Islamic Relief Worldwide
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.
With an active presence in over 40 countries across the globe, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for the three billion people still living in poverty. 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.
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 Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) 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), and is certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS).
IRW endeavours 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 http://www.islamic-relief.org/
Project Background
In an era of ever-increasing climate-related disasters and humanitarian crises, the need for proactive measures (as opposed to reactive measures) has never been more urgent.
Every year, millions of people face the reality of increasingly intense and frequent climate-induced disasters, such as floods, tropical storms, droughts and other extreme weather events, leading to loss of lives and destroying livelihoods. Since 2000, the escalating climate crisis has also meant an eightfold increase in funding requirements for United Nations humanitarian appeals linked to extreme weather.
The IASC defines Anticipatory Action (AA) as acting ahead of a predicted hazardous event to prevent or reduce its impact on lives, livelihoods, and humanitarian needs before they fully unfold. This approach works best when activities, as well as triggers or decision-making rules, are pre-agreed, and decisions are made to guarantee the fast release of pre-arranged funding.
The AA approach not only saves lives and livelihoods in the immediate aftermath of a crisis but also plays a critical role in safeguarding hard-won development gains that disasters often threaten to undo. By acting early, AA offers a cost-effective strategy that mitigates long-term setbacks. Therefore, AA should be a collective effort shared between humanitarian, development, and climate stakeholders. AA takes different forms but the ASEAN Framework on Anticipatory Action in Disaster Management highlights three common parameters or building blocks:
- Risk Analysis (risk information, forecasting and early warning systems): Using data, forecasts, and local knowledge to anticipate potential crises and understand who and what will be most affected.
- Pre-agreed Early Actions (planning, operations, and delivery): Identifying and planning specific activities in advance that can be triggered when a risk threshold is met (e.g., distributing water before a drought).
- Pre-agreed (and Flexible) Financing: Securing funds in advance that can be quickly released when early warning signs appear, allowing timely action before the crisis escalates.
Islamic Relief is deeply committed to advancing Anticipatory Action as part of its Global Strategy 2023-2033 particularly under the objective of saving lives and reducing vulnerabilities to humanitarian crises. With 40+ years of experience delivering relief and development programmes worldwide, we have established deep roots in the communities we serve, allowing us to understand their vulnerabilities and capacities. Recognised for reaching and responding to needs in the world’s most fragile and conflict-affected contexts, we deliver high-quality, large-scale humanitarian responses that consistently exceed compliance standards in donor audits. In development settings, we collaborate with local and national authorities, ensuring our programmes target marginalised families often excluded from existing social safety nets.
Objectives of the review
The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop practical guidelines and frameworks that enable Islamic Relief to institutionalise Anticipatory Action (AA) across its systems and processes. Specific objectives include:
- Define AA in the context of IRW’s mandate and operational approach.
- Develop tools and frameworks for risk analysis, early action protocols, pre-financing, integration, and learning/review.
- Recommend actionable steps for embedding AA into preparedness and response programming.
Scope
Islamic Relief aims to formally define what Anticipatory Action means for the organisation, building on the important groundwork already laid, particularly through its strong emphasis on community-led and localised engagement, and leveraging its unique positioning as a faith-based, community-rooted humanitarian actor. Islamic Relief Worldwide is a member of the Anticipation Hub and is in the initial process of institutionalising AA into its preparedness and response programming, ensuring our existing and future interventions align with the three building blocks of AA (risk analysis, pre-agreed early actions, pre-agreed flexible financing), our work has long embodied most of its core principles i.e. risk-informed and objective, localised, coordinated, Inclusive, transparent and accountable.
Methodology and approach
Interested consultant (individual/firm/organisation) is required to submit a detailed proposed methodology outlining how they will address the scope and objectives of this assignment. Upon selection, the successful firm will deliver all reports and outputs as specified in the reporting section, in accordance with the agreed timeline.
Methodology Requirements:
The consultant must propose a clear, practical approach to develop IRW’s Anticipatory Action (AA) guidelines, addressing:
Contextualisation of AA for IRW
- Define what AA means for Islamic Relief, ensuring alignment with its faith‑based, community‑rooted approach and global standards.
Risk Analysis
- Review existing forecasting and early warning systems (climate and conflict) and risk analysis models (internal and sector-wide).
- Propose actionable recommendations for informed decision-making at IRW level.
- Design transparent trigger criteria, thresholds, and decision rules.
Early Action Protocols (EAPs)
- Develop EAPs tailored to IR’s context, defining triggers, thresholds, roles, and responsibilities.
- Include SOPs, timelines, and safeguarding measures.
Pre-Financing
- Create a pre-financing framework and operational guidelines aligned with best practices.
- Ensure timely and accountable resource allocation based on agreed triggers and EAPs.
Integration
- Develop an organisation-wide integration plan for AA.
- Include a comprehensive assessment of existing systems, capacities, and gaps, with a roadmap for adoption.
Learning & Review
- Establish a structured learning and review process for AA.
- Provide tools and guidelines for capturing lessons, conducting reviews, and integrating feedback into EAPs and organisational practices.
Cross-cutting Requirements
- Ensure localisation, inclusion, safeguarding, and ethical data use.
Submission
- Include technical approach for all areas, participation plan, workplan, team composition, and risk management.
Roles and Responsibilities
Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) / STRIDE Team:
- Provide relevant policy, strategy, and project-related documents to the consultant/firm.
- Facilitate contact/coordination with key internal stakeholders, including IR headquarters, IR country offices, IR family member offices, and local partners.
- Ensure timely feedback and approvals on the inception report, draft reports, and final deliverables.
- Support logistical arrangements for virtual or in-person meetings, as required.
- Ensure access to necessary data and staff for interviews and consultations.
Consultant / Consulting Firm
- Develop and submit a detailed work plan and methodology at the start of the assignment.
- Collect data and information using appropriate methods (e.g., interviews, desk reviews, surveys).
- Submit inception report, draft reports/deliverables, and final report according to agreed timelines.
- Share all supporting and working documents along with the final report.
- Participate in scheduled meetings and deliver a final presentation of findings and recommendations.
- Facilitate validation workshops (virtual or in-person) to present draft outputs and gather feedback.
- Ensure confidentiality and data protection of all organisational information.
- Deliver all outputs in agreed formats (editable documents, presentations, templates).
- Provide brief capacity-building inputs or orientation on AA frameworks for IR and local partners staff, if agreed.
Reporting
The consultant (individual/firm/organisation) will be required to submit the following reports to the IRW/STRIDE team:
1. Inception Report
Content: Detailed methodology, work plan, and timeline for the assignment.
Deadline: Within 2 weeks of contract signing.
Purpose: For review and approval by IRW/STRIDE team.
2. Periodic Progress Reports
Content: Updates on activities completed, challenges encountered, and next steps.
Frequency: Every 2–3 weeks or as agreed in the inception report.
Purpose: To ensure alignment with the agreed work plan and allow timely feedback.
3. Draft Report(s)
Content: Preliminary findings, proposed frameworks, and draft guidelines for review.
Deadline: As per agreed milestones in the work plan (e.g., mid-point and near completion).
Purpose: For IRW/STRIDE team to provide feedback before finalisation.
4. Final Report
Content: Comprehensive documentation of key findings, recommendations, and practical steps for adapting and integrating project outputs into organisational practice.
Deadline: At the end of the assignment, following incorporation of feedback.
Purpose: To serve as the definitive reference for institutionalising AA within IRW.
5. Supporting Documents
All tools, templates, and working documents developed during the assignment must be submitted alongside the final report.
Required competences
The successful team will have the following competencies:
A successful consultant (individual/firm/organisation) will meet the following requirements:
Proven experience in designing and implementing Anticipatory Action frameworks in humanitarian contexts (CV/profile of individual(s) or team expected to work on the assignment).
Sound understanding of the current humanitarian environment, particularly discourse around Localisation and Local Partnerships.
Strong understanding of risk analysis, early warning systems (climate and conflict), and disaster preparedness.
Experience in developing financing mechanisms for AA.
Familiarity with organisational change management and integration processes.
Excellent analytical, writing, and facilitation skills (high proficiency in the English language).
Understanding of cross-cultural contexts and sensitivities across different geographic regions.
Time management skills and the ability to complete the assignments within the allocated time.
Expected outputs of this assignment
The consultant is expected to produce:
- Inception Report detailing methodology, work plan, and timeline.
- Comprehensive AA Guidelines covering all five areas: Risk Analysis, EAPs, Pre-Financing, Integration, and Learning & Review.
- Integration Plan for embedding AA into organisational systems.
- Tools and Templates for learning and review processes.
- Final Report and Presentation to IRW leadership and relevant teams.
Dependencies
The dependencies for this project are;
- Access to existing risk analysis models, early warning systems (climate and conflict), and preparedness plans.
- Availability of financial policies and procedures for pre-financing.
- Timely input from IRW leadership, technical teams, and country offices.
- Coordination with finance, operations, and program departments for integration planning.
- Alignment with strategic priorities and decision-making processes.
- Sector-wide best practices and global AA standards (e.g., IFRC, WFP, FAO).
- Staff time for consultations and reviews.
- Quick turnaround on review and approval of deliverables to avoid delays.
Project output
By the end of this assignment, Islamic Relief Worldwide will have:
Defined Organisational Framework for Anticipatory Action (AA)
A clear definition of AA tailored to IRW’s mandate and operational context.
Comprehensive AA Guidelines covering five key areas:
- Risk Analysis (including recommendations for forecasting and decision-making)
- Early Action Protocols (EAPs) with triggers, thresholds, roles, and responsibilities
- Pre-Financing Framework and operational guidelines for timely resource allocation
- Integration Plan for embedding AA into organisational systems and processes
- Learning & Review Process with tools for capturing lessons and continuous improvement
- Practical Tools and Templates for risk analysis, EAP activation, financing workflows, and learning reviews.
- Actionable Recommendations for institutionalising AA across IRW’s preparedness and response programming.
- Capacity Strengthening through knowledge transfer and guidance on implementing AA frameworks.
- Final Report and Presentation: Consolidating findings, frameworks, and implementation roadmap for leadership approval.
Timetable and reporting information
The consultancy is expected to run for 90 days, starting by the February 2026 and ending before May 2026 (The proposed timeframe can be changed according to the need of the programmes and management)
Date
Description
Responsibility
5 December 2025
Tender/RFQ live date
IRW
18 January 2026
Final date for submission of EOI/Proposal based on tender/RFQ
Consultant
23 January 2026
EOI/Proposal review
IRW
30 January 2026
Interviews with shortlisted individuals/firms
IRW
13 February 2026
Contract award and finalisation
IRW
27 February 2026
Inception report
Consultant
As per the agreed milestones in the work plan
Periodic progress reports: Preliminary findings, proposed frameworks, and draft guidelines for review.
Consultant
30 June 2026
Submission of final report and materials
Consultant
Reporting information:
Contract duration: Duration to be in line with programme duration
Direct report: Head of DRMD (Disaster Risk Management Department
Direct engagement:
Job Title: Consultant, Tender for Institutionalising Anticipatory Action in Islamic Relief: Consultancy for Framework and Toolkit Development, December 2025
Proposal to tender and costing
The consultant interested in carrying out this work must submit the following items as part of their proposal/bid:
- Detailed cover letter/proposal outlining a methodology and approach briefing note
- Résumé(s) or CV(s) outlining relevant skills and experience possessed by the consultant who will be carrying out the tasks and any other personnel who will work on the project
- Example(s) of relevant work done in PDF
- The consultancy daily rate (fill in appendix 1)
- Expenses policy of the tendering consultant. Incurred expenses will not be included but will need to be agreed in advance prior to contract award (fill in appendix 1)
- Be able to complete the assignment within the timeframe stated above
- Be able to demonstrate experience of outcome reviews, mapping and impact assessment/evaluation approaches for similar work
Please ensure all documents be supplied in PDF format unless specified above.
Terms and conditions
The consultant would provide financial proposal outlining detailed break up of costs and charges. There would be formal agreement on payment schedule and funds transfer process once the consultant would be selected. Payment will be made in accordance with the deliverables and deadlines for this project so are as follows:
- 40% of the total amount – First upfront payment
- 30% of the total amount – submission of the first draft of the evaluation report
- 30% of the total amount – submission of the final evaluation report including all outputs and attachments mentioned above
We can be flexible with payment terms, invoices are normally paid on net payment terms of 30 days.
Additional information and conditions of contract
The following additional information will be expected from the consultant and be pursuant to the conditions printed beneath as well as the terms and conditions in the consultancy contract.
- The ToR document is between the consultant and Islamic Relief Worldwide.
- Islamic Relief Worldwide is a legally registered charity under the laws of the United Kingdom charity registration number 328158.
- This document covers the consultancy project identified and described in this document and related correspondence and may not be expended for any other purposes without the prior written approval of Islamic Relief Worldwide, Head of DRMD.
- The consultancy will be carried out under the auspices of the Islamic Relief Worldwide, Programme Quality. The lead consultant will be working in the capacity of a freelance consultant, an individual or for an organisation.
- Collected data, information, reports and reference documents should be submitted, along with any audio files and transcripts collected.
- Intellectual Property Rights to all research, and data, conducted and collected and the final proposal belongs solely to Islamic Relief Worldwide.
- In case of contraventions or breach of any of the terms of the agreement, any outstanding payments to the Lead Consultant or the organisation will be withheld.
During the consultancy period,
IRW will only cover:
Consultancy fees
Any travel costs to visit IRW or any of our country offices if required.
IRW will not cover:
Tax obligations as required by the country in which he/she will file income tax.
Any pre/post assignment medical costs. These should be covered by the consultant
Medical and travel insurance arrangements and costs. These should be covered by the consultant.
To access or download the tender documents please follow the link below;
How to apply
Consultancy contract
This will be for an initial period of 90 days that is to be specified by the consultant commencing in February 2026 (exact date to be mutually agreed). The selected candidate is expected to work remotely and report to the Head of DRMD.
The terms upon which the consultant will be engaged are as per the consultancy agreement. The invoice is to be submitted at the end of the assignment and will be paid on net payment terms 30 days though we can be flexible.
All potential applicants must fill in the table beneath in Appendix 1 to help collate key data pertaining to this tender. The applicant must be clear about other expenses being claimed in relation to this consultancy and these must be specified clearly.
For this consultancy all applicants are required to submit a covering letter and CV’s of all potential consultants including the project lead.
A proposal including, planned activities, methodology, deliverables, timeline, and cost proposal (including expenses) are expected.
Other relevant supporting documents should be included as the consultants sees fit and this may include examples of similar work done.
All applicants must have a valid visa or a permit to work in the UK (if travel is required to the UK). A valid visa/work permit is also required for those areas required to be visited as part of this consultancy.
This consultancy is open to any persons, freelancers, sole traders, research firms, consultants, policy and research think tanks, universities, academics, SME’s, large organisations and corporations including NGO’s.
Tender dates and contact details
All proposals are required to be submitted by Monday 19th January 2026 at 1.00pm UK time pursuant to the attached guidelines for submitting a quotation and these be returned to; tendering@irworldwide.org
For any issues relating to the tender or its contents please email directly to; tendering@irworldwide.org
Following submission, IRW may engage in further discussion with applicants concerning tenders in order to ensure mutual understanding and an optimal agreement.
Quotations must include the following information for assessment purposes.
- Timescales
- Full break down of costs including taxes, expenses and any VAT and be able to demonstrate best value for money
- References (three are preferred)
- Technical competency for this role
- Demonstrable experience of developing a similar piece of work including a methodology
Note: The criteria are subject to change.
All applicants/bidders must also fill in appendix 2 which is a new mandatory requirement for suppliers to be registered onto our system and for their bids to be accepted and processed.
For any issues relating to the tender or its contents please email directly to; tendering@irworldwide.org. This address is for queries and advice only.
Appendix 1
Please fill in the table below. It is essential all sections be completed and where relevant additional expenses be specified in detail. In case of questions about how to complete the table below, please contact; tendering@irworldwide.org
Cost evaluation for consultancy on
Tender for Institutionalising anticipatory action in Islamic Relief: consultancy for framework and toolkit development, December 2025
Full name of all consultants working on this project
Full company trading name
No of proposed hours per week
No. of proposed days
Preferred days
Non preferred days
Earliest available start date
Expected project finish date
Day rate (required for invoicing purposes) £
Total cost for consultancy in GBP (less taxes and expenses) £
Expenses (flights) £
Expenses (accommodation) £
Expenses (transfers) £
Expenses (in country travel) £
Expenses (visa) £
Expenses (security) £
Expenses (food) £
Expenses (print/stationary) £
Expenses other (please specify) £
Total expenses £
Total VAT or taxes £
Total cost for consultancy in GBP (inclusive of taxes and expenses) £
Note
The applicant is expected to take responsibility for paying full taxes and social charges in his/her country of residence.
Appendix 2
Please complete the form beneath as this is a mandatory requirement and once completed return this form with the rest of your documents when submitting your bid to us.
The information beneath in red is mandatory and must be supplied without fail otherwise you will not be registered on our system. If in doubt contact us on the email address above.
Supplier information form
Tender name
Full company name/consultant name
Full name of contact person
Full telephone number (including country code)
Full postal address
Property Name/Number
Address Line 1
Town/City
Country
Postcode
Complete email address
Company VAT number
Company registration number
To access or download the tender documents please follow the link below;
https://islamic-relief.org/latest-tenders