Deadline

The purpose of the Call for Expression of Interest is to solicit interest from regional or national not for profit rural civil society organizations as 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

 

Purpose of CFP: To promote for inclusive, gender-responsive and fit-for-purpose land tools and approaches that enhances tenure security of smallholder farmers in the Philippines and in the Region.

 

Submission Deadline Date and time: 15 November 2021, 5 P.M. Nairobi Time

Project Key Information

  • Project Title: Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) Phase 3 Programme
  • Location: Northern Mindanao Region, Philippines; Asian region
  • Anticipated start date: 06 December 2021
  • Maximum proposed value: US$ 100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Only)
  • Estimated duration of project in calendar months: Fifteen (15) months
  • Lead Organization Unit: Land, Housing and Shelter Section, UN-Habitat

 

Brief Background of the Project

The Global Land Tool Network (GLTN), as facilitated by UN-Habitat, is an alliance of over 80 international, regional and national partners working together towards “a world in which everyone enjoys secure land rights” through the development of inclusive, pro-poor and gender-responsive land tools and approaches within the continuum of land rights framework. It supports the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Forests and Fisheries (VGGTs), the Framework and Guidelines for Land Policy in Africa, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda.

GLTN’s 2030 strategy supports national and local governments and other key stakeholders to fulfil their land and tenure security commitments and aspirations. GLTN is consolidating its work on land tool development, testing, implementation and dissemination, focusing on urgently needed priority tools. At the same time, through effective in-country partnerships, the Network is promoting and facilitating the adoption at scale of land tools and practices that promote tenure security, particularly for women and youth, and developing the capacity needed for fit-for-purpose implementation.

In the Philippines (and in Asian region in general), security of tenure to land and other natural resources plays a vital role in the livelihoods of many especially the smallholder farmers who make up a significant contribution to the agricultural sector. Since 2018, GLTN has focused on improving tenure security of smallholder farmers in Northern Mindanao, particularly those who belong to indigenous peoples (IP), majority of whom are poor women, men and vulnerable groups. The implementation has involved the application of land tools; strengthening capacity of land stakeholders; fostering multi-stakeholder engagements at both the local and regional levels; and, documenting the interventions and lessons learnt. Amongst other key outcomes, this intervention has led to an increased perception of tenure security by the indigenous groups particularly through the issuance of over 3,000 Certificates of Customary Land Occupancy. It has also presented a strong case for the need of strengthening partnerships, inter-agency collaboration and sustained engagement with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in order to ultimately strengthen the claim and tenure security of the IP communities over their ancestral domain lands.

This call for proposal seeks for an Implementing Partner to promote for the application of inclusive, gender-responsive and fit-for-purpose land tools and approaches to improve land and natural resources tenure security of smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, in the Philippines and in the Asian Region. In particular, the project shall provide the necessary technical support in the following areas: Barangays Bacusanon, Nabaliwa and Portulin, Municipality of Pangantucan; and, Barangays Miarayon, Lapok, Lirongan, and Sitio Tinaytayan of Barangay San Miguel, Municipality of Talakag both in the Bukidnon Province, Northern Mindanao Region. In addition, this initiative will also involve enhancing the capacities of key national land actors on the use of appropriate and innovative tools for tenure security improvement as well as sharing experiences at the national and regional levels.

 

Main Outputs and Activities

In close collaboration with the Land, Housing and Shelter Section of UN-Habitat, GLTN Secretariat, UN-Habitat offices/units, regional, national and sub-national authorities, as well as other key land stakeholders, the Implementing Partner will be undertaking the following key interventions and activities as follows:

  1. Consolidating Gains of Documenting Rights of IP Communities
    • To share results and outcomes of recent interventions to other IP organizations in Northern Mindanao
    • To support the updating and maintenance of the STDM database, including supporting subsequent changes of occupancy rights by IP households
    • To provide the necessary support in the application and processing of occupancy certificates, as may be applicable
    • To support the update, production and dissemination of learning materials
    • To organize and facilitate learning workshops on, but not limited to, rights on ancestral domain lands, use of fit-for-purpose land tools and approaches, organization development and good land governance
    • To engage the Regional Land Use Committee (RLUC) in policy discussions related to ancestral domains, ancestral domain management plans, land conflicts and pending legislations
  2. Promoting Land Rights Initiatives at the National Level
    • To raise awareness and promote consensus building among CSOs and smallholder farmers on key land programs, policies and legislations
    • To facilitate land and land tenure policy discussions on key legislations such as the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS), State Managed Farming Bill and related legislations
    • To raise awareness on the current status of key land indicators in the Philippines including those related to land and natural resource conflict monitoring
  3. Mainstreaming Land Rights Initiatives at the Regional Level
    • To organize and facilitate a series of learning events targeting partner CSOs, GLTN partners and other key stakeholders on application of key land tools including sharing of experiences in the Philippines and Laos
    • To launch at least two knowledge products detailing key land policy issues in the Asia-Pacific region
    • To mobilize international and national experts to provide technical support on the use of land tools building from Philippines’ experience towards awareness and capacity building of partners in the region and other interested regions/countries
    • To organize a learning event with national statistics offices and global land custodian agencies on SDG 1.4.2 in the region
  4. Project Management and Coordination
    • To develop and implement the project communications plan
    • To oversee coordination of the project
    • To prepare periodic progress reports including financial reports
    • To provide continuous technical and administrative support

 

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

Reduced engagement and lobbying with government due to the 2022 national elections

Focus on advocacy and creating awareness with other key non-state land stakeholders including academia and CSOs

Delays due to unanticipated (re)occurrence of natural and health-related emergencies, including COVID-19 outbreak

Rely on network of partners at the local, national or regional levels to support implementation of specific activities. When travel and face-to-to face interactions will be needed, risks assessments will be undertaken and adequate personal protection material provided by partners on the ground

Challenges in mobilizing or sustaining the multi-stakeholder partnerships and platform engagements

Implementing partner to support the development of a sustained engagement strategy and its implementation.

Also as part of the strategy, implementing partner to strengthen existing platforms at both the national and regional levels

 

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
  •  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. The template can be downloaded here.
  • Provide information about the structure or the organizations (HR, Organogram)
  • Provide the profiles of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Head of the Organization and Chief of Finance

 

Submission of Technical and Financial Proposal

A technical proposal (10 pages max) should be submitted presenting:

  • An overview of recent initiatives undertaken in enhancing and promoting land rights of smallholder farmers in the Philippines;
  • Detailed methodology to implement the project including key milestones, outputs, activities and timelines for delivery;
  • A detailed list of completed projects including project description, clients, amount of award, implementation period.

A budget proposal should accompany the technical proposal which include the proposed budget per output/activity per different expense class or budget categories and estimated cash and/or in-kind contribution from implementing partners. The templates for technical and budget proposals can be downloaded here .

 

Selection Criteria

Criteria

Submission Details/ Documents Required

Weight

1.   Technical capacity

 

40%

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 (if available)

 

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? Will there be plans to recruit more technical staff? What would be the qualifications?

 

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

Can it 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.
  • If applicable, name local partner organizations in the proposed project sites

 

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.
  • If applicable, provide plans to secure additional office facilities, vehicles and office equipment

 

1.5 Does the organization have formal procedures to monitor project execution (e.g. milestones, outputs, expenditures…)
  • Provide formal project monitoring policies and procedures
  • Provide a description on how the IP will monitor and document project activities

 

 

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?
  • Copies of procurement policies and procedures. The procedures should show how you procure locally and internationally.
  • Describe how to procure goods and services on a transparent and competitive basis

 

 

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)
  • Describe this in the budget proposal

 

 

3.   Financial Proposal

 

 

15%

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

  • Bill of quantities (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

 

 

Cumulative score for ratios

 

100%

 

Expression of Interest must be delivered in electronic format no later than 15 November  2021 to Danilo Antonio at the following email address: danilo.antonio@un.org, copying Lunalyn Cagan at lunalyn.cagan@un.org. All related questions or clarifications must also be coursed through this email address.

Disclaimer: Please note that this notice does not constitute a solicitation and UN‐Habitat reserves the right to change or cancel this project at any time in the process. Submitting a reply to a Call for Proposal does not guarantee that the submitting organization will be selected to carry out the implementation of the project.

 

Notes:

  • 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.).
  • The Technical Proposal and accompanying documents must be received in accordance with instructions provided. Technical Proposal submitted to a different email address other than the specified one will not be considered.
  • Technical Proposal from applicants failing to provide the complete information to fulfill the basic eligibility criteria will be considered non-responsive.
  • Technical Proposal received after the above deadline will not be considered.
  • Organizations will be selected in accordance with the procedure set out in the UN-Habitat IP Management policy and Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Technical Proposal from applicants failing to provide the requested information will be disregarded.
  • This Technical Proposal 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.
  • All prices must be in USD.