About this opportunity
AI summaryC40 Cities Climate Leadership Group requires an Ethiopia-based consultant to deliver COP32 subnational diplomacy and advocacy initiatives in Ethiopia. The contractor must develop a joint strategy, create briefings for leadership and partners, support multi-level climate partnerships, and assist in planning a high-level event and bilateral engagements in Addis Ababa. Eligible individual bidders or teams must possess 7 to 12 years of international, national, or local policy experience, alongside proven advocacy, diplomacy, and partnership-management expertise. Bidders must submit questions to C40 by November 11, 2026. Proposals are evaluated on capability, experience, and availability, responsiveness to requirements, and local and regional experience, with interviews potentially conducted for shortlisted candidates. The project runs through May 31, 2027, and proposals must incorporate all anticipated costs, fees, and pre-approved travel expenses.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, Inc.
Scope of work
- Meet with C40 / GCoM, wider subnational community and COP32 Presidency to discuss objectives
- Develop a joint strategy for subnational diplomatic and advocacy agenda agreed by parties and stakeholders
- Schedule and organise an impactful engagement programme and high-level event in Addis Ababa
- Contribute and/or lead on the development of briefings for spokespeople, leadership and partners
- Scope, support or deliver COP32 priority initiatives related to subnational diplomacy and advocacy goals
- Support COP32 subnational diplomatic and advocacy agenda and follow-up activity from January
- Attend regular project management calls with C40 and GCoM point of contact and Multilevel Partnerships team
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Capability, experience, and availability of the proposed supplier | 30% |
| Robustness of the project delivery proposal, ability to meet the requirements listed and understanding of the assignment | 30% |
| Local and regional experience | 25% |
| Value for money | 15% |
Minimum qualifications
- Selected consultant(s) must be based in Ethiopia
- Excellent skills in coordinating multi-stakeholder groups and driving consensus in fast-moving global partnerships
- Strong critical thinking abilities to analyse evolving situations, identify influence opportunities, and propose creative advocacy activities
- Independent and efficient management of time, workloads, projects, and events
- Good writing and communication skills, particularly in drafting impactful briefs for high-level audiences
- Team or individual has 7-12 years of policy experience at the international, national, or local level
- Good knowledge of COP negotiations, global stakeholder landscape and UNFCCC ecosystem, including hands-on experience with at least one NGO constituency
- Proven engagement with Ethiopian climate governance and diplomacy stakeholders, including national government and relevant public institutions
Documents to include with your response
- Proposal detailing responsiveness to evaluation criteria, assumptions, identified risks and mitigation measures
- Proposed timeline of implementation
- Proposed working partnership, project governance, key personnel, roles and responsibilities, and escalation procedure
- Itemized fee and cost breakdown including description of costs and expected hours dedicated to each activity
- Resume (CV) documenting technical expertise, experience, and availability
- Details of any subcontracted organizations including name and description, if applicable
Key dates
- RfP dated
- 10 August 2026
- Interviews held likely week beginning
- 14th September 2026
- Request for Proposals sent
- 2 November 2026
- Questions submitted to C40
- 11 November 2026
- C40 responds to questions
- 13 November 2026
- Proposals due (Section 8)
- 5pm EST 20 November 2026
- Deadline for receiving Offers (Section 5)
- 23 November 2026
- Clarification of Offers
- 23 November 2026 - 25 November 2026
- Evaluation of Proposal
- 26 November 2026 - 27 November 2026
- Presentation of Proposal
- 30th November 2026
How to submit
- Method
- Instructions
- Submit one copy of proposal via email to specified Amelia Dearman and Asif Shah email addresses by 5pm EST 20 November 2026.
Contract details
- Term
- Initial two and a half-month period, with the possibility of further work to cover COP32; project runs until 31 May 2027
- Place of performance
- Ethiopia (including Addis Ababa)