Sep 27, 2021, 9:09:17 AM

Call for Expression of Interest Refugee Livelihood Assistance and Support for Economic Inclusion

HCR/LBR/2020/004

1 Timeline Posted Nov 12, 2020 Clarification Request Deadline Nov 23, 2020 Application Deadline Nov 26, 2020 Notification of Results Dec 11, 2020 Start Date Jan 1, 2021 End Date Dec 31, 2021

2 Locations A a Grand Kru County b c Nimba d

3 Sector(s) and area(s) of specialization A Livelihoods a Self reliance b Smallholder agricultural market support

4 Issuing Agency UNHCR

5 Project Background The purpose of this call for expression of interest is to identify interested and prospective partners (including organizations, NGOs, Associations, civil society institutions etc.) to support planning and implementation of protection and assistance to newly arrived refugees in Nimba, Grand Gedeh and Maryland . The specific locations for the projects are indicated below:: SaclepeaGrand Gedeh County: Zwedru : HarperMontserrado County: MonroviaThe application and expression of interest should outline:- Capacity, expertise, experience, structure of the applying organization in the provision of Livelihood assistance in a humanitarian setting, while integrating a protection and community based approach.- Organizations that are not UNHCR implementing partners are required to present previous audit reports along with the concept note.- Submit a concept note for designing and implementing programmes and activities which meet the objectives outlined below including desired outcomes and implementation approach. The concept note should be concise and contain clear information. A template is annexed to this call for expression.Agencies are encouraged to apply for more than one sector clearly showing the synergies between sectors, as well as their contribution towards innovative solutions. The successful agency will ensure that all stakeholders including government, UNHCR and refugees are part of the programme design, implementation and review process; outputs in the sector are in keeping with international standards; all sector projects should respond to gender equity and equality and environmental conservation as well as shall takes into account the Do No Harm policy.For prospective partners to be considered, they should register (online) in the UN partner portal at https://www.unpartnerportal.org/login. The user will be guided through simple steps for registration.The application should be submitted online at https://www.unpartnerportal.orgPLEASE NOTE THAT CONCEPT NOTES RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE CONSIDEREDOperational ContextThe overall protection environment in Liberia for persons of concern to UNHCR (including refugee and asylums seekers) is favourable, with new asylum seekers arriving from Cote d’Ivoire. The Government of Liberia is allowing refugees to live in both host communities and refugee camps. UNHCR is working closely with the Government to identify and develop designate camps/settlements for some refugees that will prefer to be in camp.The existing population of concern as at end September 2020 is 8,233 refugees and 37 asylum seekers in Liberia. Ivorians represent the largest group with 8,098 refugees and other nationals being 98. 70 % of the refugees are living in 3 camps: Bahn Camp/Nimba (946); PTP Camp/Grand Gedeh (4,593) and Little Wlebo Camp/Maryland (556). 29% of Ivorian refugees are living in the communities: Nimba (26); Grand Gedeh (1,161), Maryland (331) River Gee (337); 1 % are urban and living in Monrovia/Montserrado (192).In relation to the Cote d’Ivoire elections that took place on 3 November,, new arrivals have been witnessed in the east of the country. As at 11 November 2020, UNHCR and the Government have recorded 9,744 new arrivals.UNHCR and partners will be providing essential services to the arriving persons of concern in several sectors including Protection, Education, Food, Health and Nutrition, Camp Coordination and Management, Site Planning and Shelter, Water and Sanitation, Environment and Energy. Furthermore, the UNHCR refugee operation will continue supporting local integration, capacity building and income generation programmes to encourage self-reliance and sustainable livelihood and durable solutions for the over 8,000 existing refugees who arrived in 2011. Newly arrived persons of concern are hosted in Nimba, Grand Gedeh and Maryland Counties. Over 50% are expected to live in host communities and may be exposed to protection risks, and lack the possibility to receive proper medical, legal and psycho-social assistance. Also, they will rely on scarce resources among host communities for food, shelter, water and sanitation. The planned Liberia local integration strategy has the following key components; durable and suitable shelters, self-reliance and livelihoods empowerment and legal support.

6 Expected Results Objective: Self-reliance and livelihoods improved. Outputs: 1) Access to agriculture and livestock enabled and improved. 2) Access to training and learning enabled facilitated. 3) Access to self-employment and business facilitated 4) Access to wage employment facilitated provided. 5) Assessment and analysis undertaken. 6) Vocational Training/Technical Skills provided. Main Activities: 1) Support agricultural and livestock-related livelihoods (e.g. provision of relevant production, post-harvest and marketing related inputs and services, improve access to markets, value addition etc.) 2) Support entrepreneurship and small business start-up/development. 3) Improve access to life-skills training for livelihoods purposes. 4) Rehabilitation of small key productive and economic infrastructures. 5) Conduct relevant research, studies and investigations (including socio-economic profiles, market assessments, value chain analysis etc.) and advocate (with donors, government etc.) for economic inclusion of refugees.

7 Indicative Budget -

8 Other Information -

9 Selection Criteria Name Description Weight Familiarity with the Economic Inclusion agenda and Minimum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS) as they apply to the promotion of refugee livelihoods. Commitment to participatory approaches and interventions based on evidence and analysis of relevant data (including household-level data). Demonstrable evidence of experience (including availability of qualified personnel and professional experts) relevant to the following sectors or sub-sectors: Natural resources (including agriculture, livestock etc.); Vocational education, Finance (including micro-finance) and Enterprise Development. Commitment to market-based solutions and limiting the emergence of a dependency culture. Experience of advocacy with government, donors and other relevant actors (including private sector) for policy, institutional and Sector expertise and experience legal reform including with respect to employment and other related rights. 30

Project management: Demonstrated capacity to design, implement and monitor of humanitarian or development-related projects in Liberia. Effective management of financial and human resources and high standards of accountability. Accuracy and timeliness in reporting. Evidence of monitoring and evaluation methodologies and Project management tools being applied. 15

Current or recent experience of implementing livelihoods- related interventions in Liberia, particularly in Nimba and Grand Gedeh and Maryland counties. Experience with cash-based interventions (including cash for work) will be an advantage. Demonstrated understanding of the local socio-economic context and the ability to work with a range of institutions including local government, relevant line ministries and local private sector. Strong local presence (including physical) and effective Local experience and presence communication facilities and networks. 20

Evidence of contribution to the Partnership either in cash or in-kind (e.g. human Contribution of resource resources, supplies and/or equipment) 5

scale of direct costs and administrative costs relative to programme resources and Cost effectiveness project deliverables. 10

Ability to undertake large scale procurement, prior procurement experiences and value of procurement. Functioning procurement unit in the country of operation. Established effective internal-controls and PQP status (when procurement is Other US$100K and above). 15

Global and/or local partnerships including knowledge of UNHCR policies, practices and programmes, including an understanding of and ability to work within UNHCR’s funding limitations and associated inherent risks. Partners that have three consecutive qualified audit opinions for UNHCR-funded projects may not be Experience working with UN considered. 5

10 Attachments Description URL Call for Expression signed document Download the document here

11 Concept Note Template Download the document here

12 For more information on this partnership opportunity, and to apply, please visit UN Partner Portal