I. Context and Rationale
Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) programs are playing an increasingly important role in Terre des hommes’ (Tdh) interventions, due to their effectiveness, flexibility, and ability to address multi-sectoral needs while strengthening the dignity of beneficiaries.
Tdh implements CVA programs in diverse contexts and with varied modalities.
These programs rely on complex processes including:
• Identification and registration of beneficiaries (and sometimes their relatives) using their personal data,
• Management of sensitive personal data and the legal basis for its processing, including consent,
• Collaboration with financial service providers (FSPs),
• Secure distribution of different transfer methods (vouchers, cash in hand, cash transfer, mobile money, etc.),
• Accountability to communities; In particular, responding to feedback and managing complaints
, digital solutions play a key role in this context by:
• Improving accountability, traceability, and transparency,
• Reducing the risk of fraud,
• Optimizing data management throughout its entire lifecycle,
• Ensuring compliance with data protection and information security regulations,
• Facilitating real-time activity monitoring,
• Strengthening the quality and efficiency of programs.
However, the choice and integration of these solutions must be adapted to:
• Tdh’s operational specificities (multi-country, partnerships, specific sectors),
• Contextual constraints (connectivity, markets, legal framework),
• MEAL and programmatic guidelines and processes
, • Legal requirements, particularly regarding data protection, information security, and financial and banking regulations,
• Internal capabilities (human resources, IT, MEAL, finance),
• Partnerships with local organizations.
In this context, Tdh wishes to commission a service provider to carry out a benchmark of the most appropriate CVA digital solutions.
II. Service Delivery Objectives
General Objective:
To evaluate the digital solutions available for managing cash transfer programs in order to identify the most relevant options adapted to Tdh’s operational needs, organizational capacities, and intervention contexts.
Specific Objectives
: • Map existing solutions currently used by international NGOs
; • Analyze their suitability for Tdh’s operations, organization, and processes;
• Identify advantages, limitations, costs, and conditions of use;
• Propose usage scenarios adapted to Tdh (short, medium, and long term).
III. Expected Results
Mapping of the most relevant CVA digital solutions
• Typology of tools (beneficiary registration, data management systems, payment management, real-time tracking, automated dashboards and reports, integration with existing systems),
• Presentation of key market solutions, including their positioning and service models (offers, modules, packages).
In-depth comparative analysis
• Functionalities (targeting, registration, distribution, PDM, CFRM),
• Data management capabilities (e.g., standard data format, synchronization (offline mode), interoperability, data portability, API availability, field versioning, integrated dashboarding, etc.)
• Data protection capabilities (including: LPD, GDPR, privacy by design & by default, RBAC role and access management, data sovereignty/localization, etc.)
• Information security capabilities (e.g., SSO, MFA, Open Source/other, access logging, at-rest/in-transit encryption, etc.)
• Adaptability to humanitarian contexts (offline, low connectivity, mobile applications).
• Analysis of cost models and proposed packages: cost structure (license, per-beneficiary fees, transaction fees), included modules vs. additional options, implementation costs, training and support, recurring costs (maintenance, updates), cost/feature ratio.
Compatibility analysis with Tdh
• Alignment with existing SOPs,
• Compatibility with operational processes (program, finance, logistics, data protection, compliance),
• Consideration of field and organizational constraints.
• Suitability of cost models with budgetary capacities and Tdh implementation methods.
Strategic recommendations
• Shortlist of suitable solutions,
• Use cases,
• Implementation conditions (costs, resources, training, etc.).
IV. Scope of Service Delivery
The service delivery will cover:
Analysis of Tdh’s Needs and Practices
This initial phase will analyze Tdh’s current practices regarding cash transfer programs and identify the needs that a digital solution could address. It will specifically aim to answer the following questions:
• What processes does Tdh currently use to design, implement, monitor, and close cash transfer programs?
• What are the main strengths, limitations, and difficulties encountered by the teams?
• What are the priority functional needs of the various departments (program, MEAL, finance, logistics, IT, data protection, etc.)?
• What are the gaps between current practices and the expected functionalities of a digital solution?
• What are the technical, organizational, and human prerequisites necessary for the deployment of a harmonized solution within Tdh?
Comparative Analysis of Identified Digital Solutions:
Based on the identified needs, the consultancy will analyze the most relevant digital solutions and assess their suitability for Tdh’s requirements. This analysis will focus on:
• The functional capabilities of the solutions (beneficiary registration, targeting, payments, tracking, PDM, CFRM, reporting, etc.).
• Technical constraints (connectivity, offline operation, required equipment, maintenance, integration with existing systems, etc.).
• Licensing models and associated costs (licenses, deployment, maintenance, support, recurring costs, available options and modules).
• Technical support and assistance offered by the providers (hotline, available languages, geographic coverage, training, documentation, deployment support, etc.).
• Guarantees regarding data protection, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance, as well as the risks associated with dependence on the provider.
• The ability of the different solutions to meet Tdh’s operational needs across the diversity of its intervention contexts.
V. Expected Deliverables
• A kick-off report including the proposed methodology, data collection tools, projected timeline, and a summary of the initial literature review.
• A detailed benchmark report including a mapping of the analyzed digital solutions, a comparative analysis of the identified solutions, and an objective comparative matrix of the different solutions.
• A report of operational recommendations including an analysis of the solutions best suited to Tdh’s needs, strategic and operational recommendations, and a proposed deployment and implementation plan.
• A presentation to the relevant teams summarizing the main results and recommendations.
VI. Indicative Timetable
• Estimated duration of the consultancy: maximum 3 months, for a total estimated of 25 working days.
• Desired start date: October 2026.
• Expected date for delivery of final deliverables: December 2026.
VII. Provider Profile
• Expertise in CVA.
• Experience in humanitarian digital solutions.
• Knowledge of sector standards (CaLP, CASH Working Group, data protection).
• Experience in comparative analysis/benchmarking.
VIII. Contractual Terms
• Remote work.
• Supervision: WASH sector.
• An initial payment of 30% of the total amount upon validation of the start-up report.
• A second payment of 70% of the total amount upon submission of all deliverables.
IX. Criteria for evaluating bids
• Quality/methodology: 40%
• Experience/expertise: 35%
• Financial offer: 25%
How to apply
X. Submission of Bids
Bidders must submit their complete bid package no later than September 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (UTC+2), to the following email addresses: che.tenders@tdh.org and bruno.pascual@tdh.org.
The bid package must include the following documents (in French or English):
A technical proposal, including:
• A brief understanding of the objectives and challenges of the consultancy.
• The proposed methodology for conducting the internal analysis, external benchmarking, and comparative analysis of solutions.
• The proposed approach for information gathering: document review, interviews with Tdh teams, discussions with suppliers/external stakeholders, etc.
• An indicative work plan corresponding to the 25 days planned for the period October–December 2026.
• Any identified limitations, assumptions, or prerequisites.
A detailed financial proposal, in CHF or EUR, indicating:
• The daily rate.
• The number of days proposed.
• The total amount of fees.
• Any other costs, clearly identified.
• Tax/VAT status.
The service provider’s CV.
The service provider’s availability during the planned period and a possible start date. One or two references or examples of similar projects (excerpts).