Technical Consultant | Localisation and Institutional Development for STRIDE Project

Background

The humanitarian sector has been transformed due to unique and unprecedented challenges over the past few years. This affects the implementation approach of international agencies. Given Islamic Relief’s (IR) experience in the field with community-based connections and a faith-based approach, there is a clear opportunity to provide sustainable leadership in redefining the 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 organisational needs. The DRMD supports the organisation 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 enhance the capacity of Islamic Relief field offices and local actors through improved 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 a global outreach and being implemented in more than countries of all the regions of IR’s presence, including Asia, East Africa, West Africa and the Middle East.

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

Objective

Islamic Relief Worldwide is looking for an experienced and qualified professional to support IR field offices and local partners in “Localisation-related activities designed as part of STRIDE-II project.” At the IR Field Offices level, the activities are identified by conducting capacity self-assessment, and the same process is expected at the local partners level. STRIDE team has a limited number of human resources and, therefore, we need a consultant to contribute to supporting FOs and local partners in the related field.

Scope

The scope of the assignment is to work closely with IR field offices and local partners to identify the work areas that require support, developing or reviewing guidelines/manuals and technical guidance.

Methodology

The consultant will primarily work with the Disaster Risk Management Department, specifically the STRIDE Implementation Manager and Learning and Research Coordinator, and across countries with project leads.

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

1. IR field offices:

IR is working in over 30 countries and has field teams to manage the implementation of the overall programme. However, due to changes in work modalities and contributing to the localisation agenda; the senior management advised conducting a scoping exercise and exploring partnership opportunities in the prioritised countries. All the prioritised/focused countries conducted capacity self-assessment (CSA) and developed trajectories to achieve the desired objectives. To support the efforts, capacity strengthening grants were issued to the field offices from the STRIDE project. It is expected from the consultant to support the STRIDE team in the below areas;

• Provide support to IR FOs in conducting context-specific localisation analysis
• Guide and, where required, develop guidelines or tools related to partnerships management
• Conduct field visits and help identify the challenges and propose alternative strategies and solutions

2. IR mon-presence countries:

DRMD is mandated to respond in countries where IR doesn’t have an existing operational presence. To timely respond to any natural or human-made disaster, the STRIDE project is being utilised to explore and identify partners in IR non-presence countries. Based on risk analysis, the prioritised countries[1] for exploring partnerships are; Nigeria, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Libya and Madagascar. The consultant is required to support the STRIDE team in;

• Travel with the STRIDE team or independently and co-facilitate the capacity self-assessment (CSA)
• Provide support to the STRIDE team and local partners in completing the required documentation related to due diligence, CSAs, and grants
• Submit field visit reports specific to the partners and supported countries

Requirement Competencies

The successful consultant is expected to have:

• Professional experience in the humanitarian sector with a combination of project management, partnerships management, and capacity strengthening of teams and local actors
• Understanding of the context and experience of working in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa
• Strong knowledge of practical approaches and demonstrated experience around localisation
• Familiar with/good understanding of Grand Bargain, Charter for Change, Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere Standards, Protection Principles, Red-Cross/Red-Crescent Code of Conduct etc
• Excellent writing and communication skills (high proficiency in the English language)
• Time management skills and ability to complete the assignments within the allocated time
• Able to travel to countries of IR presence and non-presence country. (Countries to be finalised in consultation with the project team and after reviewing travel restrictions)

Output

1. Localisation context analysis in identified/assigned countries (IR presence and non-presence)
2. Country specific Localisation/partnerships management guidelines developed
3. Design/co-facilitate capacity self-assessment (CSA) of local partners in IR non-presence countries
4. Relevant capacity enhancement plans developed for IR FOs and local partners
5. Field visit reports specific to the partners and visited countries (SWOT analysis)

Timetable and reporting INFORMATION

The project is expected to run for a maximum of 120 working days, starting on 20 June 2022 and ending before 31 December 2022.

Final output and project completion by: (31 December 2022)

Contract duration: 6 months

Direct report: STRIDE Implementation Manager

Location: Home-based with international travel

Job Title: Consultant: Localisation and Institutional Development

Proposal to Tender and Costing:

Consultant (single) 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

iii. Example(s) of relevant work

iv. The consultancy rate (20 days/month approximately)

v. Expenses policy of the tendering consultant. Incurred expenses will not be included but will be agreed upon 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 Conditions

Payment will be made following the deliverables and deadlines as follows:

• 40% of the total amount – First upfront payment
• 30% of the total amount – at the middle stage of the assignment
• 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 generally paid on net payment terms of 28 days.

Additional information and conditions of the contract

During the consultancy period,

IRW will only cover:

• Consultancy fees
• Any travel costs to visit IR FOs/countries

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. The consultant should cover these
• Medical and travel insurance arrangements and expenses. The consultant should cover these

Consultancy Contract

This will be for an initial period that is to be specified by the consultant commencing from 20 June 2022 or earlier (exact date to be mutually agreed). The selected candidate is expected to work from home/office and report to 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 following 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 Appendix 1 to help collate critical 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 must 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 passport.

Tender Dates and Contact Details All proposals are required to be submitted by Sunday 05 June 2022 pursuant to the attached guidelines for submitting a quotation and these be returned to [email protected]

For any issues relating to the tender or its contents please email directly to [email protected]

Following submission, IRW may further discuss with applicants concerning tenders to ensure mutual understanding and an optimal agreement.

Quotations must include the following information for assessment purposes.

1. Timescales
2. A full breakdown of costs, including taxes, expenses and any VAT
3. References (two are preferred)
4. Technical competency for this role
5. Demonstrable experience in developing a similar piece of work, including a methodology

How to apply

Interested applicants must submit a covering letter and CV’s of all potential consultants, including the project lead on or before 05 June 2022 to [email protected]

Islamic Relief Worldwide is a humanitarian and development organization and working in livelihood WASH, and DRR sectors in line with our vision of a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled, and people respond as one to the suffering of others. We work regardless of ethnicity, religion, political affiliation or gender.

Selection will be based on application letter, CV, interview, and other relevant documents (as requested). Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.