Harm Reduction International Seeks Consultant for 2027–2030 Strategy: Scope, Timeline, Deliverables, and How to Apply

Harm Reduction International (HRI) is commissioning an external consultancy to close one strategic cycle and launch the next. The assignment has two tightly linked phases: (A) an evaluation of the 2022–2026 Strategic Plan, and (B) facilitation and drafting of HRI 2027–2030 Strategy. The role suits a consultant or paired team that blends harm reduction expertise with an external, cross-sector perspective. Applications close 5 November 2025 (midnight UTC).

Harm Reduction International Seeks Consultant for 2027–2030 Strategy Quick Summary

About Harm Reduction International

Founded in 1996, HRI is a globally recognised NGO advancing evidence-based, rights-driven approaches to drugs and public health. Through research, advocacy, and policy engagement, HRI promotes responses that prioritise health, dignity, and human rights. Its work is explicitly anti-racist and decolonial, seeking to confront structural inequities in international drug control and global health systems.

Why This Consultancy Now

HRI 2022–2026 Strategy was extended by one year to accommodate internal transitions and a volatile funding environment. That extension created a deliberate window for reflection, learning, and course-setting. The consultant will (1) evaluate the current plan implementation and (2) translate lessons into a coherent, forward-looking strategy for 2027–2030, aligned with HRI mission and today geopolitical realities.

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Purpose and Objectives

Core Purpose

• Deliver an independent evaluation of the 2022–2026 strategy.
• Design and facilitate an inclusive process to create HRI 2027–2030 Strategic Plan.

Specific Objectives

1. Assess performance against objectives: progress, results, gaps.
2. Capture lessons learned and good practices to strengthen organisational effectiveness.
3. Engage stakeholders staff, board, funders, partners, and community representatives to surface priorities and risks.
4. Produce a strategy package for 2027–2030 with clear objectives, indicators, a theory of change, and implementation guidance that is resourced and realistic.
5. Provide fundraising and partnership recommendations aligned to the plan.

Scope of Work and Timeline

Part A: Evaluation (Dec 2025 – Mar 2026)

• Document Review: Strategic plan, annual reports, M&E datasets, donor reports, learning notes.
• Performance Analysis: Progress to date; where and why HRI over- or under-achieved; contribution analysis for advocacy outcomes.
• Context & Capacity: How internal capacity, partnerships, and external factors (policy shifts, funding trends) influenced delivery.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Interviews/focus groups with staff, board, funders, partners, and community representatives (including people who use drugs and Global South voices).
• Outputs: Evaluation plan (by 5 Dec 2025); draft report (by 27 Feb 2026); final report (by 13 Mar 2026) plus a presentation to leadership.

Part B: Strategy Development (Feb – Aug 2026)

• Situational Analysis: Internal strengths/gaps; external opportunities and risks (funding, civic space, geopolitics).
• Participatory Design: Facilitate co-creation workshops to define priorities, outcomes, and portfolio mix.
• Strategy Package: Draft strategy (by 10 Jul 2026) with objectives, indicators, accountability and resourcing assumptions, and a theory of change clarifying pathways to impact.
• Communications & Fundraising Aids: Stakeholder consultation summary (by 15 May 2026); visual materials (dashboards/infographics/one-pagers); fundraising guidance.
• Finalisation: Present draft (Jul 2026); final strategy and assets (by 31 Aug 2026).

Key Deliverables

Evaluation Phase

• Evaluation plan (5 Dec 2025)
• Draft evaluation report (27 Feb 2026)
• Final evaluation report + slide-deck briefing (13 Mar 2026)

Strategy Phase

• Inception report (27 Feb 2026)
• Stakeholder consultation summary (15 May 2026)
• Draft strategy with theory of change and indicators (10 Jul 2026)
• Presentation to leadership/board (Jul 2026)
• Final strategy, visual assets, and fundraising recommendations (31 Aug 2026)

Required Skills and Experience

• Strategic planning in NGOs/international development; facilitation of multi-stakeholder processes.
• Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) for advocacy and policy influence; qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Understanding of civil society funding landscapes, organisational agility, and risk management.
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism, Global South leadership, and inclusive participation.
• Strong geopolitical awareness of aid trends and civic space.
• Excellent facilitation across geographies and power dynamics; advanced communication and visualisation (clear reports, dashboards).

Desirable: Harm reduction/drug policy knowledge; theory of change expertise; Spanish/French/Russian/Arabic.

Equity and Participation

HRI seeks a process that centres affected communities, values lived experience, and elevates Global South voices. The consultant should propose methods that are participatory, trauma-informed, and accessible, with safeguards for confidentiality, consent, and data protection.

Budget, Payment, and Contracting

• Contract value: USD 10,000 (payable on submission of final deliverables).
• Expected to cover all professional fees; bidders should indicate any assumptions on travel or platform costs (if relevant).
• Final payment is contingent on acceptance of all agreed outputs.

How to Apply

Send a letter of interest and CV (for teams, CVs for all members) to hiring@hri.global by 5 November 2025 (midnight UTC). Your letter should briefly cover:

1. Approach & methodology for the evaluation and strategy design, including participation and ethics.
2. Team composition and division of roles (if applying as a pair/team).
3. Relevant experience with examples of similar assignments.
4. Workplan aligned to the milestones above.
5. Any assumptions regarding logistics or access needs.

Note: HRI strongly encourages applications from people who use drugs, people living with HIV, and applicants from the Global South, reflecting its anti-racist and inclusive values.

Suggested Evaluation Criteria (for your proposal)

• Clarity and feasibility of methodology and workplan
• Demonstrated experience in strategy and advocacy evaluations
• Strength of equity, participation, and safeguarding approach
• Quality of writing and visual products (samples welcome)
• Value for money and realism within the fee envelope

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can a single consultant apply, or do you prefer a team?

Either. HRI welcomes individuals or teams. A paired approach one harm-reduction expert plus one external strategy/M&E specialist is encouraged but not mandatory.

Q2. Is this consultancy remote?

The work can be conducted remotely with virtual workshops; propose any in-person sessions only if they clearly add value and fit budget constraints.

Q3. What level of access to internal documents and stakeholders will be provided?

HRI will facilitate reasonable access to documents, datasets, and interviewees (staff, board, funders, partners, community reps) and agree a data-protection protocol.

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Q4. What does success look like for HRI?

A credible, candid evaluation that informs a focused, resourced, and measurable strategy co-created with stakeholders plus practical tools for fundraising and communications.

Q5. Can applicants propose an alternative timeline or extra outputs?

Yes if your proposal meets the core milestones, you may suggest value-adding refinements (e.g., additional learning briefs or donor pitch decks).

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