Unhcr Lebanon Is Launching Its 2015 Call For Expression Of Interest For Education Activities.

Covering Note UNHCR Lebanon is launching its 2015 Call for Expression of Interest for Education activities. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Lebanon invites interested non-governmental;non-profitorganizations to submit Concept Notes for their 2015/2016 program in Lebanon (Beirut, Mt Lebanon, North, Bekaa and South Lebanon) related to education to Refugees (Syrian and non-Syrian), and asylum seekers. The Call for Expression of Interest (EoI) is open to all existing and/or new prospective partners who wish to participate in UNHCR’s operations in 2015/2016 in one or more areas as named above, and participate in achieving common goals and objectives. Based on concept notes received, UNHCR will select the best-fit partner for education and in the relevant area. Applicants are encouraged to submit concept notes per geographic area of intervention. All submissions and annexes should be submitted in English to the email address specifically created for the exercise: lebbeeoi@unhcr.org. The subject of the email should indicate the reference of the Call for Expression of Interest that partners are responding to: EOI/LEB/EDU/1/2015 In your covering email kindly confirm the location you are applying for (North, Bekaa, Mt Lebanon, South) and the population group you wish to cover (Syrian Refugees, Non Syrian Refugees). If you wish to apply to more than one location and more than one PPG, you are kindly requested to submit one Concept Note per area of intervention. All of your concept notes can be submitted in the same email. The closing date for this call is 26 May 2015 – any late submission will not be accepted for review. This is in line with a new policy launched by UNHCR in 2013. This new policy and procedure relates to the selection and retention of partners for project partnership agreements. Details of the Call for Expression of Interest, submission requirements, selection criteria and templates are available at: http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/download.php?id=8768 Objective The objective of this policy is to ensure that UNHCR partners with the most suitable organization in a given operation for the implementation of projects, in order to provide quality protection and assistance to refugees and other persons of concern. As partners bring distinctive attributes and UNHCR operates in varying and challenging environments, it is necessary to identify the Best-Fit Partner. This policy has benefited from close consultation with partners and the outcome of piloting in several operations. Mandatory Process The selection/retention process is conducted with adequate due diligence and evidenced in an objective, consistent, transparent and timely manner. The process involves the following main steps: a) Establishment of an Implementing Partnership Management Committee (the Committee) by the UNHCR Head of Office drawn from UNHCR staff in the operation; b) Call for Expression of Interest is issued by UNHCR Office; c) Submission of Concept Note by new or existing partner interested in partnering with UNHCR on a given Project; d) Preparation of lists of applicant organizations and verification of their related documents by the Secretary to the Committee; e) Committee review and address recommendations to the Head of Office; f) Final acceptance or rejection by the Head of Office of the Committee’s recommendations; and g) Communication to applicant organizations of the outcome of the selection/retention process. Submission of Concept Note Interested existing or prospective partners may submit a Concept Note in response to the Call for Expression of Interest. The concept note is to be submitted in line with the provided format. The Concept Note is primarily for the partner to express its unique advantage and added value for the Project objectives. The Concept Note is intended to allow the partner to: Articulate its objectives in undertaking the Project; Briefly describe the implementation approach for realizing the desired outcome of the Project; Demonstrate the unique advantage it brings to the partnership for realizing the desired outcome of the Project; and Demonstrate its complementariness to UNHCR's capacities and resources for the Project. Therefore, the Concept Note should not be a fully developed project proposal and should be concise, contain clear information and not exceed three pages. Once a partner is selected, then the partner will participates in the design and detailed budgeting of the Project and concluding Project Partnership Agreement. All prospective partners should submit the Partner Bio Data contained in Annex A. Prospective partners that have not previously worked with UNHCR and are not yet registered with UNHCR Headquarters are required to submit the Partner Declaration form contained in Annex B with the submission of Concept Notes. Selection Criteria: Concept notes from the national NGOs with required expertise are particularly encouraged. International agencies should be able to demonstrate specialized expertise in the sector, work in collaboration with national NGOs/CBOs and/or a clear exit strategy. Overview of main selection criteria: Sector expertise and experience: The required specific skills, sector specialists, knowledge and human resources available with the organization in the project area, similar projects in the Syria situation countries. Innovative interventions that include collaboration with private sector and through existing government mechanisms will be prioritized. Project management: Ability to deliver project objectives, accountability mechanisms and sound financial management and coordination with agencies working under the same sector. Local experience and presence: Ongoing programs in the area of operation. Demonstrate evidence of local presence and knowledge including assessment of the area of intervention. Demonstrate collaboration with national NGOs and local CBOs for future sustainability. Working relationship, collaboration with relevant government authorities. Contribution of resources: Evidenced and documented contribution of resources to the Project in cash or in-kind (e.g. human resources, supplies and/or equipment) that are presently available (or potentially mobilized by the partner) in order to supplement UNHCR resources. Cost effectiveness: Level of administrative costs should not exceed 20% imposed on the Project in relation to project deliverables. Experience working with UNHCR: Global and/or local partnerships including knowledge of UNHCR policies, practices and programme, including an understanding of and ability to work within UNHCR’s funding limitations and associated inherent risks. Other: Registered locally with GoL. Ability to operate a bank account in Lebanon. Overview of timeframe Concept notes to be submitted by 26 May 2015. All prospective partners will receive written notification by 22 June on the selection/retention. Selected partners will then have bilateral discussions with UNHCR offices to submit and discuss a full-fledged project proposal to enter into a partnership agreement for 2015. 2016 partnership agreements will be discussed in October/November 2015 for the period January to December 2016.