Call for Offers: Framework Contract for Political Monitoring and Programme Support in the Nordic Countries

rosalux
Call for Tenders

Location:                             Remote (Nordic countries)

Duration:                             September 2026 – 31 December 2028

Application Deadline:     30 August 2026, 18:00 hours CEST

 

Scope of Work

The Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Brussels Office seeks a framework contractor to provide political monitoring and analysis, representation at selected activities, programme support, and strategic advice relating to developments in the Nordic countries for the duration of the currently running programme period (2026-2028).

The contractor will primarily cover Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Developments in Iceland and Greenland should be monitored where relevant to the political priorities and programme activities of the Brussels Office.

Working in close coordination with the Brussels Office team, the contractor’s responsibilities will include:

  1. Monitoring political, social, economic, and trade union developments in the Nordic countries and identifying relevant trends, debates, actors, and opportunities for engagement;
  2. Providing regular political briefings and strategic advice to the Brussels Office on developments relevant to the foundation’s work;
  3. Producing written analyses and background papers on political developments, especially elections, policy debates, social movements, labour issues, and other relevant topics;
  4. Expert briefings briefing to selected stakeholders on selected analyses (see #3 above);
  5. Writing and coordinating articles, interviews, commentaries, and other contributions for RLS publications and communication channels, as well as identifying suitable external authors where requested;
  6. Identifying relevant authors, researchers, activists, trade unionists, politicians, partner organisations, and other potential interlocutors for cooperation with the Brussels Office;
  7. Attending selected political events, conferences, congresses, festivals, and other relevant gatherings in the Nordic countries on behalf of RLS Brussels in a non-speaking capacity, including supporting RLS information and book stalls where applicable;
  8. Establishing, maintaining, and expanding networks with political parties, trade unions, social movements, NGOs, researchers, and other relevant stakeholders in the region;
  9. Advising the Brussels Office on programme development, strategic priorities, and opportunities for cooperation in the Nordic countries;
  10. Supporting the organisation of events, projects, and exchanges involving Nordic partners and speakers;
  11. Designing and coordinating programmes for delegations to the Nordic countries, including identifying and liaising with relevant interlocutors, speakers, organisations, and institutions;
  12. Preparing background materials, briefing notes, and organisational recommendations for delegations and other programme activities on an ad hoc basis;
  13. Participating in regular coordination meetings with the responsible project manager and, where required, other members of the Brussels Office team.

Deliverables and Estimated Workload

The framework contract is intended to provide the Brussels Office with ongoing access to regional political expertise and flexible support for its activities in the Nordic countries. The precise volume and distribution of assignments will depend on political developments and the programme priorities of the Brussels Office.

Based on current planning, assignments are expected to include:

  • one political briefing and coordination meeting with the responsible project manager per month;
  • four written political overview reports per year, covering key developments in the Nordic countries (approximately 1,000–1,500 words each);
  • up to four articles (typical word count per article: approximately 2,000 words) or article packages per year covering important political developments – in particular, elections – and debates. Election-related packages may, for example, combine pre-election analysis, analysis of election outcomes or government formation, and a closed-door briefing for selected RLS and other relevant audiences. Other articles may include, but are not limited to, ad hoc analyses, background papers, and briefings on specific developments, campaigns, or policy debates as required;
  • participation in approximately one to three selected political events, party congresses, conferences, or left-wing political festivals per year;
  • support for the preparation and implementation of one to two smaller delegations or study visits in 2027 and 2028 respectively;
  • ongoing networking, identification of relevant partners, speakers and authors, and advice on cooperation and programme opportunities in the region; and
  • other related assignments agreed with the Brussels Office within the scope of the framework contract.

Based on current planning, the Brussels Office anticipates commissioning approximately 250–300 hours of time-based services per full calendar year. This estimate is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to any minimum volume of work.

Articles, interviews, election packages, and other publication-related outputs commissioned by the Brussels Office will be remunerated separately on a per-item basis according to the fee schedule agreed as part of the contract and are not included in the estimated annual hourly workload.

The estimated workload and annual budget ceiling for 2026 will apply on a pro rata basis, reflecting the shorter contract period from September to December 2026.

Your Profile

We are looking for a contractor who meets the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated expertise in politics, society, labour movements, and left-wing political developments in the Nordic countries;
  • Excellent knowledge of political actors and institutions, trade unions, social movements, and civil society organisations in the region;
  • Established networks among relevant political, trade union, academic, and civil society actors;
  • Excellent command of written and spoken English;
  • Knowledge of one or more Nordic languages is highly desirable;
  • Proven experience in political analysis, policy research, journalism, political communication, or a related field;
  • Strong writing, analytical, and reporting skills;
  • Experience in organising political programmes, study visits, delegations, conferences, or related activities;
  • Ability to work independently, manage multiple assignments, and meet agreed deadlines;
  • Strong communication and organisational skills;
  • Demonstrated interest in socialist and left-wing politics and in labour, feminist, anti-racist, climate, and social justice debates and movements.

What We Offer

  • The opportunity to contribute to the work of the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Brussels Office and its engagement with political developments and actors in the Nordic countries;
  • A framework contract for services running from September 2026 until 31 December 2028;
  • Flexible, assignment-based cooperation within agreed annual budget ceilings.

Compensation

Services under the framework contract will be remunerated on the basis of agreed hourly and/or daily rates. Publication-related outputs, including articles and other texts intended for publication or distribution, will be remunerated separately on a per-item basis according to the fee schedule agreed as part of the contract.

Specific assignments, expected outputs, estimated working time where applicable, and timelines will be agreed between the Brussels Office and the contractor on an ongoing basis throughout the contract period.

The total annual value of assignments under the framework contract may not exceed the annual budget ceiling specified in the contract.

How to Apply

Interested contractors are invited to submit:

  1. A cover letter outlining their qualifications, relevant experience, networks, and interest in the assignment;
  2. A CV highlighting relevant professional experience;
  3. Examples of written work, publications, analyses, or comparable outputs;
  4. A completed financial proposal based on the categories provided below.

Please submit your complete application by email to nqn.ertryznaa@ebfnyhk.bet by 30 August 2026, 18:00 hours CEST, with the subject line “Nordic Countries Framework Contract – Application”.

Only complete applications received by the deadline will be considered.

Financial Proposal

Please indicate the following rates in euros:

Hourly rate

Please indicate your hourly rate for time-based services, including political briefings, research and ad hoc analysis, editorial coordination and commissioning support, programme design and preparation, networking, and related advisory tasks.

Daily rates for travel assignments

Please indicate your all-inclusive daily rate for assignments requiring travel to each of the following destinations:

  • Denmark
  • Sweden
  • Norway
  • Finland
  • Brussels/Belgium

The rates quoted should include the contractor’s professional fee as well as all travel, accommodation and subsistence costs associated with the assignment. These costs will not be reimbursed separately by RLS.

For the purposes of calculating these rates, applicants should assume that assignments will normally take place in or near the respective capitals or other major cities.

Travel to Iceland or other more remote destinations is not currently anticipated as part of the regular workload. Should such travel become necessary, the applicable rate will be agreed separately between RLS and the contractor in advance of the assignment.

Current planning may include:

  • one on-site meeting at the RLS Brussels Office for project planning in September/October 2026 and, subject to need, in early 2027 and early 2028;
  • participation in approximately one to three selected party congresses, conferences, or left-wing political festivals in the Nordic region per year;
  • one to two smaller delegation or study visits to selected Nordic countries in 2027 and 2028 respectively;
  • additional travel to activities in Brussels or the Nordic countries where agreed with the Brussels Office.

Rates for publication-related outputs

Please indicate your proposed per-item rates for the different types of written and editorial outputs anticipated under this framework contract, including articles, interviews, analyses intended for publication, and multi-part article or election packages, as applicable.

Selection Criteria

A demonstrated understanding of and interest in the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung’s political priorities and fields of work is a prerequisite for consideration.

Eligible offers will be assessed according to the following criteria:

  • Price (50%): Assessment of the financial proposal, including the hourly and daily rates and per-item rates submitted for the services specified below;
  • Relevant expertise and experience regarding the Nordic countries (20%);
  • Quality of networks and demonstrated experience working with political parties, trade unions, social movements, NGOs, academic institutions, or comparable actors in the region (10%);
  • Writing, analytical, and reporting experience (10%);
  • Experience in programme development, event organisation, delegation planning, and international cooperation projects (10%).

These criteria will be assessed on the basis of the applicant’s financial proposal, CV, cover letter, work samples, and other supporting materials submitted as part of the offer.

About the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung

The Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung (RLS) is one of the six major political foundations in the Federal Republic of Germany, tasked primarily with conducting political education both at home and abroad. The foundation is affiliated with Die Linke, a democratic socialist party in the German parliament.

Since its founding in 1990, the foundation’s work has adhered to the legacy of its namesake, German socialist leader Rosa Luxemburg, and stands for democratic socialism with an unwavering internationalist focus. The foundation is committed to a radical perspective emphasizing public awareness, education, and social critique. It stands in the tradition of the workers’ and women’s movements, as well as anti-fascism and anti-racism.

Based on the firm belief that social change requires a reflective confrontation with today’s capitalist society as a whole, the foundation strives to develop alternative concepts and approaches for a comprehensive process of social transformation enabling the creation of a more united and just society. Education and training in democratic socialist politics, analysis, information, and policy advice are therefore the foundation’s basic tasks, which we pursue and implement at the regional, national, and international levels.