Consultancy to conduct a feasibility study for the project proposal “Fostering capacities-Terre des Hommes Germany Retour vers les opportunités

Feasibility Study 

Consultancy to conduct a feasibility study for the project proposal “Fostering capacities  of local actors to guarantee access to quality child protection services for vulnerable  children in Libya and Tunisia” in Libya and Tunisia to be implemented by Terre des  Hommes Italy and to be financed jointly by Terre des Hommes Germany and the German  Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) 

1. About Terre des Hommes Germany and Terre des Hommes Italy 

Terre des Hommes Germany (hereafter “TDH Germany”) is an international children’s rights  organization that promotes equitable development without racial, religious, political, cultural, or gender-based discrimination since 1967. Together with our local partner organizations in 37 countries, we support more than 240 projects in Latin America, Africa, Asia,the Middel East and  Europe. TDH Germany is an independent non-governmental organisation that promotes civic  engagement and the participation of children and youths in all aspects of its work. TDH  Germany sees its mission in strengthening children and realising children’s rights for all children because every child has the right to live and to develop in the best possible way. At TDH  Germany, we are convinced that sustainable development is possible for all people if the  interests of children and future generations are respected and realised. 

Terre des Hommes Italy (hereafter ”TDH Italy or local partner organisation”) is an independent  organization member of the international Terre des Hommes Federation. It is a not-for-profit  organization implementing humanitarian relief and international development projects with a  special focus on the welfare and rights of children. Every day, the work of TDH Italy benefits  thousands of children, their families, and their communities across the globe. TDH Italy focuses  on interventions in health, education and protection, and community support. Through its  mission, TDH Italy focuses on the fulfillment of Child Rights. It has mainly operated to provide  immediate and emergency support to populations affected by war (in Libya, Syria, Iraq,  Lebanon, the Palestinian Occupied Territories, etc.) or by natural disasters, as in Mozambique,  Nicaragua or Haiti. Since 2000, Terre des Hommes Italia has worked in the MENA region (Middle  East and North Africa) in the West Bank, Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Libya and Tunisia.  In Libya, Terre des Hommes Italia has operated since 2018 and in Tunisia since 2024. TDH Italy worked in Libya in the East, West and South areas using through many projects in the fields of  Protection, Child Protection, and Education and Higher education, Health, and Community  Support in collaboration with national and international NGOs, Public and Private Institutions. TDH Italy works in Tunisia in the Northern regions of Beja and Jendouba in the field of Youth  Employability and Vocational Training 

2. About the project

The project aims to improve access to child protection services for vulnerable children in Libya  and Tunisia by empowering local organizations to become the main service providers within  their local communities.  

After witnessing the legal recognition of their positive role towards the civil, social, economic,  and political development of their communities enshrined in laws and constitutions of 2011,  local organizations and actors of civil societies are currently experiencing a shrinking of their  role and space in both countries targeted by the action, undermining their ability to reach the  most vulnerable population and leaving the voices of the most marginalized unheard.  

In Libya, due to the fragmented and jeopardized political framework, local organizations are  experiencing a legal vacuum in their operation and recognition, left at the discretion of the local  powers in place according to the different geographic locations. In Tunisia, the scope of action  for local actors is often shaped by the interpretation and application of existing laws, with the  introduction of new regulations further influencing their operating environment. Within this  context, child protection actors encounter a range of obstacles in their work, such as limited  resources, heavy caseloads, a shortage of specialized staff, gaps in coordination across  services, and difficulties in reaching children in remote or underserved areas. As a result, local  organizations in both countries are left with almost no space to grow and improve their  performances in delivering services to their local communities. These organizations often lack  capacity building and technical support to strengthen their administrative, financial, and  technical capabilities. Without this support, they struggle to comply with legal frameworks and  to improve the quality and accountability of their services. To address these challenges, the project aims to select a pool of 6 local organizations (3 in Tunisia, 3 in Libya), among the ones  more engaged at the community level and to provide them with a set of transferable skills in  technical, financial, administrative and MEAL components to facilitate the delivery of child  protection services to the vulnerable children and families within their local communities.  

The project also seeks the enhancement of lobby and networking mechanisms among local  actors both at national and international levels, linking with INGO coordination mechanisms  already in place. 

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the improvement of quality child  protection services for the children and families in Libya and Tunisia.  

3. Objective and Use of the Feasibility Study 

The overall aim of the feasibility study is to investigate the project’s contextual environment and  its opportunities and risks in order to point out concrete recommendations for improving the  project proposal, including objectives, strategies, measures, and activities. Therefore, the key  objective of the study is an evaluation of the project’s feasibility by systematically shedding  light on whether the proposed outputs and activities will support reaching the project’s  aims and objectives under the given circumstances. On this basis, TDH Germany and TDH  Italy and all stakeholders involved may adapt the project proposal in order to increase the  project’s effectiveness, mitigate risks, and prevent unprofitable investments. 

Moreover, the feasibility study shall provide a strong basis for TDH Germany and TDH Italy and  other relevant stakeholders who will be affected by the project to expand and sharpen the focus 

on the most relevant problems in the project area. To do so, the feasibility study must consist  of four sections of analysis: 1) a context and problem analysis, 2) an analysis of the local  partner organization(s) and its (their) capacities to implement the proposed project, 3) an  analysis of the project’s target group(s) and other stakeholders affected by the project, 4)  an assessment of the project regarding the OECD-DAC criteria (relevance, coherence,  effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability). Finally, the study shall provide concrete recommendations and suggestions to align the project according to official policies. It will also  be submitted to the BMZ as a part of the documents underlying the ministry’s final decision making about funding the project. 

Further objectives of the feasibility study: 

The political situation in Libya is highly complex and subject to rapid change, which at times  makes it extremely challenging – and in some cases impossible – for international NGOs to  operate. While at present it is possible to implement the planned activities and achieve the  project’s objectives, it remains possible that in the future activities may be partially restricted or  require significant adaptation. The feasibility study must therefore analyze creative and practical  solutions for implementing the planned activities under such conditions and, if necessary,  identify alternative project designs that TDH Italy can realistically and effectively implement. 

4. Research Questions 

As outlined above, the feasibility study must cover four fields of analysis: 

1. A context and problem analysis, 
2. An analysis of the local partner organization(s) and its (their) capacities, 3. An analysis of the target group(s) and other stakeholders involved, 
3. An analysis of the project proposal regarding the OECD-DAC criteria. 

In the final report of the feasibility study, the consultant(s) must provide answers to the research  questions listed for each field of analysis in the following subchapters; presenting a separate  section for each of the four fields. However, the lists of research questions can be extended by  the consultant(s). 

4.1 Context and problem analysis 

• What is the (current) situation in the field of child protection services in both countries (Tunisia and Libya)? 
• What does the proposed project’s socio-economic, political, and cultural context look  like? 
• Which problems have been identified? What are the causes of those problems and  how do they affect the lives of children as the final target group (reached through the  work of CSOs)?
• What is the background of, and what has led to, the planned project and its impact  logic? Who proposed the original project idea?  
• Are there any alternatives to the planned project design or any of its components  (specifically the capacity building component) in case the implementation should not  be possible in the planned manner due to external circumstances? 
• What creative approaches to capacity building can be identified and recommended in  situations where traditional, on-site implementation is difficult or not feasible? 

4.2 Analysis of the local partner organization(s) and its (their) capacities 

• What is TDH Italy’s capacity in institutional, technical, staffing and financial terms to  carry out the envisaged project?  
• To what extent do local implementation partner(s) identify with the project  (ownership) and are committed to making it a success?  
• What is the relationship between the local partner(s), the target group(s), and other  stakeholders? (Legitimacy) 
• Is there an overlap or conflict of interest?  
• How can interaction and coordination between the local partner and the stakeholders  be improved?  

4.3 Analysis of the target group(s) and involved stakeholders 

4.3.1 Assessment of the Target Group(s) 

• What is the target group for the project? What criteria are used in the selection of the  target group?  
• Specifically concerning the capacity building component of the project: What selection  criteria will be applied to identify local organizations, and how will the selection  process be conducted? 
• Are there possibly several target groups affected in different ways by the problems the  proposed project aims at responding to? 
• How homogeneous or heterogeneous is the target group in terms of gender, ethnicity,  age, sexual orientation, language, capacity, etc., and how will the project need to  respond to this?  
• What are the needs of the target group? How can these needs be addressed?  • What is the role of the target group(s) in the broader social context? What conflicts of  interest could arise between the target group and other, non-target groups because of the support provided through the project?  
• What is the target group’s potential especially regarding ownership/initiative, self-help  activities and local problem-solving capacity? How can this potential be strengthened?  

4.3.2 Assessment of involved Stakeholders 

• Who are the most important governmental and non-governmental stakeholders  relevant for the planned project? 
• How does the planned project relate to the government’s development strategy?
• What are the interests of those stakeholders involved? Are conflicts of interest  discernible? What are the reciprocations with other stakeholders’ projects? How do  they find their way into the project concept? 
• Which potential obstacles can be anticipated in engaging key stakeholders, and what  strategies could help to mitigate them? 

4.4 Assessment of the Project Proposal regarding the OECD-DAC Criteria 

4.4.1 Relevance 

The following (non-exhaustive) list of research questions supports assessing the extent to which  the project’s objectives and design respond to beneficiaries on global and country level, to partner(s)’s needs, to policies and priorities, andhow they will continue to do so if circumstances  change: 

• Is the project proposal of relevance to the target group(s)’s needs and priorities? In what  ways do the planned activities align with the needs and priorities of children as the  ultimate beneficiaries? 
• Are the intervention(s) in line with country development and humanitarian priorities? • Does the project support and complement the government’s policies and approach  towards service delivery in the field of Child Protection in Tunisia and Libya?  • To what extent are the project’s results and logical frameworks coherent? How can they be improved? 
• Are the suggested indicators relevant to the measurement of the project’s outputs and  outcome? Are any other indicators better suited to measuring the envisaged outputs and  outcomes? 

4.4.2 Coherence 

The following (non-exhaustive) list of research questions supports assessing the compatibility of  the project with other interventions carried out by the partner organization(s) as well as its  compatibility with otherinstitutions’ activities in the field of child protection services in Libya and  Tunisia.  

• Is the project in line with national and international policies in the regional and thematic  area of the intervention? Which other policies or regulations should it take into account? • Which added value does the intervention have compared to other projects and programs  

in the same field of action and/or in the same locality? How can this be improved? • Which interventions of other actors (both state and non-state) exist in the same locality and/or area of intervention? Are similar projects or programs feasibly coordinated and  harmonized? 

• Which opportunities and challenges for coordination and cooperation with other  stakeholders can be identified?

4.4.3 Effectiveness 

The following (non-exhaustive) list of research questions supports assessing the extent to which  the project is expected to achieve its objectives and results, including any differential results  across groups: 

• Can the project’s intended outputs and outcomes be met with the proposed activities? • Are the measures and the chosen methodology suitable for reaching the project’s  objectives? 
• To what extent are the defined project objectives realistic?  
• Which challenges, risks, and opportunities exist regarding the project’s planning and  implementation? 
• What are strengths and weaknesses in the design and planning of the project? • What other effects, including negative ones, could the project have? 

4.4.4 Efficiency 

The following (non-exhaustive) list of research questions supports assessing the extent to which  the intervention delivers, or is likely to deliver, results in an economic and timely manner: 

• Is the relationship between planned input of resources and results, objectives, and  impact to be achieved appropriate and realistic?  
• Are there any alternatives for achieving the same or even better results, objectives, or  impact with alternative and more feasible inputs, funds, or expertise? 
• Are project management, monitoring, and evaluation designed in an efficient way  regarding funding, staffing, and expertise? 
• Which synergies, coordination, and cooperation measures with other stakeholders or  other projects or programs can be identified that may increase the project’s efficiency? • Are the overall project duration and the timeline adequate and realistic to implement all  project measures and achieve the envisaged outputs, outcome, and impact? 

4.4.5 Impact 

The following (non-exhaustive) list of research questions supports assessing the extent to which  the intervention is expected to generate significant positive or negative, intended or unintended,  higher-level effects: 

• To what extent will the project have a structural impact, to what extent can it serve as a  model, and to what extent will it have a broad-based impact?  
• What higher-level change regarding social norms, people’s well-being, people’s  (human) rights will the project have? 
• To what extent have aspects relating to gender sensitivity, inclusion of persons with  disabilities, cultural sensitivity, conflict sensitivity, and human rights been  incorporated in the project’s objectives?  
• What unintended changes may the project contribute to?

4.4.6 Sustainability 

The following (non-exhaustive) list of research questions supports assessing the extent to which  the net benefits of the intervention continue or are likely to continue: 

• Will the positive effects (without further external funding) persist after the project has  been completed?  
• What are the roles and responsibilities of governmental and/or civil society  institutions? To what extent will the project be able to build on local potential,  institutions, and procedures? 
• Which measures and instruments are best suited to harness and strengthen local  ownership, initiative, participation, and capacity?  
• What negative consequences and impacts may result from implementing the  proposed project? To what extent will it be possible to consider and address these  risks in the project proposal, e. g., Do-No-Harm approach, conflict-sensitive impact  monitoring, etc.?  
• What risks are involved in project implementation, considering personal, institutional, reputational, and contextual risks? How can they be minimized?  

5. Methodology 

Combination of desk study and online or in person interviews/sessions that consist of  consultations and discussions with experts, key stakeholders, target group  

Suggested Methods  

• Desk study (mandatory) – analysis of project’s background documents (proposal,  proposal and evaluation of previous projects etc.) 
• Key informant interviews (e.g. staff of implementing NGO, experts from  universities/research facilities, staff of other NGOs, key persons in the local or  national government administration, key persons from the local communities) 
• Focus groups discussions with relevant stakeholders (children, youths, women,  men etc.), where access to the field is granted. 

6. Key deliverables 

The services to be carried out as part of the outlined study comprise the following assignments: 

1. a) Preparatory meeting with TDH Germany & TDH Italy 

• Background: Jointly make the final decision about methodology and research  process 

1. b) Desk study (up to 5 days) 

• Background: Familiarize with explicit knowledge relevant to the assignment • Analysis of key documents 
• Inception Report 

1. c) Fieldwork (up to 15 days)

• Fieldwork based on methodology and methods defined in the previous chapter

d) Follow-up workshop with TDH Italy 

• Background: Share findings and recommendations and jointly discuss how to  integrate them into project planning 

1. e) Draft report 

• Background: First draft to be discussed and commented on by tdh and local partner organization(s) 

1. f) Final Report of the Feasibility Study in English (of no more than 30 pages, excluding  annexes), consisting of 

• An executive summary of no more than 2 pages 
• A project description  
• A description of the study’s methodology  
• A context and problem analysis 
• An analysis of the local partner organization(s) 
• An analysis of the target group(s) and other relevant stakeholders 
• An assessment of the project proposal regarding the OECD-DAC criteria • Recommendations for improving the project proposal 
• Concluding remarks 
• Annexes, which may include a list of people interviewed, key documents consulted,  data collection instruments, transcripts of interviews, raw data of questionnaires,  signed data protection agreements of all participants 

7. Tasks, Responsibilities, and Timeline 

The following table defines all tasks related to the feasibility study, including key deliverables and  outputs, assigns respective duties to responsible stakeholders, particularly the consultant(s), and specifies the timeline of the study. As outlined in the table’s last column, all services must  be carried out between 15.10.2025 and 30.11.2025.

8. Requirements for bidders  

• Previous experience conducting research and feasibility assessments for internationally  funded projects (humanitarian assistance and/or development cooperation; previous  experience with BMZ-funded projects is a plus)  
• Experience of conducting feasibility studies or evaluations and research using a mixed  methods approach, including participatory and child sensitive methods • Profound knowledge of political and legal processes in Tunisia and Libya alongside with  knowledge about the child rights situation in both countries. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills 
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English 
• Compliance with tdh’s Child Protection Policy (attachment No 1) 
• Compliance with the EU-GDPR (attachment No 2) 

9. Specification for offers 

Applicants are invited to submit their offers to tender.libya@tdhitaly.org reference  “Consultancy: Feasibility Study”. Offers will be accepted until 07.10.2025 and should contain: 

– A narrative/technical proposal of no more than 3 pages, including relevant experience,  planned methodology, timeline, and staffing for the feasibility study 

– A detailed financial proposal for the feasibility study 

– A Minimum of two references of humanitarian I/NGO clients for whom similar  assignments have been undertaken along with contact person and budget. – Portfolio/ Proven track record in rendering similar services/previous experience.

– CV/profiles of key consultants involved, demonstrating previous experience in the same  requested field. 

Attachments: 

1) TDH Child Safeguarding Policy 

2) EU data protection declaration (EU-GDPR)

ToRs Feasibility Study 16.09.2025