Call for Proposals: Conflict Early Warning / Early Response Training and Hub
Establishment
1. Summary
2. Background
Since the reintroduction of political pluralism, Kenya has
experienced violent conflicts in every election year, with the most vicious
being the 2007-8 post-election violence (PEV) where an estimated 1300 deaths
were reported and over 600,000 individuals displaced.
A big portion of this conflict which pitted different ethnic
groups against each was played out in the Rift Valley. The Rift Valley is
vulnerable to political and ethnic manipulation due to its meshwork of
different ethnicities.
As we approach the March 4, 2013 election the prospect for
another conflict cannot be dismissed; it could once more threaten the stability
of the region hence the need to be proactive in putting in place measures to
curb a repeat of the violence.
Mercy Corps USAID funded Rift Valley Local Empowerment for Peace Program (LEAP) aims to strengthen the capacity of local actors and institutions in Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Nakuru, Kericho and Bomet counties to develop and advance sustainable peace.
To achieve this goal, Mercy Corps is working to strengthen Early
Warning and Early Response mechanisms in these targeted counties.
3. Purpose of training and establishing Conflict EWER systems in
the Rift Valley
The objective is to assist communities avoid or minimize violent
conflict and in the event of conflict - put in place response mechanisms to
avoid escalation.
The early warnings systems will not only prepare for short term containment and relief strategies, but also build support for and implement longer term proactive strategies and development programs that can reduce the likelihood of future conflicts.
The early warnings systems will not only prepare for short term containment and relief strategies, but also build support for and implement longer term proactive strategies and development programs that can reduce the likelihood of future conflicts.
Besides flow of information and reports from the ground
regarding highly visible or rapidly escalating crises, it should also provide
reliable analyses that identify latent, low-level conflicts or instabilities
and build conflict management capacities of communities.
The early warning systems should generate analyses that identify
key factors driving the instability, providing a basis from which to assess
likely future scenarios, and recommend appropriate options for local and
international policy makers oriented toward preventive action.
4. Proposal Preparation and Submission
4. Proposal Preparation and Submission
Interested and qualifying parties should submit proposal of no
more than 5 pages (in MS Word documents using 12 point font) outlining the
following:
- Proposed
approach/methodology, activities and method of analysis. The proposal
should demonstrate understanding of the TOR.
- Proposed
work plan with timeline.
- Realistic
and detailed budget including a narrative describing and justifying
expenses such as daily rates for proposed team members, number of days,
supplies and other direct costs.
- Summary
details of qualifications and experience of the consultant/firm/team
including relevant samples of work demonstrating competence in conducting
community-based conflict mitigation and formation of EWER systems.
- Curriculum
vitae/Bio Data of proposed team of up to two pages each (this will not
contribute to the 5 page limit for the proposal).
- Company/Organizational
profile to include: company/Organizational background, physical location
and Organizational structure
- Copy
of company’s/ Organizations’ current business license or certificate of
registration.
It is anticipated that the assignment will start on January 20,
2013 and be concluded on April 4, 2013.
5. Terms of Reference (TOR)
The training is to be a participatory, inclusive process working
jointly with Mercy Corps LEAP program team, implementing partners and other
stakeholders in the targeted communities.
The consulting team, in consultation with Mercy Corps and its implementing partners will be responsible for carrying out the following activities:
- Develop
detailed work plan for the training for review by the Program team.
- Establish
10 EWER hubs in each of the six counties and build the capacities of 120
individuals to oversee the hubs.
- Train
420 monitors on EWER
- Develop
an easy to use EWER handbook
- Develop
and code EWER indicators
- Update
Mercy Corps Chief of Party on the progress of the TOR on a weekly basis.
The assessment should be completed within 20 days from the date
of signing of the contract.
6. Responsibilities of MERCY CORPS International
MERCY CORPS will be responsible for the following:
6. Responsibilities of MERCY CORPS International
MERCY CORPS will be responsible for the following:
- Provide
relevant contacts in the communities.
- Review
and provide guidance on proposed approach, work plans and tools.
- Assist
with contacting and bringing together LEAP partners and EWER monitors.
- Manage
logistics for the trainings, establishment of hubs, printing and
distribution of handbook.
7. Deliverables
The final products of this assignment will include:
- An
easy to use EWER response handbook
- 60
functional EWER response hubs with 2 EWER overseers in each hub.
- 420
monitors trained on EWER.
- Assessment
data.
8. Evaluation Criteria
The evaluation weighting ratio is 60% technical and 40% cost.
Technical (total weighting 60%):
- Experience
in conducting Early Warning Early Response training post conflict
settings. (20%)
- Previous
experience working in Rift Valley (15%)
- Understanding
of the opportunity. (15%)
- Recent
experience in similar engagements (5%)
- Proposed
approach - (5%)
Cost (total weighting 40%):
- Reasonable
20%
- Justifiable
20%
9. Qualifications and experience
MERCY CORPS is seeking for consultants with the following
qualifications:
- Experience
in designing, managing conflict mitigation and early warning/early
response programs.
- Experience
in working for USAID-funded programs in Kenya
- Experience
in working with diverse communities, state and non-state actors
- Should
have undertaken at least one assignment of a similar nature in the last
two years
- Experience
and working knowledge of USAID requirements
- Excellent
writing, communication and facilitation skills
- Good
team worker
- Proficient
in both spoken and written English and Kiswahili.
The bids must be received no later than 4:00 pm, January 10,
2013.
Proposals should be emailed to the following address:
hr@ke.mercycorps.org.
Proposals received after the stipulated date and time will not
be accepted. Bids delivered through courier and post will also not be
accepted.
Failure to furnish all the information required for this call
for proposal or submission of a proposal which does not substantially respond
to the request for proposals may result in rejection of the proposal.
The proposal and all correspondence and documents relating to
the proposal shall be in English.
All prices shall be quoted in Kenyan Shillings (KES.)