Context
The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) is implementing the “Strengthening African Leadership for Climate Change Adaptation” programme, which aims to improve the performance of organizations working in the area of climate change adaptation to a sustainable ecosystem for adaptation to climate change on the African continent. The overall expected outcome of the program is to have a strong group of African-based and African-led organizations capable of shaping Africa’s response to climate change through effective policy dialogue, advocacy and using a common voice to raise awareness and influence policy.
More specifically, the program will strengthen the capacity of selected organizations to play a leading role in climate adaptation by improving their efficiency, effectiveness, relevance, and sustainability, while improving their capacity to develop an organizational culture of excellence, with the overall aim of improving the continent’s capacity to undertake the necessary actions to prepare for and adapt to the current and future impacts of climate change.
The program emphasizes a data- and evidence-based approach in its implementation, as well as gender sensitivity and social inclusion in the climate adaptation strategies of selected organizations. As part of its implementation strategy, the program will develop and implement customized performance improvement plans to address priority capacity challenges of target organizations working with poor and vulnerable African communities to develop sustainable and resilient climate adaptation strategies.
As part of the implementation of this program, which is in it final year, four organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa were selected, including the Centre for Studies and Research on Economic Analysis and Policies (CERAPE) whose regional headquarters is based in Brazzaville. The latter has four research units located in Congo, CAR, DRC, and Cameroon. Its main objective is to carry out research work. For this purpose, the missions below are devolved to it:
- Create a framework for exchanges and sharing of knowledge between researchers;
- Carry out research projects in the socio-economic field;
- Disseminate research results to decision-makers;
- Train and supervise young researchers.
ACBF engaged a Resource Mobilisation and Partnership-Building Expert to support CERAPE under the SALCA Programme. That consultancy did not close out one outstanding deliverable: the development and authorized submission of three strategic fundraising proposals for international funding, in line with the CERAPE Strategic Plan. ACBF now seeks to recruit a consultant to complete that outstanding deliverable within two calendar months.
Objectives
The main objective of this Terms of Reference (TOR) is to complete and submit three strategic fundraising proposals for CERAPE in support of the CERAPE Strategic Plan and the SALCA Programme.
Specific objectives
- Confirm the status of the final-quarter activities of the previous consultancy and identify outstanding actions.
- Train CERAPE staff on proposal writing and resource mobilization
- Develop, quality-assure and finalize three donor-compliant strategic fundraising proposals for international funding.
- Hand over editable source files, trackers and supporting documents to CERAPE and ACBF.
Expected Deliverables
The consultant is expected to deliver the following:
1. Inception note confirming the three priority funding opportunities to be pursued and the workplan for the month.
2. Three strategic fundraising proposals aligned with the CERAPE Strategic Plan and SALCA objectives, including technical narrative, results framework, budget and budget narrative, risk analysis, sustainability approach and required annexes.
3. Editable source files for all proposals, budgets and annexes, together with the updated proposal tracker and donor engagement log.
4. Training of CERAPE staff on donor landscape analysis and mapping and stakeholder engagement and Partnership building.
5. A concise completion report summarizing the activities undertaken and recommended follow-up actions.
Table 1. Schedule of Deliverables
| N° | Deliverables | Tentative Timelines |
| 1 | Submission of Inception note and priority funding opportunities | 20 August 2026 |
| 2 | First complete drafts of the three strategic fundraising proposals | 10 September 2026 |
| 3 | Final drafts of the three proposals, incorporating ACBF and CERAPE comments | 17 September 2026 |
| 4 | Training of CERAPE staff on donor landscape analysis and mapping and stakeholder engagement and Partnership building. | 22 September 2026 |
| 5 | Submission of final activity report | 28 September 2026 |
Academic profile, experiences, skills
1. Hold a master’s degree in a relevant field such as development studies, economics, public policy, business administration, project management, social sciences, climate or environmental studies, or any related discipline.
2. At least eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in resource mobilization and proposal development for international funders.
3. Demonstrated record of developing and submitting successful international fundraising proposals to bilateral, multilateral, philanthropic, climate-finance or research funding institutions.
4. Experience working with African research institutions, civil-society organizations, think tanks or regional bodies, experience in Central Africa is an advantage.
5. Strong competence in proposal budgeting, results-based management, monitoring and evaluation, donor compliance and internal quality assurance.
6. Proven ability to coach and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams.
7. Proficiency in French and working knowledge of English.
Submission and Application
Interested consultants must submit an application file including the following:
- Technical Proposal – including a brief presentation of the methodological approach (accompanied by a two-month timeline);
- Curriculum Vitae – highlighting experience acquired in similar assignments and at least 3 references;
- A financial proposal – with encrypted password and a detailed breakdown of the costs of the services proposed.
Supervision and Duration of the Assignment
This assignment is envisaged to be implemented over two (2) calendar months from the effective date stated in the contract. The Consultant will be contracted by ACBF on behalf of CERAPE, who will lead the supervision of the assignment, with day-to-day coordination by the CERAPE reporting officer and a bi- weekly coordination by ACBF.
Content, Schedule, and Submission
The results must meet quality standards. The final package must be submitted no later than the end date stated in the contract. The tentative schedule is presented in the deliverables in section3.
Work Arrangements
The Consultant is expected to work from his/her own office for the period of the contract and that of the CERAPE regional coordination in Brazzaville for a week during the contract period. The consultant will have access to relevant information necessary to carry out the tasks planned as part of this mission. The consultant will be required to provide their own workstation (laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and have access to a reliable internet connection.
Language
All reports and documents must be presented in French. Donor proposals shall be prepared in the language and format required by the relevant funding opportunity.
Evaluation Criteria
The proposals will be evaluated based on Consultant’s Qualifications Selection. The technical evaluation committee shall consider the technical proposals based on their responsiveness to the Terms of Reference, with a minimum technical score required of 70 points.
Table 2. Criteria and point system for the evaluation of the technical proposals.
| N° | Criteria | Points maximum |
| 01 | Hold a master’s degree in a relevant field such as development studies, economics, public policy, business administration, social sciences, climate or environmental studies, or any related discipline. | 10 |
| 02 | At least eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in resource mobilization and proposal development for international funders. | 10 |
| 03 | Demonstrated record of developing and submitting successful international fundraising proposals to bilateral, multilateral, philanthropic, climate-finance or research funding institutions. | 30 |
| 04 | Experience working with African research institutions, civil-society organizations, think tanks or regional bodies. | 20 |
| 05 | Strong competence in proposal budgeting, results-based management, monitoring and evaluation, donor compliance and internal quality assurance. | 20 |
| 06 | Proficiency in French and working knowledge of English. | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Submission
Consultants that meet the required profile are requested to submit their proposals no later than 7th August 2026, to the following address: submission@theacbf.org no later than 5:00 p.m. (Harare local time) with the subject: “Recruitment of Individual Consultant to Complete the Outstanding Resource Mobilisation Deliverable for CERAPE”.