Call
for Proposals: Conflict Early Warning / Early Response
Training and Hub Establishment
1.
Summary
Mercy
Corps seeks proposals from individuals/consulting firms/teams that are
interested in and have the technical capacity in training and establishing
Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) teams/mechanisms and have experience in
conflict mitigation and management for a USAID-funded peace building
program in Kenya.
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.
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
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:
- 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.)