Strategic Communication Consultancy for SC Europe

Strategic Communication Consultancy for SC Europe

1. Background

The negotiations for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)have been officially launched with the publication of the European Commission (EC)s proposal in July 2025.

2026 is going to be marked by the intensification of the negotiations between the three main EU institutions (the Council the European Parliament and the EC) in a shifting geopolitical environment characterised by increased inward-looking priorities such as security concerns a strong focus on EU competitiveness and economic growth rising inequality and thus pressure on social investments within the EU and on its support to partner countries via development and humanitarian assistance. For childrenboth within the EU and globallythese shifts pose significant risks to their rights protection well-being and long-term development.

Save the Children Europe seeks to strengthen its advocacy during this period by building compelling values-based and politically relevant communication narratives that both centre on children and resonate with EU-level and EU Member States decision-makers within the current geopolitical context. The aim is to complement existing evidence-based advocacy with strategic storytelling message framing and communications products that can influence key EU and member states stakeholders involved in MFF debates and decision-making.

To support this work Save the Children Europe plans to engage a Strategic Communications Consultantto develop a coherent engagement strategy which includes specifically a set of adaptable messages and guidance for EU and national advocacy teams.

The storytelling and narrative work could include a public campaigning moment aligned with the timeline of the negotiations - to mobilise stakeholders and amplify the message that protecting childrens rights must remain a top EU political and financial priority both within Europe and globally.

2. Objective of the Consultancy

To develop and support the rollout of an engagement strategy focusing on a communication narrative and messaging package that strengthen Save the Children Europes advocacy on:

• The prioritization of childrens rightswithin key EU social funding Instruments and the Global Europe Instrument of the next MFF.
• Positioning investing in childrens rights within the Global Gateway strategy and within the EUs engagement with the private sector.
• The protection of Official Development Assistance (ODA).
• Maintain investment in human development including education health social protection and child protection.
• The need for a balanced forward-looking MFFthat responds to geopolitical challenges while safeguarding long-term development and human rights commitments including child rights.

The consultancy should result in a clear and persuasive alternative engagement strategy focusing on a renewed narrative framework that can be easily understood and adopted by EU institutions and adaptable for national contexts across Member States.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will:

A. Research & Analysis

• Identify dominant political narratives at EU level including within the European Parliament and in key Member States.
• Analyse current narratives relating to childrens rights and investment in children.
• Identify possible allies and opposers among powerholders within and outside the EU Institutions looking into unusual/untapped partners.

B. Narrative & Message Development

• Develop an overarching engagement strategy including a narrative frameworkpositioning children as central to long-term stability prosperity and resilience and which resonate within a security and competitiveness-focused context.
• Create core advocacy messagestailored to:
  • EU institutions (European Parliament Council Commission and other including consultative bodies)
  • National governments and Permanent Representations
  • Where relevant and feasible private sector and philanthropies.
  • Draft message variations that can be adapted easily for national offices.

C. Communications Products

• Deliver a set of practical tools including:
• A narrative and message playbook highlighting strategic framing recommendations values-based messaging counter-narratives and audience-specific adaptations;
• Development of 1-2 thought pieces (op-eds e.g.) to engage with European Media at key moments of the negotiations.

D. Support to Rollout & Capacity Building

• Facilitate up to 3 virtual workshopswith Save the Children Europe and Save the Children EU Members advocacy staff on strategic framing and testing messages
• Provide continuous advisory supportduring key advocacy moments (e.g. political agreement milestones Council meetings Parliamentary debates).

4. Deliverables

1. Inception report(including workplan methodology and political narrative analysis);
2. Narrative Framework Document(510 pages) including messages and communications playbook (incl. Examples recommended language pitfalls to avoid and suggested storytelling assets);
3. Facilitation of 3 virtual workshops;
4. Development of 1-2 thought pieces(op-eds e.g.);
5. Ad-hoc supportduring 2026 as agreed (up to a defined number of advisory hours).

5. Timeframe

The consultancy runs from February to December 2026 with key deliverables finalized by Q2 and ongoing strategic support throughout the remainder of the year and at key strategic negotiation moments.

A detailed timeline will be agreed in the inception phase.

6. Qualifications Required

• Proven experience in strategic communications political framing and narrative design. Previous work at EU level is a must while experience in engaging with stakeholders at Member States level is desirable.
• Strong understanding of EU institutions budgetary processes and MFF dynamics.
• Demonstrated experience supporting advocacy or campaigns on development cooperation and international partnerships social and childrens rights humanitarian issues or human development.
• Ability to translate complex policy themes into accessible compelling narratives.
• Experience working with NGOs or international organisations.
• Excellent writing facilitation and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines.

7. Management & Reporting

The consultant will report to Margherita Leone Senior Advocacy Advisor at Save the Children Europeand will work closely with relevant thematic experts and SC members advocacy teams.

Regular check-ins will be scheduled to ensure alignment with advocacy priorities and political developments.

8. Budget and Payment Schedule

Payment will be structured around key deliverables with a detailed breakdown agreed upon contract signature.

Applicants should provide:

• A daily rate
• Estimated number of days
• Overall budget proposal (excluding VAT if applicable). The maximum budget available at this stage for the consultancy work is of 15.000 EUR.

9. Application Procedure

Interested candidates should submit:

• A short cover letterdescribing their approach and suitability
• A technical proposal(max. 3 pages)outlining methodology work plan and budget breakdown.
• A financial proposal
• Examples of previous relevant work
• CV of consultant(s)

Applications should ideally be sent to:

Deadline for applications is 10 February 2026 11:59 PM UTC.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.