“NGO Invitation for Proposals for SSWEEP project” At United Nations Population Fund

UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund, an international development agency, invites qualified organizations to submit proposals for the implementation of the World Bank-funded project titled, “the South Sudan Women’s Social and Economic Empowerment Project (SSWEEP).” The purpose of the Invitation for Proposals is to identify eligible non-governmental organizations for prospective partnership with UNFPA South Sudan Country Office to support achievement of results outlined in the project document and specifically listed in section 1.3 below.

Please see Working with UNFPA: Key information for UNFPA Implementing Partners on completing the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Assessment. UNFPA has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) , sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UNFPA policies and procedures and the standards of conduct.

Section 1: Background (UNFPA)

1.1 UNFPA mandate and Programme of Assistance in South Sudan

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

In South Sudan, UNFPA works with the government and other partners to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights and contribute to the following transformative results:

• End preventable maternal deaths
• End the unmet need for family planning
• End gender-based violence and all harmful practices, including child marriage

and key regional priority:

• End new HIV infections among young people

This is enabled by evidence and population expertise, focusing on empowerment of women and young people, especially adolescent girls, and delivered in both humanitarian and development settings

1.2 The South Sudan Women’s Social and Economic Empowerment Project (SSWEEP)

The Government of South Sudan has received funds from World Bank toward the cost of implementing the South Sudan Women’s Social and Economic Empowerment Project (SSWEEP), a four-year project effective until 12 December 2026; in line with an approved World Bank Project Appraisal Document (PAD).

The SSWEEP will (1) provide essential social and livelihood skills for women and adolescent girls in communities; (2) support women to grow their businesses; (3) provide services for survivors of GBV; and (4) strengthen the institutional environment for women’s empowerment.

Pursuant to the Project Appraisal (PAD), the Government of South Sudan, Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare has contracted UN Women to administer the received funds and implement the project in 10 states and 2 administrative areas over a period of four (4) years.

The contract between the Government of South Sudan, Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare and UN Women has engaged UNFPA on implementation of Component 3, Services for survivors of GBV. The component is targeted specifically at survivors of GBV and will have two subcomponents. One subcomponent will support the establishment of a functioning national GBV helpline, and the other subcomponent will set up a new safe house in Juba. This Call for Proposal is for the establishment and management of the helpline under the leadership of Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare.

1.3 Specific results

The objective of this engagement is to ensure that survivors of GBV have access and referred to quality, timely and integrated survivor-centered services, this is laid out under Output 2.1 of the project.

• Output: 2.1 National toll-free helpline for GBV survivors provides timely, confidential, and integrated coordinated referral service to the survivors of GBV across the country

Under the leadership of Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare (MGCSW), UNFPA in collaboration with UN Women, the potential partner will establish and coordinate a helpline on reporting and managing GBV cases. This will not build on an existing a toll-free number, but a new toll-free number.

The project will target 2,000 survivors who have reported cases to the national helpline by the end of the project of whom 75 percent express satisfaction with the helpline. UNFPA and the potential partner will be responsible for ensuring that an appropriate number of staff from the MGCSW and CSOs are trained on GBV helpline protocols.

Once the construction of the new MGCSW Headquarters building is complete (around the year 2026), the helpline will be shifted to the premises of the ministry.

Overview of indicative activities:

• UNFPA currently supports a national toll-free helpline for the survivors of GBV to receive a telephonic counselling, referrals to GBV services, including livelihoods and income generating activities; and rescue the survivors where needed; the helpline will target 2,000 survivors who have reported cases to the national helpline;
• UN Women, in collaboration with UNFPA will procure materials required for the setup of the helpline;
• Based on the mapping of existing helplines, a temporary office for hosting the GBV toll – free helpline will be sourced and furnished with the personnel and materials for the helpline expansion;
• Once the new MGCSW Headquarters building is constructed, the helpline will be shifted to the premises of the ministry and hand over the operations of the helpline;
• Ascertain the number of social workers needed for the operation of helpline;
• The social workers and case workers operating the helpline as well as the referral services providers will be trained regularly (once every six months) to ensure the quality of services at the helpline;
• The referral services and pathways will be updated regularly and expanded till the payam level;
• A regular updating of data will be done and managed for further analysis to strengthen the GBV helpline services and referral:

Key responsibilities for the potential partner:

• Work under the MGCSW to assess, interview and recruit at least 60 social workers needed for the operation of helpline including their deployment to the States.
• Under the leadership of MoGCSW, manage the helpline with the objective to handover the complete management after 2 years of operation of the helpline
• Support the MoGCSW through the Project Management Unit (PMU) to set up the toll free number and coordination amongst different telecom and other online services providers in South Sudan
• Coordination with the State Ministries of Gender, Child and Social Welfare under the National Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare and other GBV AoR actors
• Coordination with different stakeholders for access to life-saving services for the GBV survivors across the country
• Payroll management of at least 60 social workers supporting the helpline, this includes calculating their salaries, disbursing payments, keeping payroll records, and filing the financial records in close coordination with the MGCSW.
• Develop demand generation activities aimed to create awareness and generate interest for the toll free helpline, this includes radio programmes.
• Deliver capacity building trainings to the social workers managing helpline

Following outcome is envisaged within the particular timeline.

Outcome

Timeline

1. A national toll-free helpline operating on 24×7 basis, linked with all the States and Administrative Areas of South Sudan through referral pathways.

Year 1 (30 September 2024)

Section 2: Application requirements and timelines (UNFPA)

2.1 Documentation required for the submission

The expression of interest shall include the following documentation:

• Copy of provisions of legal status/ registration of the NGO in South Sudan
• Copy of last financial / audited statement of NGO
• Documented fulfillment of tax obligations and tax registration number
• Attachment I – NGO Profile and Project Proposal (project proposal must contain detailed strategy for outreach and implementation of the helpline, coordination and management system for the helpline, evidenced experience in the management of a similar project and budget).
• Failure to submit the above supporting documents will adversely affect an organization’s application

2.2 Indicative timelines

Invitation for Proposal issue date

15th of April 2023

Deadline for requests of additional information/ clarifications

23rd of April 2024

Deadline for submissions of proposals

9th of May 2024

Review of NGO submissions

27th of May 2024

Notification of results communicated to NGO

7th of June 2024

Section 3: Assessment criteria (UNFPA)

3.1 Review & evaluation of NGO submissions

Applications will be assessed by a review panel to identify organizations that have the required knowledge, skills, and capacity to support achievement of results using criteria outlined in section 3.2 below.

It should be noted, however, that participation in this Invitation for Proposals does not guarantee the organization will be selected for partnership with UNFPA. Selected NGOs will be invited to enter into an implementing partner agreement and applicable UNFPA programme policy and procedures will apply.

3.2 Selection criteria

Eligible organizations will be selected in a transparent and competitive manner, based on their capacity to ensure the highest quality of service, including the ability to apply innovative strategies to meet project priorities in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.

UNFPA South Sudan office will review evidence provided by the NGO submission and evaluate applications based on the following criteria:

NB: Any proposal not submitted in specified working language will be excluded from consideration.

Governance & Leadership

• The organization has a clearly defined mission and goals that reflect the organization’s structure and context, as well as alignment to UNFPA priority areas.
• Organization does not have a history of fraud, complaints, or service delivery issues.

Human Resource

• Organization has sufficient staff resources and technical expertise to implement the proposed project activities.
• Organization has experience on payroll management of at least 30 employees, this includes calculating the wages, making payments, keeping payroll records, and filing the financial records.
• Organization does not have conflicts of interest with UNFPA or its personnel that cannot be effectively mitigated.

Comparative Advantage

• The organization’s mission and/or strategic plan focuses on at least one of the UNFPA’s programme areas.
• The organization has experience in the country or field and enjoys prominence in areas related to the project.
• The organization has a proven track record in implementing similar projects and activities and is seen as credible by its stakeholders and partners.
• The organization has relevant geographical presence and ability to reach the target audience; especially vulnerable populations and hard-to-reach areas.
• The organization has experience in delivering capacity building trainings to social workers on managing toll-free helplines.
• The organization has experience in developing demand-generation activities aimed to create awareness, generate interest, and ultimately drive demand the toll free helpline.
• Experience in multi-sectoral coordination and ensuring referral services, including shelter, PSS, legal, medical, livelihood, cross-border collaboration for survivors’ protection and reintegration
• Extensive experience in carrying out gender-based violence response initiatives and survivors’ protection and reintegration actions.
• The organization is a women led organization

Monitoring

• The organization has systems and tools in place to systematically collect, analyze and use project monitoring data

Partnerships

• The organization has established partnerships with the government and other relevant local entities and bodies
• The organization has demonstrated capacity of working under the leadership of Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, and working in collaboration with UNFPA and key stakeholders.

Contribution and Sustainability

• The organization demonstrates capacity to implement project in a sustainable manner
• The organization demonstrates its contribution to the project implementation and results

Environmental Considerations

• The organization has established policies or practices to reduce the environmental impact of its activities. If no policies exist, the organization must not have a history of its activities causing negative impact to the environment.

3.3 Prospective partnership agreement

UNFPA will inform all applicants of the outcome of their submissions in writing to the email/ postal address indicated in the NGO submission.

SUBMISSIONS EXPECTED FROM POTENTIAL PARTNER

The potential partner is expected to submit the following:

NGO Profile and Programme Proposal (To be completed by NGO submitting proposal)

The purpose of this proposal is to provide the following information: a) overview of the NGO, b) an outline of the activities the NGO is proposing to partner with UNFPA and c) provide UNFPA with sufficient evidence to show it meets the criteria outlined in section 3.2 of the IFP.

Information provided in this form will be used to inform the review and evaluation of NGO submissions as outlined in the Invitation for Proposals.

Section A. NGO Identification

A.1 Organization information

Organization name

Address

Website

A.2 Contact information

Name

Title/Function

Telephone

Email

A.3 Conflict of interest statement

To your knowledge, do any staff members of your organization have personal or financial relationships with any staff of UNFPA, or any other conflicts of interest with this programme or UNFPA? If so, please explain.

A.4. Fraud statement

Does your organization have fraud prevention policies and practices in place?

Section B. Overview of the organization

B.1 Annual budget

Size of annual budget (previous year, USD)

Source of funding

Outline funding base, including local, international, and private sector donors

Main funding partners/ donors

B.2 Staff capacity

List of number and key functions of core organization staff

B.3 NGO mandate and background

Outline the organization’s mandate and field of work, and how it aligns to UNFPA’s mandate.

B.4. Available expertise and specialists

Outline the distinctive technical capacity of the organization to achieve results in the proposed project areas

B.5 Experience in proposed area of work

Outline of type/scope and key results achieved in proposed project areas in recent years, including any recognition received at local / global level for the work in the proposed area. Include a summary experience in South Sudan and prior experience with any organization of the United Nations

B.6 Knowledge of the local context/ Accessibility to target population

Outline of presence and community relations in the location(s) the activities will be implemented in: include access to vulnerable populations and hard-to-reach areas, if any)

B.7 Credibility

To what extent is the NGO recognized as credible by the government, and/or other key stakeholders/partners?

B.8 Monitoring

Outline the systems in place (policies, procedures, guidelines, and other tools) that systematically collect, analyze, and use programme monitoring data

B.9 Sustainability and Contribution

Outline the plans for sustaining project activities beyond the project period; what contribution will the organization make to project implementation and achievement of results

Section C. Proposal overview

C.1 Programme title

C.2 Results to which the programme contributes

Refer to Section 1.3 of the Invitation for Proposal

C.3 Proposed programme duration

From MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY

C.4 Proposed Programme budget

Section D. Proposed interventions and activities to achieve intended results

D.1 Project Summary

This section should provide a brief summary of the project (Refer to Section 1.3 of the Invitation for Proposal).

It should include a problem statement, the context and the rationale for the Project:

• Overview of the existing problem.
• The relevance of the programme in addressing problem identified

D.2 Organizational background and capacity to implement

This section should briefly explain why the proposing organization has the experience, capacity and commitment to successfully implement the project.

D.3 Expected results

“What” this programme will achieve – programme objectives and expected results.

D.4 Description of activities and budget

This section includes a detailed description of budgeted activities to be undertaken to produce the expected results. Clear linkages between activities and results must be indicated

The applicant should include a separate excel spreadsheet with full details of activities and associated budget.

D.5 Proposed Coordination system between national helpline HQ and state level coordination for GBV cases

This section includes a proposed coordination system – how will the national HQ based in Juba will coordinate for the cases management in different states. The applicant should demonstrate how the survivors will be supported through the whole of country and supporting the cases of GBV in states and Administrative Areas through the existing GBV AoR actors.

D.5 Gender, Equity, disability inclusion, and Sustainability

Explain briefly the practical measures taken in the project to address gender, equity, disability inclusion, and sustainability considerations

D.6 Environmental impact

Outline the likely environmental impact of the project, if any.

D.7 Working with women rights groups, women led organizations, youth and men

Outline any actions that will be taken to work with women groups, women and youth led organizations, male groups

D.8 Other partners involved

This section outlines other partners who have a role in project implementation, including potential sub-contractees and other organizations providing technical and financial support for the project

D.9 NGO contribution

This section briefly outlines the partner specific contribution to the project (monetary or in-kind)

D.10 Additional documentation

Additional documentation can be mentioned here for reference

Section E. Programme Risks and Monitoring

E.1 Risks

Identify major risk factors that could result in the proposed activities not being successfully implemented and any key assumptions on which the proposed intervention is based. Include any actions the organization will undertake to address/reduce identified risk(s).

E.2 Monitoring

This section briefly outlines the monitoring activities

Section F. References

Please provide 3 references to support your proposal. Include name, title, contact information and brief summary of relationship.

Reference 1:

Reference 2:

Reference 3:

Section G. Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Capacity Assessment

Please note, the results of this assessment may be shared with other United Nations entities

G.0 Preliminary Screening

Does the organization have direct contact with beneficiaries?

Yes ☐ No ☐

If your response is no, stop here and do not complete this section. However, please note if your organization begins working with beneficiaries at a later date, UNFPA will require your organization to fill out a self-assessment.

If yes, please continue.

Has the organization’s PSEA capacity been assessed by a UN entity in the last 5 years?

Yes ☐ If yes, share the assessment rating and supporting documentation with UNFPA and do not complete this section.

No ☐ If no, complete G.1 through G.8

G.1 Policy Requirement

Please provide supporting documentation for any fields marked “Yes”.

Your organization has a policy document on PSEA. At a minimum, this document should include a written undertaking that the partner accepts the standards of conduct listed in section 3 of the ST/SGB/2003/13.

Yes ☐ No ☐

Supporting documentation may include:

• Code of Conduct (internal or interagency)
• PSEA policy
• Documentation of standard procedures for all personnel to receive/sign PSEA policy
• Other (please specify):

G.2 Subcontracting

Your organization’s contracts and partnership agreements include a standard clause requiring sub-contractors to adopt policies that prohibit SEA and to take measures to prevent and respond to SEA.

Yes ☐ No ☐ *N/A ☐

Supporting documentation may include:

• Contracts/partnership agreements for sub-contractors
• Other (please specify):

* Please Note: If the partner notes that it does not have subcontractors in the self-assessment this core standard is not applicable and UNFPA will assess this core standard as N/A. However, if this situation changes and the same partner subsequently subcontracts activities to another entity, this would warrant a re-assessment.

G.3 Recruitment

Your organization has a systematic vetting procedure in place for job candidates through proper screening. This must include, at minimum, reference checks for sexual misconduct and a self-declaration by the job candidate, confirming that they have never been subject to sanctions (disciplinary, administrative or criminal) arising from an investigation in relation to SEA, or left employment pending investigation and refused to cooperate in such an investigation.

Yes ☐ No ☐

Supporting documentation may include:

• Reference check template including check for sexual misconduct (including reference from previous employers and self-declaration)
• Recruitment procedures
• Other (please specify):

G.4 Training

Your organization holds mandatory trainings (online or in-person) for all IP employees and associated personnel[1] (herein “personnel”) on PSEA and relevant procedures. The training should, at a minimum include:

1. a definition of SEA (that is aligned with the UN’s definition);
2. an explanation on prohibition of SEA; and
3. actions that personnel are required to take (i.e. prompt reporting of allegations and referral of victims).

Yes ☐ No ☐

Supporting documentation may include:

• Training package
• Attendance sheets
• Training certificates
• Other (please specify):

G.5 Reporting

Your organization has mechanisms and procedures for personnel, recipients of assistance and communities, including children, to report SEA allegations that comply with core standards for reporting (i.e. safety, confidentiality, transparency, accessibility).

Yes ☐ No ☐

Supporting documentation may include:

• Internal Complaints and Feedback Mechanism
• Participation in joint reporting mechanisms
• Communication materials
• PSEA awareness-raising plan
• Description of reporting mechanism
• Whistle-blower policy
• Other (please specify):

G.6 Assistance

Your organization has a system to refer SEA victims to locally available support services, based on their needs and consent. This can include actively contributing to in-country PSEA networks and/or GBV systems (where applicable) and/or referral pathways at an inter-agency level.

Yes ☐ No ☐

Supporting documentation may include:

• Internal or Interagency referral pathway
• List of Available service providers
• Description of referral or Standard Operation Procedure (SOP)
• Referral form for survivors of GBV/SEA
• Guidelines on victim assistance and/or training on GBV and GBV case management principles
• Other (please specify):

G.7 Investigations

Your organization has a process for investigation of allegations of SEA and can provide evidence. This may include a referral system for investigations where in-house capacity does not exist.

Yes ☐ No ☐

Supporting documentation may include:

• Written process for review of SEA allegations
• Dedicated resources for investigation(s) and/or commitment of partner for support
• PSEA investigation policy/procedures
• Contract with professional investigative service
• Other (please specify):

G.8 Corrective Measures

Your organization has taken appropriate corrective action in response to SEA allegations, if any.

Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A ☐

Supporting documentation may include:

• Evidence of implementation of corrective measures identified by the UN partner entity, including capacity strengthening of staff.
• Specific measures to identify and reduce risks of SEA in programme delivery.
• Other ((please specify):

1] Associated personnel include sub-contractors, consultants, interns or volunteers and others associated with or working on behalf of the Partner.

Annex 1: Overview of the project component for the Call for Proposals

Component 3: Services for Survivors of GBV

Output 3.1: Provision of a national GBV hotline (2.5 million for 4 years

Overview:

This component will address key challenge of the provision of comprehensive and essential multi-sectoral services to GBV survivors. Among these challenges are: i) limited reporting of GBV cases, ii) limited access to GBV information and services, iii) capacities of government, CSOs and other stakeholders to manage reported cases of GBV, hotline and safe houses. To address these challenges, the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare will work with UNFPA and UN Women to set up a toll-free helpline for the GBV survivors across the country. The ownership of the Helpline remains with the Ministry while there will be one civil society partner identified to assist with the management of the same till the time that the building of the helpline is constructed.

Establishment of the National Hotline on GBV:

Under the leadership of Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, the UN Women has entered into an UN-to-UN agreement with UNFPA to establish and coordinate a hotline on reporting and managing GBV cases. The hotline will provide a telephonic referrals, psycho-social support and link SGBV survivors to livelihoods and incomes generation activities.

Apart from linking the survivors to health services, psycho-social counselling, the project will aim to ensure that survivors of GBV have access to emergency livelihoods protection and support urgently needed for their survival and integration into the community. Support will be provided for survivors to be integrated into the VSLAs through the WECCs where they will have access to immediate resources (income) for them to cover immediate basic needs (healthcare); foster engagement in the local economy, have access to spaces/opportunities outside their homes where they can engage in entrepreneurship.

The project will target 2,000 survivors who have reported cases to the national helpline by the end of the project of whom 75 percent express satisfaction with the hotline. The UNFPA will be responsible for ensuring that an appropriate number of staff from the MGCSW and CSOs are trained on GBV hotline protocols and on safe house operating procedures.

Further, UN Women will also engage UNFPA in providing both soft and hard service delivery and training, to be delivered at the Safe House.

Implementation of Component 3

Following results are expected under this Call for Proposal:

Result 1: Effectively set up a toll-free helpline for South Sudan

Indicators:

• A toll-free helpline is set up under the leadership of the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare
• The fully functional helpline supports at least 700 cases per year, of whom at least 75% express satisfaction with the hotline operation
• A cadre of 60 case workers is built that undertake effective case work assistance for the survivors of GBV

Result 2: Effective referral assistance is provided to the survivors of GBV

Indicators:

• Of the total cases supported, at least 1000 cases are supported through referrals with other service providers
• The case workers deployed by the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare demonstrate increased capacity for the GBV case work support to the survivors
• The national and state level GBV actors are better coordinated in the GBV response services provision and referrals for assisting the survivors.

Key actions:

1. Work with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare to identify and deploy the Case workers who will operate at the Help line
2. Rent a temporary place appropriate to run the Help line
3. Design the Helpline management criteria and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and undertake its dissemination
4. Assist the MoGCSW to liaise with the telecom companies to set up toll-free helpline number and ensure seamless coordination and functioning of the help line
5. Manage the payroll and functioning of the help line
6. Assist the MoGCSW at the national and state levels to liaise with all the relevant duty bearers and service providers for effective coordination and service delivery between the GBV cases coming from different states
7. Maintain the call records and management of the case files as per the SOPs
8. Report to UNFPA to ensure regular updating for the Project Management Unit of MoGCSW, UN Women and the World Bank
9. Undertake satisfaction and case closures to monitor the quality of services and take appropriate actions to improve the quality of these services.
10. Any other actions as per the emerging demands from the project and mutually agreed with the donors.