Tender document for a consultancy to develop and enhance Localisation and Institutional Development in Islamic Relief, October 2020

Islamic Relief Worldwide

Islamic Relief is an international aid and development charity, which aims to alleviate the suffering of the world's poorest people. It is an independent Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) founded in the UK in 1984.

With an active presence in over 40 countries across the globe, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for the three billion people still living in poverty. As well as responding to disasters and emergencies, Islamic Relief promotes sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities - regardless of race, religion or gender.

Our vision:

Inspired by our Islamic faith and guided by our values, we envisage a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled, and people respond as one to the suffering of others.

Our mission:

Exemplifying our Islamic values, we will mobilise resources, build partnerships, and develop local capacity, as we work to:

· Enable communities to mitigate the effect of disasters, prepare for their occurrence and respond by providing relief, protection and recovery.

· Promote integrated development and environmental custodianship with a focus on sustainable livelihoods.

· Support the marginalised and vulnerable to voice their needs and address root causes of poverty.

At the international level, Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) has consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council and is a signatory to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Code of Conduct. IRW is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) through raising awareness of the issues that affect poor communities and through its work on the ground. Islamic Relief are one of only 13 charities that have fulfilled the criteria and have become members of the Disasters Emergency Committee (www.dec.org.uk), and is certified by CHS

IRW endeavours to work closely with local communities, focussing on capacity-building and empowerment to help them achieve development without dependency.

Please see our website for more information http://www.islamic-relief.org/

Background

Humanitarian sector has been into massive transformation from the past few years due to the unique and unprecedented challenges. This has an effect on implementation approach of international agencies. Given Islamic Relief (IR) experience in field with community-based connections and faith-based approach, there is a clear opportunity to provide sustainable leadership in terms of redefining humanitarian framework. IRW’s “Humanitarian Department” which primarily managed all first-phase emergency responses (in non-presence countries) has been restructured as the “Disaster Risk Management Department” (DRMD) owing to the dynamic humanitarian trends and organizational needs. DRMD supports the organization at all levels from preparedness to response through resilience and leading the localisation agenda.

Strengthening Response Capacity and Institutional Development for Excellence (STRIDE-II) is a project being managed by DRMD to strengthen the capacity of Islamic Relief field offices and local actors through enhanced preparedness and partnerships. STRIDE brings context-specific, inclusive and DRR sensitive Capacity Self-Assessment (CSA) through which the field Offices and local actors can comprehensively analyse and determine areas of improvement across all organisational functions. Thus, developed trajectories subsequently improve their effectiveness and efficiency in humanitarian programming. The project has global outreach and being implemented in 20+ countries of all the regions of IR’s presence i.e. Asia, East Africa, West Africa and the Middle East.

STRIDE-II brings a more holistic approach to preparedness, true and inclusive localisation in target region for an effective organisational response. The STRIDE-II approach and its key components are designed in a way that Islamic Relief remain relevant in humanitarian systems, adding value, become partner of choice, prepared and innovative within humanitarian ecosystem.

Objective

Islamic Relief Worldwide is looking for experienced and qualified professional (s) to provide support to Disaster Risk Management Department’s (DRMD) STRIDE project team in “exploring context-specific localisation concept in IR presence and non-presence countries and designing a coherent and practical approach for institutional development of local actors and IR field offices”.

scope

The scope of the assignment is to work with the project team to develop tools and conduct analysis in existing IR countries which support the overall localisation efforts and explore and identify Partners in non-presence countries through review existing criteria, establishing where appropriate and providing support to carry out analysis

Methodology

The consultant will primarily work with the Disaster Risk Management Department, specifically the Global Capacity Building Advisor and Disaster Preparedness and Response Coordinator, as well as across countries with project leads

It is expected from the consultant to provide support and deliver results in the below areas;

1. IR Presence Countries: IR is working in over 30 countries and have field teams to manage the implementation of the overall programme. However, due to changes in work modalities and to contribute in localisation agenda; the senior management advised to conduct scoping exercise and explore partnerships opportunities in the prioritised countries^[1] i.e. Ethiopia, Sudan, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Kenya. Given the context, it is required from the consultant to;

2. Develop partners criteria and tool for localisation context analysis in IR presence countries

3. Conduct context analysis or scoping exercise in the mentioned countries with the support of STRIDE team and field offices (by travelling to at least two countries and virtually in others)

4. Develop country/context specific localisation strategy paper

5. Identify challenges in local partners management and develop guidelines for improving relevant areas

6. IR Non-Presence Countries: DRMD is mandated to respond in countries where IR don’t have any presence. In order to timely respond to any natural or human-induced disaster, STRIDE project is being utilised as a mean to explore and identify partners in IR non-presence countries. Based on risk analysis the prioritised countries^[2] for exploring partnerships are; Nigeria, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Libya and Madagascar. The consultant is required to support STRIDE team in;

7. Review existing partnerships criteria and partners capacity assessment tool together with the project team and provide recommendations for any revision where necessary

8. Develop partners criteria and tool for localisation context analysis in IR non-presence countries

9. Provide support to project team in conducting context analysis of IR non-presence countries and device a plan/strategy for partnerships with local actors

10. Share and capacitate project team in exploring/targeting donor calls/grants related to localisation and capacity strengthening

11. Explore joint business development concept with IR’s existing local partners and provide guidance on maintaining productive relationship

requirements

The successful consultant is expected to have:

· Professional experience in the humanitarian sector with a combination of senior management experience at field level and technical work related to partnerships management and capacity strengthening of teams and local actors

· Understanding of the context and experience of working in Asia, Middle East and Africa

· Strong knowledge of practical approaches and demonstrated experience around localisation

· Familiar with/good understanding of Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere Standards, Protection Principles, Red-Cross/Red-Crescent Code of Conduct etc.

· Excellent writing and communication skills (high proficiency in English language)

· Time management skills and able to complete the assignment within allocated time

· Able to travel to at least two countries of IR presence and one IR non-presence country. (Countries to be finalised in consultation with project team and after reviewing travel restrictions)

output and timescales

1. Develop partners criteria and tool for localisation context analysis in IR presence countries (to be completed by 15^th November 2020)

2. Conduct context analysis or scoping exercise in the mentioned countries with the support of STRIDE team and field offices (to be completed by 15^th December, 2020)

3. Develop country/context specific localisation strategy paper (to be completed by 15^th January 2021)

4. Identify challenges in local partners management and develop guidelines for improving relevant areas (to be completed by 31^st January 2021)

5. Review existing partnerships criteria and partners capacity assessment tool (IR non-presence countries) together with the project team and provide recommendations for any revision where necessary (to be completed by 15^th February 2021)

6. Develop partners criteria and tool for localisation context analysis in IR non-presence countries (28^th February 2021)

7. Provide support to project team in conducting context analysis of IR non-presence countries and device a plan/strategy for partnerships with local actors (to be completed by 15^th April 2021)

Time frame and budget

Final output and project completion by: (April 30, 2021)

Contract duration: 06 months

Location: Home-Based with some international travel

Job Title: Consultant: Localisation and Institutional Development

Proposal to tender and costing:

Consultants (single or teams) interested in carrying out this work must:

a) Submit a proposal/bid, including the following;

i. Detailed cover letter/proposal outlining a methodology and approach briefing note

ii. CV or outline of relevant skills and experience possessed by the consultant who will be carrying out the tasks and any other personnel who will work on the project

iii. Example(s) of relevant work

iv. The consultancy daily rate

v. Expenses policy of the tendering consultant. Incurred expenses will not be included but will be agreed in advance of any contract signed

vi. Be able to complete the project within the timeframe stated above

vii. Be able to demonstrate experience of similar work

Terms and conditions

Payment will be made in accordance with the deliverables and deadlines as follows:

· 40% of the total amount – First upfront payment

· 30% of the total amount – submission of the first draft and delivering mock-up facilitation session**

· 30% of the total amount – submission of the final report including all outputs and attachments mentioned above**

We can be flexible with payment terms, invoices are normally paid on net payment terms of 28 days.

Additional information and conditions of contract

During the consultancy period,

IRW will only cover:

· Consultancy fees

· Any travel costs to visit IRW

IRW will not cover:

· Tax obligations as required by the country in which he/she will file income tax

· Any pre/post assignment medical costs. These should be covered by the consultant

· Medical and travel insurance arrangements and costs. These should be covered by the consultant

[1] List of countries is indicative and changes can occur based on context review or as per advice from the senior management.

[2] Indicative list

To access and download the full tender documents please click on the link beneath;

https://www.islamic-relief.org/tenders/category/open-tenders/

How to apply:

Consultancy contract

This will be for an initial period that is to be specified by the consultant commencing from October/November 2020 (exact date to be mutually agreed). The selected candidate is expected to work from their home/office and be reporting into the Disaster Risk Management Department.

The terms upon which the consultant will be engaged are as per the consultancy agreement. The invoice is to be submitted in accordance with the payment terms and will be paid on net payment terms of 28 days though we can be flexible.

All potential applicants must fill in the table beneath in Appendix 1 to help collate key data pertaining to this tender. The applicant must be clear about other expenses being claimed in relation to this consultancy and these must be specified clearly.

For this consultancy all applicants are required to submit a covering letter and CV’s of all potential consultants including the project lead.

A proposal including, planned activities, methodology, deliverables, timeline, and cost proposal (including expenses) are expected.

Other relevant supporting documents should be included as the consultants sees fit.

Tender dates and contact details

All proposals are required to be submitted by Monday 26^th October 2020 at 1.00pm UK time pursuant to the attached guidelines for submitting a quotation and these be returned to tendering@irworldwide.org

For any issues relating to the tender or its contents please email directly to tendering@irworldwide.org

Following submission, IRW may engage in further discussion with applicants concerning tenders in order to ensure mutual understanding and an optimal agreement.

Quotations must include the following information for assessment purposes.

1. Timescales

2. Full break down of costs including taxes, expenses and any VAT

3. References (two are preferred)

4. Technical competency for this role

5. Demonstrable experience of developing a similar piece of work including a methodology

Note: The criteria are subject to change.

Appendix 1

Please fill in the table below. It is essential all sections be completed and where relevant additional expenses be specified in detail. In case of questions about how to complete the table below, please contact tendering@irworldwide.org

Cost evaluation of a consultancy to develop and enhance Localisation and Institutional Development in Islamic Relief, October 2020

Full name of all consultants working on this project

Full company trading name

No of proposed hours per week

No. of proposed days

Preferred days

Non preferred days**

Earliest available start date

Expected project finish date

Day rate (required for invoicing purposes) £

Total cost for consultancy in GBP (less taxes and expenses) £

Expenses (flights) £

Expenses (accommodation) £

Expenses (transfers) £

Expenses (in country travel) £

Expenses (visa) £

Expenses (security) £

Expenses (food) £

Expenses (print/stationary) £**

Expenses other (please specify) £

Total expenses £

Total VAT or taxes £

Total cost for consultancy in GBP (inclusive of taxes and expenses) £

Note

The applicant is expected to take responsibility for paying full taxes and social charges in his/her country of residence.

To access and download the full tender documents please click on the link beneath;

https://www.islamic-relief.org/tenders/category/open-tenders/