Consultancy: Defining process, approach, and requirements for the Feminist Humanitarian Network to become an independent entity At ActionAid

The objective of this consultancy is to undertake a detailed scoping exercise to equip the Feminist Humanitarian Network (FHN) with a roadmap to becoming an independent entity. The output of this exercise will be a report that the FHN Steering Committee can refer to in its decision-making in determining its steps towards registering and operating independently. Taking into account the FHN’s feminist approach and commitments, the report will include researched considerations, including: where and how to register (which countries are options); basic independent operating requirements, including financing and tax requirements, that will ensure the FHN is sustainable in the long term. The report will include a series of recommendations that should include recommended timeline options, recognising the ambition of the FHN to register and operate independently as soon as possible, as well as its understanding that what is involved in becoming and being independent may require some time and dedicated funding.

Audience: The FHN Steering Committee (SC), who will share findings with the wider FHN membership.

Reports to: The FHN SC, with key contact via the FHN Lead (Holly Miller)

Duration: 10-15 days

Timeframe: December 2021/January 2022 – March 2022

Reporting schedule:

21 February: First draft report due

22 February – 7 March: FHN review of first draft report

14 March: Semi-final report due (with review response sheet)

15 March – 23 March: FHN review of semi-final report

31 March: Final report due (with review response sheet)

Location: Virtual

Background:

The Feminist Humanitarian Network (FHN) is a global member-based network of women’s rights organisations in the Global South, international non-government organisations (INGOs), and individuals working to transform the humanitarian system into one that is guided by feminist principles. The FHN is not yet a registered charity or constituted organisation, and it is therefore hosted by ActionAid International, who hold the FHN’s accounts, manages its finances, is the legal owner of intellectual property rights, enters into contracts on behalf of the FHN, and employs FHN Secretariat staff. As the host and a member of the FHN, ActionAid’s support to the FHN includes (but is not limited to) providing organisational development, legal and governance support, business operations, fundraising and grant management for the network and supporting its advocacy and communications work. The Feminist Humanitarian Network and its members, including ActionAid, are committed to the FHN becoming an independently registered entity in the fullness of time.

About the Feminist Humanitarian Network:

The Feminist Humanitarian Network (FHN) is a global network of women leaders working together to transform the humanitarian system into one that is guided by feminist principles. The FHN was established by feminists working in humanitarian action that recognised the deeply patriarchal and colonial ways in which the humanitarian system works, and the need for system change to ensure the agency and amplify the voices of women in emergencies.

The FHN is a member-based network of grassroots, local, and national WROs working in the Global South; regional networks; international NGOs; and individuals. 70% of the FHN’s organisational members are WROs – INGO membership is limited to 30%.

Objectives:

1. To define legal, governance, and financial considerations for the FHN in its steps towards becoming an independent entity.
2. To develop recommendations and options to inform the FHN’s decision-making and planning with regard to becoming an independent entity.

Staged outputs:

1. An initial presentation of findings to the FHN Steering Committee, presenting the SC with an opportunity to ask questions and provide additional guidance and direction to inform the final report.
2. A 10-15 page semi-final report (excluding Annexes), that summarises the key findings and includes: sections on options for registration and legal requirements; governance structures and requirements; management and staffing requirements based on the FHN’s current approach and ways of working; financing, fundraising and sustainability; and key recommendations that include: steps to be taken towards registering independently, including foundational steps to be taken in the immediate or near future; options with regard to timeline for registration; options with regard to location of registration. Annexes should cover ToR, review itinerary, data collection tools, list of people interviewed; and list of documents.
3. A power point based, virtual presentation of the semi-final report to the SC for feedback.
4. A final report, taking into account feedback from the SC, in the format outlined above.

*The approach should include check-points throughout the process with one or two members of the FHN Steering Committee, to share progress and provide feedback to ensure the consultancy is on track.

**

Guiding questions:

● What are the key considerations with regards to in what form and where the FHN should register? What are the benefits and challenges of different types of organisational models and registering in different countries?

● What should the FHN have in place to ensure it is fully equipped to operate independently? What legal, statutory and financial requirements are there? What governance structures, processes, and systems should be in place? What management and staffing requirements are needed to support appropriate governance mechanisms?

● What should the FHN have in place to ensure it is equipped to fundraise independently? Are there specific staffing considerations based on donor requirements?

● What should the FHN consider in becoming independent from a feminist perspective?

● Given the steps required to become independent and the foundational operating requirements, what are the feasible timeline options for becoming independent?

● How are ongoing debates within the sector (and beyond it) – for example, around issues of decolonisation and anti-racism reflected in our current structures, and how should we reflect them in the structures we would have in place as an independent entity?

● In what instances have networks or organisations remained hosted? Why and under what conditions? What type of “hybrid” form of independent organisation could be considered (wherein a hosted entity is less entwined with its host)? If so, what does/could this entail?

Methodology:

● Review the FHN’s key documents that define its strategy and its feminist approach.

● Review key documents with regards to the current hosting arrangements/ActionAid International as the current host.

● Undertake a desk review of other similar organisations/networks (ideally a mix of hosted, newly independent, and independent entities) and how they are set up. If possible, this should include their governance systems and staffing, how they are funded and manage funding, the process through which they became independent or not.

● Interviews/discussions with key leaders of the FHN, from the Steering Committee, the Membership Committee, the FHN Secretariat and ActionAid International as the current host.

● Interviews/discussions with other feminist/humanitarian networks that have become independent as well as those that have not.

● Analyse and document the evolving context that the FHN operates in and the impacts it might have for the Network – both in terms of humanitarian crises and increasing limitation on freedom of movement, as well as changes in the humanitarian sector – recognising that organisations are going through transitions and change processes for a variety of reasons.

Experience/skills of consultant/s:

Essential Extensive experience in and commitment to feminist values and ways of working.

● Demonstrated understanding of and experience with assessing different organisational models, legal frameworks and requirements for independent, global non-for profit entities.

● Experience in the humanitarian/development sector, ideally with organisations/entities working to advance women’s rights.

● Extensive experience of the humanitarian system and its global architecture.

● Demonstrated experience in and global knowledge of the governance structures of international networks/organisations, and of registration requirements across countries.

● Experience of leading/delivering organisational development processes at governance level.

● Consultancy groups bringing together different expertise are encouraged to apply based on a lead consultant model.

● Applications from previously contracted employees of FHN members will be accepted though the selection panel will be alert to potential conflicts of interest.

Expression of Interest

Expressions of interest should include:

● A clearly written proposal written in English of no more than 5 pages long (budget may be separate). Proposals should include:

● Consultant / Consultant(s) suitability as per the required experience and in line with the ToR, including copy of CV of the consultant(s) who will undertake the review.

● Review plan including approach, expected challenges that might arise and how you plan to overcome these to deliver on the ToR.

● A proposed workplan with milestones for the period of work, including presentation and review times for the draft report, semi-final report and final report.

● Financial proposal in USD broken down per the workplan and different members of the team (as applicable), detailing consultant(s) itemized fees, data collection and administrative costs.

● Samples of previous relevant work written by the applicant(s). If joint authored, please include a description of the role of the named consultant in the report.

● Contact details of three independent referees.

Please find attached the link to download the ToR: https://bit.ly/3bPJo9t