Consultancy -Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms 

I. Introduction 

Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms (IARF) is a Tunisian civil society organization committed to promoting fundamental rights and freedoms and protecting vulnerable and marginalized communities. Operating within a complex and sensitive socio-political environment, IARF works to uphold the principles of dignity, equality, and inclusion in all dimensions of its programmatic and institutional work. 

Following an Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) conducted with expert support, IARF identified key structural areas requiring targeted institutional strengthening. The results of this diagnostic, combined with a dedicated workshop on action planning and implementation, led to the development of an Institutional Strengthening Action Plan covering a period of five (5) months (M1–M5). This plan is organized around seven strategic pillars: 

● Support for governance tools (RACI, accountability). 

● HR structuring (policies, performance, onboarding). 

● Development of the simplified MEAL framework. 

● Physical and digital security audit and contingency plan. 

To fulfill this plan, IARF seeks to engage a specialized consultant, team of experts, or organization with demonstrated expertise across these pillars, capable of providing integrated and progressive technical support throughout the implementation period. IARF shall assume full institutional responsibility for the contracting, comprehensive supervision of the assignment's execution, and rigorous follow-up and quality control of all designated deliverables. 

II. Objectives 

● Strengthen IARF's governance structures through the development and validation of key management and accountability tools. 

● Consolidate financial management systems by finalizing procedures, mapping institutional costs, and building a financial sustainability framework.

● Enhance human resources management through validated HR policies, a structured onboarding process, a performance evaluation system, and a formal internal complaint mechanism. 

● Improve service quality and accountability through defined quality standards and a piloted beneficiary feedback mechanism. 

● Develop risk-sensitive external communication and crisis communication protocols adapted to IARF's operating context. 

● Establish a simplified institutional MEAL framework and an operational management dashboard. 

● Update the physical and digital security plan and provide staff with relevant safety protocols and training. 

III. Scope of Work 

1. Support for governance tools: 

a. Governance and Leadership 

- Validate and disseminate the updated organizational chart and job descriptions (JDs). - Develop a simplified RACI matrix formalizing the delegation of authority for HR, financial, and security decisions. 

- Establish an annual governance calendar specifying dates for board meetings and strategic reviews. 

b. Financial Management and Sustainability 

- Finalize and roll out the Admin and Finance Procedures Manual. 

- Map critical institutional costs through a Consolidated Institutional Budget, clearly identifying core costs and funding gaps. 

- Update the existing funding opportunity tracker and ensure it is regularly used in management meetings. 

- Develop a financial continuity and contingency scenario outlining minimum operational costs in case of funding reductions 

2. HR structuring:  

a. Human Resources 

- Validate the consolidated HR policy and standard onboarding kit for use with all new staff and consultants. 

- Refine the existing performance evaluation system, with at least one pilot review cycle completed.

- Formalize an internal complaint and conflict resolution mechanism with clearly communicated reporting channels. 

b. Service Provision and Quality 

- Define minimum quality standards for documentation and programmatic services, and train relevant staff. 

- Pilot a secure beneficiary feedback mechanism in at least two programs. 3. Development of the simplified MEAL framework: 

- Develop a simplified institutional MEAL framework with standard indicators and data collection tools. 

- Implement a simple institutional dashboard to be updated quarterly for management meetings. 

4. Physical and digital security audit + contingency plan: 

a. External Communication 

- Develop a risk-sensitive external communication plan, including defined red lines for public content. 

- Establish a crisis communication protocol covering online attacks, defamation, and data leaks 

b. Security and Equipment 

- Update the physical and digital security plan, including an emergency response protocol covering raid, evacuation, and arrest scenarios. 

- Enforce basic digital security hygiene measures, including two-factor authentication, secure backups, and password management, organization-wide. 

- Support the procurement and deployment of priority secure equipment and software. IV. Deliverables and Timeline 

The assignment has a maximum implementation period of five (5) months when awarded as a single contract covering all consultancy components. Applicants may, however, submit proposals for one or more individual consultancy assignments. In such cases, the duration of the contract shall be determined in accordance with the implementation timeline applicable to the respective consultancy assignment(s), as set out in the table below. All deliverables shall be subject to IARF's review, comments, and formal validation before final acceptance.

V. Follow-up and Evaluation 

Work Evaluation: IARF shall conduct a bi-monthly Evaluation Report assessing the effectiveness of the consultancy and challenges encountered. This report will be based on a

mandatory online call with the consultant(s) every two weeks to present the advancement of the work, facilitate evaluation, and receive ongoing review and comments. 

Consultant / Team Profile 

IARF welcomes applications from individual consultants, multidisciplinary teams, or consulting organizations, provided the proposed configuration ensures full and credible coverage of all seven pillars of the action plan. This call is open only to individual consultants residing in Tunisia or to companies and consulting organizations legally registered in Tunisia; applications that do not meet this requirement will not be considered. 

- Demonstrated expertise in organizational development and governance in civil society contexts. 

- Proven experience in financial management and sustainability planning for non-governmental organizations. 

- Competence in human resources management and policy development. - Experience in designing and implementing MEAL frameworks and tools. - Knowledge of risk-sensitive communication and crisis communication strategies. - Familiarity with physical and digital security practices for civil society organizations operating in sensitive environments. 

- Prior experience supporting organizations in the MENA region is a strong asset. - Knowledge of the Tunisian legal and socio-political context is highly desirable. - Commitment to ethical standards, confidentiality, and safe data handling. - Being able to issue an invoice or enter into a service contract.