About NRC

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation working to protect the rights of displaced and vulnerable people during crises. NRC provides assistance to meet immediate humanitarian needs, prevent further displacement and contribute to durable solutions. NRC is widely recognised as a leading field-based displacement agency within the international humanitarian community. NRC works in both new and protracted crises across more than 30 countries, where we provide protection (including camp management), food assistance, clean water, shelter, legal aid, and education. NRC is a rights-based organisation and is committed to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, independence, and impartiality. With headquarters in Oslo, Norway, NRC also has representation offices in Brussels, Geneva, Berlin, London and Washington DC.

NORCAP is NRC’s global provider of expertise to the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors. It builds partnerships with international organisations and national actors to protect lives, rights and livelihoods. NORCAP provides expert personnel and collaborates with partners to identify needs and establish common goals and projects. It helps strengthen partner capacity and improve coordination and collaboration.

NRC Commercial Contracts Work

In response to the evolving funding landscape, commercial contracts have become a key avenue for NRC to secure predictability and long-term financial stability. This has enabled country teams to plan and implement substantial, multi-year programs. Building on its strong reputation, demonstrated programming capabilities, and long-standing partnerships with key donors, over the past decade NRC expanded into commercial engagements with private contractors, governments, and development commissioners. Looking ahead, NRC aims to expand its commercial contracts portfolio and develop a proactive, principled strategy for engagement. In May 2024, an initial in-house assessment was conducted to identify avenues for increasing commercial engagement. The next steps will involve exploring opportunities with additional potential clients.

Purpose of the study

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is exploring opportunities to expend its commercial contracts portfolio and to diversify funding streams. To support this initiative, NRC is seeking a consultancy to conduct a market assessment and feasibility study with a specific focus on evaluating additional specific clients. The consultant will evaluate the financial value and strategic potential of opportunities with these clients and assess NRC and NORCAP’s suitability of entering commercial partnerships with these clients. This assessment will play a critical role in determining the strategic alignment and viability NRC’s future engagements in the commercial sector.Please see the detailed TOR for more information

Objectives

The primary objectives of this consultancy are to:

1. Conduct an in-depth analysis of specific potential clients for commercial contracting assessing their alignment with NRC’s mandate and values (see attached document for further information)
2. Evaluate the financial value and strategic potential of opportunities with these clients.
3. Provide recommendations on which clients are most suitable for NRC and NORCAP to engage with, based on value, strategic alignment, and risk factors.
4. Offer insights into market trends, client expectations, and competitive dynamics related to commercial contracts.

Scope of work

The consultancy is expected to be primarily conducted through a desk review, relying on the consultant’s prior knowledge in this field. The survey will scope the commercial strategies of specific clients mentioned in the TOR . Interviews with key stakeholders at NRC and NORCAP as well as interviews with key stakeholders at funders may further support the mapping where necessary.

This overview should explore the following:

Funder Strategy: Develop detailed profiles for each potential client, including background information, financial health, strategic priorities, and track record in commercial contracting spend over the past five years; Provide a brief analysis of commercial contracting trends over recent years (identifying growth or decline in commercial funding); Assess the types of programs and geographical/thematic areas that clients prioritize and identify sector-specific programming supported through commercial contracts;

Potential Size and Duration: Evaluate the likely size and scope of relevant aid assistance commercial opportunities available with each identified client to inform strategic planning and engagement; Estimate the typical potential revenue and profitability associated with each client including identification of geographical and thematic focuses for aid assistance commercial contracting; Identify high-value opportunities that offer significant financial returns or strategic benefits; Provide links to publicly available sites where commercial contracts from each client are published and advise on the best way to identify relevant opportunities.

Alignment with NRC’s Work: Provide insights on how each client’s commercial strategy aligns with NRC’s expertise and capacity. Analyse whether NRC’s current operational model, resources, and areas of expertise match the client’s needs for the identified opportunities

Competitor Landscape: Analyse the competitive landscape for each client, identifying other organizations that are competing for commercial contracts with these entities; If available, list of the top ten primary recipients of aid assistance commercial contracts from each client; Assess the strengths and weaknesses of NRC relative to competitors in securing contracts.

Eligibility Requirements: Identify any pre-conditions or restrictions that could either exclude NRC programs or require adaptations to NRC’s approach for accessing these contracts.

Reputational Risks and Ethical Considerations: Evaluate potential reputational risks, including concerns about partnerships that could raise ethical considerations for NRC.

Risk and Suitability Assessment: for selected and relevant opportunities, in discussion with NRC, analyse financial, legal, and operational risks involved in pursuing commercial contracts with each client; Consider risks related to contractual terms, compliance, client stability, and market volatility; Identify potential ethical or operational risks in engaging with certain clients, considering reputational risk and alignment with NRC’s policies.

Recommendations for NRC and NORCAP: Offer specific recommendations for NRC and NORCAP to enhance their preparedness for securing commercial contracts. This includes outlining necessary steps and preparations to better align with identified opportunities.

Deliverables

1. Inception Report: A detailed work plan and methodology, including a list of stakeholders and initial research findings.

Due: one week after signature

2. Client-Specific Market Assessment (Draft): A draft report providing detailed profiles of each identified client covering each aspect detailed in the scope of work and include recommendations for engagement.

Due: two months post signature

3. Final Market Assessment and Feasibility Report: In consultation with NRC, the consultant will produce a comprehensive final report identifying the most relevant opportunities for NRC and NORCAP. This report will summarize the client-specific analysis, opportunity assessments, eligibility requirements, compliance considerations, and provide recommendations on suitable clients and market entry strategies.

Due: three months post signature

4. A PowerPoint Presentation: A presentation summarizing the key findings and recommendations to NRC’s senior leadership (up to 12 slides).

Due: three months post signature

Timeline and management
The consultancy is scheduled to take place from Jan 2025 to March 2025
spanning 25-30 days of work. The Senior IPA Commercial Contracts for NRC, based in the UK, will oversee the management of the consultancy. The consultant can work remotely.

• Up to 15 days for desk research.
• Up to 4.5 days for interviews.
• Up to 4 days for write up of first draft.
• Up to 6 days for review, response to feedback and write-up of final draft
• 0.5 days for presentation of findings

Consultant profile
NRC is seeking a consultant or a team of consultants with the following skills and experience:

• Extensive direct experience in market analysis for commercial contracting, in the humanitarian or development sector
• Previous experience in conducting reviews, evaluations and research intended for senior management, preferably for humanitarian organisation
• In-depth knowledge of Institutional funding contracts and commercial partnership models
• Experience with and knowledge of the humanitarian sector, including humanitarian operations.
• Experience conducting organizational mappings and reviews, preferably for non-governmental and humanitarian organizations.

Please see the consultancy’s TOR for a detailed scope of work, expected deliverables, timeline and management and consultant profile

How to Apply:

Application process

All proposals are to be submitted in English language only. The proposal must include, but is not limited to, the following items:

1. A technical proposal outlining the proposed methodology and approach for conducting the client-specific market assessment.
2. CV highlighting the consultant’s qualifications and relevant experience.
3. Detailed price quote for the services. The required currency for all pricing information is GBP.
4. At least 1 work product from other projects undertaken by the consultant within the past 5 years, with particular emphasis on projects of similar scope and effort.
5. A signed copy of the document “Annex – Suppliers Ethical Standards Declaration”

All consultants, ltd or sole trader, must be registered in accordance with the legal requirements at their base. The consultant must be able to submit documentation that proves that they are meeting all legal and tax obligation for the consultancy.

Submission deadline:

Closing date for questions:

All questions to be sent to adva.rodogovsky@nrc.no before 20 November 2024

Closing date for submission:

All complete proposals are to be received by NRC at adva.rodogovsky@nrc.no by 2nd December 2024

All applicants will be contacted with formal notification of final selection or information about any delay in the process.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

1. Technical Proposal: Clarity, feasibility, and comprehensiveness of the proposed approach 40%
2. Experience: Relevant experience in commercial contracts market assessments and the specific client analysis 25%
3. Financial Proposal: Cost-effectiveness and alignment with the scope of work 20%
4. Past Performance: Quality of previous similar assignments 15%

Management and Reporting

The consultant(s) will report to Adva Rodogovsky, senior IPA for commercial contracts with regular updates provided through emails and TEAMS.

Confidentiality

All information shared during the course of this consultancy will be treated as confidential and will not be disclosed without prior written consent from NRC.