Due Diligence Assessment Consultancy

**Who we are**

Urgent Action Fund-Africa (UAF-Africa) is a consciously feminist and women’s human rights pan- African Fund, registered in Kenya and Zimbabwe. Operating as a virtual organisation, the Fund boasts of strategic presence in Africa’s three sub-regions- East Africa: Nairobi- Kenya, Kampala-Uganda; Southern Africa: Harare- Zimbabwe, Lilongwe- Malawi, Antananarivo- Madagascar, Johannesburg, Pretoria & Cape Town- South Africa, Gaborone- Botswana; and Central Africa: Yaoundé & Douala - Cameroon. Recognising the need to move resources rapidly on a continent where opportunities and threats arise and decline quickly, UAF-Africa uses a Rapid Response Grant making mechanism to support unanticipated, time sensitive, innovative, and unique initiatives that promote women’s agency in democratic governance, economic, environmental and climate justice, natural resources governance and conflict transformation while protecting their personhood, integrity, and rights.

## **1. Background**

UAF-Africa is seeking a qualified firm to undertake a comprehensive due diligence assessment of six (6) consortium partners for a project to be implemented in Kenya, Togo, Cameroon and Zimbabwe. The due diligence exercise will involve an off-site review of the prospective partner’s documents and processes, using virtual interviews (phone or via tele-conferencing) with relevant Staff. This assignment will support UAF-Africa’s commitment to strong financial stewardship, compliance with donor requirements, andrisk management, including zero tolerance for fraud, corruption, and non-compliance.

**2. Objective of the Assignment**

The firm will assess the capacity, systems, and compliance status of the consortium partners to manage project funds responsibly and in line with donor and regulatory requirements. The assignment will identify key risks, gaps, and practical recommendations to strengthen partner systems.

**3. Scope of Work**

The firm will conduct a structured due diligence review covering:

- **Legal Status:** Registration, governance documents, and compliance with national laws
- **Donor Compliance & Sanctions:** Screening against relevant sanctions lists (e.g. UN, EU), anti-terror and anti-money laundering controls
- **Governance:** Board composition, independence, and functionality (including interviews with selected board members)
- **Human Resources:** Staffing structures, HR policies, payroll systems, and staff benefits
- **Audit and Financial Management:** Audited Accounts, Accounting systems, internal controls, income and expenditure processes
- **Banking & Cash Management:** Bank reconciliations, signatory controls, cash handling procedures
- **Procurement Systems:** Policies, processes, and compliance with donor procurement requirements
- **Asset Management:** Asset registers, tracking, and safeguarding
- **Safeguarding & Ethics:** Policies, reporting mechanisms, and response systems

**4. Quality Standards**

The firm will support all findings and conclusions with verifiable evidence and clearly reference the data sources. The review should also address the representativeness of findings or be prepared upon request.

A draft report will be submitted to UAF Africa, with comments and feedback. These inputs will then be considered in preparing the final report. For each Organisation, the consultant will be required to express an opinion on their suitability or otherwise as a partner and the reasons for such opinion or position. The Consultant will be required to adhere to high ethical standards, including confidentiality, sensitivity regarding information handling, respect towards program staff and beneficiaries, and conflict-sensitive work and adhere to safeguarding and data protection standards.

**5. Deliverables**

The firm is expected to deliver:

- An **Inception Report** outlining methodology and tools
- **Six (6) Due Diligence Reports** (one per partner), including:
- Key findings
- Risk ratings (Low/Medium/High)
- Identified potential capacity gaps and recommended relevant trainings and capacity support that could further enhance and strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of the recommended organization to implement the project and manage the funds.
- Actionable recommendations to be presented in order of priority
- A **Consolidated Summary Report** highlighting cross-cutting risks and insights
- A **Final Presentation** to UAF-Africa management

The firm will be expected to prepare a due diligence guide, report template-narrative and summary sheet in excel for the assignment.

**Projected Timelines and Deliverables**

**Dates**

**Activity**

**10 - 12 June 2026**

Preparations and documents review

**15 - 23 June 2026**

Consultant gathers information from consortium partners and quality assured by UAF-Africa

**26 June 2026**

Consultant submits 1st draft to UAF-Africa

**3 July 2026**

Consultant submits 2nd draft to UAF-Africa

**10 July 2026**

Consultant responds to final repor