Partnerships Consultant to Support Member Country Engagement and Strategic Initiatives

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI)

(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS)

Additional Information

Possibility of contract extension: OPEC Fund consulting contracts may be extended to a reasonable degree where this is justified under the OPEC Fund’s core procurement principles. Any extension is subject to operational needs, consultant performance, and continued availability of funds.

Specific considerations for this assignment, if any: proven experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives, partnerships, and high-level events within development finance institutions, in particular multilateral development banks, and the ability to manage a varied and evolving set of tasks.

Country of assignment: Austria. The assignment requires in-person presence at the OPEC Fund’s premises in Vienna for up to three days per week. Preference will therefore be given to consultants based in Austria.

Candidates may send REOI and CV (in the attached format[1]) with supporting documentation, e.g. certificates, diplomas, work references, etc. to:

The OPEC Fund for International Development (The OPEC Fund)

Procurement Office

Parkring 8

Vienna, Austria.

CONTACT PERSON: procurement@opecfund.org

TERMS OF REFERENCE

1.     Project Background

The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is a multilateral development bank (MDB) established in 1976 to foster sustainable development in partner countries around the world. Within the OPEC Fund, the Strategy, Sustainable Development and Partnerships Department (the Department) leads the design and coordination of a portfolio of institutional initiatives that advance the OPEC Fund’s strategic priorities under its Strategic Framework 2030.

Two areas of work are central to this portfolio. The first is collaboration and engagement with the OPEC Fund’s Member Countries, a core and ongoing priority that encompasses structured dialogue, coordination with Member Country entities, and the participation of Member Countries in institutional initiatives. The second is cooperation with the OPEC Fund’s partners, including other MDBs, international organizations, and other institutions. This covers a range of existing and new partnership initiatives, as well as the OPEC Fund’s presence at major international gatherings, where it hosts its own events and its representatives meet with partners.

These initiatives run in parallel, involve a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and evolve as new opportunities and priorities emerge. Delivering them effectively requires structured planning, close coordination, systematic tracking of progress, and consistent follow-through. The Department is therefore seeking an individual consultant to provide dedicated coordination and implementation support across both areas. As the specific tasks will vary over time and cannot be fully defined in advance, the assignment calls for a versatile professional who can adapt quickly to changing needs.

2.     Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of the assignment is to provide coordination, project management, monitoring, and implementation support to the Department, so that the initiatives under its responsibility are delivered efficiently, coherently, and on time.

The assignment covers two complementary workstreams:

(i)    Member Country Collaboration and Engagement: activities aimed at strengthening collaboration and engagement with the OPEC Fund’s Member Countries; and

(ii)   Institutional and Partnership Activities: existing and new initiatives undertaken with the OPEC Fund’s partners, including other MDBs, international organizations, and other institutions, as well as related events and external engagements.

Across both workstreams, the consultant will help plan and sequence activities, coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, support events and missions, prepare inputs that support decision-making, and track and report on progress. The consultant will also be expected to take on related tasks as new priorities arise during the assignment.

3.     Duration and Location of the Services

The assignment will run for 12 months, with the possibility of extension subject to operational needs, consultant performance, and continued availability of funds.

The assignment will be carried out onsite..

4.     Scope of Services, Tasks (Components), and Expected Deliverables

A. Member Country Collaboration and Engagement

The consultant will support the delivery of activities that strengthen the OPEC Fund's collaboration and engagement with its Member Countries. Tasks will include:

·       Planning and coordination: plan and sequence agreed activities across relevant initiatives and follow up on agreed actions through to completion.

·       Internal alignment: work with relevant departments to ensure alignment and timely execution and help resolve issues as they arise.

·       Monitoring and records: track progress against agreed objectives, milestones, and deliverables, and maintain structured records of activities and follow-up actions to ensure continuity.

·       Consolidated overview: bring together information from across activities to provide a coherent view of progress, gaps, and emerging issues.

·       Briefs and inputs: prepare targeted briefing notes, summaries, and other inputs that inform decision-making and guide next steps.

·       Reporting: prepare implementation reports and presentations for Senior Management, Member Country representatives, and Governing Board members.

B. Institutional and Partnership Activities

The consultant will support the coordination and implementation of existing and new initiatives with the OPEC Fund’s partners, including other MDBs, international organizations, and other institutions. A significant part of this work will involve supporting the OPEC Fund’s own events and the external engagements of its representatives. As the nature of these initiatives will vary, the consultant is expected to bring flexibility and strong general skills to a range of tasks, which may include:

·       Research and evidence: gather evidence and conduct research to inform the design and implementation of initiatives.

·       Partnership coordination: follow up with external partners and internal stakeholders and maintain records and correspondence for active initiatives.

·       OPEC Fund events: plan and organize events hosted by the OPEC Fund, whether at its headquarters in Vienna or on the margins of major international gatherings, covering concept and agenda development, coordination with speakers and partners, logistics, and follow-up.

·       External engagements and missions: support the participation of OPEC Fund representatives in external events, missions, and meetings with partners, including assessing and processing requests, preparing briefing materials, coordinating logistics, and following up on outcomes.

·       Briefings and materials: prepare presentations, briefings, and other materials that support decision-making and communication.

·       Results frameworks: design and manage results frameworks and KPIs covering operational and financial performance as well as event outcomes.

·       Monitoring and reporting: track key milestones, actions, and issues requiring attention, and report on progress.

In addition, the consultant may be asked to support other activities of the Department that relate to the purpose of this assignment, as agreed with the Director, Strategic Planning Unit.

5.     Detailed Outputs of the Assignment

The consultant is expected to produce the following outputs. Their specific format, frequency, and timing will be agreed with the Director, Strategic Planning, and may be adjusted as priorities evolve.

A.    Member Country Collaboration and Engagement

•      A consolidated overview of Member Country collaboration and engagement activities, setting out objectives, planned actions, responsibilities, and status, kept up to date throughout the assignment.

•      An action tracker and structured records of agreed actions, follow-up items, and activities, supporting continuity and timely delivery.

•      Periodic coordination updates summarizing progress, key developments, gaps, and issues requiring attention.

•      Targeted inputs, briefs, and summaries that inform decision-making and guide next steps.

•      Presentations and briefing notes for meetings with Member Country representatives, updated as required.

•      Implementation reports and presentations for Senior Management, Member Country representatives, and Governing Board members.

B.     Institutional and Partnership Activities

•      Research notes and evidence summaries to inform the design and implementation of initiatives.

•      Partnership coordination logs and follow-up trackers for active initiatives, with records of related correspondence.

•      Event plans for OPEC Fund events, including concept notes, agendas, and logistical arrangements, followed by event reports summarizing outcomes and agreed follow-up actions.

•      Briefing packs for OPEC Fund representatives attending external events, missions, and meetings with partners, with outcomes and follow-up actions recorded.

•      Timely assessment and processing of meeting requests, missions, and other activities involving external partners, in coordination with relevant departments.

•      Presentations, briefings, and other materials supporting decision-making and communication on institutional initiatives.

•      Results frameworks and KPI monitoring tools, designed and maintained for relevant initiatives, covering operational and financial performance as well as event-related outcomes.

•      Progress reports and monitoring updates on institutional and partnership initiatives, covering key milestones, KPIs, actions, and issues requiring attention.

6.     Key Timelines or Milestones

The following indicative milestones assume a start date in November 2026 and may be adjusted in agreement with the Director, Strategic Planning:

•      Within the first month: consolidated overview of Member Country collaboration and engagement activities in place, in report and PowerPoint format.

•      December 2026: support for OPEC Fund events and engagements at the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (8 to 10 December 2026).

•      By end of Q4 2026: coordination and tracking tools for institutional and partnership initiatives in place.

•      By end of Q1 2027: results frameworks and KPI monitoring tools designed and in use.

•      By end of Q1 2027: Member Country Engagement implementation report delivered.

•      Q1 2027: support for OPEC Fund’s event on digital planned tentatively for hosting in Vienna in March 2027, including coordination and logistics.

•              November 2027: support for OPEC Fund events and engagements at COP32 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (November 2027)

•      Throughout the assignment: support for missions and meetings of OPEC Fund representatives with external partners, as they arise.

•      Throughout the assignment: periodic progress reports and coordination updates, at a frequency to be agreed.

7.     Qualification Requirements and Evaluation Criteria

The OPEC Fund intends to engage one individual consultant. Candidates will be evaluated against the following weighted criteria:

Only candidates obtaining a minimum overall score of 70% will be considered. The minimum requirements and core competencies for the assignment are described below.

Education and professional experience:

·       A minimum of a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent professional experience, in international development, economics, public policy, business administration, or a related field, and 5 to 7 years of professional experience in project coordination and management within development finance institutions, international organizations, or donor funded operations.

Core competencies:

·       Communication: excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear reports, briefings, and presentations for senior audiences.

·       Stakeholder management: ability to coordinate effectively with internal departments and external partners and to ensure follow-through on agreed actions.

·       Event management: experience organizing high-level events and supporting the participation of senior officials in international conferences and missions.

·       Flexibility: ability to manage multiple and evolving tasks and priorities, with attention to detail, sound judgment, and minimal supervision.

·       International experience: experience working with culturally diverse teams in an international environment.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview.

8.     Working Arrangements

The assignment will be onsite. The consultant may also be required to travel to support OPEC Fund events and engagements at international gatherings. Any such travel will be agreed in advance, and related costs will be covered in line with the OPEC Fund’s applicable policies.

9.     Reporting Requirements and Time Schedule for Deliverables

The consultant will report to the Director, Strategic Planning, for all activities under the contract. Outputs will be delivered in line with the milestones in Section 6 and any further timelines agreed during the assignment. The consultant will also submit a brief monthly activity report summarizing the work completed and days worked, to accompany the monthly invoice.

10.  Relevant background information or materials for the assignment

The OPEC Fund will make relevant materials available to the consultant, including Member Country engagement documents, background materials on institutional and partnership initiatives, and relevant strategy documents and work plans.

11.  Indication if downstream work is potentially considered

Yes. Downstream work may be considered, subject to the results delivered and the OPEC Fund’s needs at the time this assignment is completed.

12.  Training and capacity building requirement: Not applicable.

13.  Client’s Inputs and Counterpart Personnel

a.     Services, facilities, and property to be made available to the Consultant by the Client: workspace at the OPEC Fund’s premises , and access to the systems and tools required for the assignment.

b.     The Client will provide the following inputs, project data, and reports to facilitate preparation of the outputs:

                                      i.     Existing documents and materials on the institutional and partnership initiatives covered by the assignment.

                                     ii.     Databases, contact lists, meeting minutes, and background information on Member Country engagement activities.

c.      Counterpart personnel: the Director, Strategic Planning, will act as the consultant’s main counterpart, supported by designated staff of the Department.

14.  Basis of Payment and payment schedule

Payment will be made monthly, based on the agreed daily rate, upon submission of an invoice for the days worked together with the monthly activity report.

15.  Contractual modality

The assignment will be governed by the OPEC Fund’s standard