Terms of Reference:
Effective local and national voices in humanitarian pooled funds
Overview of the Consultancy
- Organisation: ICVA Network
- Duration: Estimated 30 to 35 days
- Start & End Date: October – mid-December 2025
- Location: Home-based
- Deadline for application: Friday 17 October 2025.
Background and focus
In March 2025, the Emergency Relief Coordinator launched the Humanitarian Reset, aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness of the humanitarian system. The Reset has organized itself around four “D’s”, Define (focus on greatest need), Devolve (people at the heart), Deliver (timely and streamlined response) and Defend (principles, civilians and humanitarian space).[1] A roadmap to deliver on the various Reset priorities will be adopted by the IASC Principals, by the end of October.
Among the Reset proposals and the proposed Road Map is a call for significantly increased funding to Country and Regional Based Pooled Funds, and at least 70% of this funding to be provided to local and national actors. As attested by the Reset, humanitarian pooled funds including the OCHA-managed CBPFs have shown themselves to be a key means to effectively fund local and national NGOs (L/NNGOs). In contrast to operational partnerships, pooled funds directly fund the proposed activities of the L/NNGOs themselves, supporting truly “locally-led” humanitarian action. They also generally provide some degree of capacity strengthening support, either directly or through their intermediaries.
As funding to Country and Regional Based Pooled Funds increases, it is even more critical that the CBPFs either directly or through their intermediaries effectively and efficiently provide quality funding to L/NNGO activities and support in programmatic and institutional strengthening.
There are however multiple challenges to both L/NNGO voices being heard and acted upon in CBPFs, and Pooled Fund capacity strengthening efforts. L/NNGO quality representation can be limited in terms of inclusion; logistical and financial barriers; lack of necessary pre-requisite knowledge and/or the skill set and data necessary to effectively represent the collective interests. Capacity strengthening efforts can be limited by lack of time and funding, the choice of the intermediaries, and the various conflicting demands of operational objectives and the L/NNGOs longer term capacity strengthening needs.
The CBPF Resource Facility established by the OCHA Pooled Fund Working Group (PFWG) in 2023 is an example of a multi-partner initiative looking to both provide capacity strengthening support and overcome the barriers to effective L/NNGO voice. The Facility has launched a learning and mentoring program aimed to strengthen the knowledge and skills of L/NNGOs on CBPF Global and Advisory Bodies. It also provides stipends and financial support to cover the costs of meeting attendance.
This consultancy, focused on CBPFs and supported by Ireland in its role as Co-Chair of the OCHA Pooled Fund Working Group,aims to draw out lessons learned and good practices for L/NNGO voice/participation in CBPF Advisory Boards and CBPF capacity strengthening practices. It aims to move beyond understanding L/NNGO participation from a quantitative perspective to understand effective quality participation. It also aims to review the practices of the CBPF Resource Facility to increase the effectiveness of L/NNGO voices in the Country Based Pooled Funds, identifying lessons learned for its next two years of activities.
Methodology
The detailed methodology will be developed by the consultant and agreed with ICVA – however it is envisioned that the consultant should after a thorough desk review, rely heavily on KIIs, Focus Group Discussions and targeted surveys, with local and national NGOs engaged in the CBPF Advisory Boards.
In review of the CBPF Resource Facility, the consultant should conduct KIIs with the L/NNGOs who have participated in the program to date, discuss with the consultants supporting the work of the Facility as well as conduct satisfaction surveys.
This work should also build on ICVA’s previous work, including:
Engagement with ICVA
The consultant will work closely with and report to the ICVA Humanitarian Financing Team.
Objectives
- Gather the perspectives and recommendations of L/NNGOs on efforts to ensure their effective engagement and voice on CBPF Advisory Boards and review as relevant the governance practices of similar funds to identify lessons learned of relevant to the CBPFs.
- Review the practices of the CBPF Resource Facility to date, in particular the learning and mentoring program and provide recommendations as to the future direction and approach.
Deliverables
- Inception report and literature review outlining the methodology, work plan and agreed timeline, based on a first literature review and inception meetings with the ICVA team.
- Development and presentation of draft findings on L/NNGO voices and CBPF Resource Facility to ICVA by 10 November.
- Incorporation of comments and development of presentation of findings on L/NNGO voices and the CBPF Resource Facility for external sharing on 18-19 November.
- Final comprehensive report on L/NNGO voices and CBPF Resource Facility by mid-December.
Consultant Requirements
Specific requirements:
- A strong knowledge and understanding of the humanitarian/development sector.
- Experience in advancing local leadership and knowledge of humanitarian coordination and governance.
- Strong understanding of pooled fund mechanisms.
- Lived experience in partnership development/analysis welcomed.
- General knowledge of current humanitarian policy issues including localisation and humanitarian financing required.
General requirements:
- Excellent writing and communication skills with the ability to analyse complex information and transmit synthesised messaged to various audiences.
- Excellent communication skills in English. French, Spanish and/or Arabic would be an asset.
- Proven ability to work autonomously and be flexible, including ability to cope with deadlines, multiple tasks, competing and changing demands.
- Understanding of ICVA’s mission and NGO contribution to the humanitarian sector.
- Note: Throughout the work, the consultant must be registered in accordance with the legal requirements at their base and must be able to submit documentation that proves that she/ he is meeting all legal obligations for the consultancy, including full compliance with ICVA regulations including the safeguarding policy.
How to apply
If you have the required expertise and skills, please apply by sending your CV, any examples of relevant previous work, a short proposal (approx. 2-3 pages), including how you meet the criteria for the consultancy, outline of proposed approach and methodology, and requested day rate to recruitment4@icvanetwork.org
Please mention “L/NNGO Voices in Pooled Funds” in the subject line.
The final deadline for application is Friday 17 October 2025.
Applicants from all countries are encouraged to apply and teams of consultants are welcomed.
[1] https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/humanitarian-reset
