Category: Information and resources

1 – About Jigsaw

We are Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health CLG. Formerly known as Headstrong, we were set up in 2006 and to this day, we remain committed to leading a nationwide transformation in youth mental health.

We aim to better inform, support, educate and empower communities, enabling a better understanding of our collective responsibility in supporting young people’s mental health. Our youth mental health promotion work seeks to enhance community engagement and increase knowledge and understanding in relation to youth mental health. Our community-based workshops and programmes build the capacity of those who work or volunteer with young people, better equipping them to promote and support the mental health of young people where they live, learn, work and play.

We undertake pioneering research and conduct robust evaluation leading to transformative evidence. We are changing the way Ireland thinks about and responds to young people’s mental health. It is essential for our young people’s wellbeing that we respond at the right time, in the right way. We work with Government, the HSE and other policymakers to make sure the right frameworks are being put in place to help Ireland’s young people for generations to come.

Our vision

An Ireland where every young person’s mental health is valued and supported.

Our mission

Together, we will achieve better mental health outcomes for young people (aged 12 to 25) by delivering therapeutic services, promoting youth mental health and mobilising community and societal change, while ensuring our organisation evolves to support all aspects of our work.

Our values

• We value young people
• We work collaboratively
• We are progressive
• We value diversity
• We show compassion
• We are driven by evidence
• We act with integrity

Our governance

Jigsaw currently has eleven directors. Two directors were newly appointed at Jigsaw’s AGM on 22nd July. Two Youth Advocates, while not formal board members, sit with the board and can attend every meeting.

Our directors bring a range of skills and experience to the board. Profiles of all directors can be viewed here.

Jigsaw’s board is supported by six sub-committees:

Audit and risk sub-committee

The role of the audit and risk sub-committee is to provide strategic advice and oversight for organisational risk, internal auditing, the annual external audit of the financial statements and any other external audits and reports to the board.

Finance sub-committee

The role of the finance sub-committee is to provide strategic advice and oversight for the financial performance of Jigsaw against the financial and fundraising goals and targets.

HR and governance sub-committee

The role of the HR and governance sub-committee is to provide strategic advice and oversight for policies and practices relating to the governance of Jigsaw, the recruitment of board members and employment of staff.

Quality and safety sub-committee

The role of the quality and safety sub-committee is to provide strategic advice and oversight for the quality and safety programme for Jigsaw, and ensure compliance with all regulatory and legal requirements.

Research sub-committee

The role of the research sub-committee is to provide strategic advice, direction and exercise oversight of the organisation’s work concerning research and evaluation.

Education sub-committee

The role of the education sub-committee is to provide strategic advice and oversight of Jigsaw’s work in primary, post-primary, further and higher education.

2 – Requirements

The assignment

Jigsaw is inviting interested parties to submit proposals to review the overall effectiveness of how the board does its work. The review will focus on whether the Board’s structures and processes enable it to:

• meet the best practice requirements of the Charities Governance Code and HSE Compliance requirements
• align with the implementation of our strategy: Jigsaw Organisational Strategy 2022-2026 and
• make recommendations to the Board in order to improve its effectiveness

Deliverables and outputs

It is expected that through desk research, questionnaires, a series of engagements with the board, its sub-committees and other relevant people from the executive, the consultant appointed will complete their work with a report which contains a series of recommendations to improve Jigsaw’s board effectiveness.

Qualification and criteria

Interested parties that wish to submit a proposal shall meet the following minimum criteria:

1. Proven track record in conducting board effectiveness reviews for organisations in the nonprofit sector and of similar size to Jigsaw.
2. A strong understanding of the various frameworks and codes and standards that apply across various sectors, including nonprofit.
3. Demonstrable ability to deliver consulting services in the most professional, effective and efficient manner by providing references

The following criteria will be used as the basis for shortlisting interested parties:

• Qualifications – 25%
• Approach – 25%
• Similar experience in nonprofit sector – 25%
• Value for money – 25%

3 – Timeframe

Jigsaw is asking for proposals to be submitted by 5th September 2025.

Interviews for a small number of shortlisted candidates will take place online during the week-ended 12th September 2025.

Confirmation of appointment of the successful contractor no later than 19th September 2025.

It is anticipated that this review will be an agenda item at the Board meeting to be held on the 24th November 2025. The contractor will need to be available for a presentation on the review’s key findings to the Board at that meeting. A draft of the report should be submitted to HR & Governance sub-committee by the 7th November 2025 at the latest.

4 – Proposal Submission

Those wishing to be considered should submit a brief proposal (max 4 or 5 pages) to the Director of Finance & Operations, Peter McDevitt at peter.mcdevitt@jigsaw.ie by 5pm on 5th September 2025.

It should include:

• Justification of why they are the most suitable consultant for the work, and a brief methodology on how the work will be conducted
• Work and time plan including the scheduling of main activities and time inputs required per consultant/s
• Insurance details
• Two client referees relating to similar project work.

The financial proposal shall be in Euro and include:

• Fee rate and time inputs required as presented in the work and time plan. The total price shall be broken down by specific deliverables and outputs
• Any reimbursable expenses envisaged

Proposal should not exceed €10,000 plus VAT (including expenses)

The payment shall be based on approved deliverables and outputs and production of invoice.

The information provided shall also incorporate:

• Company profile (clearly stating full contact details, physical address, email and phone numbers)
• Declaration of relationships – describe if your organisation/employees have any business or personal relationships connected to Jigsaw or any of the staff or board members of Jigsaw
• A statement of availability of key consultant/s during the timeframe of the assignment period
• Certificate of incorporation or registration (where relevant)
• Tax status and tax clearance certificate.

For further details on the tender please contact:

Director of Finance & Operations, Peter McDevitt at peter.mcdevitt@jigsaw.ie

The Jigsaw Research Ethics Committee

At Jigsaw we are proud to have an independently chaired Research Ethics Committee that ensures all our research is conducted to the highest ethical standards — with rigour, safety, and responsibility at its core.