Social innovation in international development NGOs
Terms of reference
Aim:
To demystify innovation by providing a practical framework for NGOs who want to think
strategically about where and how to focus their innovation efforts, and share learning on the
most appropriate ways NGOs can support and encourage those efforts.
Goals:
 Co-produce with NGOs a clear definition of innovation, to help build common
understanding in the sector and create a shared language
 Co-produce with NGOs a social innovation ‘typology’ and a list of allied tactics to help
NGOs analyse innovations and create their own
 Understand what methodologies and tools NGOs are currently using to support
innovation efforts and which have been most effective in different circumstances
 Showcase and analyse current innovation efforts in the sector (using typology
framework) to help NGOs understand what others are doing, and incentivise more
widespread innovation activities
 Identify potential gaps and opportunities for innovation in NGOs
 Build a database of innovation ‘inspiration’ case studies which can be updated
annually
 Identify specific areas where Bond/others might further support NGO innovation
efforts
Audience: Boards, Executive teams and senior managers within INGOs who want to
increase their innovation efforts, but who have limited internal expert capacity to support this
Objectives:
1. To co-produce with Bond members a definition and ‘typology’ of social innovation that is
appropriate/accessible for international development NGOs and a list of associated
tactics to help support their innovation efforts
2. To provide NGOs with recommendations on the strategies/methodologies they can
deploy to encourage and support innovation efforts
3. To produce around 20 ‘showcasing’ case studies (c500-600 words each) of social
innovation by BOND members including the following:
a) an analysis of the areas in which they were innovating (e.g., business model,
organisational structure, process, service, brand, ‘customer’ engagement – including
those who were innovating in multiple areas simultaneously)
b) a brief explanation of the drivers (as perceived by the NGO) for the specific
innovation
c) the conditions and approaches that enabled those innovations (e.g.,
methodologies, resources/donor support, skills, internal culture)
d) the results to date, and how it improves on past practice
4. To provide a tabular and/or graphic representation highlighting the current spread/focus
of innovation activities in INGOs and highlight areas of potential gaps/opportunity for
innovation
Methodology:
It is expected that the methodology could include the following:
 A call for examples of innovation to the Bond membership
 Desk research – including of recent literature/examples of innovation in the sector
(NB: Bond has already begun to compile some examples)
 Follow-up interviews or correspondence to develop case studies
 Workshop[s] with selected participants from Bond member organisations to gather
examples of innovation, prioritise case studies for inclusion in the report, test and
refine the innovation definition, typology, list of tactics and support methodologies
Scope:
 We are interested in a wide range of innovations, not just in development
programming
 The research can include innovations in Bond members’ partner NGOs, if the
member organisation played a substantive role in supporting that innovation
Outputs:
It is envisaged that the majority of the content will be produced for an online innovation ‘hub’
on Bond’s website. This will supplemented with a short printed executive summary.
For web:
 Introduction section explaining future challenges/disruption facing NGO sector as
imperative for innovation
 Definition of innovation
 Typology* of innovation with explanation and link to case studies
 List of possible innovation tactics
 Recommendations for NGOs on how to enable and support innovation in different
circumanstances
 20 full case studies (c500 words max linked to innovation typology
 Tabular/graphic representation of innovation focus areas of case studies
Print-content:
 Executive summary (likely format: 6-9 page rolling gatefold)
NB: Print, design and digital development are not required – these will be procured
separately, although we would expect the appointed providers to work closely with digital
and design suppliers to produce final content
Timing:
 Proposals received by Friday 13th November, 12pm
 Shortlisted submissions notified by Tuesday 17th November
 Interviews Thursday 19th November
 Appointment confirmed Tuesday 24th November
 First draft of materials by Wednesday 13th January
 Materials completed by 1st February 2016
 Website live and report printed by 22nd February 2016
 Launch of findings at Bond conference 29th February 2016
* It is proposed that Doblin’s 10 types of innovation is used as starting point for approaching
the development of an innovation typology that is relevant for non-profit organisations.
Budget:
£10-13k incl VAT
Person specification:
 Experience of researching innovation across a sector
 Experience of creating and using tools/techniques to help organisations approach
innovation strategically
 Deep knowledge and experience of using/creating innovation typologies, including
the Doblin ’10 types of innovation’ model
 Strong writing skills, with an ability to convey information in a concise and compelling
manner – appropriate for presentation on and offline
 Demonstrable facilitation skills – able to help bring a diverse group to consensus
 Understanding of and appreciation for the international development sector and nonprofit organisations, and ideally experience of working with development INGOs on
innovation.
What your proposal should include:
 An explanation of how you would fulfil the brief
 CV(s) of individuals working on this project
 Examples of relevant previous work
 Contact details for two references
How your proposal will be assessed:
 Understanding of the brief
 Feasibility and creativity of your proposed approach and plan
 Your track record and fit with the person specification
 Value for money