Consultancy for the provision of Research Services for Civil Society Space

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start |-------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|-----------------|----------|----------------|------|----------|------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------| Trócaire Consultancy for the provision of Research Services for Civil Society Space Services not disclosed not stated Open not stated not stated 3 months 23:59 GMT on 24th April 2026 23rd July 2026

2. Scope of Work

The consultancy aims to provide research services to Trócaire, focusing on the impact of closing civil society space on partner organizations in selected priority contexts. The contract spans three months, requiring a total of 25 working days. The contractor will engage in various activities, including:

• Kick-off meeting: 1 day with the advisory committee to validate the case studies and timeline.
• Literature review and desk-review: 5 days to analyze existing resources and relevant developments.
• Check-in meeting: 0.5 day with the advisory committee/core group to discuss progress.
• Drafting of interview script and methodology: 2 days to prepare for consultations.
• Consultations: 5 days involving focus group discussions or key informant interviews with relevant stakeholders.
• Drafting inception report: 4 days to summarize initial findings and proposed methodologies.
• Incorporating feedback: 2 days to adjust the report based on core group input.
• Validation meeting: 0.5 day to review the final report with the advisory committee.
• Drafting final report: 4 days to finalize the document incorporating all feedback.
• Internal webinar: 1 day to present findings to Trócaire staff.

The expected output is a 30-page report containing context-specific assessments, summaries of relevant initiatives, and actionable recommendations for Trócaire's partnership models.

3. Background & buyer context

Trócaire, the official overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland, is currently revising its strategic plan for 2021-2026, which emphasizes local power and global justice. The procurement aligns with Trócaire's commitment to adapt to the challenges posed by the shrinking civic space, which affects both local and international organizations. The consultancy builds on a 2025 scoping study led by ODI, aiming to deepen support for grassroots actors and social movements.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: not specified for this tender.
• Insurance: not specified for this tender.
• Certifications: not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Candidates must have a minimum of five consecutive years of full-time research experience on relevant subject matter.
• Personnel: Candidates should currently be engaged in research on a full-time basis and have led or co-facilitated research projects in at least two of the priority contexts: Guatemala, Honduras, Zimbabwe, and OPT-I.
• Geographic / facility constraints: not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The total score will determine the most economically advantageous proposal.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement: A maximum of 5 pages outlining the proposed approach and methodology.
• CVs: 2-page CV of the individual leading the research.
• Pricing schedule: Proposed fee for the consultancy, including VAT and all associated costs.
• Case studies: Links to relevant work where the consultant has been the main author.
• Declarations: Conflict of interest statement, references, and any other required declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable.
• Submission portal: Proposals should be emailed to [email protected], marked “RFT Civil Society Research 2026”.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The consultancy contract will last for three months, with a hard deadline for the final report on 23rd July 2026. Key terms include:

• Payment terms: Not specified in detail; bidders should include all costs in their proposals.
• Termination clauses: Trócaire reserves the right to terminate the contract at any stage with appropriate notice and payment for services rendered.
• Intellectual property: All materials developed during the contract will be owned by Trócaire.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential concerns for bidders include:

• The requirement for a minimum of five consecutive years of full-time research experience may limit the pool of eligible candidates.
• The focus on specific priority contexts (Guatemala, Honduras, Zimbabwe, and OPT-I) may restrict competition to firms with prior experience in these areas.
• The tight timeline for deliverables, culminating in a hard deadline for the final report, may pose challenges for project management.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid for this contract should have:

• A strong background in research, particularly in civil society issues and the specified priority contexts.
• The capacity to manage a project within a three-month timeframe, including the ability to conduct consultations and produce a comprehensive report.
• The potential for collaboration or subcontracting is not explicitly mentioned, suggesting that solo bidders may be preferred.
• Bid preparation may require several days to compile the necessary documentation and proposals.
• The presence of incumbents or previous winners in the field may indicate a competitive landscape.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RFT_Civil Society Research_MAR26.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Important attachments: Appendix A – Detailed Terms of Reference, General Terms and Conditions of Procurement.