ECHO Proposal Development Consultant

1. Background

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is Finland’s development and humanitarian cooperation non-governmental organization. FCA operates in 12 countries around the world and specializes in three thematic priority areas: Right to Peace, Right to Livelihood, and Right to Quality Education.

FCA isworking in Syria since 2018. FCA implements multi-sectoral humanitarian and early recovery programming with a strong focus on Education, Cash and Livelihoods, Food Security, Risk Education, and Protection mainstreaming, disability inclusion, women and youth empowerment. FCA targets vulnerable populations affected by the protracted crisis through partnerships with communities, local institutions, and international stakeholders.

For more information, please visit: https://www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi/en/

In preparation for an upcoming funding opportunity with the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), FCA seeks to engage a qualified and experienced consultant to support the full design and write-up of a high-quality proposal package, ensuring compliance with ECHO’s guidelines and alignment with FCA’s country strategy.

2. Objective of the Consultancy

The primary objective is to design and deliver a high-quality, complete proposal package for the DG ECHO HIP 2026 for Syria, including narrative, logframe, budget, and annexes (workplan etc.), that:
- Aligns with FCA’s strategic priorities in Syria.
- Meets all technical and financial requirements of ECHO.
- Maximizes FCA’s competitiveness in securing ECHO funding.

The likely interventions will include a multi-sector intervention including Education, Livelihood, Mineaction, Health and Food Security.

3. Scope of Work / Tasks

The consultant will be responsible for:
- Reviewing FCA’s global mandate, country strategy, and ongoing programs to ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
- Conducting a rapid review of FCA’s needs assessments, evaluations, strategies, and relevant secondary data.
- Analyzing the Syrian humanitarian context, with emphasis on Education, ER & Livelihoods, Shelter/NFI, and mainstreamed Protection.
- Designing the logframe with indicators, targets, and means of verification, aligned with ECHO’s results framework.
- Drafting the full proposal narrative and annexes according to ECHO templates and requirements.
- Supporting budget development (which will be prepared by the finance unit) and ensuring consistency between narrative, logframe, and financial plan.
- Facilitating consultations with FCA’s program, finance, and grants teams, incorporating feedback into successive drafts.
- Engaging, when necessary, with key stakeholders, sector coordinators, and peer INGOs to ensure contextual accuracy and complementarity.
- Integrating cross-cutting issues such as gender, accountability to affected populations (AAP), safeguarding, environment, and conflict sensitivity.
- Ensuring the proposal complies fully with ECHO guidelines, including format, evaluation criteria, and technical requirements and it is in full alignment with the forthcoming ECHO Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) once published, and prepare all required sections of the ECHO (e-)Single Form (narrative, results/logframe, risk & security, visibility, protection mainstreaming & AAP, environment & climate). Maintain an ECHO compliance checklist to track and address gaps prior to submission.

4. Deliverables

D1: Inception Note: Outlining action plan, methodology, and timeline.
D2: Draft Proposal Package: Narrative, logframe, budget alignment, annexes, submitted for FCA review.
**D3:**Final Proposal Package: Complete, ECHO-compliant proposal ready for submission. (Logframe and Budget: Revised and finalized to reflect FCA’s strategy and ECHO requirements); ECHO Compliance & Quality Checklist covering HIP alignment (once available), (e-)Single Form sections, visibility, protection mainstreaming/AAP, environment & climate, safeguarding, and data protection; risk and security Inputs (risk analysis and mitigation matrix) for inclusion in the (e-)Single Form.

5. Timeline & Level of Effort

- Start date: 5 November 2025
- End date: 20 December 2025
- Estimated LOE: approx. 20- 25 working days. Key milestones include:

• Days 1–4: Annotated proposal outline & workplan ( initial structure of narrative and logframe; confirmation of data gaps and proposal writing plan)
• Days 4–14: Context review, consultations with FCA teams/partners, drafting of full narrative and logframe (first complete draft)
• Days 15–21: Revision based on FCA’s consolidated feedback; development of annexes and ECHO compliance checklist.
• Days 22–25: Finalisation of narrative, logframe, support budget development alignment notes and submission-ready package. (Final timeline to be confirmed subject to proposal deadline)

The consultant will adjust the proposal narrative and annexes once the new ECHO HIP is issued, ensuring full compliance before the final submission.
The consultancy is open to in-country and home-based (remote) candidates.

6. Management & Reporting

The consultant will report directly to FCA’s Business Development Manager, under the overall supervision of the Country Director for Syria & Jordan.
Regular coordination will be maintained with:

• FCA Syria Program Manager and Finance Manager
  FCA Global Grants Advisor at Head Office level
  Relevant sector focal points (Education, ERL, Shelter/NFI, Food Security, Protection).
• Collaboration will occur via MS Teams/SharePoint. The consultant will maintain a version-control log up to twoconsolidated review rounds

7. Required Profile / Qualifications

- Proven track record of developing successful ECHO proposals and Strong knowledge of ECHO proposal tools (Humanitarian Implementation Plans, (e-)Single Form) and donor compliance requirements, and relevant sector requirements.
- Strong knowledge of the Syria humanitarian context and protracted crisis dynamics.
- Technical expertise in at least one of FCA’s key sectors (Education, Livelihood).
- Strong knowledge of humanitarian principles, donor compliance, and results-based management.
- Excellent analytical, English writing, and communication skills (Arabic an asset).
- Ability to work under pressure and deliver high-quality outputs to tight deadlines.
- Experience working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams across countries.

8. Contract Modality & Payment

- Type: Individual consultancy contract.
- Modality: Daily rate (EUR/USD),
- Payment Schedule: Against satisfactory completion of deliverables, approved by FCA as follows: 30% upon contract signature; 40% on acceptable Second Draft; 30% on approved Final Package

9. Ethical Considerations & Data Protection

The consultant will adhere to FCA’s Code of Conduct, PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) policy, Child Safeguarding policy, and GDPR-compliant data protection standards.

Legal/Practical Clauses:
Outputs are FCA intellectual property; the consultant signs NDA and Conflict of Interest declaration. If travel is required, FCA pre-approval applies; the consultant must carry health, evacuation, and professional liability insurance and comply with FCA safety protocols

The candidate shall bear all costs and expenses incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. Under no circumstances shall FCA be held responsible or liable for any such costs, irrespective of the conduct, outcome, or cancellation of the procurement process.

How to apply

10. Application Process

Interested candidates should submit:
- CV highlighting detailed explanation of relevant experience with DG ECHO proposals.
- Cover letter describing motivation and approach.
- Daily rate (EUR/USD).
- At least two references of previous ECHO proposals developed.

Applications should be sent to hr.joco@kirkonulkomaanapu.fiby 1 Nov. 2025. Any applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Applications shall remain valid and open for acceptance for a period of 30 days after the closing date for the submission. Application will be checked on rolling basis.