1. Background

The Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) is an intergovernmental organization established through the GVTC treaty signed in 2015 between DRC, Rwanda and Uganda.  GVTC is a Transboundary Collaboration Framework for programs and activities on wildlife conservation and tourism development within the Greater Virunga Landscape, which covers the Central Albertine Rift (CAR) and is shared by the three countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.  The GVTC’s goal is to improve the conservation of species, habitats, and ecological services contributing to increased socio-economic benefits to the people of the CAR, through effective transboundary collaboration. GVTC works with and through partners towards synergizing the conservation efforts across the three countries. The Greater Virunga Landscape comprises seven national parks and one wildlife reserve, disseminated along the shared boundaries of the three countries. The Vision of the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration is: “The Central Albertine Transfrontier Protected Area network together with the surrounding landscape is conserved sustainably”, while the goal is: “Sustainable conservation of the Central Albertine Rift for long-term socio-economic development through strategic transboundary collaboration management.”

2. Duties and Responsibilities of the Auditor

The external auditor shall be required to perform risk-based audits, compliance audits and performance-based audits.

Roles, duties, and responsibilities shall include the following:

1. Conducting independent audits of GVTC’s operations in line with International Standards on Auditing and International Financial Reporting Standards
2. Expressing an opinion on whether the financial statements are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the applicable financial reporting standards and frameworks, whether GVTC has maintained proper books of accounts, and whether the accompanying financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position and performance of the organization
3. Reviewing and evaluating GVTC’s internal control system and advising Management and the Board on adequacy/effectiveness of the system and proposals for its improvements
4. Assessing utilization of resources for effectiveness, efficiency, and economy as well as identification of opportunities for improvement.
5. Ensuring the organization adheres to corporate governance requirements and legislation that govern the organization.
6. General review of the implementation of programs to ascertain whether they are consistent with the program objective as set in the program designs
7. Be able to conduct an audit for dates between February and March 2026.

3. Required Profile of the Audit Firm

Biding firms will be required to meet the following criteria:

1. Be registered with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) and must hold a current Practicing Certificate
2. It should demonstrate that it has the capacity, capability and experience required to undertake the audit within the required timelines
3. The firm should demonstrate adequate experience in Intergovernmental Organizations.

4. Request for Proposal Submission

Firms meeting the above criteria are requested to submit their proposals in a sealed envelope as follows:

1. a) Technical Proposal containing:

1. Confirmation of the firm’s understanding of the Terms of Reference (TORs) and its capacity and capability to deliver on the TORs.
2. The methodology, work-plan and timelines for undertaking and completing the assignment, and the deliverables.
3. Appropriate references to demonstrate the experience specified in the TOR.

1. b)   Financial Proposal indicating the proposed fees for a regular audit and any incidental expenses.
2. c)    Other Requirements

1. Proof of registration with ICPAR.
2. Confirmation of having undergone a Quality Assurance Review by ICPAR.
3. Confirmation that the firm and/or its partners and key staff are not aware of any conflict of interest which may exist with respect to GVTC.
4. Details of at least three (3) prior  audit  assignments,  including  the  contact  details  of  the references
5. A list of clients for which the firm has performed similar assignments
6. A schedule outlining tentative dates for completion of the audit process

Evaluation of Proposals

Submitted proposals will be evaluated by GVTC’s Tender Committee and will take into account inter-alia, the following evaluation criteria:

• The audit firm is independent and has no conflict of interest with regard to any other work performed by the firm for GVTC.
• The firm adheres to the instructions in this call.
• The firm’s qualifications, experience, size and location.
• The firm’s experience and performance on comparable external audit engagement
• Adequacy of Audit Approach, including the specific approach to the entity wide review of internal controls and the risk assessment model
• Cost

Bidders, meeting the above criteria, are requested to submit their proposals electronically by Email: es@greatervirunga.org with a copy to rkabeya@greatervirunga.org  or in a sealed envelope at the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration office in Kigali City - Gasabo District – Remera Sector- Gishushu KG 9 Av #1A RDB Building; P.O. Box 6626 Kigali-Rwanda, by Thursday, 13^th November 2025

Done at Kigali, on October 24, 2025

Dr. Andrew G. Seguya

GVTC Executive Secretary