IRAQ HUMANITARIAN FUND 2020 Cost Extensions Strategy As of 29 October 2020
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IRAQ HUMANITARIAN FUND 2020 Cost Extensions Strategy As of 29 October 2020 Overview • This allocation strategy is issued by the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), in consultation with the Clusters and Advisory Board of the Iraq Humanitarian Fund (IHF), to set the IHF funding priorities for the cost extensions of selected ongoing projects to address critical operational gaps of underfunded sectors. • A total amount of up to US$12.3 million is available under this strategy. The strategy outlines the funding priorities and rationale for the prioritization. • This strategy also provides strategic direction and a timeline for the cost extension process. • The cost extensions modality has been selected for the following reasons; ➢ Overall priority humanitarian needs have not shifted dramatically since the project implementation began for the 2020 1st Standard Allocation. ➢ A Standard Allocation process is time-consuming and labour-intensive and would clash with the timeframe for the 2021 HNO/HRP development process, creating additional workload on partners and clusters. ➢ Cost extension of ongoing IHF-funded projects, a new grant modality introduced to Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPFs) in 2020, will allow for quick disbursement of funds with minimum processing time and extra work for clusters and partners to support the expanded operation of already-formed consortia. Allocation strategy and rationale Among the 20 projects funded through the 2020 1st Standard Allocation, based on cluster recommendations, the IHF proposes the cost extension of approximately $10 million for 14 projects covering the following sectors: Protection (including GP, HLP, CP and GBV), Health, WASH, Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance, Food Security and Education (the latter partially). The Health cluster has requested cost extensions of ongoing projects funded through 2019 IHF allocations, noting that the partners implementing these projects are better suited to cover the priority needs and locations than those funded under the 2020 1st Standard Allocation. The Shelter/NFI cluster, which was not funded through the 2020 1st Standard Allocation, also requested an exceptional consideration of cost extensions of selected projects funded through the 2019 2nd Standard Allocation, noting the critical shelter needs of out-of-camp IDPs who are exposed to an increased risk of COVID-19. In view that the cost extension modality should be used to allow best placed partners to address priority needs and noting the significant underfunding of the Shelter/NFI sector, the HC has endorsed the proposed cost extension of selected 2019 projects as part of the COVID-19 flexibility measures. This brings up the total funding requirements for cluster-recommended cost extensions to around $12 million. The actual top- up amount per project will be determined during the project revision and approval process, informed by cluster priorities vis-à- vis partner capacity, and may fluctuate slightly. Prioritization of projects and activities to be cost-extended • Only cluster-recommended, ongoing IHF projects funded through the 2020 1st Standard Allocation (and the 2019 2nd Standard Allocation where relevant) will be considered for cost extensions with a top-up grant no greater than the original grant amount1. • To the extent operationally relevant and feasible, a cost extension should seek expansion of activities to address unmet priority needs in a timely manner, including through additional beneficiary and/or geographical coverage and complementary activities as per cluster recommendations (see the details in Annex 1) , rather than extending the project duration with the same planned activities. • All projects to be cost-extended should be continuously implemented by the original contracting partner. However, they can include additional consortium or sub-implementing partners where operationally relevant. Inclusion of national partners in consortia and their capacity building are continually encouraged. 1 A limited number of ongoing health and shelter/NFI projects funded through the 2019 2nd Standard Allocation have also been recommended for cost extensions by the respective Clusters on an exceptional basis. P a g e | 2 Project Proposal Preparation and Submission Cost extension will be processed as a project revision in the GMS (please refer to the technical guidance at: https://gms.unocha.org/content/project-revision?plid=466). Contracting partners of the projects selected for cost extension should liaise closely with relevant clusters to receive their operational guidance and approval for the proposed revision. Contacts and complaints mechanism All correspondence regarding the IHF should be sent to [email protected]. Complaints from stakeholders regarding the IHF allocation process should be sent to [email protected]. The OCHA Head of Office will receive, address and refer any critical issues to the HC for decision-making. P a g e | 3 Timeline and procedure Phase Cost Extension Steps Who Date Concerned clusters to feedback on the relevance and Clusters Completed possibility of cost extension of 2020 SA1 projects Advisory Board (AB) meeting to endorse Reserve Allocation Completed HC, AB, OCHA HFU and cost extension options (1 October) IHF to draft common guidance on cost extensions with Clusters, OCHA 4 to 13 October Cluster inputs HFU PREPARATION HC and AB to review and endorse the list of projects to be HC, OCHA, AB 14 to 27 October cost-extended Cost extension guidance for partners finalised OCHA HFU 28 October Revision process opened for projects to be cost-extended HC, OCHA HFU 29 October in GMS MENT 29 October to 9 REVISED DEVELOP PROJECT Partners November Project Revisions (on rolling basis) – Partners to submit Clusters, OCHA revision requests and specific revisions on GMS for cluster 10-12 November HFU and HFU approval and address any cluster/HFU comments REVIEW REVIEW Partners 15-16 November PROCESS Clusters, OCHA By Final check and budget approval HFU 18 November By Grant Agreement Amendment (GAA) preparation OCHA HFU 19 November By HC signs GAA / Final approval HC 22 November APPROVAL PHASE By GAA countersignature Partners 23 November From GAA final clearance OCHA HQ 24 November MENT From First disbursement of top-up grant OCHA HQ DISBURSE 1 December IRAQ HUMANITARIAN FUND 2020 1st Reserve Allocation and Cost Extensions Strategy Annex 1: Cluster priorities for the cost extensions of ongoing projects Cluster needs and key issues to be addressed Cluster Priority Location Recommended Activities Budget2 through Cost Extensions Continuity of Learning • 1-2-1 education support to vulnerable For the cost-extension, the Cluster is children; regular follow-up; recommending the expansion of the • Support rollout of blended learning, Over 9 million students including the 330,500 current project ‘Production of Self- allowing flexibility for children engaged children targeted in the 2020 HRP, have lost Learning Materials’ to provide in non-educational activities. access to education as all education-related strengthened and more focused • Build up the capacity of more teachers in activities including schools were forced to close at individual remedial classes throughout remote learning through training, and the end of February due to the COVID-19 outbreak. the school year for girls and boys at risk equip them with appropriate devices to There is no clear indication from the two Ministries of dropping out, or those who have only reach more vulnerable students. of Education as to when schools will reopen in limited access to formal and informal • Collaborate with other Cluster partners in Iraq. COVID-19 exposes an already fragile education. Through sustained individual the development of teacher training - education system which was weakened by years of support and provision of learning Teacher Preparedness training pack, conflict and, without innovative solutions to this resources, at risk and hard-to-reach training in virtual classes Ninewa: Hatra, Tel Afar, problem, more children will be unable to enjoy their children and young people will be • Conduct minor rehabilitation to water Sinjar-Qayrawan, Ba'aj $600,000 right to education. supported to stay on at education. hygiene points, provide cleaning Additionally, increasing the number and Salah Al-Din: Balad, materials, and protective gear to create a Education The programmatic approach for this funding round Samarra will focus on strengthening the continuation of capacity of teachers, equipping them with safe learning space for students. learning through activities that strengthen the knowledge and resources to engage in • Consider gender, inclusion, safeguarding blended learning approach, while investing in more distance teaching, will help children learn and accessibility in preparing schools for and better equipped teachers, leveraging local and better, thrive and have better life safe reopening; engage communities in national resources to encourage children back to chances. The Back to Learning (B2L) the process school, and making learning spaces safe for campaign will help children realise their • Conduct community mobilisation children to return to. The cost extension will right to education, and mobilise activities to help children back into enable consortium partners to implement activities communities and engage them in their learning; outlined in the COVID-19 Addendum, and utilise children’s education. Provision of • Conduct safe outreach activities to guidance and resources developed by the Cluster. cleaning resources to schools,