1.About Terre des hommes
Terre des hommes Lausanne (Tdh), Switzerland’s largest children’s rights organisation is present in 30 countries across the globe so countries in which it is active. We aim to enhance the rights and strengthen the psychosocial resilience of children and young people who are exposed to risks and face difficulties in accessing essential services around the world. Working in the areas of migration, access to justice and health, we take an inclusive approach to create durable solutions to the challenges children and their communities face.
For more background information about Tdh globally, please visit our global website.
2. Background information
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) interventions in humanitarian and development contexts have increasingly recognised the importance of localisation, equitable partnerships, and accountability to affected populations. Yet, despite this progress, significant power asymmetries persist between international and local actors, affecting how interventions are designed, delivered, and scaled.
MHPSS localisation efforts increasingly recognise the need for equitable partnerships and accountability to affected populations, yet power asymmetries between international and local actors persist.
Tdh has launched a global initiative on Transforming Power Dynamics in MHPSS, focusing on:
- Centering local knowledge and leadership
- Addressing power imbalances in partnerships and funding
- Promoting mutual learning and capacity sharing
- Encouraging critical reflexivity of international actors
- Advancing equitable, ethical approaches to localisation
This consultancy will build on these efforts to develop a background paper that will inform Tdh’s Position Paper, aiming to articulate Tdh’s vision, commitments, and contributions to shifting power dynamics in MHPSS localisation
3.Purpose of the assignement
The consultant will produce a background document (approx. 12–15 pages + 2-page executive summary) that synthesizes evidence and global debates on transforming power dynamics in MHPSS localisation. This document will serve as the analytical foundation for Tdh’s forthcoming Position Paper, providing a strong base of concepts, challenges, and good practices.
Tdh position paper will serve as both an advocacy tool (with donors, peers, and networks) and an internal guidance document.
4. Objectives
The expert will:
- Review and consolidate existing evidence on the need to localize and decolonize MHPSS, using internal reports, and global literature on localisation and decolonization of MHPSS.
- Map and critically analyze how power asymmetries manifest in MHPSS (funding flows, agenda-setting, research practices, partnership models).
- Identify and document good practices that show promise in tackling power imbalances in MHPSS and humanitarian localisation.
- Clarify and define key concepts to ensure conceptual consistency and shared understanding.
- Develop a background paper that clearly frames:
- Why this matters now (localisation, decolonization, humanitarian reset, widespread structural violence, global MHPSS debates);
- A conceptual framework (defining localisation in MHPSS; understanding power dynamics at structural, institutional, and interpersonal levels; introducing critical reflexivity; linking to other initiatives in our sector, localisation agenda, and decolonisation debates);
- Current challenges and gaps (risks of neutrality or technical framing that erase political/structural trauma; failure to center local knowledge and leadership).
- Compilation of existing good practices that show promise in tackling power imbalances in MHPSS and humanitarian localisation.
5. Scope of the work and deliverables
The consultant will:
- Inception phase
- Review Tdh documentation and relevant literature.
- Produce an inception note with methodology, outline, and sources.
- Consultations
- Conduct short interviews (remote), external experts ( at international level)
- Draft background paper
- 12–15 pages, with sections covering:
- Why this matters now;
- Conceptual framework;
- Current challenges and gaps;
- Good practices/examples from the sector.
- 12–15 pages, with sections covering:
- Validation and finalisation
- Share draft with Tdh team for feedback.
- Deliver final document + 2-page executive summary highlighting key messages for advocacy as well as key issues to explore in internal consultations based on global findings.6. Timeline
The timeline and efforts estimated for the assignment in the below table are indicative and will be finalized through mutual agreement between Tdh and the Expert(s). Expert(s) are invited to develop their detailed work plan for the assignment with detailed breakdown in their Technical Proposal. Throughout the assignment Tdh will provide feedback and guidance.
Activity/Milestone
Efforts estimate: TBC
· Contracting & Inception: [Insert dates]
TBC
· Consultations & Drafting: [Insert dates]
· First Draft Submission: [Insert date]
· Final Paper & Executive Summary: [Insert date]
7. Consultant profile
Tdh will accept applications from individuals, teams, academic entities, NGOs and companies as long as they are officially registered with a tax number (i.e. are able to issue an invoice) and have training, education, research or similar as their object of activity, which can be proven by legal documentation. In case the work is conducted by a team, the team should ideally be diverse, and gender balanced.
Required experience and skills:
- Proven expertise in MHPSS in humanitarian/development contexts.
- Strong track record on researching and/or publishing on localisation, decolonisation, or power analysis in aid/humanitarian work.
- Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills.
- Experience facilitating participatory consultations and ensuring diverse voices (particularly from local actors) are captured.
- Familiarity with child protection, protection systems, and humanitarian standards is an asset.
8.Management and reporting
- The consultant will report to: Maria BRAY, Tdh Global MHPSS Adviser
- A small reference group (e.g. Tdh MHPSS initiative team, CP/PREX) will provide technical input and feedback.
- Regular check-ins will be scheduled throughout the consultancy.
9.Pricing and payment terms
The proposed price for the work will be provided by the applicant in the Financial Proposal. The expert is expected to work for approx. 10 working days within the duration of this assignment, i.e. between the start date of the consultancy and 31st of December 2025.
Payment terms shall be 10 days net following contract signature
10.Expert(s) selection criteria
Tdh will provide a detailed briefing on its various policies and principles related to ethical considerations to the selected Expert .All Tdh Experts required to sign Tdh’s Good Business Practice and Code of Conduct, Data Protection and Child Safeguarding policies and adhere to its principles and ensure confidentiality of the information received from Tdh upon entering into contract.
Proposals submitted will be assessed based on the following criteria:
Area
Element assessed
Weighting factor
Technical proposal (40%)
- Workplan and timeline proposed
- Completeness of information based on the ToR.
Financial proposal (40%)
- Value for money
- Consistency with technical offer
- Completeness of information based on the ToR.
Profile and Demonstrated Experience of the applicant (20%)
- CVs and/or profile of the organization
- Previous work submitted.
Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview prior to contracting.
All applicants will be informed of the outcome of the selection process by e-mail after the contract is concluded with the selected applicant.
How to apply
Submissions, including all attachments, must be in English sent as a single package. The package shall contain the name and contact details of the lead representative of consultant.
The submission package shall include:
- A technical proposal (max 2 pages) including understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, and work plan.
- Financial proposal: the indicated price should be in CHF and inclusive of VAT if applicable and with the mention of VAT amount.
- Up-to-date CV of the expert(s) or profile/portfolio in case of an organization (max. 3 pages/document)
- 3 examples of previous work carried out Confirmation of legal registration including tax number
All interested parties are invited to should submit their proposals or communicate their questions via e-mail to Maria Bray, Protection And Psychosocial Manager, maria.bray@tdh.org, and che.tenders@tdh.org no later than 25.10.2025.The e-mail should have the subject-line:Â MHPSS background paper – Consultant’s name – SUI-25-LAU-19-MHPSS