Consultancy Services to Support Humanitarian Unit’s Engagement in Gender and Protection from Sexual and Gender Based Violence

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

The tender seeks consultancy services to support the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Humanitarian Unit in its engagement on gender equality and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (S/GBV). The contract is valued at €120,000 and spans 12 months or 80 consultancy days, with a possible extension under the same terms.

• Technical Assistance: Provide support to the Humanitarian Unit and other relevant units in gender equality and S/GBV, focusing on Ireland's role in the donor group of the Call to Action on S/GBV in Emergencies.
• Policy Frameworks: Engage with evolving international policy frameworks and the multilateral system, including the EU, UN, and OECD DAC.
• Field Experience: Leverage strong field experience in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, with a minimum of ten years in relevant program implementation.
• Research and Analysis: Conduct policy analysis and support, requiring proven research, analysis, and written skills, evidenced by two sample reports/publications from the last five years.
• Travel and Availability: Be available for desk-based services and international travel as required.
• Quality Standards: Adhere to best practice quality standards in overseas development and humanitarian assistance.
• Consultancy Days: The contract specifies a maximum of 80 consultancy days, with the possibility of extension under the same terms.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with Ireland's strategic focus on gender equality and S/GBV, particularly within the framework of international humanitarian assistance. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is leading this initiative as part of its commitment to the Call to Action on S/GBV in Emergencies. The tender supports Ireland's role in international donor groups and aims to enhance the Humanitarian Unit's capacity to engage effectively in these areas. The initiative is part of a broader governmental effort to address gender-based violence in fragile and post-conflict settings.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Minimum annual turnover of €60,000 for the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7m per claim.
• Public Liability: €6.5m per claim.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Strong field experience in developing countries with a minimum of ten years in relevant program implementation.
• Personnel: Masters’ Degree in International Public Health or equivalent, with extensive experience in international policy frameworks.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The evaluation follows the MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) principle, with a 60/40 split between quality and price.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Follow the named template, no page limits specified.
• CVs: Required for key personnel, no page count specified.
• Pricing schedule: Complete Appendix 2.
• Case studies: Two sample reports/publications from the last five years.
• Declarations: ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable.
• Submission portal: eTenders, with specific format rules (PDF or Word, max 2GB total).

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract is for 12 months or 80 consultancy days, with a possible extension of the same duration. Payment terms are not specified, but adherence to the Services Contract at Appendix 7 is required. Key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) are not detailed. Termination clauses include a 14-day notice period. Intellectual property ownership and sub-contracting rules are not specified. No parent-company guarantee or bond requirements are mentioned.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender specifies a high insurance requirement, which may limit participation to larger firms or consortia. The geographic focus on sub-Saharan Africa and the need for extensive field experience may also restrict the pool of eligible bidders. The contract's reliance on international travel and desk-based services could pose logistical challenges. The absence of detailed KPIs and SLAs may lead to ambiguity in performance expectations.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for SMEs with a strong background in international public health and humanitarian assistance, particularly those with experience in gender and S/GBV. Consortia and sub-contracting are encouraged, allowing smaller firms to collaborate with larger enterprises. Bid preparation is likely to require several days, given the need for detailed documentation and compliance with insurance requirements. The presence of an incumbent is not specified, but the high insurance thresholds suggest a competitive environment.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RFT Consultancy Services Gender and SGBV.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: ServicesRFT17012025
• Clarification portal: www.etenders.gov.ie
• Key attachments:
• Appendix 2 — Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3 — Tenderer’s Statement
• Appendix 7 — Services Contract