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: USD 30,000

Purpose of CFP: This Call for Proposal aims at identifying one Implementing Partner (IP), in the form of a Non-Government Organization (NGO) or Civil Society Organization (CSO), to contribute for the implementation of the project “COVID-19 Response in Informal Settlements in Guinea-Bissau”. The entity will be responsible for applying surveys in five cities of Guinea-Bissau (Bissau, Bafata, Gabu, Manosa and Bubaque) focused on identifying the main socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and other diseases in informal settlements.

 

Project Key Information

  • UN-Habitat Project title: COVID-19 Response in Informal Settlements in Guinea-Bissau
  • Locations
    • Town/City: Bissau, Bafata, Gabu, Manosa and Bubaque
    • Country: Guinea-Bissau
  • Anticipated start date: August 2022
  • Estimated duration of project in calendar months: 17 months (August 2022 to December 2023)
  • Maximum proposed value in US$: 30,000
  • Lead Organization Unit: UN-Habitat Guinea-Bissau Country Office

 

Brief Background of the Project

The incidence of COVID-19 and other diseases has a catastrophic impact on the entire population, particularly on vulnerable individuals living in informal settlements. This is the case not only in Bissau but in several urban areas of the country, who already suffer from a variety of issues, ranging from lack of access to basic infrastructure to limited job opportunities. Nevertheless, there is a lack of a better understanding of the socio-economic impact of such diseases on informal settlements, and how they can exacerbate existing challenges. In addition, there is limited acknowledgement of the level of information that communities receive about the pandemic, its impacts, and potential long-term effects. Therefore, actions taken by the Government of Guinea-Bissau, development partners and other entities in combating the crisis of COVID-19, as well as other issues faced by these communities, have limited effectiveness.

The overall objective of the project is to support national and international institutions with an evidence-based strategy for action in the most vulnerable communities Guinea-Bissau to minimize the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as underlying issues, such as poor sanitation, with impacts in malaria and tuberculosis levels.

Evidence will be provided by a community-based collaborative approach to data collection and analysis of the situation in COVID-19 hot-spots, spatializing the impacts in most vulnerable areas at the local level.

The project will also include quick win small-scale actions in selected communities in areas such as environmental sanitation (reducing malaria burden by reducing mosquito breeding grounds), improved access to water and sanitation (focused on reducing under 5 mortality), and housing adaptation (e.g. aeration, ventilation) to minimize risk of COVID and TB transmission. Interventions will be community-driven and will also serve to inform the response strategy based on the evaluation of their impact in the ground.

 

Main activities and outputs

The Implementing Partner (IP) will be undertaking the following main activities:

  • Activity 1 - Training with UN-Habitat methodology for socio-economic impact analysis

The project includes a significant capacity-building component, so the partner will be involved and trained since project inception. Up to 10 technicians should be made available for the training sessions, including at least five supervisors of the survey application from the different capital cities of the country's regions. The supervisors will oversee training the other team members.

The partner should have a team responsible for applying the survey, per municipality, consisting of five (5) members: one (1) supervisor and four (4) surveyors, for each of the five (5) cities covered by the study, having as a total twenty (20) members, focusing on one (1) neighborhood/informal settlement per city. The surveyors will contact the different community leaders and relevant actors for understanding the realities and dynamics of the city will initially be carried out by the inquirers.

  • Activity 2 - Elaboration of the detailed work plan, including methodology

The application of the study will use as methodology a call center for remote data collection via the IP’s network of technicians and members spread throughout all the areas covered by the study.

The IP will organize one (1) public presentation session per city for a maximum of 20 people (or the number stated by government COVID-19 restrictions) in each of the cities foreseen in the study. The sessions will be coordinated by the supervisors. For each session, the IP will invite community, traditional and social leaders, different actors and organizations with influence and community mobilization capacity, as well as representatives of local administrative authorities, to facilitate the implementation of the study.

After the presentation sessions, the IP will create a final contact list of the survey, to further allow the application of the survey in the different cities. 

The IP will provide a list of contacts with more than 200 contacts per city.

  • Activity 3 - Public Presentation of the Survey

The IP team of supervisors, responsible for following up the application of the surveys will make a single trip to each city in the initial phase of the application of the study, with the objective of holding the first public session for the presentation of the study, as well as for the training/environmental work to the surveyors. Awareness raising will occur with the support of community radio stations that will publicize the ongoing process, as well as the direct involvement of community and traditional leaders of each selected neighborhood, through small meetings at the local level.

  • Activity 4 - Implementation of the surveys in the selected informal settlements in the cities of Bissau, Bubaque, Gabu, Mansoa and Bafata

The IP will carry out follow-up contacts and data collection remotely, during the application of the survey. If there is any need to travel, this will have to be studied and duly justified with the coordination of the study.

It is anticipated that the IP will apply at least 200 surveys per city (100 for each informal settlement).

  • Activity 5 - Data consolidation and analysis

The IP will perform the data consolidation and analysis remotely, led by each of the supervisors, working directly with their surveyors. The supervisors will identify any issues related to the data entered by the inquirers, to clarify and consolidate them. The IP will set up a team responsible to carry out a final data analysis and consolidation.

 

Risk Analysis

Project specific risk

Risk level

Mitigation strategy (including Do No Harm considerations)

Stricter Covid-19 prevention measures (local travel, meetings) could impede the realization of activities as they have been planned and impact the achievement of the project outcomes.

Probability: Low

Impact for the project: Medium

The experience developed in the last years equipped the different partners with a better understanding of dynamics underlying this multidimensional crisis and how to better address them. Regular communications with the Covid-19 High Commission will help the project team to monitor the situation and prompt develop effective solutions without impacting the achievement of the project.

Political instability may affect the achievement of the expected outputs and lead to political manipulation affecting the overall impact of the project.

Probability: Medium

Impact for the project: High

The steering committee will regularly assess the political situation in consultation with relevant actors. The reputation and recognized neutrality of the project implementing partners in the country will be fundamental to avoid political manipulation.

Males and elders' “dominance” in speeches and decision making versus women and youth could create a gender bias at the implementation level affecting women and young women's real participation within the project

Probability: Medium

Impact for the project: High 

 

The project will put in place specific mechanisms to allow women and young women to freely express themselves in the framework of the project activities. The understanding of social dynamics and roles within targeted communities and the support of local implementing partners will be fundamental.

Climatic conditions (heavy rains) may affect implementing partners' mobility during field activities during rainy season (July to October) and delay the implementation of the project

Probability: High

Impact for the project: Low

The planning of activities will take into account the rainy season to ensure feasibility of all activities without delays.

Limited engagement and/or dissatisfaction with collaborative processes

Probability: Medium

Impact for the project: High

Collaborative processes on survey and analysis of socio-economic impacts are a well-established process globally. Dissemination and awareness activities were embedded into the project to ensure communities understand the purpose of the project before any activities take place.

 

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 of 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 is sound and responds adequately to the specifications and requirements?

Technical Proposal document <provide link>

 

 

Cumulative score for ratios

 

100%

 

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 (Evandro.holz@un.org) 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