Home-based: Ethical Framework Policy Writer

Date: 06/03/2024

Reference: HULO-TOR-PW-2024-001

This Call for Interest is open to all eligible Consultants, in accordance with hulo’s procedures and principles.

Context of the Consultancy:

The Humanitarian Logistics Cooperative, also known as “hulo”, is the first humanitarian European Cooperative Society (SCE) created in June 2021. In March 2024, hulo counts 13 member organisations: ACTED, Action contre la Faim (ACF), Bioport, the French Red Cross (FRC), Fleet Forum, Handicap International / Humanity & Inclusion (HI), INTERSOS, Médecins du Monde (MDM), Oxfam Intermón, Plan International, Première Urgence International (PUI), Solidarités International (SI), and Welthungerhilfe (WHH).

Its objective is to increase the impact of humanitarian aid by strengthening links and solidarity between humanitarian logistics actors and improving performance through the pooling of logistics and supply chain resources and expertise. Hulo's "Joint Initiatives" are already underway in 6 countries (Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Jordan for the Syrian crisis, and Colombia) and include on the ground: Joint Procurement Initiatives, shared human resources, Digital Solutions, Joint Transport Initiatives and Joint Environmental Initiatives. At the global level (i.e., across Headquarters of hulo member organisations), hulo activities focus on Joint Procurement Initiatives. These initiatives save time and money, improve the quality of goods and services provided, and therefore provide more efficient assistance to those who need it most.

As a cooperative, hulo can rely on the network and expertise of its members (all established humanitarian organisations). Hulo currently employs approximately

40 people and is rapidly growing. Until now, hulo has relied on a patchwork of ethical policies depending on the contracting organization of each employee. Though hulo has no direct contact with humanitarian aid’s beneficiaries, its presence on the field and in strategic procurement activities require that hulo develops a dedicated ethical framework. This framework should be based on a benchmarking on hulo Members existing policies; the Consultant will therefore have access to any relevant contacts and material provided by its members to carry out and facilitate the proposed mission.

Overall Scope of Work expected from the Consultant:

As part of the initial formalization of hulo’s ethical framework, the main objective of the consultancy is the preparation and writing of the internal policies related to:

1. Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) & Non-discrimination.
2. Prevention of Fraud, Corruption, and Conflict of Interest.
3. Child Protection.
4. Private Sector Engagement Policy (support for finalisation only).

The selected Consultant is expected to be able to:

• Conduct a quick benchmark of the existing internal ethical policies of preselected hulo members.
• Design and propose an ethical framework tailored to hulo's needs, challenges and specificities.
• Produce comprehensive ethical policies in English addressing all the above listed issues.
• Proofread the French translation of the validated English versions.
• Develop the main tools and templates for internal communication and dissemination of the produced policies.
• Propose a “deployment kit” (one-pager summaries, PowerPoint presentations…) to facilitate the effective integration of the new ethical framework into hulo's culture.

Key Deliverables:

1. Write hulo's 3 key ethical policies in English and French.
2. Produce key “supporting documents” enabling hulo’s internal policies to be effectively communicated and disseminated throughout the cooperative’s governance and staff members.
3. Propose a “deployment kit” for the integration of the ethical framework within the organisation.

Qualifications and Experience:

Interested Consultants should possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Strong knowledge of institutional donors and humanitarian sector practices.
• Expertise in the development of ethical frameworks and policies, particularly in the humanitarian sector.
• Demonstrated experience in drafting policies related to PSEAH, Non-discrimination, Fraud, Corruption, Conflict of Interest, Child Protection, and - if possible - working with the Private Sector.
• Strong writing skills in English and ability to work both in English and French.
• Able to work autonomously and report or alert on its activity.

Management and Reporting Lines:

The Consultant will be working under the direct line management of the hulo Support Coordinator, but in close daily/weekly collaboration with the hulo Coordinating Author (also a Consultant).

Schedule:

This consultancy is targeting a maximum of 40 working days within the mid-April to mid-June 2024 period.

Selection Criteria:

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Relevant experience and expertise.
2. Quality and relevance of previous work.
3. Proposed approach and methodology.
4. Financial proposal.

How to Apply: 

The selected Consultant will be contracted by hulo for an initial duration of 2 months but is not expected to work full time during this period. He/She is expected to outline the main key steps of the process as part of the Expression of Interest (EOI). These tasks can be fully carried out remotely.

Hulo invites applications for the provision of services described above. Interested candidates must submit their Expression of Interest including:

• Curriculum vitae (CV) outlining relevant experience and qualifications.
• A cover letter expressing interest and highlighting the consultant's suitability for the role.
• Samples of previous similar consultancy work, especially related to ethical frameworks and policies.

Interested Consultants should express their interest by 25/03/2024, by sending an email containing all the above-mentioned documents to procurement@hulo.coop, mentioning HUL-TOR-PW-2024-001 in the email title.

A shortlist of ​3​ Consultants will be established based on the offers received, and the consultation will follow the rules and procedures of hulo for the use of Consultants.

Please note: The interest shown by a Consultant does not imply any obligation on behalf of hulo for inclusion in the shortlist.