Request for Tender from the Tralee International Resource Centre (TIRC) for Advocacy Supervisorto offer support to our Volunteer Advocates and front-line volunteers
- Introduction
Tralee International Resource Centre CLG (TIRC) is an NGO established in 2010. We work to support integration in Tralee by providing drop in facility and services to Asylum seekers, Refugees and the broader international communities in Tralee.
As part of our integration and support vision we set up a ‘Volunteer Advocacy Programme’ to support asylum seekers, refugees and the broader immigrant community in Tralee to have a ‘strong voice’ and ‘say’ in their lives.
A recruitment process was conducted and 15 volunteers were accepted onto a training programme (April to June) where they were trained in models and principles of advocacy, the role and responsibilities of an advocate, boundaries, active listening, equal opportunities, negotiation skills, confidentiality and supervision and support. The Advocacy Clinics were established in early 2018, and now run on Thursday evenings and Friday mornings. The programme, which is supported under the Integration Funds from the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration, in the Department of Justice and Equality, is running successfully with service users attending the clinics, and there will be more clinics added in the coming months.
- Summary of Request for Tender (RFT)
2.1Overview
This call for tender is to set up external professional expert support and guidance for ourten Advocacy Volunteers, to ensure they have the opportunity to debrief and get advice and guidance on the important and often challenging work that they are doing. The supervisor will also assure that all services available to service users were appropriate, and ascertain if further follow-up is necessary.
While the work is focussed on the Advocate Volunteers, the supervisor will also have a role supporting the other volunteers of TIRC who provide direct line services – namely English teachers and drop in volunteers (5 volunteers). This will take the form of regular monthly meetings with these volunteers to support and supervise their role.
The initial duration of the contract is for 12 months, with an option to extend by a further 12 months.
A formal Agreement will be drafted by TIRC and signed by the successful supplier and TIRC. When the Expert Support is selected,there will be an initial meeting with the TIRC Co-ordinator and a representative of the TIRC Advocacy clinics to discuss the details of the process and the specific support needs of the Advocates. The Supervisor will then liaise with the Advocates and other volunteers to have regular meetings and check ins.
2.2Description of Support Required
The following are examples of the types of assistance that may be needed by Advocate volunteers in the area of advocacy work:
-Support advocates to assure that all services available to service users were appropriate, and ascertain if further follow-up is necessary.
-Debrief with Advocates after clinics especially if challenging cases
-Support on steps needed to move cases forward
-Advice and guidance on approaches
-Support and supervision of their work
-Positive encouragement and coaching
-Continual reminders and guidance on boundaries, confidentiality, listening
The other TIRC volunteers will need general support and listening to assist them in their front line role.
The supervisor will link in regularly with the TIRC Co-ordinator giving updates and reports on support provided and any issues arising.
2.3Description of the skills needed for the role of Advocate SupportSupervisor
The following are the knowledge and skills required for this role:
- Knowledge and experience of all areas of advocacy
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
- Ability to manage and organise multiple priorities.
- Knowledge of counselling and interviewing techniques and practices.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ideally the person should have a third level or professional qualification in Community Development; Development Education or a Social Science discipline
- Award / Evaluation Criteria
The contract will be awarded from the qualifying tenders on the basis of the quality of the tender and the most economically advantageous tender and will be evaluated under the following criteria:
- How well proposals meet the needs as specified in 2.1 and 2.2 of this document(20%)
- Demonstrated evidence of the skills required to provide the external expert support as specified in 2.3 of this document (25%)
- Demonstrated capacity and track record of delivering similar services (25%)
- Cost (30%)
- Tender Process/Timings
a)Queries concerning this quote should be emailed to
b)Tenders should be provided by e-mail with the e-mail subject heading “Tenders for Advocate Supervisor” to
c)Tenders must be received by 5pm Tues May 1st 2018.
d)TIRC does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any quote. TIRC also reserves the right to reject in whole or in part, any or all quotes received.
e)Tenders received after 5pm on Tues May 1st2018 will not be considered.
f)All tenders received will be acknowledged.
g)Successful and unsuccessful tenders will be notified by Friday 4th May 2018.
- Format of Response
The proposal should include:
a)Name, address, telephone number and email address of the person within the dealing with this quotation.
b)A detailed outline of the proposed approach.
c)An hourly rate (exclusive of VAT).
d)The name/s, contact information, qualifications and experience of the person who will be working on the project.
e)The names of referees in respect of previous work comparable to TIRC’s requirement.
Competencies Required
Essential /- Knowledge and experience of all areas o advocacy
- Experience of managing and supervising volunteers
- Knowledge of human rights and equality legislation.
- Communication and presentation skills
- Organisationaland Record Keeping skills.
- Time management.
- Professional skills- boundaries, knowledge of child protection, group work.
- Access to own transport.
- Excellent writing skills
- Available in evenings to meet volunteers
Desirable /
- Third level or professional qualification in Community Development or a Social Science discipline
- Experience of working with the asylum seeker/refugee community is desirable.
- Counselling skills.
- Experience in facilitating events or training.
The maximum value of the tender is €3,000 per annum.
Closing date to apply is the 1st May 2018and interviews if required will take place on May 9th. Work will start immediately after appointment.
How to submit tender
The proposal should include:
- Name, address, telephone number and email address.
- A detailed outline of the proposed approach.
- Costing breakdown for the year.
- Experience and examples of other similar work
- Names of 3 referees.
Please submit a hard copy of the proposal and any supporting documentation to:TIRC Co-Ordinator, 13-14 St Patricks Bungalows, Boherbee, Tralee, Co. Kerry
- Please note on the envelope: Tender for Advocacy Supervisor
- Final date for submission: Tues May 1st 2018 at 5pm
For any further information or queries please contact TIRC Co-ordinator at 0667127918 or
This project is financed by National Funding to Promote Integration of Immigrants through the Office to Promote Migrant Integration in the Dept of Justice and Equality and supported by the LEADER Rural Development Programme 2014-2020