Call for expression of interest (EOI) for partnership with national NGOs to implement Education activities

1. Introduction

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) supports people affected by displacement living in Lebanon and advocates for their rights inside the country, regionally and internationally. We also work to serve vulnerable Lebanese affected by the deteriorating economic situation in the country, and are providing assistance to vulnerable households in the neighbourhoods most affected by the Beirut port explosion. In 2020, our programmes reached 488,500 refugees and vulnerable Lebanese with Legal Assistance, Shelter, WASH, Education, Youth and Emergency Response. NRC Lebanon’s Covid-19 response includes crosscutting activities and sector-specific Covid-19 support. NRC also implements activities with local partners to extend its access to people in need. We have operations in Beirut/ Mount Lebanon, Bekaa, South and North Lebanon.

 The overarching objective of NRC education programme in Lebanon is to ensure that refugee, displaced, and conflict-affected host community children in Lebanon enjoy their right to education and achieve their full potential. NRC’s education response strategy towards the achievement of this objective is through providing programmes under two broader streams- non-formal education and system strengthening within which NRC focuses on:

1. Outreach for increased enrolment in both formal and non-formal education pathways
2. Structured non-formal education programmes aiming at establishing pathways to formal education
3. Learning support programmes for children enrolled in public schools who are facing challenges in continuing their education 
4. Psycho-social support for children being served through education programme
5. Capacity building of educators
6. Support for parents through information sharing and awareness sessions 
7. Evidence gathering. knowledge generation and coordination with sector partners, MEHE and international organizations for service improvement, system strengthening and resource mobilization
8.  

NRC facilitates enrolment and retention in the formal public education system through provision of non-formal education through Community Based Early Childhood Education (CB-ECE) for children between 4 and 6 years old and Basic Literacy and Numeracy (BLN) to children between 10 and 14 years old. Both programmes are implemented through safe and inclusive community-based NRC Learning Centres and follow the unified curriculum and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) developed by MEHE. NRC mainstreams the Better Learning Programme (BLP), which is NRC’s flagship classroom based psychosocial programme and light case management support into education programming. In addition to training on the actual curricula used and the BLP, teachers will receive extensive training on: i) child centred teaching; ii) classroom-management; iii) multi-grade teaching; iv) positive discipline; and v) child protection and child safeguarding principles. In addition to targeting the child, the teacher and the physical learning environment, NRC hopes to promote a home environment conducive to learning as well, by including parents in their child’s learning process. Each NRC learning centre has an elected Parent Community Group (PCG) supporting implementation and parents can attend awareness sessions on: i) the importance of education and enrolment processes; ii) hygiene awareness, with support from NRC WASH colleagues; and iii) legal counselling and support, with support from NRC ICLA colleagues. ICLA support is particularly important to ensure children attending NFE programmes have the appropriate documentation to register into the formal school system.

For system strengthening, NRC provides support to the formal system by implementing the unified remedial / homework support curriculum for children at risk of dropping out of the formal system due to poor academic performance or an unconducive learning environment. NRC tries, upon approval of MEHE, to provide remedial / homework support to 2nd shift schools, as to support Syrian refugee children, who are most at risk of drop-out and need additional support due to difficulties coping with a new curriculum partially taught in a foreign language (English or French). NRC will use the same holistic approach though mainstreaming the Better Learning Programme (BLP), and a relevant teacher training package.  NRC has supported CERD towards implementation of mainstreaming BLP 1 and BLP 2 to MEHE public schools, which has been planned with MEHE as: i) develop and adapt BLP 1 and BLP 2 materials which Centre for Educational Research and Development (CERD)[ has officially approved for use in MEHE public schools, ii) build the capacity of education personnel – NRC has directly trained and supported CERD Master Trainers who have started training 1st shift teachers and 2nd shift Psychosocial Counsellors, and iii) conduct research on the effectiveness of BLP 1 and BLP 2 on improving the preconditions for learning.

In line with NRC Global programme strategy, ‘’NRC will partner more with actors that have complementary expertise in order to strengthen the impact of its programmes. We believe that equal partnerships can enhance both local and NRC’s own capacity, and offer opportunities for more integrated responses and sustainable programme and protection approaches. NRC aims to partner with a range of local actors in order to improve programme effectiveness, strengthen programme outcomes, broaden outreach and access.’’

2. Objective of the call for expression of interest

The main objective of the call for expression of interest is to identify national non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with experience in education service provision, interested in establishing a downstream/lateral partnership with NRC.

3. Expression of Interest (EOI) selection process.

A selection panel established by NRC, with combination of programme, finance, and senior management, will review the submitted EOI. Potential organizations obtaining highest score in the shortlisting process will be invited for further discussion with NRC technical education staff.

The selection panel will on the basis of the score obtained during selection process, and the outcome of the meeting with the potential partners, recommend for the approval of the potential agency for partnership. The selected partner(s) will then undergo a vetting and due diligence process, before the final sign off and agreement to partnership.

NRC respect and commit to the principles of equality, impartiality and transparency, which guides the selection process in identifying partners sharing the same principles. NRC will ensure the selection process is fully impartial and compliant to its policies and guidelines so that the appropriate and best suitable partner get selected.

Partner Eligibility Criteria:

1. Expertise and experience in education activities: Previous experience in the delivery of education services (outreach, Community Based Early Childhood Education , Basic Literacy and Numeracy programme, retention support for children at the risk of drop out in formal education, PSS/SEL, teacher training and parent engagement)). 
2. Experience in project management and project cycle management tools.  
3. Involvement and presence at local level with good reputation and is well accepted among local stakeholders in the communities and areas of operation.
4. Previous experience with international donors or partnership experience working with INGOs.
5. Experience in protection activities or protection mainstreaming, including focus on People with special needs (PWSN).
6. Demonstrated interest inevidence generation for programme improvement, policy influence and sector coordination
7. Organization is neutral, independent, impartial and is guided by the humanitarian principles.

4. Eligible applicants

• National non-governmental organizations
• Registered in Lebanon according to Lebanese laws

5. Requirements for Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI)

• The Expression of Interest template (Annex I) signed by head of organization.
• A copy of constitution and/ or by- laws of the organization and a copy of the Certificate of Registration.
• Organizational Chart
• Recent audit report