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/
Organisational governance
IRW coordinates projects that are undertaken in collaboration with charities around the world. Entities with a common vision share the ‘Islamic Relief’ name (e.g. Islamic Relief USA). They are based both in the developed world (where they focus on fundraising and are independent entities) and the developing world (‘field offices’). Sometimes, IRW will also fund other local NGOs to carry out projects on its behalf e.g. in large disaster situations. The movement of funds between the various Islamic Relief entities is governed by funding agreements. All IR entities together are referred to as the “IR family”.
The Board of Trustees is Islamic Relief’s highest governing body, responsible for overseeing operations globally and setting strategy. Trustees are elected by the International General Assembly made up of members from the IR family (see Appendix 2).
Context
Islamic Relief Worldwide has long established microfinance programmes in several countries, including Bosnia & Herzegovina, Chechnya, Kosovo, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Palestine as well as nascent operations in countries such as Sudan and Mali. The total portfolio of these programmes is just under £10 million and the microfinance initiatives benefit tens of thousands of small entrepreneurs. The distinguishing characteristic of all of these programmes, in comparison to other microfinance initiatives, is that they employ Islamic, or more correctly termed “Shariah compliant”, financing techniques.
In-country programmes must comply with different levels of legal and financial reporting requirements. Thus, for example, while the legislation in Bosnia & Herzegovina is clearly defined for microfinance, and while financial reporting is similarly so in Kosovo, the relevant legislation is relatively lax in many African countries. This has, in turn, affected the structure of such programmes, although of recent Central Banks in, for example, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Palestine require micro financial service to be only provided by specialist and fully regulated entities. Consequently a strategic choice can be made in-country to register the resultant entity either as a locally governed microfinance institution (MFI) or non-banking financial intermediary or even branch of an international NGO. IRW already has three MFIs (Bosnia, Chechnya and Kosovo) which historically have been governed and are de jure owned by a local board of directors, most of whom are IR employees. There is a concern that this governance model is not effective and may not serve the interest of IRW to be replicated in other emerging MFIs. Other in-country operations are either operated out of IR field offices where regulation allow or in partnership with the local community in the form of village loans and savings associations (VSLAs).
Problem statement
At the heart of the consultancy assignment is the question as to what, if at all, the role and business model for microfinance should be for an international NGO such as IRW. This has been an ongoing and unresolved concern for IRW senior managers, the board of directors and the board of trustees. This has led to sometimes diametrically opposed interpretations of ‘what microfinance is and should be’ across the organisation and at present IRW’s practice is inconsistent and lacks alignment with IRW, IR country office and partner strategies. This should be viewed in the context of IRWs new global strategy framework 2023-2033 and its ambitions.
Therefore a comprehensive yet high-level exercise is required that engages all relevant internal stakeholders to formulate a new vision for microfinance within the IR family that is built on a consensus for its business model, governance/ownership, management, resourcing and operational approach.
Consultancy Project goals
As IRW MF programmes currently have different legal, financial and operating structures, combined with the growth of the sector and the continuing efforts by governments in standardising the industry and its practices in line with the financial services regulatory frameworks, a conclusive decision now requires to be made as to:
- whether the IR family has the appetite to continue engaging in Microfinance with the increase in financial service industry-type regulation. For such an assertion to be made all relevant stakeholders will require to reach an informed decision through access to information and empirical evidence from the sector and peer organisations about the associated USP, business model, resource, governance and operational implications and what that would mean for IRW in the short, medium and long term.
- how the IR family should best be engaging with microfinance – in form of subsidiary MFIs, field office operated microfinance programmes and by supporting community-owned microfinance or a mix of these. A clear high-level/outline strategic governance, management and resourcing plan for the chosen pathway(s) should also be developed with the relevant stakeholders.
- what the IR family should
- do with its existing microfinance assets in the light of the chosen strategy. This would require the development of an outline country-by-country road map that includes a high-level appraisal of the effectiveness of governance, asset ownership and management vis-à-vis IRW strategic objectives. - have in place in terms of minimum governance, management and operational requirements for new IR microfinance operations to open.
Scope of the consultation exercise
- This exercise will require developing an effective and practical methodology for examining the organisation’s current microfinance business set up and structures, including its internal and external governance, administrative and operational arrangements together with the IR family’s vision, strategic objectives, risk appetite and resource commitments in order to facilitate decision-making about the way forward.
- The consultant is required to provide independent technical advice and solicit feedback and input for, and subsequently generate a collective agreement from all IRW stakeholders with appropriate activities and methods to enable them to reach a reasoned decision about the charity’s future engagement in Microfinance.
- The exercise should seek to engage and carry out necessary activities with the stakeholder groups that fall within the charity’s organisational and programme governance structure. These have been identified in the below section ‘Stakeholders’ and an organogram of the organisation’s governance structure has also been included in appendix 2.
- The exercise will focus on informing the primary stakeholder groups identified in the below section. All other organisational departments and business functions will remain out of scope unless it has been deemed necessary and formally agreed between IRW and the consultant.
- Due to the global presence and the IRW governance structure some stakeholder groups (including individual board members) reside and operate outside of the UK which will require some aspects of the consultation to be conducted in a flexible manner.
- The consultancy exercise is conceptualised to be high-level and strategic and will not be expected to include an in-depth analysis of the IR family’s work in some 45 countries.
- Key methodological elements may, but not limited to, include:
- Internal documentary review
- Desk-based review of sector-practices
- Case studies (e.g. peer organisations’ approaches)
- Surveys, interviews, focus groups discussions
- Workshops
Stakeholders
Stakeholder group category
Role and Function
International General Assembly
This is the highest body of the Islamic Relief family governance structure and consists mainly of representatives elected by Islamic Relief partner offices across five continents, creating a body that is truly globally representative. Up to a third are external independent members.
The general assembly also has the governance committee which helps to identify best practice for all Islamic Relief entities and ensure compliance with agreed standards, policies and systems.
Islamic Relief Family Council
Islamic Relief Family Council is a global executive branch. A forum that brings together the chief executives of Islamic Relief Worldwide and all Islamic Relief partner organisations to enhance communication, strengthen relationships and provide strategic insight to help improve processes within the organisation
IRW Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is Islamic Relief’s is the appointed governing body, responsible for overseeing operations globally and setting strategy. The Board is made up of seven members who each bring a diverse set of skills and experience to the Board, while also representing partner offices in Australia, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.
CEO
The CEO heads of up the executive team of IRW is responsible for delivering the strategy set by the board of trustees.
IRW Board of Directors
Islamic Relief’s Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring policies laid out by the Board of Trustees are implemented. It is comprised of the directors of each of Islamic Relief’s divisions, and supports the work of other staff and volunteers within the organisation
International Programmes Division Director
The International Programmes Director ensures that divisional strategies are effectively implemented through sound operation plans.
International Programmes Division Heads of Region
The Heads of Region oversee that country programmes are effectively implemented through financially, legally and technically sound operations
IRW Islamic Microfinance Business Unit
The Business Unit is IRW’s core team that operate under the International Programmes division and are responsible for overseeing all the Microfinance related activities.
The Unit will be the primary contact for the consultation exercise and provide direction and assistance to consult where needed throughout the consultation life cycle.
Required competences
The successful bidder is expected to have:
- Extensive understanding, experience and knowledge of microfinance, especially in the context of INGOs.
- Proven track-record of working with C-suite and board-level individuals
- Excellent English language writing and communication skills, especially the ability to effectively present complex information to busy executives and non-executives
- Experience of working with a diverse stakeholder group
- Highly developed ability to relate to a range of cultural backgrounds and to build effective relationships with senior leaders
- Understanding of Islamic finance principles is an added value but not a pre-requisite for this assignment
Expected deliverables for this assignment
The key deliverables of this project are as follows:
- Report, assessing IRW’s current “state of play” and recommendations for the way forward in microfinance
- Online workshop with senior leadership
- High-level strategic governance, management and resourcing plan
- Draft board-level resolution
Project output and final product
The main project output is to design and facilitate an effective consultation and decision-making ‘process’ for the IRW family with the final ‘product’ being to have provided effective support for a resolution at the level of the IR Family Council and the IRW Board of Trustees that addresses the project goals, supported by a high-level strategic governance, management and resourcing plan.
Timetable and reporting information
The project is expected to run for 90 days, starting by the 19th December 2022 and ending by the 17th March2023 (Note: the proposed timeframe can be changed upon agreement between IRW and the consultant).
Date
Description
Responsibility
w/c 21st Nov 2022
Tender live date
IRW
5th Dec 2022
Final date for submission of bid proposal
Consultant
9th Dec 2022
Proposals considered, short-listing and follow-up enquiries completed
IRW
12-14th Dec 2022
Consultant interview and final selection (+ signing contracts)
IRW + Consultant
w/c 19th Dec 2023
Kick-off meeting with the consultant agreeing working schedule.
IRW + Consultant
13th Feb 2023
1st draft of assessment report
Consultant
20th Feb 2023
Feedback from IRW on first draft
IRW
27th Feb 2023
Final assessment report
Consultant
w/c 6th Mar 2023
Workshop
Consultant
13th Mar 2023
Draft board resolutions
Consultant
w/e 17th Mar
Project closure meeting
IRW + Consultant
Reporting information:
Contract duration: Duration to be specified by the consultant
Direct report: IRW Microfinance Department
Location; Global
Job Title: Consultant, establishing the strategic business position of IRW’s microfinance programme
The consultant will communicate and forward deliverables to the International Procurement and Logistics Department in the first instance.
We foresee this consultancy to commence in December 2022 and completion of the consultancy by mid-March 2023. The consultant/consultancy company is expected to work closely with IRW colleagues and in particular, the Project Coordinator on this task. In addition, throughout the process, project progress meetings will be arranged with the Head of the IRW Microfinance Unit.
Proposal to tender and costing
A consultant interested in carrying out this work must submit the following items as part of their proposal/bid and this should including the following:
- Detailed cover letter/proposal outlining a methodology and approach briefing note
- Résumé/or 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
- Example(s) of relevant work
- The consultancy daily rate (fill in appendix 1)
- Expenses policy of the tendering consultant. Incurred expenses will not be included but will need to be agreed in advance prior to contract award (fill in appendix 1)
- Be able to complete the assignment within the timeframe stated above
Terms and conditions
The consultant would provide financial proposal outlining detailed break up of costs and charges. There would be formal agreement on payment schedule and funds transfer process once the consultant would be selected. Payment will be made in accordance with the deliverables and deadlines for this project so are as follows:
- 40% of the total amount – First upfront payment - 30% of the total amount – submission of the first draft of the training package - 30% of the total amount – submission of the final training package including all outputs and attachments mentioned above
We can be flexible with payment terms, invoices are normally paid on net payment terms of 30 days.
Additional information and conditions of contract
The following additional information will be expected from the consultant and be pursuant to the conditions printed beneath as well as the terms and conditions in the consultancy contract.
- Islamic Relief Worldwide is a legally registered charity under the laws of the United Kingdom charity registration number 328158
- This document covers the research project identified and described in this document and related correspondence and may not be expended for any other purposes without the prior written approval of Islamic Relief Worldwide, Head of Islamic Microfinance Unit.
- The project will be carried out under the auspices of the Islamic Relief Worldwide, The lead researcher will be working in the capacity of a freelance consultant or an organisation.
- Collected data, information, reports and reference documents should be submitted, along with any audio files and transcripts collected.
- Intellectual Property Rights to all research, and data, conducted and collected and the final report belongs solely to Islamic Relief Worldwide.
- In case of contraventions or breach of any of the terms of the agreement, any outstanding payments to the Lead Researcher or the organisation will be withheld.
During the consultancy period,
IRW will only cover:
Consultancy fees
Any travel costs for data gathering.
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.
To access or download the tender documents please follow the link below;
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 in December 2022 (exact date to be mutually agreed).
The terms upon which the consultant will be engaged are as per the consultancy agreement. The invoice is to be submitted at the end of the assignment and will be paid on net payment terms 30 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.
All applicants must have a valid visa or a permit to work in the UK (if travel is required to the UK). A valid visa/work permit is also required for those areas required to be visited as part of this consultancy.
Tender dates and contact details
All proposals are required to be submitted by Monday 5th December 2022 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.
- Timescales
- Full break down of costs including taxes, expenses and any VAT and be able to provide best value for money
- References (two are preferred)
- Technical competency for this role
- 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 for establishing the strategic business position of IRW’s microfinance programme, November 2022
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.
Appendix 2 IRW Governance structure
Please refer to the original tender document for this.
To access or download the tender documents please follow the link below;
https://www.islamic-relief.org/tenders/category/open-tenders/