The Terms of Reference (ToR) outline the approach to an independent evaluation of IPPF’s eligibility for partnership status with European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (DG ECHO) funding streams and steps required to obtain this.
Background
The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global leader in realizing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
As the leading contraceptive provider in 89 of the 119 countries where the Federation operates, and the only provider in 64 of those 89 countries, IPPF plays a vital role not only in delivering large numbers of services but also in addressing inequity – reaching further, and to people and communities that other SRHR organizations do not or will not reach. This includes the provision of critical services and support during humanitarian crises, and in 2023 IPPF reached over 12.5 million people in humanitarian settings.
As affirmed by the IPPF Strategy 2023- 2028, IPPF is now more focused than ever on expanding our reach to crisis affected populations –particularly women, girls and marginalised population- with SRH in emergencies services. IPPF aims to continue supporting our local members, increasing our reach in humanitarian setting and ensure rapid life-saving responses in high-risk countries. A locally-led and feminist approach is central to this by engaging the existing expertise of Member Associations and partners and mobilising the energy of our youth volunteers.
IPPF’s humanitarian programme is in a unique position to respond to the needs of women and girls in crisis settings as our Member Associations are established, local, autonomous organisations that are present before the onset of an emergency. This means we can bridge the humanitarian-development nexus with our development and nexus programmes to prepare for humanitarian response and support the return to comprehensive services during the recovery phase, contributing to sustainable development, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, and promoting peace and the protection of sexual and reproductive health rights for all.
IPPF humanitarian action focus areas of SRH in emergencies (SRHiE) and addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) include promoting localised humanitarian action, enabling access to lifesaving SRH services including emergency obstetric care, contraception, access to anti-retroviral treatment for people living with HIV, prevention and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, safe abortion care and mitigating the harmful consequences of SGBV.
In order to continue this important work, IPPF needs consistent and reliable funding. A key humanitarian funding mechanism is the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (DG ECHO), one of the world’s leading global humanitarian donors, with a budget of over €
1.65 billion per year. The relationship between DG ECHO and its non-governmental partners is governed by the EU Humanitarian Partnership 2021 Certificate, whereby pre-approved, NGO partners are ‘Certified as EU Humanitarian Partners’ and eligible to apply for funding.
Prior to the British exit from the European Union, IPPF was certified as an EU Humanitarian partner and eligible for partnership funding. IPPF is now exploring re-certification with ECHO. Over the past four years, IPPF humanitarian has extended into Europe, with the team now based in Brussels. This includes a significant response to the Ukraine crisis covering seven countries and partnerships with 17 local partners, a breadth that has been unmatched in SRHR and SGBV focused programs in the region.
As a humanitarian-development nexus organization, we also seek to understand funding mechanisms through the Directorate-General for International Partnerships or DG INTPA to support locally-led MA initiatives and programming that contribute to sustainable development in stable times.
Before applying for the EU Humanitarian Partnership 2021 Certificate and understanding funding mechanisms through DG INTPA, IPPF is seeking a consultant to advise on our eligibility, any gaps in current process or documentation and steps required to obtain this. This consultancy is NOT to conduct a full ECHO certification audit, but to provide advice ahead of this process.
Purpose and intended use of the consultancy report
The purpose of the evaluation is to:
- Provide an independent assessment of IPPF EN’s eligibility for the EU Humanitarian Partnership 2021 Certificate.
- Provide advice on funding opportunities and instruments, and partnership agreements with the Directorate-General for International Partnerships or DG INTPA.
- Identify gaps in documentation or process required for the EU Humanitarian Partnership 2021 Certificate process and for accessing DG INTPA funds.
- Advise on the potential cost/ benefits of proceeding with EU Humanitarian Partnership 2021 Certificate process.
- Recommend next steps to achieve certification.
The report and recommendation will be the basis for a submission to the IPPF Board.
Please submit your EOI by 4 September 2024 to [email protected].
If you have any questions, please send them to Batya Atlas at [email protected]
