Terms of Reference (ToR) for External Senior Researcher for the Global Shield in Support of the Government of Rwanda

Date: 17 July 2026
Subject: Request for Proposal – External Senior Researcher for the Global Shield in Support of the Government of Rwanda 

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

Please submit your complete offer to opportunities@fs.de by 7 July 2026 11:59 pm (CET) quoting Request for Proposal – External Senior Researcher for the Global Shield in Support of the Government of Rwanda  in the email subject.

Submissions must include:

• Accompanying eMail referencing this invitation 
• Confirmation of eligibility (use Annex 1) 
• Expert CV (use Annex 2) 
• Financial offer (EUR) (use Annex 3)
• Technical Proposal Template (use Annex 4)

2.1 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 1, 2026.

FS is therefore looking for a consultant to act as the Global Shield CDRFI implementation support structure for the Government of Rwanda, which will be under the direction of the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA). Rwanda became a Global Shield against Climate Risks (Global Shield) country in 2024. Under the Global Shield In-Country Process (ICP), there are six key milestones: stakeholder consultations and workshops, stocktake report, gap analysis report, Request for Support (RfS), tailoring a support package and the implementation of the support package. Upon the submission of the RfS, Rwanda is commencing the phase of tailoring of the support package. The completion of all milestones under the ICP requires the continuation of a designated focal point individual based in Rwanda, to facilitate and drive the process forward among local stakeholders.

2.2 Objectives

The key purpose of this assignment is to conduct policy research and coordination activities in relation to the Global Shield Support Package and ensure successful transition to implementation, working in close alignment and communication with the GS Secretariat, the Global Shield Solutions Platform (GSSP) and the Government of Rwanda. This includes facilitating a timely and inclusive process for detailing the scope of projects under the support package, facilitating administrative requirements including legal documentation and securing the relevant local approvals, and supporting the successful organisation of any accompanying meetings and events.

2.3 Scope of Work / Deliverables

For the contracting period from the 15 July 2026 to 31 December 2026, the contractor will submit a timeline with milestones to be achieved by certain dates during the contract term (see template below). Any delays, or inability to fulfil such milestones must be communicate immediately to the FS.  

2.4 Duration & Location

• Duration: Up to 75 days

• Location: Remote

   

2.5 Reporting & Supervision

• Reports to: Global Shield ICP Lead for Rwanda

• Progress reporting frequency: Bi-weekly

• Submission format for deliverables: To be defined per task. May be Word documents, Powerpoint slides or PDF.

   

2.6 Eligibility Criteria

Minimum mandatory criteria to submit a bid:

Education 

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree  in a relevant academic discipline, such as economics, social sciences, environmental sciences, geography, Finance, Governance, Business Administration, Climate Risk Management, Development Studies ,project managementor another relevant field. 

Experience 

• Minimum five (5) years experience engaging and leading projects in collaboration with the public and private sector in the Rwandan CDRFI context; specifically in the areas of international climate policy, climate and disaster risk finance and insurance, climate adaptation, or natural disaster management.
• Minimum one (1) year experience within the context of the Global Shield In-Country Process in Rwanda.
• Proven experience in developing, reviewing and consolidating policy notes, technical frameworks, and other knowledge products to inform and guide local CDRFI policy and decision-making 
• Work experience in Rwanda, particularly in the last five (5) years
• Connected with the global and local community of actors and stakeholders involved in climate and disaster risk management, financing and insurance; particularly key focal points of the Global Shield In-Country Process

Competence, Skills & Language 

• Excellent proficiency in English, knowledge of French is a strong asset 
• Knowledge of and familiarity with Rwanda’s climate policies, knowledge of the CDRFI environment and relevant stakeholders
• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to identify clear objectives, priorities and use time efficiently 
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills 
• Ability to work collaboratively as well as individually 
• Preference will be given to local candidates residing full-time in Kigali

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

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 least two professional references (name, position, contact)

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

4.1 Technical Proposal

The technical proposal should contain:

• Understanding of the assignment & approach/methodology

• Detailed work plan and timeline (Gantt chart or table)

• Deliverable descriptions and quality assurance approach

• Implementation risks and mitigation measures

Use Technical Proposal Template as in Annex 4

4.2 Financial Proposal

Must include:

• Itemized cost breakdown (unit price, quantity, unit description)

• Subtotals per applicable cost category (e.g. labour, materials, travel, other)

• VAT shown separately (if applicable)

• Currency: EUR

• Offer validity: Minimum 45 calendar days after submission deadline closing date

Use Financial Proposal Template as in Annex 3

4.3 Submission Instructions

• Submit electronic copies to: opportunities@fs.de 

• Submission deadline (date/time CET): 7 July 2026 11:59 pm (CEST)

• Clarification requests until 30 June 2026 to opportunities@fs.de; responses will be posted here on 3 July 2026

4.4 Evaluation Criteria & Weighting

Evaluation Criteria – total of 100 points: All proposals are being evaluated using the following weighted criteria

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

Evaluation criteria for the technical qualifications are (total of 70 point):

• Experience and qualifications of the consultant. This part of the evaluation will be based in the CV shared by the consultant in the proposal [50 points];  

• Adequacy of approach and methodology [10 points];  

• Experience working in the development sector producing high quality outputs; experience in the area of CDRFI and the Global Shield ICP would be considered an asset [10 points];  

The financial offer will account for a maximum of 30 points and is calculated as followed: The financial score = (lowest financial score amongst the tenderers / financial score of the tender being considered) x 30