STAKEHOLDER MAPPING

Background to the Centre
The Centre for Disaster Protection works to prevent disasters devastating lives, by helping people, countries, and organisations change how they plan and pay for disasters. We focus on disaster risk financing to help ensure that money and plans are in place before a disaster strikes, so that the poorest and most vulnerable people are better protected. We are committed to work in partnerships across sectors and geographies to drive more impactful and more equitable disaster risk finance that leaves no one behind. Specifically, this includes through:

•    Delivering excellent client outcomes and promoting lasting disaster risk finance expertise. We provide clients with impartial and evidence-based advice, quality assurance and training that meets their needs and drives more effective disaster risk finance. 
•    Quality evidence and learning. We work to strengthen the evidence base for prearranged financing and document and share what shows the greatest potential to achieve system change.  
•    Impactful communications and global policy engagement. We seek to engage and influence through evidence-led policy and inclusive policy dialogue that bridges both ‘local to global’ and the humanitarian-development-climate nexus, targeting the bottlenecks key to effect transformative change of the international crisis financing architecture.

Additionally, we are focussed on building effective systems and processes for people and operations that support the Centre to rapidly, yet strategically, scale and grow in a way that supports our people to do their best work through safe challenge, promoting and integrating diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Centre is funded with UK aid through the UK government. Read more about us in our updated strategy (2022-2025) and find out more at www.disasterprotection.org.

About the consultancies
We are seeking short-term, focussed consultancy support to provide insights across a range of key thematic areas and geographies in order to identify and better understand who, how and where we should be engaging with our key stakeholders.
Our new strategy (2025-2030) sets a bold ambition to increase our influence and enhance our offer to countries. It reflects our drive to respond to national priorities and bring people together around our shared mission. We aim to deliver measurable progress in the disaster finance system, while supporting national and international partners to design and deliver effective, equitable solutions. 
In order to achieve these ambitions the strategy sets specific priorities, including around developing more and better strategic partnerships with national and regional actors, organisations and processes; in delivering practical and relevant evidence and thought leadership; and by increasing our visibility and influence, including through a more active convening role.
To deliver against these priorities, we intend to better map our existing stakeholders and to identify possible future ones. Our aim is to build our understanding of these stakeholders’ priorities and the challenges they face; of the events and processes that are of most relevance to them; of the trends, issues and ideas that they are most concerned with; and in light of all these factors, how best to engage with them, to build and strengthen relationships and to align interests and agendas. 
Accordingly, we are commissioning a number of short-term pieces of discrete consultancy work to provide insights and recommendations across key areas as below. Each of these specific areas represents a single piece of work:
•    Climate and climate finance. Including main climate funds and processes and main donors/sources of finance to those funds, as well as key/emerging issues over short-to-medium term (with particular regard to the issue of extreme heat, a recent area of interest for the Centre); and prominent country or regional voices in discussions, along with insights into their objectives and priorities. 
•    Humanitarian aid and development. Particularly in the context of current aid reductions and the ‘humanitarian reset’; and in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. Considering particular financing mechanisms being employed by actors in this space, including but not limited to anticipatory action and humanitarian financing innovations.
•    Private sector/(re)insurance. Given the significant role played by these actors around disaster risk, use of parametric insurance and other disaster risk finance mechanisms, and appetite to better mobilise private finance in this space.
•    International Financial Institutions. With a focus on the ongoing Multilateral Development Bank reform agenda and on the role of Regional Development Banks.
•    Risk and risk management. Actors outside of the international disaster response/aid system that are focused on risk – including risk monitoring/early warning systems, regional initiatives and bodies, organisations focusing on a particular grouping or aspect of disaster risk (e.g. gender), wider disaster risk management bodies, risk-related IT and technology. 
•    Fragility and conflict. With particular focus on the intersection between disaster and disaster risk with fragility and conflict, and linked impacts on disaster-exposed developing countries, including forced displacement. 
•    Health and food security. Considering disease as a disaster risk, including outbreak, epidemic and pandemic risks; food security, including the impact of shocks on food systems and particularly with regard to malnutrition for crisis response; and primary health care, systems and preparedness and response.
•    Geographic. The Centre is strengthening its engagement and activity at a country and regional level and looking to work more directly with governments and national actors. While we do not intend to limit that ambition (beyond a focus on ODA-eligible countries), based on perceived opportunities and interest as well as on existing relationships and existing work, the three specific geographical regions we are most interested in initially and would invite (separate) bids on are:
o    Africa – a continental overview, but with a focus on Southern Africa/SADC, Eastern Africa/IGAD and the Sahel, given recent Centre engagement; 
o    Asia – with particular attention to ASEAN and the Pacific;
o    The Caribbean.

Approach & methodology  
We expect each discrete piece of work to be relatively light touch, requiring collating and updating existing knowledge and insights from respective consultants and requiring a limited refresh or update, rather than significant new research or outreach. Accordingly, we would anticipate that work on each separate piece would be entirely desk based (though we would be prepared to consider proposals counter to this on an exceptional basis). Given which, we expect each separate consultancy to require between six and ten costed working days.
Individuals are welcome to bid for more than one area of work, but will need to demonstrate requisite experience against each distinct area, and each workstream will be assessed and offered on that basis. Proposals are welcome from individuals against single areas, but also from organisations/consortia/groups across two or more areas. 
This work is separate from, but aligns with and will complement, the ‘Audience strategy and plan’ that the Centre is developing. That work is predominantly concerned with tone of voice and messaging styles for different channels and audiences and in more clearly differentiating and engaging with different roles, functions and actor types. These audience types are cross-cutting across the organisations and thematic areas that the stakeholder mapping will be looking at. 
The stakeholder mapping will also support the Centre’s five-year strategic plan (2025-2030), and specifically the ambition there to develop a regional partnership strategy for client delivery. This will involve identifying and establishing partnerships with stakeholders that can help the Centre extend its reach for client delivery at the regional and national level, including multilateral development banks, regional institutions and peer knowledge centres. The ‘geographic’ consultancies are expected to be of most relevance to this work, but other consultancies may also provide actionable insights. 

Timeline & Expectations
We aim to complete the first tranche of work by the end of March, with most activity taking place within March to allow time for contracting. This tight schedule aligns with the Centre’s budgeting cycle for the current financial year.
Bidders must confirm they can deliver 6–10 working days within March. Not all proposed work areas will necessarily proceed at once; some may shift to the next financial year (from April 2026) or may not be taken forward at this time.
 

Deliverable
Each consultancy will produce a light‑touch report of 10–20 pages. Content will vary, but should provide clear, actionable insight covering:
-    Key issues, themes, hot topics and areas of contention. A succinct overview of the main issues or events affecting the sector or geography and insights into any live or emerging issues that are particularly shaping current thinking and any particular sensitivities or potential ‘bear traps’ we should be aware of when seeking to engage.
-    Key organisations, bodies and actors. Who are the main actors and prominent voices in this space? What are their particular mandates, specialisms or interests? What are the relationships between them, where are the tensions and what should we be conscious of or sensitive to if seeking to engage? Which organisations should we prioritise, why, and what are the main entry points, with practical suggestions?
-    Events, live processes, current initiatives. What are the key calendar points throughout the course of the coming year and beyond, and where are the opportunities? This should include recurring (predominantly annual) events, whether thematic/cross-cutting or owned and led by specific actors. It should also summarise main themes and objectives of these processes and how we engage in terms of process, registration etc. In addition, it should identify any longer-term landmarks or key moments over the next five+ years (e.g. end dates for current frameworks or agreements, ends of term in key roles etc.).
-    Sources of finance. Who are the main donors or other funders in this space and what are their priorities? This should also include foundations and other notable sources of funding, particularly those with a specific thematic focus, and identify opportunities to interact where appropriate.
-    Regional insights. With particular regard to the geographic pieces. To include key actors at the regional and national level, including multilateral development banks, regional institutions and peer knowledge centres as well as prominent local actors. To also provide insight into relations, sensitivities and priorities within and between these institutions, and insights into opportunities to engage, along with suggested priorities to focus on. 
-    Thought leaders. What organisations and voices are shaping thinking in this sector and what are the particular initiatives or issues they are championing? What are the main thinktanks, opinion formers, researchers, academic institutions and other notable voices? And where are the opportunities to engage with them?
-    Communications and media. What are the main sources of reporting on the issues and ideas in the relevant sector or geography? To include traditional (print and broadcast) media as well as digital outlets including prominent websites, bloggers, podcasts etc. identifying particular journalists, speakers, commentators or influencers as appropriate. The summary should include recognised and high-profile outlets, but also those carrying original or interesting thinking and ‘new’ or emerging outlets with a growing reputation.
-    What else should we know? What are the things we should consider or be aware of that aren’t covered by the above? What aren’t we thinking about and why is it important? 
In all instances, actionable insights and practical guidance on how and where to engage should be prioritised. Given the Centre’s focus on Disaster Risk Finance and Pre-Arranged Finance, any links with these areas or opportunities to make such links should be highlighted, but this is not the focus of this work. Particular experience or expertise in these subjects, while welcome, is not required.
We would expect applicants to be available for one kick-off and one check-in/progress meeting during each consultancy, and to share a draft report for review before finalising. 
 

Required experience
Applicants for each separate piece of consultancy work will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of and expertise in that particular area, including through a CV detailing relevant experience and qualifications and a brief description of how they would bring this experience to bear and their proposed approach to the relevant area. Examples of previous work of relevance would also be welcome. Applicants should also confirm that they are available to complete the full piece of work before the end of March.  

Fee Rates and Payments 
Remuneration will be based on individual experience and skills while, as the Centre is a UK aid-funded project, all rates for consultants and staff are subject to controls. 
  
Payment  
Fees will be payable on actual usage of days evidenced by timesheets, subject to completion and approval of key deliverables due at the invoicing point.   Any expenses will be paid on actual costs (against receipts) using an agreed invoice and timesheet template.   
Correctly submitted invoices will be paid within 30 days of receipt of invoice and/or approval of relevant work (whichever is the later).  
 
Negotiation and finalisation of commercial terms  
DAI on behalf of the Centre reserves the right to negotiate on any aspects of the proposed costs and payment and is not bound to accept any offer.

Application Process

Interested applicants should apply via DAI’s recruitment portal.  All applications must include a concise CV as well as a covering supporting statement (no more than 250 words).

Any questions about consultancy should be sent to: jobs_centre@disasterprotection.org (please do not send applications to this email address).  

The deadline for receiving applications is 11:59PM UK time on Wednesday 11th February.  
  
DAI Eligibility Criteria  
All individual(s) shortlisted will undergo an initial eligibility criteria assessment. This includes vetting of the organisations in line with terrorism checks, company history of improper conduct, any legal acts against the organisation(s) and initial vetting of proposed personnel. Where disqualification factors are discovered, the application may be rejected without notification.  

Successful individual(s) will be subject to detailed vetting analysis and relevant reference checks, and, in the case of organisations, also a due diligence assessment through DAI’s Management Capacity Assessment Tool (MCAT). This will include an assessment of:  
• Organisational details  
• Safeguarding policies, procedures and systems  
• Financial management policies, procedures, practises and systems  
• Duty of care  
• Modern Slavery policies and procedures.  

Final award of contract will not be confirmed until these checks are complete.  

Intellectual property   
Any Foreground Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) arising out of the performance of project will belong to the Managing Agent of the Centre for the purposes of awarding to the Centre perpetual, irrevocable licence to use, sub-licence or commercially exploit such IPRs in the delivery of its mission and likewise to the Centre’s funder, the UK FCDO. The Management Agent, on behalf of the Centre, will provide the Service Provider right to use such IPRs and other Centre IPRs to the extent needed to perform their obligations under this project. IPRs relating to any background intellectual property drawn upon by the Service Provider in delivery of the assignment shall remain with the Service Provider, who will provide the Centre (through its Managing Agent) and FCDO rights to use such intellectual property to the extent it is integrally required to enjoy their rights to use the results of the Project and the foreground IPRs.