EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR EXTERNAL EVALUATION CONSULTANTS

TENDER FOR ISLAMIC RELIEF WORLDWIDE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR EXTERNAL EVALUATION CONSULTANTS (BIRMINGHAM), JUNE, 2013

BACKGROUND

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 by Dr Hany El-Banna, Dr Essam El-Haddad, Dr Mohammed El-Alfy and Dr Ihsan Shabib.

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.

We allocate these resources regardless of race, political affiliation, gender or belief, and without expecting anything in return.

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 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 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)

IRW endeavors 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 www.islamic-relief.com

INTRODUCTION

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is an international relief and development agency that enjoys 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 dedicated to alleviating the suffering of the world’s poorest people through promoting social and economic development in over 26 countries throughout sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, as well as responding to natural and man-made disasters.

The focus of IRW’s development work is on providing long-term and sustainable development projects, as well as helping to empower communities to make their own positive changes. This is achieved through programmes that support DRR and climate change adaptation, education, health, safe water, shelter, micro-finance, sustainable livelihoods, food security, conflict transformation, care for orphans and children in need, in line with the aims of the Millennium Development Goals. The work is undertaken in a participatory and inclusive manner, working with all people regardless of their race, religion or gender.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

IRW wants to establish a database of consultants to assist with specific evaluation assignments in emergency and development programmes in its countries of operations (a complete list of the countries we currently work in can be found here http://www.islamic-relief.com/wherewework/Default.aspx?depID=4)

IRW invites both national and international qualified firms and individuals (collectively ‘consultants’) to express their interest in providing services to conduct multi-sectoral evaluations. Qualified consultants will be contacted for a telephone interview as part of the selection process prior to inclusion in our database of external consultants.

IRW works with donors such as DFID, SIDA, ECHO, DEC and UN agencies. Evaluations undertaken may be of specific sectors, emergencies or regions, applications that demonstrate experience in these areas will be measured against IRW’s minimum criteria.

Our intention is that for each external evaluation, IRW’s evaluation and audit department will contact the consultants from the database created as part of a restricted call for tender. The offers received will be assessed both according to the sectoral experience and the specific needs of each evaluation as specified in the terms of reference. Consultants must be sympathetic to the values and mission of Islamic Relief. A service contract will be drawn up between IRW and the successful consultant/s.

OBJECTIVES

The evaluations will have the following objectives:

• To assess IRW’s programme effectiveness against stated objectives, humanitarian principles, standards and behaviours.
• To assess IRW’s programme performance using the adapted criteria of situation analysis, organisational capacity, coverage, appropriateness, connectedness, coherence, efficiency, impact, sustainability, accountability and cross cutting issues;
• To identify to what extent IRW is building on lessons learned from similar emergency/development interventions, specifically from previous programmes.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All consultants that wish to participate in the process are required to complete the EOI form set out below in appendix 1. Islamic Relief is looking for an evaluator with a strong record in conducting evaluations and direct programme interventions. The evaluator will need to carry respect and credibility within the humanitarian and/or development field and have an excellent knowledge of evaluation and monitoring in theory and practice.

The information provided will be used to assess suitability to qualify for the next stage for services mentioned in the profile attached with the EOI.

An evaluation committee will short-list consultants who could qualify to be registered on the database. They will be informed of the result of their application as soon as their submission has been analysed.

Successful consultants will be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• University degree in a relevant field. • Multi-sector and cross-functional skills acquired through formal education, work experience and self-learning. o Familiarity with different participative methodologies for evaluation • A minimum of 5 years’ experience implementing assessments, evaluations and lessons learned, with an emphasis on programme evaluation. o Demonstrable experience of producing high-quality, credible evaluations (an example will be required with the tender) • Overseas work experience in post-disaster environments; • Understanding of donor requirements including bilateral institutions, international governments and UN agencies. • Knowledge of specific geographical areas and regions, and their development/humanitarian issues as well as their social, political, context. • Proven analytical and problem solving abilities. • Strong attention to detail, but equally able to plan and work in a global context. • Good interpersonal skills, along with excellent oral and written communication skills. • Written and spoken fluency in English; knowledge of other languages strongly desirable.

How to apply:

CONSULTANCY CONTRACT

The duration of the contracts is to be confirmed by the project managers and may be reviewed for a possible extension thereafter; the selected candidates will be based in various locations depending on the urgency and requirements. Working hours and holiday entitlement to be negotiated with the relevant personnel.

A contract is to be signed and is available upon request. It is up to the applicants to read it thoroughly and familiarise themselves with the terms contained within. The invoice is to be submitted at the end of the month and will be paid on net payment terms 14 days.

The successful applicant will be required to sign two copies of the consultancy contract and retain a copy for his/her perusal and the second copy to be submitted (must be signed) to Islamic Relief Worldwide within 48 hours of receipt.

The applicant will need to provide all equipment required to undertake the necessary tasks and this must include a suitable laptop and phone.

The successful applicants will be screened using our Thomson Reuters software.

DATES AND CONTACT DETAILS

All proposals are required to be submitted before 10.00am (UK time) on the Monday 19th August 2013 and be returned to tendering@irworldwide.org.

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

APPENDIX 1

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM

1. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

i) Full name of consultant/firm

ii) Full address

iii) Telephone number, including correct country and area codes

iv) Fax number, including country and area codes

v) E-mail address

vi) Website address

vii) Provide name of person (including title) or department to whom correspondence should be addressed

viii) Full legal name of parent Company, if any

ix) Provide names and addresses of all subsidiaries, associates and overseas representatives, if any (on a separate sheet if necessary)

x) Year established

xi) Number of full time employees

xii) Registration Number: Valid Till:

xiii) Profile of your firm and specialization

1. INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT PROFILE

Please provide brief CV(s) and narrative of the consultants’ experience as a professional evaluator. CV should include:

i) Educational qualifications ii) Relevant work experience iii) Skills and competencies

1. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

i) Written references from at least two previous clients.

ii) Examples of at least two previous evaluations that you have undertaken (written outputs).

iii) Any other relevant documentation that the consultant submitting the proposal may wish to include.

1. FEE

Please provide a daily rate for consultants’ fees. All other costs which will be covered and or reimbursed directly by IRW as per our financial regulations and should not be factored into the EOI.

1. CERTIFICATION

I, the undersigned, warrant that the information provided in this form is correct and, in the event of changes, details will be provided as soon as possible:

Name Designation

Signed Date

Name Designation

Signed Date