Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: South Sudan
Closing date:
12 Jan 2016Background
The conflict that began in December 2013 in South Sudan continues to affect the lives of millions of people; violence is widespread and human rights violations and abuses are commonplace. There have been a number of commitments made to end the recruitment and use of children, including assurances to the SRSG for Children Affected by Armed Conflict by both sides in 2014; the launch of the #ChildrenNOTsoldiers campaign and more recently, the signed Peace Agreement, dated 16 August 2015. This agreement calls for the immediate release of all children by all parties. Whilst the Peace Agreement calls for their immediate release, timelines have not been further articulated and the possible release locations are yet to be announced. Regardless of the numbers, locations and timeframes, a comprehensive package of reintegration assistance will be required; including family reunification, food assistance, essential non-food items, on-going psychosocial support, prevention and response to Gender Based Violence (GBV), education and life skills support. Based on past experience in South Sudan and global understanding, long term community based support will be required to prevent re-recruitment.
It is not known how many children are currently associated with armed forces and groups, but UNICEF estimates that between 15,000 and 16,000 children have been used since December 2013, by all sides to the conflict. This includes children from all States and if released, will require a large scale, coordinated response by members of the Child Protection Sub-Cluster, many of whom have not participated in release and reintegration programming before.
- Purpose of consultancy
UNICEF South Sudan Country Office wishes to engage the services of an institution to develop and deliver a preliminary training programme for child protection professionals, who do not have a specific background in release and reintegration programming. This training is designed to support these professionals to adapt their current child protection programmes to accommodate the specific needs of children who are associated with armed forces and armed groups. It is also expected that this cadre will have increased knowledge and skills to rapidly scale up child protection programmes, as necessary, to respond to releases of children (possibly at short notice).
It is recognized that not all skills can be transferred during this brief training, however, participants should complete the training with an understanding of what released children are likely to need, in terms of care and support, and the programmatic considerations that are required when designing and rolling out their programmes.
- Scope
The training is expected to cover the following areas:
a. Mapping a local context and designing a release and reintegration package of services that is age appropriate
b. Establishing a temporary care centre, where released children can receive interim care for a period of up to 3 months
c. Developing and delivering psychosocial support programmes in the interim care centre (covering the full continuum of basic recreation to specialized care)
d. Developing and delivering a family tracing and reunification service, including finding and assessing families and providing ongoing follow up and case management support
e. Developing and delivering innovative early economic reintegration services (specifically the provision and maintenance of livestock and/or agricultural assets).
The training should be, to the extent possible, guided by international good practice guidelines, including the Paris Principles; local guidelines (such as the national Child DDR Strategy) and recent local experience in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (including the Release and Reintegration Strategy). Each of these documents will be provided on request - applicants can write to anolan@unicef.org
Specific Tasks
Produce a training programme, in collaboration with the UNICEF Child Protection (CAAFAG) Specialist (who will be available to work full time with the team to provide ongoing guidance and support). The final training programme is to be cleared by UNICEF (within first week of assignment).
Deliver 4 x 1 week (6 day) training programmes.
Prepare a final training programme (based on lessons learned and adaptations which are made over the course of the 4 week training), and provide all soft copies of presentations and training materials to UNICEF.
Tentative Time frame:
Institution will be identified by 20 January 2016.
Contract to commence on 01 February and conclude by 7 March 2016.
Methodology
The first week will be spent at in Juba, preparing and finalizing a one-week training programme based on the scope outlined above. A UNICEF Child Protection (CAAFAG) Specialist will be available to provide ongoing support throughout this week, reviewing and approving content; and providing additional technical support as required. Final programme to be approved by UNICEF at the end of this week.
Four one-week training programmes will be delivered (6 days each). UNICEF will arrange for the venue and transportation of participants.
Training materials revised throughout the process and final versions to be submitted and presented to UNICEF in soft copy.
Expected Deliverables
Training programme and materials developed and approved by UNICEF within first week of assignment.
4 x 1 week training programmes delivered (6 days each).
Final training programme and materials submitted to UNICEF in soft copy (final day of contract).
All deliverables are expected to be completed and delivered in Juba, South Sudan.
Reporting
The contracting institution will report to the Chief of Child Protection or their delegate.
Expected background and Experience
UNICEF is looking for an experienced team of up to three persons in an appropriate mix of national and international, which meets the following criteria:
• The team leader should possess a minimum of 10 years’ experience in related release and reintegration programming
• The team should possess experience to cover the full scope of the training programme outlined above
• Experience in the development and delivery of training programmes
• Experience working in resource-poor countries and/or in a difficult implementation environment is required.
• Familiarity with the history of Sudan and South Sudan in particular is an advantage.
• Previous work experience with UNICEF is an advantage.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS
· The full training team is expected to be in-country throughout the consultancy.
· The training team will be expected to arrange their own work environment for the development and updating of the training programme, internet access, accommodation and transportation whilst in Juba.
· UNICEF cover the costs and logistics of printing and consolidating all handouts, provided that these are shared with UNICEF 24 hours in advance.
· UNICEF cover the costs and logistics of the venue; identify the participants and where necessary, cover and arrange the transportation and allowances of participants.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Evaluation of the proposals received will focus on the following elements.
A.Technical component (60%)
Proven understanding of; experience in; and capacity to develop and deliver similar training programmes
Team comprises of a suitable Team Leader and a suitable team, with clear evidence of experience in the key training areas outlined in Scope above
A detailed work plan with timelines and responsibilities delegated across the team.
Explicit confirmation and willingness to be available to start 01 February and remain in-country throughout the consultancy.
The quality of previous work.
B.Financial component (40%)
Costing commensurate with a modestly funded UNICEF Country Programme.
BUDGET AND PAYMENT
Interested institutions are requested to include in their submission a narrative section including CVs of team leader and team members, and detailed costs including separate budget lines for the following:
- Daily rate, broken down by team members and their number of days
- Expenses associated with travel to and within Juba; internet and accommodation
- Expenses associated with office space
- Any additional requirements needed to complete the project or that might have an impact on cost or delivery of the products.
Institutions may propose different cost scenarios and different payment schedule to the one below, which will be considered during the assessment of the proposals.
Payment is contingent upon approval of the supervisor and will be made in three (3) installments:
30% upon receipt of first deliverable (training programme and materials).
30% upon successful completion of 2 training workshops.
40% upon successful completion of a further 2 training workshops acceptance of the final training materials.
Institution will be required to pre-finance own travel and associated costs until first deliverable is provided.
CONDITIONS
Official Travel
• If the contracted institution is located outside South Sudan, it is expected that the training team will have team members inside the country. UNICEF will facilitate the visa application process, but will not cover expenses related to it. Budget proposal should include any international travel, with the most economical and direct option.
• Consultants are expected to have the appropriate insurance coverage for a volatile work environment.
Work environment and materials
• The consultants are expected to bring and/or supply their own work materials, such as laptops, print material etc.
• UNICEF office space is limited, and UNICEF office may not be able to accommodate consultants, who may be expected to work from home/hotel etc. and this should be factored into the budget.
How to apply:RFP RESPONSE FORMAT
Full proposals should be submitted in ENGLISH and must be received not later 12/01/2016 at 02:00 pm in three (**03**) original copies, duly signed and dated. Bidders must submit a sealed proposal, with two separate sealed envelopes inside for a) the Technical Proposal and b) the Price Proposal.
Sealed proposals must be securely closed in suitable envelopes and dispatched to arrive at the UNICEF office indicated no later than the closing time and date. They must be clearly marked as follows:
· Outer envelope: Name of company
RFP number
UNICEF South Sudan, Juba Office
Address: Toto Chan Compound, Juba.
· Inner envelope – technical proposal: Name of company, RFP number - technical proposal
· Inner envelope - price proposal: Name of company, RFP number - price proposal
Proposals received in any other manner will be invalidated.
Sealed proposals received prior to the stated closing time and date will be kept unopened. The responsible officers will open technical proposals when the specified time has arrived and no proposal received thereafter will be considered. UNICEF will accept no responsibility for the premature opening of a proposal not properly addressed or identified. Any delays encountered in the mail delivery will be at the risk of the bidder.
Offers delivered at a different address or in a different form than prescribed in this RFP, or which do not respect the required confidentiality, or received after the designated time and date, will be rejected.
All references to descriptive materials should be included in the appropriate response paragraph, though the material/documents themselves may be provided as annexes to the proposal/response.
The bidder must also provide sufficient information in the proposal to address each area of the Proposal Evaluation contained in 1.10 to allow the evaluation team to make a fair assessment of the candidates and their proposal.
1.6 BIDDER RESPONSE
1.6.1 Formal submission requirements
The formal submission requirements as outlined in this Request for Proposal must be followed, e.g. regarding form and timing of submission, marking of the envelopes, no price information in the technical proposal, etc.
1.6.2 Bid Form
The completed and signed bid form must be submitted together with the proposal.
1.6.3 Mandatory criteria
All mandatory (i.e. must/have to/shall/should) criteria mentioned throughout this Request for Proposal have to be addressed and met in your proposal.
1.6.4 Technical Proposal
The technical proposal should address all aspects and criteria outlined in this Request for Proposal, especially in its statement of work, terms of reference and paragraph 1.10 of this Request for Proposal. However, all these requirements represent a wish list from UNICEF. The bidders are free to suggest/ propose any other solution. UNICEF welcomes new ideas and innovative approaches.
No price information should be contained in the technical proposal.
Below are the criteria for the technical evaluation:
Technical Criteria
Technical Sub-criteria
Maximum
Points
Overall Response
Completeness of response
Overall concord between RFP requirements and proposal
05
05
Maximum Points
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10
Company and Key Personnel
Experience of provision of similar services to other NGOs and UN Agencies
Client references
10
10
Maximum Points
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20
Proposed Methodology and Approach
Proposed Methodology and proposed creative approach
Work plan, monitoring, risks and quality assurance process
Key personnel: relevant experience and qualifications
20
10
10
Maximum Points
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40
Total Maximum
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70
Proposal scoring below 49 points will be disqualified.
1.6.5 Price Proposal
The price proposal should be as per but not limited to paragraph 1.10 of this Request for Proposal.
The maximum score assigned to the price proposal is All other price proposals receive scores in inverse proportion according to the following formula:
Score for price proposal X = (Maximum score for price proposal (e.g. 30) * Price of lowest priced proposal)/Price of proposal X
The proposal obtaining the overall highest score after adding the scores for the technical and price proposals will be awarded the contract.
1.6.6 Checklist for submission of proposals
Bid form filled in and signed
Envelope for technical proposal
o Technical proposal
o Technical proposal does not contain prices
o Envelope is sealed
o Envelope is marked as follows:
Name of company, RFP number - technical proposal
Envelope for price proposal
o Price proposal
o Envelope is sealed
o Envelope is marked as follows:
Name of company, RFP number - price proposal
1 outer enveloped
o Containing bid form, envelope for technical proposal, and envelope for price proposal
o Envelope is sealed
o Envelope is marked as follows
Name of company
RFP number
UNICEF South Sudan, Juba
Address
Behind Totto Chan Building
Central Equatoria State,
Bahar El Jabal, Juba City, Sudan
1.7 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Information, which the bidder considers proprietary, should be clearly marked "proprietary", if any, next to the relevant part of the text, and UNICEF will treat such information accordingly.
1.8 RIGHTS OF UNICEF
UNICEF reserves the right to accept any proposal, in whole or in part; or, to reject any or all proposals.
UNICEF reserves the right to invalidate any Proposal received from a Bidder who has previously failed to perform properly or complete contracts on time, or a Proposal received from a Bidder who, in the opinion of UNICEF, is not in a position to perform the contract. UNICEF shall not be held responsible for any cost incurred by the Bidder in preparing the response to this Request for Proposal. The Bidder agrees to be bound by the decision of UNICEF as to whether her/his proposal meets the requirements stated in this Request for Proposal. Specifically, UNICEF reserves the right to:
contact any or all references supplied by the bidder(s);
request additional supporting or supplementary data (from the bidder(s));
arrange interviews with the bidder(s);
reject any or all proposals submitted;
accept any proposals in whole or in part;
negotiate with the contractor(s) who has/have attained the best rating/ranking, i.e. the one(s) providing the overall best value proposal(s);
Contract any number of candidates as required to achieve the overall evaluation objectives.
1.9 PROPOSAL OPENING
Proposals will be opened at 03:30 pm on12/01/2016 at UNICEF, South Sudan - Juba Office.
1.10 PROPOSAL EVALUATION
After the public opening, each proposal will be assessed first on its technical merits and subsequently on its price. The proposal with the best overall value, composed of technical merit and price, will be recommended for approval. UNICEF will set up an evaluation panel composed of technical UNICEF staff and their conclusions will be forwarded to the internal UNICEF Contracts Review Committee.
The evaluation panel will first evaluate each response for compliance with the requirements of this RFP. Responses deemed not to meet all of the mandatory requirements will be considered non-compliant and rejected at this stage without further consideration. Failure to comply with any of the terms and conditions contained in this RFP, including provision of all required information, may result in a response or proposal being disqualified from further consideration.
UNICEF will award the contract to the contractor’s whose response is of high quality, clear and meets the projects goals, including:
The price/cost of each of the technically compliant proposals shall be considered only upon evaluation of the above technical criteria.
The bidders should ensure that all pricing information is provided in accordance with the following:
The currency of the proposal shall be inUSD. Invoicing will be in the currency of the proposal. The bidder will suggest a payment schedule for the Contract, linked to unambiguous Contract milestones. All prices/rates quoted must be exclusive of all taxes** as UNICEF is a tax-exempt organization.
1.11 PROPERTY OF UNICEF
This RFP, along with any responses there to, shall be considered the property of UNICEF and the proposals will not be returned to their originators. In submitting this proposal the bidder will accept the decision of UNICEF as to whether the proposal meets the requirements stated in this RFP.
1.12 VALIDITY
Proposal must be valid for a minimum of ninety (90) days from the date of opening of this RFP and must be signed by all candidates included in the submission. For proposals from institutions, the proposal must also be signed by an authorised representative of the institution. Bidders are requested to indicate the validity period of their proposal in the Proposal Form. UNICEF may also request for an extension of the validity of the proposal.
1.13 CONTRACTUAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The UNICEF Special and General Terms and Conditions are attached and will form part of any contract resulting from this RFP.
1.14 RIGHT TO USE AND SELL
T The bidder warrants that it has not and shall not enter into any agreement or arrangement that restrains or restricts UNICEF or the recipient Governments rights to use, sell, dispose of or, otherwise, deal with any item that may be acquired under any resulting Contract.
1.15PAYMENT TERMS
Payment will be made within 30 days after satisfactory delivery of the deliverables and submission of the invoice to UNICEF.