Terms of Reference for Appointment of External Auditors

1. Background

The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is the largest global network for advancing research on violence against women (VAW), violence against children (VAC) and other forms of violence driven by gender inequality. The SVRI brings together a diverse group of actors aiming to achieve a world free of violence against women and violence against children through ensuring innovative responses and prevention programmes are informed by and build on existing evidence, with a focus on low and middle-income countries.

The SVRI is a not-for-profit network for researchers, practitioners, activists, funders and others in our community providing unique online and offline spaces to share, learn and connect. The four pillars of our strategic plan – building evidence; strengthening capacity; promoting partnerships; and, influencing change – work together to ensure policy and programmes are evidence informed, sustainable at scale and rooted in strategic partnerships that will drive action at local levels. Commitment to diversity and gender equity is core to the culture of SVRI.

In a world where violence against women and children and socially marginalised groups remains alarmingly high, our mission is to bridge the gap between research evidence and its practical application, ensuring its integration into the design of policies and programmes across all levels of the development ecosystem.

Our Principles

We strive to always ensure that our actions, partnerships, and work are feminist-centred, rights-based, innovative, collaborative, equitable and held to the highest ethical standards. We are intentional in centering self and collective care and kindness in our organisation and the field. Our principles are operationalised in our organisational principles and policies including our Feminist Grant-making Guidelines, Feminist Monitoring and Learning Model and SVRI’s Code of Conduct.

2. Purpose of the Engagement

The SVRI seeks to appoint an independent, suitably qualified audit firm to conduct its annual external audits in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA) 700, including expressing an opinion on whether the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and performance of SVRI NPC for the fiscal years ending 28 February 2026 to 28 February 2030.  The auditors should assess the organisation’s compliance with the provisions of the Companies Act and other applicable regulatory authorities e.g. SARS in South Africa.

3. Scope of Work

The auditor’s scope will include, but is not limited to:

• Audit of Financial Statements of the SVRI in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards for Small and Medium Enterprises (“IFRS for SMEs”) and International Standards on Auditing (“ISA”).
• The audit will also include, where relevant, Agreed Upon Procedures that will be guided by our donors’ guidelines, scope and requirements.

4. Deliverables & Timelines

1. Audited Financial Statements with auditor’s opinion as per ISA 700.
2. Report to Management and Those Charged with Governance with recommendations.
3. Management representation letter.
4. Where Agreed Upon Procedures (AUPs) are concerned, reports in relation to the procedures in line with donor requirements.
5. Be available to present the audit outcomes to the Board.
6. Closing meeting to discuss results and actions plans.

5.   Timelines

Audit to start 15 April and end on 31 May. All deliverables are to be signed off and audited financial statements to be available by 15 June.

6. Independence & Quality

The auditor must confirm independence in line with IRBA requirements and disclose any potential conflicts of interest. The firm is expected to use a risk-based, technology-enabled audit methodology, maintain open and timely communication with SVRI management, and ensure partner-level involvement throughout the engagement.

7. Reference Documents

• SVRI policies and procedures (e.g. financial, procurement, HR, grant management).
• Donor contracts.
• Prior audit reports and management letters.
• South African legislative requirements for NPCs.

8. Reporting Currency and Language

All reports shall be presented in South African Rand (ZAR) and in English.

9. Application Process

Interested firms are requested to submit:

• Technical capability and documented experience with auditing NPOs.
• Audit approach & methodology.
• Confirmation of independence and compliance with ethical standards.
• Engagement team composition, including partner/manager involvement.
• Proposed audit approach, timeline, and deliverables.
• Fee proposal in South African Rand (ZAR).

Applications and confirmations should be submitted to finance@svri.org by 31 October 2025.