Deadline

The purpose of the Call for Expression of Interest is to solicit interest from existing or prospective Implementing Partners that wish to participate in UN-Habitat operation and contribute complementary resources (human resources, knowledge, funds, in-kind contributions, supplies and/or equipment) to achieving common objectives as outlined below and subsequently agreed in an Agreement of Cooperation

Size of grant: $40,000

Purpose of CFP: Pilot nature-based Solutions and urban biodiversity actions in the context of informal settlements upgrading and climate resilience building in Lilongwe, Malawi

 

Project Key Information

  • UN-Habitat Project title: Work Package 4 - Integration of NBS in country level operations of RISE UP projects
  • Locations
    • Town/City: Lilongwe City
    • Country: Malawi
  • Anticipated start date: 31 January 2022
  • Estimated duration of project in calendar months: 4
  • Maximum proposed value in US$: 40,000 (forty thousand)
  • Lead Organization Unit: Subprogramme 3

 

Brief Background of the Project

(State the purpose, main goal, and specific objectives of the project)

NBS solutions are integrated in selected RISE UP projects and knowledge and information on the projects is widely shared. This LDC was selected to pilot NBS and urban biodiversity actions in the context of informal settlements upgrading and climate resilience building.

Lilongwe City, capital of Malawi, has a population of 989,318, with more than 76% of the residents living in informal settlements. These informal settlements are situated in poorly drained and flood prone areas. Heavy seasonal rains have led to massive flooding in the large informal settlements of Kaliyeka, Kawale 1 and Kawale 2. Deteriorating water quality has affected the natural ecosystems in Lingadzi and Mchesi Rivers. Increased flooding and human activity such as deforestation, riverbank erosion, development of gullies, indiscriminate disposal of waste along the riverbanks and drainage systems have contributed to frequent occurrence of flash flooding.

In 2019, Lilongwe City Council developed a Resilience Framework for Action (RFA) for several informal settlements with support from UN-Habitat. UN-Habitat, therefore, intends to support communities surrounding the two rivers of Lingadzi and Mchesi with nature-based risk reduction measures that were proposed by the communities during the development of this RFA. The activities that will be undertaken with the supplementary SIDA contribution will reduce impact of floods to 78,015 people in Kaliyeka, Kawale 1 and Kawale 2 through two activities. As the first activity, the project will undertake community agro-forestry and establish green walls along the rivers with fruit trees, bananas, bamboo and vetiver grass to protect the area from floods. This component will have co-benefits of awareness raising and capacity building of communities on NbS and climate action, with communities taking the lead. The second activity will focus on clearing solid waste along Lilongwe and Mchesi Rivers to allow the smooth flow of water. To ensure sustainability, the project will support development and enforcement of community by-laws to curb environmental degradation along the river’s catchment areas. In executing the project, UN-Habitat will work with Lilongwe City Council and local NGOs.

 

Main activities and outputs (proposed, to be refined by the grant recipient)

The Implementing Partner will be undertaking main activities as follows (but not limited to):

Output: NBS solutions are integrated in selected RISE UP projects and knowledge and information on the projects widely shared.

Activities:

  • Conducting a detailed site assessment, including community consultations/engagement to guide the design of the most effective interventions

 

Output 1: Lilongwe and Mchesi Rivers flood plains protected from adverse effects of floods

Activity 1.1: Undertake riverbank maintenance through sedimentation control and vegetative cover.

Activity 1.2: Clear solid waste along Lilongwe and Mchesi Rivers.

Output 2: NBS-DRR capacities of Lilongwe City Council, community DRR structures and schools strengthened.

Activity 2.1:  Develop and enforce community bye-laws to curb environmental degradation along Lilongwe and Mchesi River catchment areas.

Activity 2.2:  Build capacity of DRR governance structures in Lilongwe City, Kawale 1 and Kawale 2 informal settlement areas.

Activity 2.3: Strengthen wildlife and disaster risk reduction clubs at  Kaliyeka and Kawale primary and secondary schools

Deliverables expected:

  • Technical proposal on NBS solutions in Lilongwe
  • Continued engagement with UN-Habitat team and monthly updates on project progress through brief stories and photos/ videos capturing a record of the project progress
  • Final technical and financial report with photos and recommendations to local authorities and communities that captures lessons learned and best practices that will facilitate the replication of the project in other locations nationally and internationally.

 

Risk Analysis

The following potential risks may occur, so the suggested mitigation factors need to be considered. Constant monitoring is also essential.

Risk Assessment

Mitigating Factors

 

 

Delays in the signature of the contract with the Implementing Partner.

UN-Habitat will prepare in advance all the technical and financial information relating to the contract and will thus accelerate the finalization of the contract with the Implementing Partner.

Inadequate commitment by local government and traditional authorities, and key partners

Sensitization process and dialogues with local government, traditional authorities and key champions within the line Ministries and other key partners

Reluctance of communities to join the project.

Working with local civil society organizations who are rooted within communities, helps to increase trust. In addition, the project includes continuous awareness raising and capacity development interventions at community level.

Discriminatory social norms against women and youth limiting their participation in the project.

The project will make special efforts to include women and youth in the planning and execution of the activities. In addition, the project, with partners, will engage cultural leaders to influence the change of cultural norms and practices that discriminate against women, youth and vulnerable groups.

 

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Submission Details/ Documents Required

Legal Status
  • Certificate of registration/incorporation i.e.,
  • Proof of registration in Country of Origin.
  • Proof of registration in Country of operation
  • Proof of country operational presence

Organization profile and details
  • Clear organization profile and structure of the organization indicating:
    • Organization’s vision, mission and objectives
    • Management structure
    • Members of the Governing Board and their Designations duly certified by the Corporate Secretary, or its equivalent document
    • Proof of membership to professional associations if any.

Financial Capacity
  • Audited company financial statements (balance sheet and income statement) and auditors report for the last two years

Exclusive bank account
  • Is the organization willing and able to have a separate bank account for the funds provided by UN-Habitat?

Integrity and Governance
  • The organization should complete and submit a signed Partner Declaration Form
  • Provide the profiles of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Head of the Organization and Chief of Finance

 

Selection Criteria

Criteria

Submission Details/ Documents Required

Weighting

1.   Technical capacity

 

25%

1.1 Does the organization have the relevant experience and proven track record in implementing activities in the areas of the project?

Has it managed in the past projects of similar technical complexities and financial size?

Is the project linked with the core business of the IP?
  • List of projects executed in the last 2 years (value, location, donors, nature of projects, execution stage – completed or ongoing).
  • Demonstrate how the experiences in past projects are relevant in the execution of the current proposal
  • References from past donors

 

1.2 Does the organization have qualified technical staff with the experience and the technical skills required by the project?

What is the staff size, type, qualification and education background?
  • CVs of key management staff, technical and non-technical staff that will be involved on the project
  • How many technical staff do you have in the concerned Country for implementing the project? Is there reasonable assurance that such technical staff required by the project will continue to be available as needed in the Project?

 

1.3 Does the organization have a clear and strong link with an identifiable constituency relevant to the targeted population of the project?

Does it have the ability to impact on the targeted population and on the issues?

Does it have strong presence in the field and for how long?

Does it have adequate capacity to work in key areas/regions where the proposed field activities will be implemented?
  • Demonstrate, describe and provide proof of local operational presence, including link and ability to impact the targeted population.

 

1.4 Does the organization possess adequate physical facilities, office equipment, transport, etc. to implement the activities?
  • Provide location and list of office facilities, vehicles and office equipment locally available to implement the project.

 

1.5 Does the organization have formal procedures to monitor project execution (e.g. milestones, outputs, expenditures…)
  • Provide formal project monitoring policies and procedures

 

2.   Financial and administrative capacity

 

15%

2.1 Has the organization been in operation over a period of at least 2 years to demonstrate its financial sustainability and relevance?
  • State the years of operation
  • Financial statements for the last 2 years

 

2.2 Does the organization have qualified staff in Finance? Is the current accounting system computerized and does have the capacity to collect and provide separate financial reports on the activities executed under the Agreement of Cooperation?

Does it have systems and practices to monitor and report whether the project deliverables and expenditures are within agreed time and budget?

Does it have minimum segregation of duties in place (separation between project management, finance/accounting and executive office)
  • CVs of key finance and accounting staff
  • Description and key features and controls of the accounting system used
  • Organization structure/ Organogram

 

2.3 Does the organization have the capacity to procure goods and services on a transparent and competitive basis? (if applicable) check for procurement unit with experienced staff
  • Copies of procurement policies and procedures. The procedures should show how you procure locally and internationally.

 

2.4 Does the organization have formal procedures and controls to mitigate fraud such as multiple signature signatories on bank accounts, reporting and prosecution of incidences of fraud?
  • Describe anti-fraud controls and provide formal procedures

 

2.5 Does the organization have capacity to provide in-kind, financial, personnel contribution as UN-Habitat Implementing Partner in this present project? Please give details of contribution nature and size.
  • Describe nature and value of contribution (in-kind or cash)

 

3.   Financial Proposal

 

30%

3.1 Is the budget for each component of the activity to be performed by the Implementing Partner

(i) cost-effective (i.e. the cost should be economical and prudently estimated to avoid any under/over estimation)

(ii) justifiable/well supported and

(iii) accurate and complete

 

Budget Proposal <provide link>

  • BOQ (if applicable)
  • Other supporting documents

 

4.   Technical Proposal

 

30%

4.1 The technical proposal presents an  approach, methodology and work plan that is sound and responds adequately to the specifications and requirements?

Technical Proposal document <provide link>

 

 

Cumulative score for ratios

 

100%

 

Submission Instructions:

Technical proposals must be submitted in electronic format no later than 24 January 2022 to Fruzsina Straus at the following email address: straus@un.org copying Stern Kita at stern.kita@un.org. All related questions or clarifications must also be coursed through these email addresses.

 

Notes:

  1. Interested Organizations must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochure, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc).
  2. The CFP and accompanying documents must be received in accordance with instructions provided. CFP submitted to a different email address other than the specified one will not be considered.
  3. CFP from applicants failing to provide the complete information to fulfill the basic eligibility criteria will be considered non-responsive.
  4. CFP received after the above deadline will not be considered
  5. Organizations will be selected in accordance with the procedure set out in the UN-Habitat IP Management policy and Standard Operating Procedures.
  6. CFP from applicants failing to provide the requested information will be disregarded.
  7. This CFP does not entail any commitment on the part of UN-Habitat, either financial or otherwise. UN-Habitat reserves the right to accept or reject any or all Proposals without incurring any obligation to inform the affected applicant(s) of the grounds.
  8. All prices must be in USD