Terms of Reference (ToR) for Extern Senior CDRFI Online Education Development Expert(s)

Date: 18.05.2026
Subject: Request for Proposal - Extern

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management gGmbH, implementing the project “Global Shield Secretariat Transition”, invites you to submit a proposal for the delivery of services as described in the Terms of Reference (ToR) below.

Please submit your complete offer to opportunities@fs.de by June 9th 2026, 23:59 (CEST), quoting:

“Request for Proposals_ Extern Senior CDRFI Online Education Development Expert(s)”

in the email subject.

Submissions must include:

• Accompanying email referencing this invitation
• Confirmation of eligibility (use Annex 1)
• Expert CVs (use Annex 2)
• Financial Offer (use Annex 3)
• Technical Offer (use Annex 4)

1.1 Background

Launched at COP27 by the Vulnerable Twenty (V20) Group and the Group of Seven (G7), the Global Shield against Climate Risks (GS) aims to increase protection for vulnerable people and countries and contribute to effectively responding to loss and damage from climate change. The Global Shield promotes an inclusive, gender-responsive and demand-driven process, which is led by the vulnerable countries’ governments (https://www.globalshield.org/).

Within the initiative the Global Shield Secretariat serves all Global Shield Governance bodies. It facilitates knowledge management and tracks progress in achieving the objectives of the Global Shield against Climate Risks. It also enhances its visibility.

The Global Shield Secretariat has been hosted at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management (FS) since January 1st, 2026.

As part of the GS Secretariat’s capability development efforts, FS is developing a Certified Expert course in Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI). The course is delivered fully online over a period of five months and follows a blended learning approach combining core learning materials, applied exercises, live sessions, and case-

based illustrations. It is primarily designed for professionals in Global Shield partner countries working in public institutions, development and humanitarian organisations, and the insurance and financial sectors to strengthen technical knowledge and applied understanding of climate and disaster risk finance and insurance. FS is therefore seeking Senior CDRFI Online Education Development Expert(s) to support the development of selected course components, including script development for the Risk Analysis unit, expert oversight for the DRF Strategic Planning unit, targeted support for developing study materials on CDRFI Instruments, support in developing a web-based training as a wrap-up unit for the course, as well as revision of selected course materials, development of course assignments and the final exam, and specialist input for live sessions.

1.2 Objectives

The objective of this assignment is to engage Senior CDRFI Online Education Development Expert(s) that can provide high-quality technical and didactical support for selected components of the Certified Expert course in Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance.

Specifically, the assignment includes:

• Script (~50 pages) development for the unit on Risk Analysis in close coordination with a FS expert;
• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance for script development for the unit on DRF and Strategic Planning;
• Provide targeted script development support for selected content within the unit on CDRFI Instruments;
• Review and revise selected course-related materials to ensure technical accuracy, coherence, and consistency;
• Support the development of assignments and the final exam, including multiple-choice and open questions;
• Support the development of one web-based training for the Recap & Outlook unit of the course, in close collaboration with an FS expert;
• Provide expert resource persons for selected live sessions on focus topics.

1.3 Scope of Work / Deliverables

For the contracting period from the 19.06.2026 to 31.03.2027 , the contractor will submit a timeline with milestones to be achieved by certain dates during the contract term. Any delays, or inability to fulfil such milestones must be communicate immediately to FS.

1.4 Duration & Location

• Duration: 19.06.2026-31.03.2027 – up to 75 working days 

• Location: Remote

1.5 Reporting & Supervision

• Reports to: Learning Content Lead / Instructional Designer 

• Progress reporting frequency: monthly and ad hoc

• Submission format for deliverables: various, incl. Word / Excel / Powerpoint

1.6 Eligibility Criteria

Minimum mandatory criteria to submit a bid:

Applicants must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

1. Legal Registration
   The applicant must be a legally registered consultancy firm or organization eligible to provide the requested services.
2. Relevant Professional Experience
   The firm must demonstrate proven experience in delivering similar assignments in one or more of the following areas:
   • Climate and disaster risk finance and insurance
   • Disaster risk modelling / catastrophe risk analytics
   • Sovereign or public-sector disaster risk finance
   • Insurance, reinsurance, or contingent finance instruments
   • Development of technical training or executive education materials
3. Multidisciplinary Expertise
   The firm must demonstrate access to a multidisciplinary team covering the required areas of expertise.
4. International Development Experience
   The firm, or members of the proposed team, must demonstrate previous experience in producing high-quality analytical, educational, or advisory outputs within an international development context.
5. Language Requirements
   The firm must be able to work in English and deliver high-quality written outputs suitable for later adaptation or translation.
6. Senior Advisor Requirement
   The proposed team must include at least one senior advisor with more than 12 years of relevant professional experience in the areas described above.
7. Availability
   The applicant must confirm availability to work within the proposed project timelines.

Applicants must verify their eligibility for this opportunity using Annex 1 as the required template and their Technical Proposal.

The applicant needs to provide the CV(s) of the experts forseen to provide the services. The CV must cover:

• Full name and contact details

• Education and professional qualifications

• Detailed employment history (company / role / dates)

• Relevant assignments and outputs (with client references: name, email addresses or phone number)

• Language skills and availability

At minimum, the proposed team should include profiles covering:

• specialist(s) in catastrophe risk analytics / hazard-risk modelling;

• expert(s) in reinsurance / insurance-linked risk financing / disaster risk finance instruments;

• proven expertise in producing high-quality materials on relevant technical topics to academic standards, including research-based, analytical, and educational content;

• senior advisor/ quality assurer.

(CVs shall be submitted using the format as in Annex 2)

3.1 Technical Proposal

The technical proposal should contain:

• Understanding of the assignment & approach/methodology
• Deliverable descriptions and quality assurance approach
• Team composition and CVs of team members
• Organisational profile
• Copy of business registration and permits

3.2  Financial Proposal

• Must include:
• Itemised cost breakdown (unit price, quantity, unit description)
• Subtotals per cost category (labour, materials, travel, other)
• VAT shown separately (if applicable)
• Currency: EUR
• Offer validity: Minimum 30 calendar days

Use Financial and Technical Proposal Template as in Annex 3

3.3  Submission Instructions

• Submit electronic copies to: opportunities@fs.de
• Submission deadline (date/time CEST): June 9th at 23:59 CEST
• Clarification requests: contact opportunities@fs.de. Any questions regarding the ToR must be submitted by June 1st  2026

3.4  Evaluation Criteria & Weighting

Submissions will be evaluated in consideration of the following evaluation criteria:

Evaluation Criteria – total 70 points:

• Applicants should submit examples of comparable assignments or outputs. These will be assessed for relevance, technical quality, clarity and structure [10 points]
• Experience and qualifications of the team proposed to deliver the work by the consultant. This part of the evaluation will be based on the CVs of the individuals comprising the team that need to be shared by the consultant in the proposal [25 points]
• Adequacy of approach and methodology ensuring high quality outputs [20 points]
• Timeline to deliver the objectives of the assignment based on the deadlines provided in this document [10 points]
• Experience working in the development sector in the area of CDRFI [5 points]

In order to qualify for further consideration, the consultant/firm must accomplish a minimum score of 70 percent in the technical offer (49 points). The financial offer will account for a maximum of 30 points.