Organisational Review and Strategic Planning

Terms of Reference

1. Background

Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI) is legal non-governmental organisation (NGO) with charity status which was set up in 2009 under the auspices of the Law Society of Ireland and the Bar of Ireland, as well as the Law Society of Northern Ireland and the Bar of Northern Ireland both of which joined in 2015.  IRLI is primarily a project-based organisation with a variety of access-to-justice programmes in countries including Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia, and has ambitions to expand this portfolio in future. It seeks to assist and support resource-constrained societies by protecting human rights and promoting and strengthening the rule of law. We provide technical support and assistance in the form of legal capacity and institution building to help tackle the effects of global injustice, and to empower freedom from inequality, corruption, and conflict.

Since the organisational review conducted in 2021, and a strategic planning exercise which followed, IRLI has been implementing the resulting recommendations. This review seeks to assess IRLI’s success in implementing the recommendations arising out of those exercises and to develop a strategic plan for the next three years.

2. Objective

The objectives of this assignment are threefold:

• To review and assess IRLI’s implementation of the 2021 organisational review recommendations.
• To review IRLI’s effectiveness in achieving objectives as set out in IRLI’s strategic plan. This includes a review of systems in place to enable IRLI to achieve its strategic objectives, as well as programmatic successes.
• To facilitate an updated organisational review and deliver an updated strategic plan that will guide IRLI's direction and operations for the next three years (2026-2029).

3. Challenges

IRLI has experienced several changes in senior management in recent years, with three different people having held the role of Executive Director or Acting Executive Director since September 2023. In addition, one of our former Executive Directors sadly passed away in summer 2024.

These changes at senior staff level, as well as losing a key individual who was deeply connected to the organisation, has had several implications for the organisation, including on the implementation of the current strategic plan. 

IRLI’s programmatic funding is usually secured on an annual basis. While it is hoped that some of the programmes will secure multi-year funding in the coming years, the standard practice and nature of short-term funding presents challenges for longer-term planning.

IRLI has grown steadily in recent years. From its inception as a small organisation supported by the Law Society of Ireland and Bar of Ireland, it is now a thriving hub with staff working across the island of Ireland and with a complement of full-time staff in one of its programme countries, Malawi. This has resulted in the need for a comprehensive suite of complementary polices and procedures to be introduced and implemented across the organisation. It has also created the need for an updating of systems and knowledge management. These are key priorities for our most recent appointee, Director of Operations. 

Given the nature of its programmatic work taking place outside of Ireland, with a considerable sized staff team in Malawi while head office/‘HQ’ remains in Ireland, it has proved challenging to carry out and implement past strategic and organisational reviews. There is an increasingly obvious need to fully capture the perspectives, learnings and needs, of those working ‘on the ground’ as well as the communities they serve. In addition, historically IRLI’s staff have been made up of Irish lawyers. With the growth of the team in Malawi, and the staff there now being predominantly Malawian, there is a need to reflect and incorporate the views of IRLI’s diverse, multicultural and multinational team.  

4. Scope of work

IRLI seeks support from experienced consultants in providing the following:

• Evaluation of the most recent organisation review and strategic plan (utilising OECD-DAC criteria)
• Organisational review
• Updated strategic plan, to include:
  • Purpose, vision and mission
  • Brand identity
  • Review of Board composition and operation
  • Review of staff structures and management 
  • HR strategy
  • Communications strategy
  • Fundraising strategy
  • Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning strategy
  • Operational planning model
  • Summary document/strategy house

This review will require consultation with all staff and Board across the island of Ireland as well as staff based in Malawi, and consultants and volunteers of IRLI, some of whom are also based outside of Ireland. There are approximately 30 key individuals in total.

In addition, the review will require engagement with IRLI’s key stakeholders. A full list will be provided in due course but, by way of an indicative list, this will include:

• Law Society of Ireland
• Bar of Ireland
• Law Society of Northern Ireland
• Bar of Northern Ireland
• Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland
• Embassy of Ireland, Malawi
• Embassy of Ireland, Tanzania
• Embassy of Ireland, Zambia
• Pro bono partners (law firms in Ireland, UK, and South Africa)
• Other programmatic partners, including in Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, Somalia and Ukraine
• Communications consultants

IRLI will nominate a member of staff with which the appointed consultant will communicate and plan the review. IRLI will also finalise the list of key stakeholders and identify points of contact in each of the stakeholders. We suggest that the engagement with stakeholders be carried out through a combination of focus group/workshops and one-to-one sessions for those who cannot attend the focus group sessions. Workshops and one-to-one sessions with stakeholders may take place remotely, where appropriate, but there is a requirement for in-person consultations, on at least one occasion, with leading staff at IRLI and Board members, most of whom are based in Ireland. This excludes the final presentation which will also be expected to be delivered in person. We welcome methodology options together with recommendations within submissions.

5. Deliverables

The consultant will deliver the following work on a phased basis:

Phase 1: Discover 

An inception briefing provided within two weeks of contract commencement to include: 

• Work plan, timeline, and methodology
• Meeting/workshop and ‘away day’ calendar requirements and proposed dates/locations for engagement with Trustees and IRLI staff
• Proposals for engagement with key stakeholders, including indicative dates

An analysis of the current structure of the organisation together with a review of the current strategic plan, following review of relevant documents and meetings with key members of senior staff and the Chair of the Board of Trustees, before the end of month one.

Phase 2: Develop 

• Desk-based research as required
• Engagement with all staff, Trustees and stakeholders to gather information and data.
• Interim report with preliminary findings based on initial data collection and consultations before the end of month five

Phase 3: Decide 

Summary report providing a comprehensive summary of the findings of the review and key priority areas, before the end of month six, to include:

• Assessment of the implementation of the 2021 organisational and strategic review recommendations
• Analysis based on OECD-DAC criteria
• Preliminary operational plan
• Preliminary strategic recommendations

Phase 4: Deliver 

• Draft final plan, before the end of the month seven, to include all aspects of the scope of work as set out in section 5 of this document
• Review and incorporation of feedback from ILRL’s Trustees and senior staff.
• Delivery of final plan before end of month eight
• Presentation of final plan and strategic recommendations to IRLI staff and board members before the end of month nine

Progress updates will be required at the end of phases 1 - 3. This will include a report on actions and progress against agreed timelines.

6. Timeline

The assignment will span approximately nine months:

• Phase 1 - Month 1: Inception briefing, analysis of current model, and methodology approval. Submission of progress report.
• Phase 2 - Months 1 - 5: Stakeholder engagement and data collection. Submission of progress report.
• Phase 3 - Month 6: Summary report. Submission of progress report. 
• Phase 4 - Months 7 - 9: Submission of final draft report, feedback collection and submission of final report. Presentation.

7. Consultant Qualifications

The consultant should have:

• Extensive experience in organisational reviews and strategic planning for international NGOs, ideally with programmes operating in Africa, and including the mainstreaming of perspectives and knowledge of the countries in which the organisation operates, avoiding approaches that reflect only the assumptions or experiences of the Global North.
• Expertise in all aspects of strategic planning, to include all aspects of the scope of work required by IRLI as outlined in section 5.
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent analytical and report-writing skills.

8. Budget

The consultant will provide a detailed budget proposal covering fees, travel expenses, and all other costs.

The indicative budget for this strategy review process is €29,000 (inclusive of VAT). While we aim to adhere to this budget, we are open to considering an increased allocation should the consultant propose additional elements or enhancements that deliver significant added value.

As outlined in the selection criteria, the Value Add category (15 points) provides an opportunity for consultants to propose innovative approaches or enhancements that will improve the overall outcome and deliver long-term benefits beyond the original scope. Proposals demonstrating clear and measurable added value will be viewed favourably during the evaluation process.

9. Selection criteria

• Relevant experience (30 points): Demonstrated expertise in conducting organisational reviews and developing comprehensive strategic plans, particularly in the non-profit sector and with international development organisations. 
• Approach (25 points): A comprehensive and practical methodology for the review process, tailored to meet the needs of IRLI.
• Budget and timeline (20 points): Ability to deliver the project within the allocated budget and specified timeline, demonstrating cost-effectiveness.
• Value Add (15 points): Additional elements or enhancements proposed by the consultant that will improve the overall outcome and provide long-term benefits beyond the original scope.
• Alignment with mission (10 points): An understanding of and commitment to IRLI’s mission.

10. Application Process

Interested consultants should submit the following by 17:00 GMT on 14 February 2025:

• Detailed proposal including methodology, timeline and work plan.
• CV highlighting relevant experience (no more than four pages using font size no smaller than 11).
• Detailed budget breakdown.
• References from previous similar work.
• One example of a strategic plan and one example of an organisational review previously delivered.

11. Contact Information

Only submissions received through [email protected] will be considered. 

All applications must be submitted with the email subject line “Organisational Review and Strategic Planning”.

Any queries should be directed to IRLI at [email protected]  

Position: Programme Manager (Tanzania and Zambia) 

Location: Dublin, with option for hybrid working and based in head office at least two days per week

Hours of work: Full time

Salary: €40,000 – €48,000 dependent upon experience, plus health insurance and employer contributory pension

Reports to: IRLI Executive Director and Director of Programmes

Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI) is a legal non-governmental organisation (NGO) with charity status set up under the auspices of the Law Society of Ireland and the Bar of Ireland as well as the Law Society of Northern Ireland and the Bar of Northern Ireland. Dedicated to promoting the rule of law in developing countries, IRLI is primarily a project-based organisation with a variety of access-to-justice projects in countries such as Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia. IRLI is an all-island organisation which seeks to support resource-constrained societies by protecting human rights, promoting and strengthening the rule of law. It provides technical support and assistance in the form of legal capacity and institution building in those jurisdictions to help tackle the effects of global injustice, and to empower freedom from inequality, corruption, and conflict.

IRLI’s Tanzania programme commenced in 2018 and, since then, has developed to establish and maintain strong institutional relationships between the police services and judiciaries of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Tanzania to further cross-jurisdictional learning and the improved handling of cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation. IRLI’s ‘Access to Justice in Zambia’ programme commenced in 2022 and is focused on three topics: economic and financial crimes, including asset management and recovery, decongestion of Zambia’s prisons through the Camp Courts initiative (also known as ‘mobile courts’), and support to Zambia’s justice institutions in the improved handling of cases of sexual and gender-based violence and youth justice matters.

Position Summary: 

Established in 2009, IRLI has progressively grown through the years, expanding on both its programme portfolio and working networks. The organisation is now at an exciting stage having recently secured multi-annual funding, as well as having established a broad programme base, ranging from access to justice, institutional capacity building, and legal education. In accordance with its strategic plan, IRLI expects to expand its work both thematically and geographically.  In this context, the organisation is looking to hire a dynamic person to take a leading role on its Tanzania and Zambia programmes. Under the supervision of the Director of Programmes, the Programme Manager (PM) will manage IRLI’s Tanzania and Zambia programmes and activities. This will include, as a minimum, leading the development and delivery of activities, working with technical counterparts on the island of Ireland and in programme countries, and ensuring full programme management, such as on-going monitoring of programme activities according to project proposals and budget, producing narrative and financial reports in line with donor requirements, and drafting funding proposals. They will also help ensure that the organisation adheres to relevant policies and best practice in financial, charity, and volunteer management in relation to the programmes. The PM will contribute to the management and further development of the communication of IRLI activities, including by establishing innovative means for information-sharing to maintain vibrant relationships with IRLI supporters, and promote and raise awareness about IRLI’s Tanzania and Zambia programmes.  

By way of example, programme activities include: 

• Liaising with national actors and duty bearers in Zambia and Tanzania to conduct activities, such as legal education clinics on child sex abuse, and developing the agenda on mobile courts and economic and financial crimes in Zambia.
• Leading delegations of Irish judges and legal experts to Tanzania and Zambia on project related work. 
• Managing and coordinating delegations of Zambian and Tanzanian legal experts who visit Ireland for project related work.
• Identifying opportunities for cross jurisdictional exchanges, such as conferences, workshops and training initiatives.
• Coordinating desk-based work being undertaken by Irish legal professionals in Ireland/Northern Ireland to support programmatic work in Zambia and Tanzania.
• Coordinating with IRLI's media and communications team to highlight activities happening in Tanzania and Zambia.

(This is list is indicative and is not exhaustive.)

The PM will work full time and will be based in IRLI’s office in Dublin (with the option of hybrid work from home no more than three days per week and working from head office at least two days, specific days to be agreed with the Director of Programmes and Executive Director and subject to the needs of the organisation) with occasional travel to programme field locations. They will report to and work directly under the supervision of IRLI’s Director of Programmes. 

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead IRLI’s technical, managerial, and desk-based support to IRLI’s Tanzania and Zambia programmes, including traveling to Tanzania and Zambia to meet with local stakeholders when necessary and approved by the Director of Programmes. 
• Liaise and manage communication with national implementing partners on the ground to ensure activities are carried out effectively.
• Stay abreast of legal developments in Tanzania and Zambia relevant to the subject matter of each programme so that ILRI’s work is informed by local experiences and to avoid duplication of work.
• Devise, update, or carry out institutional-needs assessments, information papers or other research as required, utilising pro bono partnerships where appropriate.  
• Ensure adequate qualitative and quantitative monitoring of all ongoing programme work according to established monitoring systems and tools.
• Lead ongoing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) support to the programmes. 
• Develop, draft and review funding proposals, narrative reports, and financial reports, and monitor submissions to donors to ensure accuracy, completeness and timeliness.
• Produce up-to-date material to share information about the Tanzania and Zambia programmes with IRLI staff and Board as well as with donors and partners. 
• Support technical visits to Ireland and to Tanzania and Zambia, including by working with the IRLI Project Assistant in all matters relating to administration and logistics, and ensure appropriate reporting and financial management for all such visits. 
• Develop and pilot innovative ways to showcase the work of IRLI’s Tanzania and Zambia programmes. 
• Maintain risk registers, and regularly update the programme’s logframe. 
• Present on the programmes to relevant stakeholders.
• Identify new institutional partners in Tanzania, Zambia, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. 
• Liaise with partners and staff in Malawi with a view to appropriate cross-fertilisation of programme activities and learning and in preparation for regional conferences and events. 
• Work closely with the Director of Operations, and other staff as required, to scope out new programmes and areas of growth/expansion for IRLI with new partner countries.

Person Specification:

Essential Requirements:

• A Bachelors’ degree and/or a master’s level degree in Law, Development, International Politics, Human Rights, or related fields.
• A minimum of 2 years professional programme management experience in international development and/or the rule of law. 
• A keen interest in programmes related to human rights, rule of law, and legal development issues.
• Proven track record in report (financial and narrative) writing, ideally within the development context and/or to institutional donors.
• Familiarity with Irish-based and international donor priorities and grant-implementation, and monitoring and evaluation guidelines.
• Ability to work well under pressure, prioritise a wide range of competing tasks and meet deadlines.
• Self-motivated, dynamic and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Appreciation of the aims and objectives of IRLI.
• Demonstrated excellent research and communication skills. 
• Adept in use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Fluent in spoken and written English with strong analytical skills.
• Legal right to work in Ireland.

Desirable Requirements:

• Overseas work on international programmes is highly desirable.
• Familiarity and previous engagement with the Irish and/or Northern Irish justice sector actors.
• Professional experience of managing programmes related to human rights, rule of law, and legal development issues.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with and relate to a wide range of external audiences. 
• Fundraising experience, including submission of funding proposals, on behalf of a charity or charities.
• Capacity to organise, manage and facilitate public events. 
• Experience of using monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks in the NGO sector.
• Proven ability to execute communication and public engagement activities, preferably in the charity/NGO sector.
• Ability to create new ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including launching creative and innovative initiatives and fostering cross-jurisdictional learning. 
• Prior work experience on human rights issues in Tanzania and/or Zambia. 

Recruitment and Applications:

The deadline for submission of applications is Tuesday 21^st January 2025 at 17:00 GMT.

Interviews will take place on Tuesday 28^th January 2025 between 09:00 and 17:00 GMT (either in person or online, depending on the candidate’s location. There is a preference for any candidate living in Ireland to attend an interview in person).

Candidates will be contacted, if they are shortlisted for interview and to arrange a time, no later than 17:00 GMT on Friday 24^th January.

Please submit: 

• A curriculum vitae.

The CV must be no more than three pages in length and use font size no smaller than 11. 

It should include the names and contact details of two referees (who will not be contacted without seeking permission).

• A cover letter.

The letter must be no more than two pages in length and use font size no smaller than 11.

Please describe why you are interested in the position and summarise your relevant experience and suitability for the post.

Only applications received through [email protected] will be considered. 

All applications must be submitted with the email subject line “Programme Manager (Tanzania and Zambia)”.

Any queries should be directed to IRLI at [email protected]