Due Diligence Manager Consultant Tender, United Kingdom - 22446846

Procurement Summary

Country : United Kingdom

Summary : Due Diligence Manager Consultant

Deadline : 16 Apr 2018

Other Information

Notice Type : Tender

TOT Ref.No.: 22446846

Document Ref. No. :

Competition : ICB

Financier : Department For International Development

Purchaser Ownership : -

Tender Value : Refer Document

Purchaser's Detail

Purchaser : START NETWORK
Attn: Kat Reichel
United Kingdom
Email :kat.reichel@startnetwork.org
URL :https://startnetwork.org/

Tender Details

Tenders are invited for Due Diligence Manager Consultant.

Background

The Start Network is made up of 42 aid agency members across five continents, ranging from large international organisations to national NGOs. Our aim is to deliver more effective emergency aid, harnessing the power and knowledge of the network to make faster and better decisions to help people affected by crise s. We advocate radical change in the system so that the world can deal better with the humanitarian challenges of today, and of the future.

Our work focuses on three areas to change the system:

· Localisation: We believe a more balanced system, that shifts power to those closest to the front line will generate more effective and appropriate responses for people affected by crises.

· New forms of financing: We believe that by understanding the risks we face and providing fast, early, and dependable funding, we can help communities to become better prepared and more resilient to crises.

· Collective innovation: We believe that new ways of working are needed to tackle the challenges we face. By innovating collectively, we can share expertise, insights and perspectives to shape a more effective humanitarian system.

The Start Network is currently hosted by Save the Children (StC) UK on behalf of all member agencies and is working towards independent status in 2018, spinning off what will become the Start Platform.

Objective

The Start Network is principally funded through grants from governments and foundations. On an annual basis, the Network disperses funding to our -members and partners in over 50 countries. We, and the organisations that host Start grants, are responsible for ensuring the highest standards of transparency, integrity, accountability and competent management over public funds programmed through our member organisations and have designed a due diligence process accordingly.

All organisations admitted to the Start Network membership go through this due diligence process, conducted by an external firm (currently Buzzacott LLP). This process ensures that all members have in place suitable policies, procedures and controls that meet the requirements of Start Network membership and donors. This includes a checklist informed by current donors’ criteria for assessing delivery partners (e.g. DFID); ‘passporting’ where other international organisations or donors have already carried out checks (within an accepted time period); and external vetting checks on board members and senior staff. This process is replicated every three years to ensure that organisations still meet the required standards to receive Start Network funding.

In 2018, the Start Network is going through two processes in regards to it’s due diligence. The first is an audit of our current processes and a refresh of the due diligence of all of its 42 members. To support this, we will:

· Re-tender for due diligence third party provider, to ensure we have the appropriate expertise to due diligence our members, specifically with the ability to review safeguarding policies and procedures

· Form a temporary sub-committee in April 2018 with Membership representatives with compliance background to conduct an “audit” of the Network’s process, with recommendations for changes. This includes adding more systematic mitigation and monitoring systems between due diligence periods.

· Actively link to other civil society approaches to due diligence and safeguarding policies (such as DEC) to ensure there is no duplication of effort and sector wide standards are adhered to

As a second process, in order to meet our vision of scaling the network internationally, we are looking to build with partners a common due diligence platform that would enable donors and organisations to be transparently checked based on commonly agreed due diligence standards. This would bring a greater diversity into the humanitarian sector and ensure finances flow efficiently within the system. This will become more difficult and more important in the current donor climate. In 2018, the Start Network will begin to scope out this platform, consult donors and develop partnerships to move this discussion forward.

This work will likely need two people, with one person leading the initial stages to lead work plan.

Scope of work

Maintaining and improving current due diligence processes

· Lead review Start Network’s current due diligence system, and making recommendations for more systematic and robust procedures with Due Diligence Committee and Start Team

· Support the process to revamp due diligence framework and benchmarks for the short term, with external due diligence provider, relevant governance groups and Start Team based on the following pillars:

· the governance and control structures within the organisation, and the quality of the implementation of these controls;

· the organisation’s ability to deliver quality programming expected;

· the financial stability of the organisation;

· procedures and policies based on internationally agreed standards, specifically ensuring the safeguarding of staff, communities, women and children and the ability to prevent and systematically report fraudulent, dishonest, and corrupt practices;

· Procedures and policies in place to manage the performance of downstream partners

· Develop recommendations for penalty and suspension process of current members based on due diligence framework

· Other support to due diligence processes as needed, within contract time frame

Experience & Skills

· Background in building compliance procedures and policies

· Experience and knowledge of safeguarding procedures

· Demonstrable experience in managing due diligence process

· Ability to manage complex project with multiple stakeholders

· Excellent computer skills including word processing, presentation and use of spreadsheets and ability to maintain office and management information systems

· Demonstrable experience of collaboration, including forging and maintaining effective new relationships and partnerships, often across organisational boundaries

· Project management and budgeting skills

· Proven experience of embracing new approaches, technology and ways of working

· Excellent computer skills including word processing, presentation and use of spreadsheets and ability to maintain office and management information systems

Personal specification

· Detail oriented

· Excellent team player with an ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing demands

· Proven analytical and problem-solving skills

· Ability to organise own work, and to manage time and resources effectively

· Internal and external representation

· Effective communicator with stakeholders at different levels

· Cultural sensitivity

· Adaptability

Timing

Beginning on 23rd April and ending on the 23rd August, for an initial 4 month period. Possibility of extension.

Budget

The role is estimated to require a maximum of 30 days rate of £300 to 600 per day (negotiable), plus expenses incurred by the cost of the work (such as airfare or hotel). Time will be dispersed over a 4 month period. Any expenses that are incurred must meet Save the Children’s policy, and receipts must be provided (in hard or soft copy). An extension will be applied after for the November Assembly upon successful completion of the first meeting.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications due by the 16th April 2018. Colleagues working on or with Start Network programmes in-country are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please send CV(s), short description of relevant experience to Kat Reichel, kat.reichel@startnetwork.org

Documents

 Tender Notice