Strategy Development for Dublin Volunteering

The four Volunteer Centres in Dublin (Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin) are looking for proposals from experienced and energetic strategy development partners to work with us on the development of a joint Strategy for volunteering in Dublin 2026-2030.

The strategy will guide the organisation’s priorities, actions, and resource allocation, strengthening joint service delivery and ensuring alignment with our mission, vision and external policy frameworks, such as the National Volunteering Strategy.

Background

Volunteer Centres (VCs) connect volunteers with organisations who need them, they support organisations to work with volunteers, and they run County-based teams of Community volunteers.

Each Dublin VC currently has its own strategy and supporting operational plan, all of which were developed separately to each other. These plans are reaching the end of their life cycle. As the drivers and dynamics of volunteering have changed, we believe that a more joined-up approach is beneficial to the cause of Dublin volunteering.

This new approach will involve the collaboration of four Boards, staff teams and stakeholder groups to develop an overarching Strategy for volunteering in Dublin, which will be used as the framework for individual operational plans for each VC.

A working group made up of staff and Board members from each VC is leading this project.

Objectives

The key objectives of the strategy development process include:

• Assessing the current state, strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and impact of the four VCs and of volunteering in Dublin
• Strengthen governance, leadership, and management structures across Dublin
• Improve organisational resilience, sustainability, and resource sharing
• Identify potential opportunities for joint planning and service delivery
• Engaging stakeholders in all four areas to inform strategic priorities
• Identifying goals, objectives, actions, and success indicators
• Aligning with national policy and funding frameworks
• Providing a clear implementation and monitoring framework/operational plan template for the VCs to use separately, which will enable joint evaluation, learning and development.

Scope of the work

The successful tenderer will be expected to:

• Conduct an analysis (internal and external) of the four partner organisations and the group as a whole, including desk research into international models of good practice;
• Analyse the changing nature of volunteering and the volunteering ‘landscape’ in Ireland and Dublin in particular;
• Develop models for joint governance, communication, and accountability;
• Identify potential areas for alignment, resource sharing, and operational efficiencies;
• Develop and deliver an engaging and effective consultation process with staff, leadership, boards, stakeholders, and service users;
• Develop draft and final versions of the strategy document, including a template for individual operation plans and timeframes;
• Present the final strategy to the Board or leadership team;
• Provide a concise monitoring / evaluation plan.

Deliverables:

• Kick-off document with detailed work plan, milestones and timelines
• Stakeholder engagement report
• Draft Strategic Plan
• Final Strategic Plan (including operational plan template)
• Presentation to Boards and staff teams.

Timeline

Activity - Deadline

• Question time - 4-13 June
• Tender submission deadline - 23 June close of business
• Interviews - Week of 30 June
• Decision- TBC
• Project start - From 14th July
• Consultation report delivered - Before 10 October
• Draft Strategy - 14 November
• Final strategy approved - 15 December

Budget

The total budget for this project is €20,000, inclusive of VAT and expenses. Please provide a detailed cost breakdown.

Tender Submission Requirements

Tenderers must include the following:

• An introduction and understanding of the brief
• Proposed methodology and work plan
• Relevant experience and qualifications, including experience with strategic and organisational development in multi-agency or cross-sector contexts
• CVs of key people working on this project
• Examples of similar work completed
• References
• Detailed budget and timeline

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria - Weighting

• Understanding of the brief - 25%
• Methodology and work plan - 25%
• Relevant experience - 20%
• Value for money - 20%
• References and previous work - 10%

Submission Details

Please submit your tender by email to strategy@volunteerdublin.ie by close of business 23rd June 2025.

For queries, contact:

Name: Mike Randall/Aurore Gregoire
Email: info@volunteerdublin.ie