Call for Consultants –  Governance Framework and Policy Review (African Trans Network ATN)

Deadline: 29 July 2026

Over the past year, the African Trans Network (ATN) has developed a comprehensive Governance Framework and Policy Handbook to strengthen the organisation’s governance, accountability, and operational systems. The framework brings together ATN’s governance policies, organisational procedures and operational guidance into a single resource that reflects our organisation’s growth as a sustainable, trans-led, regional membership network.  

 We are seeking an experienced governance consultant to undertake an independent review of the framework and handbook, ensuring the documents are accurate, consistent, practical and aligned with the organisation’s current governance, strategic direction and best practice. The consultant will support the refinement of the documents for approval by the Steering Committee.  

Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant will work with ATN to review and finalise the Governance Framework and Policy Handbook, ensuring the documents are clear, consistent, practical, and aligned with the organisation’s governance structure, strategic direction, and values. The consultant will provide technical guidance, recommend improvements where appropriate, and support the Secretariat in preparing a final set of governance documents for Steering Committee approval. 

Assignment	Review and finalisation of ATN’s Governance Framework and Policy Handbook
Contract Period	Two months
Location	Remote
Reporting to	Interim Regional Coordinator, with review and approval by the ATN Steering Committee
Total Fee	ZAR 30,000 lump sum, inclusive of ordinary professional costs

Objectives

• Review the existing governance framework and policies, and provide recommendations to strengthen clarity, consistency, and practical application.  
• Confirm alignment of the framework with ATN’s strategic plan, founding documents, Steering Committee mandate and current organisational structure. 
• Refine the language, formatting, and document structure to improve readability and consistency across the governance framework. 
• Introduce consistent document control, approval, review and amendment mechanisms. 
• Highlight any additional policies, guidance, or governance tools that would further strengthen ATN’s governance framework. 
• Support the preparation of a cohesive governance package for the Steering Committee review and adoption. 

04 Scope of Work

• Review the Policy Handbook, Strategic Plan, governance systems, role descriptions, and other documents supplied by ATN. 
• Map the current governance and accountability structure, including the Steering Committee, Secretariat, member networks, advisory functions, consultants, and fiscal host. 
• Review and refine existing policies while preserving ATN’s organisational context and intent. 
• Develop a policy register and document control framework. 
• Conduct consultations with the Interim Regional Coordinator, Secretariat, and Steering Committee representatives. 
• Review priority areas including governance roles, delegations, conflict of interest, code of conduct, financial oversight, risk, data protection, safeguarding, human resources, complaints and document management. 
• Prepare an implementation matrix identifying priority actions, responsible persons, and recommended timelines. 
• Present key findings and recommendations to the Steering Committee and incorporate consolidated feedback. 

Deliverables and Timeline

Deliverable	Minimum Content	Indicative Timing	Acceptance
Inception note and work plan	Methodology, document list, consultation plan, workplan and schedule.	Within 5 working days	Interim Regional Coordinator
Governance Review and Recommendations Matrix	Summary of observations, recommendations to strengthen clarity, consistency, alignments and usability, together with any suggested additions or refinements.	End of Week 2	Interim Regional Coordinator
First full revised draft	Revised Governance framework and Policy handbook incorporating agreed recommendations, policy register, version control and change log.	End of Month 1	Interim Regional Coordinator and designated Steering Committee reviewers
Validation presentation	Key recommendations, proposed refinements, and any outstanding decisions and implementation priorities.	Early Month 2	Steering Committee
Final governance package	Clean editable Word and PDF versions, final change log, implementation matrix and policy register.	End of Month 2	Steering Committee

Required Experience and Competencies 

• Demonstrated experience reviewing governance frameworks, organisational policies or Board and Secretariat systems. 
• Strong policy writing, editing, facilitation, and analytical skills. 
• Understanding of membership-based, regional, feminist, human-rights or trans-led organisations. 
• Ability to translate governance principles into practical and proportionate systems. 
• Experience with organisational risk, accountability, financial oversight, safeguarding, or data protection is advantageous. 
• Excellent written English; French proficiency is an advantage. 
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and manage confidential information. 

ATN is a trans-led organisation committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We strongly encourage trans candidates with relevant experience to apply. Formal academic qualifications may support an application but are not the sole measure of suitability. 

Consultant Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality and securely manage ATN information. 
• Declare actual or potential conflicts of interest. 
• Meet agreed deadlines and promptly communicate delivery risks. 
• Provide original, professional work and remain responsible for the quality and accuracy of all outputs. 
• Submit all editable source files; final deliverables will belong to ATN upon full payment. 

ATN Responsibilities

• Provide available governance, policy, strategic, and organisational documents. 
• Nominate a focal person and consolidate feedback. 
• Facilitate access to agreed stakeholders for consultation. 
• Review deliverables within agreed timelines. 
• Pay accepted deliverables in accordance with the signed contract. 

Proposal Submission Requirements

• A brief technical proposal describing the approach, methodology and work plan. 
• A CV or organisational profile demonstrating relevant experience. 
• One or two examples of similar assignments, with confidential information removed. 
• Contact details for two relevant professional references. 
• Confirmation of availability for the full two-month period. 
• Written acceptance of the fixed ZAR 30,000 fee. 

Contractual Provisions

The consultancy will be governed by a written agreement. Any changes to the agreed scope, timeline, or deliverables will be made by mutual agreement. Final acceptance of the completed governance package rests with the Steering Committee. ATN may terminate the agreement for material non-performance, breach of confidentiality, unmanaged conflict of interest or failure to remedy agreed quality concerns. 

Please send applications to Recruitment@africantransnetwork.org with the subject line ‘Governance Framework and Policy Review Consultant Application’.