Invitation for External Audit Services for Financial Year 2026
INVITATION FOR EXTERNAL AUDIT SERVICES FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2026
1: ABOUT TAWLA
Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA) is a Non-Governmental Organization established in 1989 and registered under the Societies Act of 1990. The organization is compliant with the NGOs Act of 2002 though obtained an NGOs status in 2019.
The aims and objectives of the organization are to advocate for gender equality and to promote human dignity and gender justice through policy, community action, media engagement, and legal and institutional reforms.
To this end, TAWLA envisages a society that respects, upholds, and enhances responsibilities and empowers women. Its mission is to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in creating a conducive legal and policy environment, providing diverse platforms on sectoral reform and ensuring access to justice through legal aid services, advocacy, awareness raising, strategic litigation, and research and publications on issues affecting women and children.
TAWLA has its headquarters in Dar es Salaam at Plot 31, Ilala Amana Street, and branch offices at Arusha, Tanga, Mbeya, Mwanza, and Dodoma. As a way of expanding its outreach TAWLA also networks with other legal aid providers as well as working with paralegals that have been established by TAWLA to enable poor women and children to access legal aid services in the regions where TAWLA does not have branch office. Currently, TAWLA has over 350 members, who include women lawyers from diverse backgrounds such as state attorneys, private advocates, judges, magistrates, corporate Boards, academics, and legal advisors in both the public and the private sector.
TAWLA is undertaking several programs supported by development partners and using internal generated funds. TAWLA is required by its constitution to be audited annually and reported to its members during the Annual General Meeting with its fiscal year running from January to December each year. The Audited financial statements are shared with Registrar of NGO, development partners, and other relevant stakeholders. TAWLA invites applications from qualified and experienced audit firms to perform annual audit of the Financial Statements of 2026.
2: AUDIT OBJECTIVES
The objective of TAWLA audit is to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements reflect a true and fair view of the financial position of the organization. The audit will be performed in accordance with under International Public Accounting Standards (IPSAs and International Standards of Auditing (“ISA”).
The audit report will include the Independent Auditors Report (Opinion) on the financial statements. The audit will also include such other required schedules or analyses as TAWLA has determined are necessary in order to ensure that programs resources are properly managed. The auditors should assess the organization’s compliance with the provisions of the Tanzania NGO Act of 2002 and other relevant applicable regulatory authorities.
3: SCOPE OF WORK
The successful External Auditor will audit TAWLA. The audit will be in conformity with under International Public Accounting Standards(IPSAs and International Standards of Auditing (“ISA”). The findings and recommendations shall include an action plan for TAWLA organizational and accounting improvements depending on findings and their implications and shall accommodate management comments.
4: 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:
i) Conducting independent audits of TAWLA’s operations in line with International Standards on Auditing and International Public Accounting Standards (IPSAs.
ii) 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 TAWLA 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.
iii) Reviewing and evaluating TAWLA’s internal control system and advising Management and the Board on adequacy/effectiveness of the system and proposals for its improvements.
iv) Assessing utilization of resources for effectiveness, efficiency, and economy as well as identification of opportunities for improvement.
v) Ensuring the organization adheres to corporate governance requirements and legislation that governs the organization.
vi) General review of implementation of programs to ascertain whether they are consistent with program objective as set in program designs.
vii) Providing any other value-addition services as approved by the Board of Directors.
5: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Eligible Audit firms should meet the following criteria:
i) Experience of the audit firm with audit reporting under International Public Accounting Standards (IPSAs)) and International Standards on Auditing (ISA)
ii) At least three (3) references or recommendations for similar audits performed within the last three years.
iii) Provide Audit Methodology, Proposed Work-plan, Curriculum Vitae for the partner, manager and key staff proposed for the audit team
iv) Proven experience in auditing Civil Society Organizations, with a track record of handling similar assignments.
v) The firm must employ qualified auditors with relevant experience, specifically those engaged in full-time auditing work. The firm must provide a list of auditors assigned to this audit.
vi) The firm must be registered with the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA) and provide its NBAA registration number.
vii) The firm must demonstrate compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements governing external auditors in Tanzania.
viii) Any actual or potential conflict of interest in taking up this role should be highlighted.
6: DELIVERABLES:
The key deliverables under this call are:
i) An Independent Auditor’s Opinion Report on the financial statements.
ii) Audited Financial Statements indicating if accounting standards have been applied and whether they reflect a true and fair view of the financial position of the organization
iii) To present the report to the Board of directors
iv) To complete the audit on time i.e., within 3 months after end of the year.
v) A Management Letter includes audit findings and recommendations related to the financial statements, internal controls, accounting systems, legal compliance, and other significant matters.
7: SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
i) The proposal submitted should have a maximum of 25 PDF pages both technical and financial.
ii) The proposal subject line should clearly read, “EOI: EXTERNAL AUDITORS’’ and address to:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
TANZANIA WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (TAWLA),
P.O. BOX 9460,
DAR ES SALAAM
iii) Proposal should be submitted through the following email: [email protected]
iv) The deadline for submission is: 17:00 HRS, 8th April 2026
v) Only shortlisted bidder will be contacted (those who will not hear from us, 14 days after deadline, should consider themselves unsuccessful). ONLY electronically submitted proposals will be accepted.
vi) For any questions, kindly contact us (Not later than 7 days after the date of the advert) through: [email protected]