Call for Tenders: IDEA and Concern Worldwide Launch 2026 Research Consultancy on Global North–South Partnerships in Global Citizenship Education ·South Partnerships in Global Citizenship Education

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA), in partnership with Concern Worldwide, has opened a call for tenders inviting qualified consultants to undertake a research consultancy examining best practices in equitable Global North–South partnerships in Global Citizenship Education (GCE).

The consultancy aims to strengthen collaboration between organisations across the island of Ireland and partners in the Global South while generating practical guidance to support more inclusive, reciprocal, and sustainable partnerships.

Applications are open until 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, 13 August 2026, with the successful consultant expected to begin work in early September 2026.

IDEA and Concern Worldwide Seek Research Expertise

The consultancy has been commissioned to explore how organisations delivering Global Citizenship Education can build stronger, more equitable partnerships with communities and institutions across the Global South.

Rather than focusing on theoretical analysis alone, the project emphasizes identifying practical approaches, existing evidence, and successful partnership models that organisations can adopt in their own work.

The findings will contribute to IDEA’s efforts to strengthen the Global Citizenship Education sector in Ireland while also informing Concern Worldwide’s Global Citizenship programme.

By documenting effective partnership practices and lessons learned, the consultancy aims to support organisations seeking to foster more balanced, collaborative, and locally informed international partnerships.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The research will examine how organisations can move beyond traditional development partnerships toward models grounded in equity, reciprocity, mutual learning, and shared decision-making.

The consultancy will focus on:

• Identifying examples of effective Global North–South partnerships in Global Citizenship Education.
• Synthesising existing research and practical evidence.
• Developing recommendations that organisations can apply in future collaborations.
• Producing tools and guidance that support more equitable partnership practices.
• Sharing findings with practitioners through a dedicated learning workshop.

The project is intended to deliver practical resources that can strengthen both policy and programme implementation across the sector.

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Scope of Work

The selected consultant will undertake a range of research and engagement activities over approximately four months.

Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting a targeted desk review of relevant literature, research, and case studies.
• Consulting selected stakeholders across the island of Ireland and the Global South.
• Identifying examples of successful partnership approaches and innovative practices.
• Producing a concise evidence-based report containing recommendations, tools, and practical guidance.
• Preparing presentation materials summarising key findings.
• Co-facilitating a one-day IDEA learning workshop in early December 2026 to share research findings and encourage practical application.

The consultancy is designed to balance evidence gathering with stakeholder engagement to ensure recommendations reflect both research and lived experience.

Timeline for the Consultancy

IDEA has outlined the following schedule for the consultancy process:

• Applications close: 9:00 a.m., Thursday, 13 August 2026
• Online interviews: 17–19 August 2026
• Consultancy begins: Early September 2026
• Research period: September to November 2026
• Learning workshop: Early December 2026
• Final report submitted: December 2026

The successful consultant is expected to manage the research within this timeline while maintaining regular communication with the project partners.

Consultancy Budget

The consultancy has an available budget of approximately €6,000, inclusive of VAT.

Financial proposals should include:

• Professional consultancy fees
• Travel and other expenses
• Applicable taxes
• Any additional project-related costs

Applicants are expected to provide a transparent financial proposal alongside their methodology.

Who Can Apply?

IDEA welcomes expressions of interest from consultants with relevant expertise in several areas related to development education and international partnerships.

Suitable applicants may have experience in:

• Global Citizenship Education
• International development
• Partnership development
• Participatory research
• Decolonial approaches
• Research and evaluation
• NGO or public sector consultancy
• Higher education or learning programmes

Applicants should also demonstrate a strong track record of producing evidence-informed recommendations and practical guidance for organisations working in education or development.

Consultants with experience collaborating with organisations in both the Global North and Global South may be particularly well positioned for this assignment.

Application Requirements

Interested consultants must submit a complete expression of interest containing several documents.

Applications should include:

• A current curriculum vitae (CV).
• A cover letter outlining suitability for the consultancy.
• Two examples of relevant previous work.
• A proposed research methodology and indicative timeline.
• A detailed financial proposal.

Applicants are also encouraged to review the full Terms of Reference before preparing their submissions to ensure they understand the consultancy objectives and deliverables.

How to Apply

Completed applications should be submitted via email to recruitment@ideaonline.ie no later than 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, 13 August 2026.

Shortlisted applicants are expected to participate in online interviews between 17 and 19 August 2026, after which the consultancy contract will be awarded.

Questions relating to the consultancy or application process should also be directed to the same email address.

Supporting Stronger Global Partnerships Through Research

As organisations increasingly seek more equitable ways of working across borders, research into partnership practices has become an important area within Global Citizenship Education.

The consultancy reflects growing recognition that successful international collaboration depends not only on shared objectives but also on relationships built around mutual respect, shared leadership, and locally informed decision-making.

By bringing together evidence from research, stakeholder perspectives, and practical case studies, the project aims to provide organisations with actionable guidance that strengthens collaboration between Irish organisations and partners throughout the Global South.

Final Thoughts

The Research Consultancy on Global North–South Partnerships in Global Citizenship Education presents an opportunity for experienced consultants to contribute to advancing more equitable international collaboration within the education and development sectors.

With a budget of approximately €6,000, the consultancy will support the production of practical tools, recommendations, and learning resources that can strengthen Global Citizenship Education partnerships across Ireland and the Global South. Interested consultants are encouraged to prepare their proposals early and submit complete applications before the 13 August 2026 deadline.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the  organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official  organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.

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