Open request for quotations - Lead researcher and author for desk study
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) requests quotations for a remote consultancy as lead researcher and author for the following desk study: “Phase 1 – Global needs assessment after nuclear-weapons testing”, which will be implemented in the period September 2023 to April 2024. The scope of the services sought is a maximum of 60 days at an upper rate of NOK 5,000 per day, depending on the availability and qualifications of the chosen candidate.
The desk study in question will constitute the first of three phases of a global needs assessment after nuclear-weapons testing (GNA). NPA has initiated this GNA because there is a lack of adequate research on ongoing needs for victim assistance (VA) and environmental remediation (ER) after nuclear-weapons testing, and because efforts to address such needs have been and continue to be insufficient.
The GNA will be independent and cross-sectoral, and implemented on the basis of humanitarian principles, actively involving national, provincial, and local stakeholders, and with an operational focus on intervention measures that can be taken to address identified needs.
Phase 1 of the project will be desk-based only and collect data through structured interviews with key informants from affected states, agencies, and organizations, and implement a cross-sectoral review of available research and evidence. The findings and recommendations of the research will be presented in an initial needs assessment report, which will be published in the spring of 2024 with active involvement by stakeholders from affected states. The initial report will then form the basis for the planning, fundraising for and implementation of Phases 2 and 3 of the GNA, which will be field-based and comprehensive projects.
The lead researcher and author will implement Phase 1 of the GNA in cooperation with a broad cross-sectoral scientific and technical team, for which NPA will also issue a call for interest in consultancies. This team will consist of NPA’s in-house survey specialists and external specialists with different areas of expertise, within e.g. radiation dose assessment; mapping, data gathering, management and analysis of past and present radioactive contamination; biological factors and gendered impacts; psycho-social, socio-economic, and cultural impacts from nuclear-weapons testing; environmental risks and climate change impacts on risks from radioactive contamination; humanitarian and human rights effects of environmental contamination; rights-based implementation of VA and ER; and intervention measures.
Criteria for selection:
NPA will select the quotation that overall presents the most value for the project. Because of limited funding for the project, NPA is not in a position to consider quotations with a price per day that exceeds NOK 5,000.
A successful candidate must possess a doctorate in a relevant field and have a significant number of publications to their name, including on nuclear-weapons related issues as well as rights-based implementation of VA and ER. Documented experience with academic work in a cross-sectoral setting is also required.
NPA will score the quotations on the basis of the following criteria:
Academic level and quality of previous publications: 25%
Relevance of expertise: 25%
Availability and assessed ability to deliver within timeline: 25%
Price per day: 25%
Address, deadline and period of validity
The quotation shall be sent via email to the email address provided below, and contain the following information:
Academic background and publications.
Motivation for the project.
Offered price per day.
An indication of the weeks you would be available for during Sep 2023-April 2024.
Any special conditions under which the consultancy will be performed.
Email address:
with the following text in the subject line: «Lead researcher and author»
Deadline: 17 September 2023
Quotations arriving after the deadline may be rejected. The quotation shall be valid for 30 days after the deadline. Costs related to the development of the quotation will not be refunded.
Selection process
The quotations will be opened and reviewed by a select committee of three NPA employees, including as a minimum, one employee from a department separate from the Department for Mine Action and Disarmament. The quotations will be confidential and NPA will keep all information from bidders confidential.
NPA retains the right to reject some or all of the quotations received.
Other information
The bidder is responsible for the necessary registration related to payment.
Payment will be done on the basis of invoices from the consultant according to the contracts entered into and timelines agreed.
The consultant is responsible for his/her own taxes, insurances, pensions and health care and all other work-related expenses.
A timeline for the work will be developed and agreed between the consultant and NPA as part of the contract.
Travel related to the project will be covered by NPA.
Questions regarding quotations shall be directed to:
Ove Sparre-Enger, policy advisor, Norwegian People’s Aid
Email: ovespa208@npaid.org
Mobile: + 47 48 03 75 53