Operational Framework Consultancy
SUMMARY OF PROCUREMENT
WRI intends to award a fixed-price type contract for a Team of consultants or a Consulting Firm that will support the co-development of the Vumbuzi Impact Africa (VIA) Foundation Operation Framework, including key functions such as accounting, grants and contracts, finance management, IT, human resources, safety and security, sustainability, risk management, and operations. The consultant will adapt existing WRI and TerraFund policies to the VIA Foundation's context, identify gaps, and enhance procedures for efficient and compliant operations.
About the World Resources Institute
Founded in 1982, The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global environmental think tank that goes beyond research to put ideas into action. We work with governments, companies, and civil society to build solutions to urgent environmental challenges. WRI’s transformative ideas protect the earth and promote development because sustainability is essential to meeting human needs and fulfilling human aspirations in the future.
About the Vumbuzi Impact Africa (VIA) Foundation
The VIA Foundation, established by WRI and Southbridge Investment, aims to support the acceleration and scale-up of finance available for land restoration across AFR100 member countries. By 2025 or sooner, the VIA Foundation will become a financial intermediation partner, managing and disbursing grants and repayable grants for 60-100 projects, each receiving between $50k-$500k.
To achieve this goal, the VIA Foundation needs to develop an effective and transparent operational framework. This framework must align with WRI's standards for transparency, accountability, and compliance with donor requirements and regulatory standards. While WRI has made some progress on drafting an initial operational manual, the VIA Foundation seeks a consultant to build upon this foundation and develop a comprehensive operational framework tailored to the Foundation’s specific context.
SCOPE OF WORK AND OUTPUTS/DELIVERABLES
The team of consultant or consulting firm will work closely with WRI’s TerraFund and WRI Africa teams to develop the operational framework, focusing on the following key functions:
Accounting
Grants and Contracts
Finance Management
Information Technology
Human Resources + Safety and Security
Risk Management:
Sustainability
TIMING
Procurement Timeline:
Estimated time allocation until completion: 20 pays days over 3 months
BUDGET
An estimate of the number of days required to carry out the activities is to be provided by the vendors in their proposal and must be reflected in the estimate. However, once the budget has been validated, the payment of the service will be conditional on the delivery of the deliverables and not on the number of days worked. All expenses (equipment, vehicles, materials, supplies, consumables, means of communication, insurance, travel expenses, etc.) necessary for the performance of the service, including travel expenses, mission expenses, etc., are the sole responsibility of the vendor and must be quantified in the budget proposal.
Please note that WRI is an IRS-registered 501(c)3, tax-exempt organization. WRI is not VAT exempt. All prices or quotes should include VAT and tax, as applicable.
GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
Requirements
Prospective vendors should submit or have the following competencies at a minimum:
- At least 10 years of proven experience in developing operational frameworks for foundations or similar organizations.
- Strong knowledge of financial management, grant management, organizational development, and risk management.
- Experience working with international organizations and understanding of donor requirements.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and incorporate feedback.
- Excellent communication and reporting skills.
- Knowledge of landscape restoration, conservation or natural resources management will be an advantage.
Proposal content