About Terre des Hommes 

Terre des Hommes is a children's rights organization that supports around 370 humanitarian aid and development cooperation projects for children and young people in more than 40 countries. What is particularly important to us is that we work with local partner organizations and empower children to claim and realize their rights. As a children's rights organization, we are independent of governments, business, religious communities, and political parties.

Background and purpose

Germany's international cooperation is under pressure both domestically and internationally. Against this backdrop, reform processes have been initiated in the relevant governmental ministries, particularly in foreign policy and development cooperation. 

The aim of the consultancy is to evaluate current reform efforts in German international cooperation from the perspective of young people living in partner countries of humanitarian aid and development cooperation. For several years now, youth movements have been forming, particularly in fragile or conflict-affected contexts, expressing their frustration at the lack of prospects, inadequate state capacity, and lack of social inclusion. The protests often have multiple causes: high youth unemployment, lack of educational opportunities, corruption, state repression, economic shocks, and climate impacts that undermine livelihoods. Possible consequences include political destabilization and increased repression, but also political change and reform. In this context, the question arises as to how German development cooperation and humanitarian aid can meaningfully address young people's concerns, strengthen their political and other rights, and create social and economic opportunities for them. The analysis aims to contrast the expressed needs of development policy from a bottom-up perspective with reform orientations that respond to changed global and national conditions for aid and that follow an up-down logic. The results of the assessment will inform an annual Terre des Hommes publication (2026) focusing on development and humanitarian policy.

Deliverables

Short report (5 pages) with an overview of relevant research findings, other relevant information and experiences on the topic of social youth movements with a focus on development cooperation and humanitarian aid from various sources. This should 

• include concise arguments, conclusions and recommendations, ideally against the backdrop of current reform efforts in German development cooperation and humanitarian aid, and
• develop broad ideas for graphics, symbolic images and communicative messages.

Requirements

• Relevant academic and/or practical experience and expertise with regard to social youth movements in the Global South.
• Relevant practical experience in the preparation of policy documents.
• Ideally, knowledge of the German debates about reform needs in development cooperation and humanitarian aid.
• Agreement with the child protection policy of Terre des Hommes.

Timeframe

The consultancy deliverables must be submitted by 15 February 2026 (EOB). The work will be carried out flexibly as agreed between Terre des Hommes and the consultant.

Specification for offers

Offers should include a CV (1 page) and an exposé (1 page) and can be sent immediately until 15 January to Jonas Schubert (j.schubert@tdh.de) or Olivier Moliner (o.moliner@remove-this.tdh.de).

Consultancy Fee

EUR 3,000 (tax included).
 

Appendix

Terre des Hommes child protection policy