Tender Opportunities Open
Background
The Joint Government and Voluntary Sector Forum (Joint Forum) brings together representatives from the public sector and the voluntary and community sector (VCS) to strengthen cross sector collaboration and partnership working.
The Forum is currently mandated to support the monitoring and implementation of the Joint Government and Voluntary Sector Forum (Joint Forum), which was endorsed by the Northern Ireland Executive in July 2025.
Developed through the Joint Forum, the Partnership Agreement sets out shared values, principles, and ways of working designed to enhance relationships between the public sector and the VCS.
To support awareness, understanding, and practical application of these commitments—including the Fair Funding Principles—the Joint Forum has agreed a comprehensive workplan.
Delivery of this workplan is supported by several thematic working groups, comprising representatives from both the public sector and the VCS.
Detail of Tenders
NICVA is inviting tenders from suitably qualified and experienced service providers to provide some specialist support to the Joint Forum, specifically to the Joint Forum Evaluation Working Group and the Joint Forum Funding Subgroup, as follows:
1. Specialist Support to the Joint Forum Evaluation Working Group
This tender seeks a suitably qualified provider to deliver baseline analysis, evaluation support, and recommendations to inform implementation of the Partnership Agreement and Fair Funding Principles across government and the voluntary and community sector.
2. Specialist Support to the Joint Forum Funding Subgroup
Providing specialist support to the Joint Forum Funding Subgroup this tender invites proposals to support analysis of public sector funding arrangements against the Fair Funding Principles, generating insights, highlighting good practice and areas for development alongside practical recommendations to develop and improve funding practice across sectors.
Across both tenders, the appointed provider(s) will be able to avail of direction from the sub/working groups as needed, and will have access to direct support and guidance from NICVA, the Joint Forum Secretariat, and the Sub/Working Group Co‑Chairs, who will also broker access to essential information and key contacts as required.
Key Dates
- Clarification questions deadline:
12 noon, Friday 27 February 2026
- Tender submission deadline:
12 noon, Wednesday 4 March 2026 (by email; marked Commercially Confidential)
Interested providers are encouraged to submit clarification questions, particularly in relation to key deliverables, scope of work, and anticipated delivery timelines.
How to Apply
Full tender specifications - including scope of work, deliverables, timelines, budgets, and submission requirements are attached.
We welcome submissions from organisations with experience in evaluation, research, stakeholder engagement, and multi-sector collaboration.
NICVA looks forward to receiving proposals that will help strengthen and directly contribute to the development of collaboration, learning, and funding practice across government and the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland.
