Download this ToR in PDF file here.
Call For Expression of Interest
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Office for Regional Cooperation in Asia, based in Bangkok, is inviting qualified individuals and agencies in the fields of dialogue and seminar facilitation, scenario building and strategic foresight methodologies to express interest in developing frameworks and in the implementation of a series of regional and national labs across the Asia-Pacific region throughout 2024 that will take the form of workshops/labs.
Project Background
FES is the oldest political foundation in Germany with a rich tradition in social democracy dating back to its foundation in 1925. The foundation owes its formation and its mission to the political legacy of its namesake Friedrich Ebert, the first democratically elected German President. The FES Office for Regional Cooperation in Asia (ORCA) was established in Singapore in 1969 and moved to Bangkok in 2023.
FES in Asia embarked on a regional programme ‘Navigating the New Geopolitics of Asia and Global Order of Tomorrow’, in light of the rapidly changing geopolitical and geo-economic environment across the Asia-Pacific region. The programme analyses major regional and global dynamics at play and together with a diverse set of partners seeks to develop innovative solutions and policies to jointly move beyond a “zero sum” logic. The programme also aims to create new avenues for a structured exchange between Asia and Europe.
Further the programme benefits from the input of a Senior Advisory Board and a Strategic Foresight Group consisting of eminent individuals and experts that may include leading civil society representatives, current and former officials, decision makers, scholars and journalists.
Terms of Reference
Main responsibilities
The project will conceptualize and execute pan-Asia national and regional foresight and strategy labs to build scenarios, map discourses and develop strategies and recommendations. The consultant(s)/agency is therefore expected to provide conceptual frameworks and methodologies (at country and regional level), tool kits as well as execute on the implementation of the same. Execution of the labs involve the production of necessary collaterals, moderation/facilitation of the events and the provision of transcribed recordings of the events.
National Labs: Two labs in 2024, each with a duration of two days. To be conducted with FES country offices in Asia and in partnership with the Bangkok regional office. Focus on strategy development, discourse mappings, scenario building and dialogue facilitation with decision makers and partners. The dates are agreed upon in consultation with FES Asia, country offices and the contractor.
Note: The data and outcomes of the labs will be used to advise FES partners and to produce interactive maps, audio visual briefs and other data visualization products. The production of these are however NOT within the scope of this tender and a separate tender will be issued for that.
Scope of work:
- Provision of conceptual framework and methodologies (at country and regional level). Development of tool kits, background notes and training of participants in the use of online tools where relevant.
- Moderation and facilitation of labs, including provision for breakout room hosts (where event is conducted online and relevant).
- Report on the lab with transcribed recordings of the proceedings.
- Working seamlessly with the FES ORCA programme owner, communications team, country offices, foresight groups and other partners (including audio visual and data visualization partners).
Qualification and competencies
- The Consultant(s) will need to demonstrate the following qualifications and experience: Experience in conceptualizing, designing and execution of dialogue facilitation, scenario building, discourse mapping and foresights generating convenings.
- Domain knowledge of the geopolitics and geo-economics of the Asia region and experience in engaging stakeholders in Asia and Europe.
- Strong writing and presentation skills.
- Cultural sensitivity and diversity in team composition.
Duration of assignment:
- Four (4) months. 1 September 2024 to 31 December 2024, with the possibility of an optional extension for another year. The right to extend the contract is reserved by the client, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES).
- Delivery of 2 labs in 2024.
Location:
The consultant(s) can be based in any country. However, as the project stakeholder base is in the Asia region and Germany, preference will be given to those who have teams and office in those regions (e.g. matching of time zones).
Reports to: FES ORCA Director and Senior Programme Manager, International Affairs.
Interested individuals and agencies are invited to send:
1. A concept for conducting the project with a robust structural framework and innovative methodologies. (3-4 pages)
2. A statement indicating capability to design and execute on the project, including brief bio (max. 100 words each) of key projects executives.
3. An itemized offer (in Euros) for this labs production project, including a breakdown of the costs for one session and a breakdown of cost in terms of physical and virtual labs.
4. Please attach a portfolio with examples of past similar work and links where relevant.
All offers will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- 30% Concept and overall package of services (Performance Concept)
- 30% Qualifications and competencies (Personnel Concept; including previous experience with FES or other political foundations)
- 40% Cost (Please include prices before and after all applicable taxes (net and VAT).
Please share your detailed offer with us at: info.orca(at)fes.de.
The deadline for submission of proposals Monday, 15 July 2024, 23:59, Bangkok Time and please use the subject line “Proposal for FES Asia Scenario Labs 2024”.
Proposals have to be valid until August 31, 2024.