Call proposals – Pillar Assessment Consultancy

Call for proposals – Pillar Assessment Consultancy

The International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH) is a Swiss law foundation based in Geneva, benefiting from the privileges and immunities of an international organization. The main global fund dedicated to the protection of heritage in conflict, post‑conflict, or crisis zones, ALIPH supports those who, on the ground, take concrete measures to protect or restore museums, sites, monuments, or intangible heritage, in the most challenging contexts.

Since its creation in Geneva in 2017, ALIPH has supported 550 projects in over 50 countries.

The Foundation carries out its mission thanks to the support of its nine member states (France, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, China, Morocco, Luxembourg, Cyprus, and Uzbekistan), its three private donors, as well as about a dozen other funding partners.

As part of its strategic development, ALIPH wishes to obtain European Union (EU) accreditation through a Pillar Assessment, which would enable the organization to manage EU funds under indirect management.

To prepare for this process, ALIPH seeks to engage an experienced consultant or consulting firm to accompany the institution during the diagnostic and planning stages of the Pillar Assessment process, with a view to establishing a clear and actionable roadmap toward compliance with EU Pillar requirements.

The objective of the consultancy is to assess ALIPH’s current systems and procedures against EU standards and to co‑construct a structured roadmap identifying the corrective measures required to align the organization with these standards.

This initial assessment focuses on the diagnostic and planning stages of the EU Pillar Assessment process, and is designed to lay the foundations for a subsequent implementation phase.

Subject to satisfactory results, validation by ALIPH, and alignment with institutional priorities, the conclusion and outputs of this initial assignment are intended to inform and enable a second phase of consultancy dedicated to the implementation of the roadmap, with the objective of achieving full compliance with EU standards and preparing for the accreditation process.

1. Methodological Diagnostic and Framing

• Develop and validate the overall approach, methodology, and work plan for the diagnostic phase, including timelines, key deliverables, and coordination mechanisms with ALIPH.
• Define the diagnostic framework in line with EU Pillar requirements.
• Conduct a comprehensive review of ALIPH’s existing procedures, policies, and systems.
• Assess the level of compliance with the EU Pillar requirements and identify potential gaps, strengths, risks and areas for improvement.

2. Co‑construction of a Roadmap

Based on the findings of phase 1:

• Co‑develop with ALIPH team a detailed roadmap setting‑out priorities and corrective measures required to align with EU pillar requirements.
• Define clear milestones, responsibilities, sequencing and timelines for implementation.
• Validate the roadmap with ALIPH’s management team.
• Propose a detailed budget aligned with the validated roadmap.

The consultancy will be carried out in two sequential phases.

Phase 1 – Diagnostic

• Review internal procedures and systems (financial, procurement, HR, audit, governance…).
• Conduct interviews with key staff.
• Map compliance with EU requirements and define necessary updates to policies and systems.
• Methodology of diagnostic.
• Diagnostic and gap analysis reports.

Phase 2 – Roadmap Co‑construction

• Develop and validate the roadmap with milestones and responsibilities.
• Estimate costs and resources needed.
• Validated roadmap with timelines and resource needs.
• Detailed budget.

The consultancy is expected to last approximately 4 months.

• Phase 2 –
  
  Roadmap:
  
  1 month

• Proven experience supporting organizations through EU Pillar Assessments or similar accreditation and compliance processes with major institutional donors (e.g. SIDA, World Bank, USAID).
• Demonstrated expertise in EU financial regulations, internal control frameworks, and requirements for indirect…