About NRC
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation working to protect the rights of displaced and vulnerable people during crises. NRC provides assistance to meet immediate humanitarian needs, prevent further displacement and contribute to durable solutions. NRC is widely recognised as a leading field-based displacement agency within the international humanitarian community. NRC works in both new and protracted crises across more than 30 countries, where we provide protection (including camp management), food assistance, clean water, shelter, legal aid, and education. NRC is a rights-based organisation and is committed to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, independence, and impartiality. With headquarters in Oslo, Norway, NRC also has representation offices in Brussels, Geneva, Berlin, London and Washington DC.
About NORCAP
NORCAP is NRC’s global provider of expertise to the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors. It builds partnerships with international organisations and national actors to protect lives, rights and livelihoods. NORCAP provides expert personnel and collaborates with partners to identify needs and establish common goals and projects. It helps strengthen partner capacity and improve coordination and collaboration.
NRC Commercial Contracts Work
In response to the evolving funding landscape, commercial contracts have become a key avenue for NRC to secure predictability and long-term financial stability. This has enabled country teams to plan and implement substantial, multi-year programs. Since 2016, NRC and NORCAP have onboarded and successfully implemented 26 commercial contracts. All contracts to date have aligned with NRC’s response and partnership strategies, offering new financing opportunities.
Building on its strong reputation, demonstrated programming capabilities, and long-standing partnerships with key donors, NRC is looking to expand its commercial engagements and investing in contract readiness including developing financial and operational capacities.
Purpose of the consultancy
To ensure that NRC is well-prepared to develop effective proposals for key commercial funding opportunities, we are seeking a qualified consultant or consultancy firm to lead the enhancement of our commercial budgeting and pricing strategies. This consultancy will play a critical role in ensuring that NRC’s future proposals are competitive, compliant, and financially sound, in alignment with our internal finance policies.
The consultant will developing tools, templates, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to streamline and improve NRC’s pricing approach covering various pricing models, including Fee per Day, Payment by Results (PbR), and Lump Sum. Additionally, the consultant will help strengthen NRC’s capacity to propose tailored pricing strategies that meet the specific requirements of FCDO and the World Bank ensuring compliance with donor regulations.
Objectives
The primary objective of this consultancy is to enhance NRC’s ability to develop competitive, compliant, and financially sound proposals for commercial contracts. The consultancy focuses on improving NRC’s pricing and budgeting strategies, creating standardized tools, templates and SOPs for various contract models (Fee Per Day, PbR, Lump Sum), and ensuring tax compliance. Additionally, the project aims to provide training and capacity-building resources to strengthen NRC’s internal expertise in pricing and budgeting for commercial contracting.
Deliverables
The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:
1. Assessment Report
An evaluation of NRC’s current cost proposal development process, identifying gaps and inefficiencies. Includes risk mitigation strategies to minimize financial exposure, ensuring cost proposals remain competitive, compliant, and aligned with donor expectations.
2. Standardized Cost Presentation Formats
Develop or improve bespoke budget templates for commercial proposals, including templates for Fee Per Day, PbR, and Lump Sum contract models.
3. Pricing SOPs
A comprehensive document outlining strategies for competitive pricing and cost presentation in commercial proposals, including the following components including an SOPs Guidelines for Pricing Each Contract Model, a Pricing Strategy Guide and an FAQ or Troubleshooting Section
4. Tax Compliance Framework
A high-level guide on tax compliance, covering key tax considerations such as tax coding, VAT, and profit taxes, including the following elements:
5. Training Materials
Development of a Training Module : A training module, based on the SOPs.
6. Final Report
A summary of the project’s objectives, methodology, and key recommendations for future improvements.
Timeline and management
The consultancy is scheduled to take place from Jan 2025 to March 2025
spanning 15-20 days of work. The Senior IPA Commercial Contracts for NRC, based in the UK, will oversee the management of the consultancy. The consultant can work remotely.
Consultant profile
The successful consultant or consultancy firm will possess the following qualifications:
- Financial Management and Risk Mitigation: Strong background in financial management, including cost allocation, budget development, and risk mitigation for commercial contracts.
- INGO Commercial Contracting: Deep understanding of the unique financial requirements, risks, and compliance challenges associated with INGO commercial contracts, including those with agencies such as FCDO, the World Bank, and other bilateral/multilateral funders.
- Donor Financial Regulations: Strong knowledge of donor financial regulations and guidelines, including those of FCDO, World Bank, and other major funding bodies, ensuring compliance with donor expectations.
- Cost Proposal Development and Pricing Strategies: Proven experience in developing cost proposals, pricing strategies, and budgets for commercial contracts, including fee-based, time-and-materials, and fixed-price contracts.
- Experience with Various Contract Types: Demonstrable expertise in developing cost proposals for a variety of contract types, including Payment by Results (PbR) and fee rate structures
- Pricing SOP Development: Proven track record in developing and implementing pricing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for commercial contracts, particularly within the INGO sector.
- Tax and Compliance Knowledge: In-depth understanding of tax obligations for commercial contracts, including VAT, withholding taxes, and international tax treaties, ensuring compliance across jurisdictions.
Please see Full TOR in this link
How to apply
Application process
All proposals are to be submitted in English language only. The proposal must include, but is not limited to, the following items:
1. Technical Proposal:
o An overview of the consultant’s approach and methodology for achieving the consultancy objectives.
o A proposed work plan and timeline for delivering each of the key deliverables.
o Relevant examples of previous work in cost proposal development, pricing strategies, or financial compliance.
o CVs or qualifications of the consultant or consultancy team.
2. Financial Proposal:
o A detailed cost breakdown for the consultancy, including daily rates, estimated hours for each task.
o A proposed payment schedule.
3. References:
o Contact details for at least two references from previous clients for whom similar work has been undertaken.
4. A signed copy of the document “Annex – Suppliers Ethical Standards Declaration”
All consultants, ltd or sole trader, must be registered in accordance with the legal requirements at their base. The consultant must be able to submit documentation that proves that they are meeting all legal and tax obligation for the consultancy.
Closing date for questions: All questions to be sent to adva.rodogovsky@nrc.no before January 1st 2025
Closing date for submissions: All complete proposals are to be received by NRC at adva.rodogovsky@nrc.no by 6th January 2025 23:59 GMT
All applicants will be contacted with formal notification of final selection or information about any delay in the process.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
1. Technical Proposal: Clarity, feasibility, and comprehensiveness of the proposed approach 50%
2. Experience: Relevant experience in improving commercial pricing and budgeting strategies 15%
3. Past Performance: Quality of previous similar assignments 10%
4. Financial Proposal: Cost-effectiveness and alignment with the scope of work 25%
Please see Full TOR in this link