protection, prevention and response to gender-based violence operate in Jordan will be regarded favourably.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in organizational capacity assessments, business develpment and sustainability.
- Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in GBV and protection.
- Demonstrable experience in similar contexts, preferably in NGOs or the development sector.
- Proven knowledge of GBV and protection issues, including key concepts, approaches and relevant stakeholders and frameworks at local and international level.
- Proven experience in participatory analysis and assessments.
- Experience working with vulnerable communities, especially with women survivors or at risk of GBV.
- Strong research and facilitation skills, with a focus on participatory methodologies.
- Ability to develop innovative and user-friendly tools and materials.
- Understanding of the local context and cultural dynamics related to GBV and gender issues in Jordan.
- Proficiency in English and Arabic. Knowledge of other languages relevant to the project will be valued.
- Transversal competencies:
- Commitment to organisational values:
- Commitment to ActionAid Spain’s values: human rights, social justice, gender equity, and institutional integrity, among others.
- Adherence to feminist leadership principles and a work ethic based on inclusion and respect for diversity.
- Knowledge and acceptance of ActionAid Spain’s institutional policies, in particular the Code of Conduct and policies on SEAH and Safeguarding, fraud prevention, and counter-terrorism, the signing of which will be a prerequisite for formalising the contract.
- Duration: Tentatively 01/09/2026–15/12/2026, or until the delivery, validation by ActionAid Spain, and acceptance by the institutional donor of all established deliverables, including those that may be required in the project’s justification and closure phase.
- Fees:Candidates must submit a financial proposal commensurate with the services offered; this proposal will be assessed on the basis of its level of detail, value for money and the available budget. . Fixed price inclusive of all costs and taxes inherent in the provision of the service. Payments will be made upon delivery and validation of the established deliverables.
- Place of work: Conditions regarding on-site presence and remote work will be agreed with the coordination of the responsible team based on project needs. Direct support and data collection activities will require physical presence.
- Nature of the relationship: Service provision contract. No employment relationship is established between the parties.
- Tax obligations: The contracted person or entity will be responsible for any tax obligations applicable under the legislation of their country of fiscal residence. A valid certificate of fiscal residence must be provided prior to the issuance of the first invoice.
- Institutional policies: The contracted person or entity must be aware of and comply with ActionAid Spain’s Code of Conduct and institutional policies, in particular those relating to SEAH and safeguarding, fraud prevention, and counter-terrorism.
- Prior verification: ActionAid Spain may carry out a verification of the candidate person or entity against international sanctions lists as part of the selection process.
- Subcontracting and project team: The contracted individual or entity shall perform the consultancy services directly, unless their technical proposal expressly identifies a project team or unless ActionAid Spain has given its prior written authorisation for the involvement of other professionals, collaborators, or subcontracted entities.
- Updated curriculum vitae or professional profile.
- Technical proposal: methodology, work plan, and timetable.
- Detailed budget proposal.
- References or examples of relevant previous work (if available).
- Certificate of fiscal residence or equivalent documentation.
Experience:
Technical Skills:
1. Ability to work autonomously, with good organisational skills, attention to detail, and adaptability to changing contexts. 2. Communication skills and results-orientation. 3. Proactivity and analytical thinking for problem-solving.
8. Contractual Conditions
9. Commitments and Institutional Integrity
Acceptance of these Terms of Reference implies awareness of and adherence to ActionAid Spain’s institutional policies. The contracted person or entity must fulfil the following commitments throughout the duration of the contract:
Code of Conduct and Organisational Values
The contracted person or entity must read, sign, and comply with ActionAid Spain’s Code of Conduct and the applicable institutional policies. Signing the Code of Conduct is a prior and indispensable condition for formalising the contract. Failure to meet the established conduct standards will constitute grounds for immediate termination.
Prevention of Fraud, Corruption and Conflict of Interest
ActionAid Spain has zero tolerance for any form of fraud, corruption, or conduct contrary to institutional integrity. The candidate person or entity declares that they have not engaged in conduct of this nature and undertakes not to offer, promise, or deliver any undue benefit to ActionAid Spain or donor staff. They must also declare any actual or potential conflict of interest prior to signing the contract. Failure to comply with these obligations will constitute grounds for exclusion from the process or immediate termination of the contract.
Prevention of Terrorist Financing
ActionAid Spain applies zero tolerance towards any form of support, direct or indirect, for terrorist activities or their financing. The candidate person or entity declares that they do not appear on any international sanctions lists (UN, EU, OFAC, OFSI, or others) and have no ties to organisations or individuals subject to restrictive measures. ActionAid Spain may carry out verification against these lists as part of the selection process and during the term of the contract. Funds received will be used exclusively for the contractually established purposes.
Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) and Safeguarding
ActionAid Spain is fully committed to preventing all forms of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH) and to safeguarding all the people it works with, particularly minors and adults in vulnerable situations. The contracted person or entity must refrain from any conduct that could constitute SEAH, maintain a dignified and respectful approach towards participants at all times, and immediately report to ActionAid Spain any incident or suspicion. Failure to comply with these obligations will constitute grounds for immediate termination of the contract, without prejudice to any legal liability that may arise.
Personal Data Protection
Access to personal data within the scope of the consultancy will be strictly limited to what is necessary for the provision of the service. The contracted person or entity undertakes to process such data in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and Organic Law 3/2018 (LOPDGDD), to maintain appropriate confidentiality, and not to transfer the data to third parties without the express authorisation of ActionAid Spain. Upon completion of the contract, they must return or destroy any personal data to which they have had access.
Any incident or suspicion related to the matters described in this section may be reported confidentially through ActionAid Spain’s institutional whistleblowing channel.
10. Confidentiality
The contracted individual or entity shall maintain strict confidentiality with respect to all information, documentation, data, materials or knowledge to which they gain access as a result of the procurement process, the execution of the contract, or the performance of the consultancy services, regardless of the medium in which such information is recorded or whether it has been communicated in writing, verbally, visually, electronically, or by any other means.
The contracted individual or entity undertakes to use the confidential information solely for the proper performance of the contracted services and shall not disclose, publish, reproduce, transfer, or otherwise make it available to any third party without the prior written authorisation of ActionAid Spain, except where disclosure is required by law or where such disclosure is strictly necessary for the performance of the services and has been authorised in advance.
11. Selection Process and Submission of Proposals
Proposals must be sent by email to Ari.jobs@actionaid.org and balshdeifat@actionaid.org with the subject line “Sustainability plans”. The proposal must include:
Deadline for submission of proposals: \[2 weeks from publishing\]
ActionAid Spain, the Spanish member of ActionAid International, is guided by principles of transparency, integrity, and good practice. It does not accept any fraudulent, corrupt, or institutionally dishonest conduct. Any conduct of this nature will result in exclusion from the selection process or immediate termination of the contract, without prejudice to any legal action that may be applicable.
The organisation is committed to preventing all forms of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH) and to safeguarding all the people it works with. Contracted persons or entities are expected to share this commitment and to act at all times in accordance with ActionAid Spain’s Code of Conduct and institutional policies.
It is our priority to ensure that only those who share and demonstrate our values are contracted to work with us.
