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: Small

Purpose of CFP

UN-Habitat Lebanon is launching a call for the design and implementation of an awareness campaign on main protection issues related to the displacement including SGBV, human rights, housing land and property rights etc.

Non-profit organizations (referred below as implementing partner) are invited to submit proposals that should contribute to the achievement of the following overall project outcome: Save lives by providing essential, shelter and protection services to vulnerable families affected by the Beirut Port explosion.

 

Submission Deadline Date and time: 2 November 2020, midnight Beirut time

Proposals to be submitted in soft copy stamped and signed before deadline via email to unhabitat-lebanon@un.org     

Project Key Information

  • UN-Habitat project title: Ensuring shelter options for the most vulnerable families evacuated from their homes as a result of the Beirut Port explosion  
  • Locations:
    • Town/City: Beirut and the surrounding villages
    • Country: Lebanon
  • Anticipated start date: November 2020
  • Estimated duration of project in calendar months: November 2020 – February 2021
  • Maximum proposed value in US$: 15,000$
  • Lead Organization Unit: UN-Habitat

 

Brief Background of the Project

On 4 August 2020, a massive explosion rocked the port of Beirut, destroying much of the port and severely damaging the dense residential and commercial areas within a 2km radius, and extensive impact recorded up to 10km. More than 200 people were killed and injuring more than 6,000. A number of neighbourhoods of Greater Beirut are affected, some of which are home to vulnerable, poor, migrant workers or refugee communities.

The explosion had a significant impact on several neighbourhoods in Beirut. According to preliminary assessments, amongst the most affected areas are: Gemmayzeh, Karantina, Mar Mikhael, Jetaoui, Karm el Zeitouni and Marfaa (Port) area. In these areas, people have lost homes and businesses while already facing a deep socio-economic crisis. Currently, those unable to remain in their residences, are housed with families, friends, and fellow citizens, though the elderly, migrant workers and refugees will likely need targeted support. Schools, hotels, and other public buildings have been offered as temporary shelter.

A large number of displaced people are staying with friends and relatives or accepted offers of free accommodation from fellow citizens. Local communities may not be able to sustain this support for an indefinite period, and large numbers of injured people (around 5,000) are still in hospital and may need shelter support when discharged. Some displaced people remain in the city but out of the blast area, while others reportedly moved to makeshift shelters close to their houses. It was also reported that social distancing measures have made it more difficult for displaced individuals to find shelter, and vice versa, the impact on shelter, has forced people to live in more crowded settings, thereby increasing the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission.

UN-Habitat through the Polish Centre for International Aid (PCPM)will provide cash for rent to the most vulnerable families who were affected by the blast. The project will target mainly two of the most affected neighbourhoods following the explosion: Mar Mikhael and Karantina. In addition, targeted beneficiaries will have improved hygiene behaviours through the provision of life-saving information and awareness raising sessions conducted by local active NGOs in coordination with the health sector – responding to COVID-19 and other critical health related issues.

The project will target the most vulnerable population groups including migrants and refugees, as well women and children and youth, who had to leave their shelter and seek other unsafe, inadequate options. While many families moved to stay temporarily with their relatives, others were hosted in churches, schools and other communal facilities.

The project will help nearly 800 households (4,000 persons) in securing cash for rents for a minimum period of 3 months. This will also mean that women, children, and elderly, have their minimum human and protection rights are secured. Living in adequate individual shelter will enhance the ability to protect vulnerable persons, including women and children from violence, in this highly stressed and complex environment. The project will be complemented through awareness raising on human rights, SGBV, and other topics, and life-saving psycho-social support will be provided to affected families

The outcome of the project: The lifesaving of most vulnerable families affected by Beirut explosion is enhanced through ensuring cash for rent.

 

Main activities and outputs

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

  • Design and implement an awareness campaign on SGBV and human rights, in close coordination with PCPM (UN-Habitat cash for rent implementing partner);
  • Reach out to 800 households who will be supported with Cash for Rent through SGBV, and human rights information sessions;
  • Develop printed materials on SGBV prevention to be distributed during the information sessions;
  • Refer women and girls who are at risk of gender-based violence, also abuse and exploitation to specialized services, through the existing referral pathways;
  • Coordinate efforts with PCPM and other working NGOs to prevent any overlap and duplication of work;
  • Update and report the completed activities through the interagency GBV coordination mechanism.

 

Risk Analysis

(State the risks associated with this project and the mitigation factors)

Risks

Mitigation factors
  • The political situation in Lebanon is unstable, there may be continued road blockages and problems with accessing some areas of the country.
  • Security contingency plans for the project personnel. Contingency plans allowing for delay of certain activities.
  • Lebanon’s fast changing context provides a risk for activity implementation as per suggested work-plan (e.g. increase of COVID-19 cases and lockdown; protests and political tensions).
  • Rescheduling some of the activities and conducting remote meetings with the beneficiaries to maintain their interes

 

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 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