CONCORD is seeking to recruit a consultant or team of consultants to conduct research on the European Union’s Global Gateway and assess the extent to which the initiative, through its EFSD+ modalities and 360° approach, can and cannot support human development in partner countries.

CONCORD is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, colour, religion and belief, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are made entirely on merit. All qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply regardless of their national origin, race, colour, disabilities, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or age.

Background

The EU’s Global Gateway strategy, launched in 2021, aims to mobilise infrastructure investments in key sectors such as digital, climate and energy, transport, health, and education. While its main tools are blended finance and guarantees through EFSD+, recent EU communications refer to the need for a “360-degree approach”. This shows recognition that infrastructure investments must be supported by action on connected areas or the ‘enabling environment’, including human development sectors, to ensure sustainability and local ownership. This presents both opportunities and risks: while such an approach can enhance impact, there is also a high risk that human development is addressed insufficiently and inadequately. Tackling such risks is crucial, as human development is an EU commitment, with a target of allocating at least 20% of its main development cooperation instrument to human development, and also an area highly valued by partner countries and local communities. As fiscal constraints and debt limit partner countries’ ability to invest in human development, sustaining ODA grants for human development is essential for equitable and sustainable progress.

Aims and Objectives

In light of the significant political focus and funding allocated to the Global Gateway strategy and the ongoing cuts to international cooperation budgets, it is crucial to understand to what extent and how the EU’s Global Gateway, through EFSD+, can advance human development in partner countries. It is essential to understand its limitations, the role of grants and the need for a 360-degree approach to fully recognise this. Consultants will develop a policy brief showcasing evidence and a range of examples to address the following  research questions:

• Under what conditions and to what extent can Global Gateway, with its EFSD+ modalities, effectively contribute to human development, and when does it fall short?
• Where and why are grants still essential for human development?
• How can the 360-degree approach make a difference – and how?

Our advocacy aims to influence how EU institutions understand and implement Global Gateway and the 360-degree approach, defend the role of grant-based ODA, and highlight the critical contribution of grants, international cooperation, and civil society amid funding cuts. The brief will make the case for ODA delivered via grants as essential to advancing human development, supported by positive programme examples. Target audiences include, inter alia, DG INTPA officials, the Commissioner for International Partnerships, OECD-DAC representatives, EU Member States, and relevant Members of the European Parliament.

Deliverables

The main deliverable of the research is a concise Policy Brief (8 to 10 pages) that clearly and concisely presents key messages using frames with examples and at least one diagram representing the contributions and  limitations of Global Gateway regarding human development and what a solid 360-degree approach would mean. The brief will be based on desk research and will include input and consultations with CONCORD members and possibly partners. Inequalities, as per CONCORD’s definition and the gender, disability and EU inequality markers, will be mainstreamed in the analyses.

Consultant(s) will also deliver slides with the key findings to be used by CONCORD for dissemination and advocacy purposes.

Methodology

The consultant(s) are expected to follow a proposed seven-step process, which remains flexible and open to adaptation based on their expertise and ongoing insights.

• Step 1 – Consultant(s) will meet with CONCORD secretariat and the Human Development & Tackling Inequalities and Global Gateway sub-projects to clarify objectives, methodology, and outputs, and to gather examples of relevant investments and grants-based programmes.
• Step 2 – Consultant(s) are expected to review available recent policy documents and literature on Global Gateway, including CONCORD’s internal documents, on the 360-degree approach and human development to identify key elements to preserve or reframe in the Policy Brief and ensure its policy relevance.
• Step 3 – Through desk research, consultants will compile evidence on the extent to which EFSD+ investments (or blending and guarantees in other, previous programmes) can or can’t support human development (in the health, education and social services/social protection sectors). They will work on presenting examples with a strong inequality-reducing objective or demonstrated impact, in a concise manner (successful and unsuccessful).
• Step 4 – Consultant(s) will then focus on the case for grants-based programmes for human development, summarising very briefly the available evidence. They will show how they could potentially be linked with investment programmes, sharing successful examples. They will develop a diagram illustrating a comprehensive 360° approach that integrates EFSD+ and grants, with inequality mainstreamed. The diagram is expected to show inequalities in their multiple dimensions.
• Step 5 – Consultants will compile a first draft to be shared with CONCORD for a round of feedback (secretariat + members).
• Step 6 –  Consultants will develop a new version taking into account the feedback received.
• Step 7 – A last version will be finalised by CONCORD, ensuring the full alignment of the final output with CONCORD’s policy positions.

Moreover, we will plan regular check-ins with the consultant(s) throughout the whole process.

Indicative timeline (subject to adaptations)

Late August / Early September – Interviews and recruitment

First half of September – Kick-off the work, including a meeting with CONCORD secretariat and members

End of October – First draft, to be shared with the CONCORD subprojects and colleagues for feedback

Mid-November – Consultants work on a final draft

Beginning of December – Final draft out for feedbacks from members and CONCORD team

December – Final report ready

January-February – Launch

Budget

Project proposals should not exceed 15 000 EUR, including VAT.

Skills and qualifications

Essential:

• Proven understanding and knowledge of:
  • The EU’s Global Gateway initiative and the trends regarding private sector involvement in international cooperation.
  • Familiarity with 360-degree approach. 
  • EU international cooperation policies, programmes and funding.
  • Very good knowledge of EFSD+ is required.
  • Human Development and Inequalities with a multidimensional and intersectional focus and how to address them through international cooperation, including through markers; knowledge of the EU’s Inequality Marker (I-Marker) and the Gender and Disability markers would be an asset.
  • Gender equality and mainstreaming it in programme analysis.
• Excellent qualitative research skills, including conducting interviews and focus groups.
• Excellent multicultural skills and experience conducting field research Excellent English writing and speaking skills; ability to write about complex issues in an engaging manner.

Desirable:

• Proof of similar pieces of work conducted.
• Experience working with partners from other countries and regions.
• Excellent professional references.

Application procedure

To apply, please upload to our website, and in one single PDF, the following documents by 24th August 2025, 23:59 Brussels time (CET):

• A CV outlining your relevant expertise for this assignment. Teams of consultants should submit the CVs of all consultants involved;
• A short (maximum 2 pages) proposal for the research (work plan, methodology) and a price quote (budget);
• Any professional references and/or proofs of similar consultancy work undertaken (this may be a list of links).

After reviewing the applications, a round of interviews will be organised on the weeks of 25th August or 1st of September.

In case of any difficulties or questions, do not hesitate to contact both Borja Arrue (borja.arrue@concordeurope.org) and Maria Gonçalves (policy.assistant@concordeurope.org) before the deadline.