Terms of Reference (ToR) for Global CDRFI Interactive Database: Global Shield Theory of Change

Date: 14 July 2026
Subject: Request for Proposal –  Global Shield Theory of Change

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management gGmbH, implementing the project “Global Shield Secretariat”, 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.deby 28 July (CET) quoting Global CDRFI Interactive Database: Global Shield Theory of Change in the email subject.

Submissions must include:

• Accompanying e-Mail referencing this invitation 
• Confirmation of eligibility (use Annex 1) 
• Expert CV (use Annex 2) 
• Financial offer (EUR) (use Annex 3)
• Technical proposal (use Annex 4)

2.1 Background

The Global Shield against Climate Risks was launched to strengthen financial protection for climate-vulnerable countries and people by improving access to pre-arranged finance before disasters strike. The Global Shield Ambition provides the overarching strategic framework for this work. It sets out the shared vision, mission, principles and high-level goals of the initiative, including informed risk prioritisation, inclusive governance, streamlined access to finance, and innovation.

The Global Shield was established as a collaborative architecture bringing together a broad network of partners through the Coordination Hub, its dedicated financing vehicles, and comprehensive country engagement processes. The Global Shield Secretariat supports coordination, stakeholder engagement, country processes, capability development, advocacy, and learning. The Global Shield Financing Facility (GSFF), hosted by the World Bank, supports the integration and scaling of climate and disaster risk finance through World Bank and other eligible MDBs and UN agencies, and can leverage larger project financing. The Global Shield Solutions Platform (GSSP) provides tailored technical and financial support in response to countries’ Requsts for Support, as well as through supporting regional risk pools, analytics, and capability development. The CVF-V20 Joint Multi-Donor Fund (JMDF) is the primary financing vehicle for V20-designed projects focussing on advancing climate prosperity, promoting south-south cooperation and scaling locally-led action on loss and damage. 

While these components are working complementarily, the Global Shield does not yet have a shared operational Theory of Change that clearly explains how the Ambition is translated into action through its different bodies, processes and financing pathways. As a consequence, there is likewise no shared Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework in place. Progress monitoring and reporting is thus far undertaken separately by the Secretariat and the three Financing Vehicles (GSSP, GSFF, JMDF) to their respective donors. 

Developing an operational Theory of Change alongside shared key performance indicators (KPIs) and targets will help clarify the Global Shield’s added value, strengthen communication with countries and partners, support alignment between the Secretariat, GSFF, GSSP and JMDF, and provide a basis for more coherent reporting against the Ambition towards the Global Shield Board. The Theory of Change is expected to be presented for discussion at a Global Shield Board meeting around the end of September 2026. The KPIs and targets are expected to be presented to the Board for approval in Q1 2027.

FS is therefore looking for a consultant to support the development of an operational Theory of Change for the Global Shield that links the Ambition to implementation across its different bodies, processes, and support pathways. This includes, in particular: 

• Reviewing existing strategy documents to identify overlaps and gaps;

• Facilitating a structured consultation process with key stakeholders to build a shared understanding on the Theory of Change, common objectives and indicators;

• Drafting a narrative for the Theory of Change and common monitoring framework, including review and revision, as needed, of shared indicators, targets and baselines;

• Preparing Board materials to support discussion and validation of the Theory of Change and the monitoring framework at the upcoming Board meetings.

2.2 Objectives

The objective of the consultancy is to support the Global Shield team in developing a concise, practical and operational Theory of Change that explains how the Global Shield Ambition is implemented through the Secretariat, Financing Vehicles, country processes, regional and thematic work, and the wider partner ecosystem.

The Theory of Change should clarify what the Global Shield is trying to achieve, how its different components contribute, and how the initiative moves from country-owned prioritisation and partner coordination to concrete improvements in pre-arranged finance. It should position the Ambition’s high-level goals as the organising framework for the Global Shield’s immediate and long-term outcomes and should help explain the complementarity of the Secretariat, GSSP, GSFF and other support pathways.

The Theory of Change should be accompanied by a joint monitoring framework that tracks progress of the Secretariat and Financing Vehicles in achieving the Ambition. To this end, a set of key performance indicators should be developed to operationalise and measure the outputs and outcomes (immediate and long-term) identified under the Theory of Change. In addition, a data collection and management plan should be established together with the key actors involved. The framework is intended to build on and complement any project-specific MEAL frameworks already in place by the Secretariat and the Financing Vehicles. 

The consultant will support the process through document review, analytical mapping, stakeholder consultations, facilitation of internal discussions, drafting of the Theory of Change narrative and visual, developing the joint monitoring framework and preparation of Board-ready materials.

The work should address, at a minimum, the following questions:

• What is the overall change the Global Shield aims to contribute to?

• How are the high-level goals of the Ambition operationalised through the Secretariat, GSSP, GSFF, JMDF and other support pathways?

• How should different types of support be reflected, including direct GSSP-tailored support, GSFF-supported World Bank operations, JMDF-supported locally-led projects, regional and thematic programmes, partner-aligned support, advocacy, learning and innovation?

• How can the Global Shield describe country support as a coordinated package or portfolio of contributions aligned with government priorities?

• What are the implications of the Theory of Change for communication, reporting and future alignment of results frameworks of the key actors under the Global Shield?

2.3 Scope of Work / Deliverables

For the contracting period from 1 August 2026 to 15 February 2027, the contractor will submit a timeline with milestones to be achieved by certain dates during the contract term using the below template. Any delays, or inability to fulfil such milestones must be communicated immediately to FS.  

 2.4 Duration & Location

• Duration: 1 August 2026 to 15 February 2027, up to 25 working days

• Location: remote; no travel required

2.5 Reporting & Supervision

• Reports to: GS Secretariat Advisor

• Progress reporting frequency: on milestone delivery

• Submission format for deliverables: Word, Excel or Powerpoint, depending on deliverable

2.6 Eligibility Criteria

Minimum mandatory criteria to submit a bid:

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in the area of monitoring & evaluation.  

• Evidence of previous assignments related to the development of Theories of Change and/or MEAL frameworks in the context of global programmes or initiatives.

• Experience in the areas of development finance, climate and disaster risk finance and insurance (CDRFI), disaster risk reduction, Loss and Damage or related fields is an advantage. 

• Familiarity with participatory and gender-responsive approaches is desirable. 

• Excellent analytical and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to produce clear well-structured, and high-quality concepts and frameworks for professional and policy-oriented audiences.

Applicants must 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

• Deliverable descriptions and quality assurance approach

• Implementation risks and mitigation measures

• Examples of previous similar assignments

• A milestone plan including tasks, deliverables and timelines (see template in section 2.3) 

     Use Technical Proposal Template as in Annex 4

Financial Proposal

Must include:

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

• Subtotals per cost category (labour, materials,)

• VAT shown separately (if applicable)

• Currency: EUR

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

   

Use Financial Proposal Template as in Annex 3

4.2 Submission Instructions

• Submit electronic copies to: opportunities@fs.de

• Submission deadline (date/time CET): 28 July 2026, 6pm (CET)  

• Clarification requests: contact opportunities@fs.de.  Any questions on the ToR must be submitted 2 business days before the end of the deadline.

4.3 Evaluation Criteria & Weighting

Submissions will be evaluated in consideration of the following evaluation criteria:  
 
Evaluation Criteria – total 100 points: 

Technical criteria – total 70 points:

• The work presented through the consultant’s portfolio will be evaluated to assess the quality of the consultant’s work [20 points];  

• Experience and qualifications of the expert(s) proposed to deliver the work. This part of the evaluation will be based in the CV(s) submitted [20 points];  
• Adequacy of approach and methodology [20 points];  

• Timeline to deliver the objectives of the assignment based on the deadlines provided in this document [10];  

   

In order to qualify for further consideration, the consultant 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.  The financial score = (lowest financial score amongst the tenderers / financial score of the tender being considered) x 30.