UN Women, Afghanistan Country Office CALL FOR PROPOSALS Training for University Students, Local Leaders, and Civil Society Youth Groups on the Concepts of CEDAW, UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions IMPORTANT: Proposals that do NOT follow the requirements stated herein will NOT be considered. Subject Location of implementation Budgetary expectations Duration of project Language and content of proposals Deadline for submission CALL FOR PROPOSALS Training for University Students, Local Leaders (Members of Provincial Council, Members and Provincial Peace Councils) and Civil Society Youth Groups on the Concepts of Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and related resolutions such as 1820, 1888, 1889, 1960. 10 Provinces (Kabul, Nangarhar, Bamyam, Ghazni, Badakhshan, Balkh, Samangan, Kunduz, Kandahar and Herat. ) AFN: 8,566,500 (equivalent to the value of USD 150,000 with the exchange rate of $1 = 57.11Afn) and estimated average of Afn 856,650 for each province) Two Months Proposals will only be accepted in English and must include details of the activities identifying geographical locations proposed and the sample of participants, a break-down of milestones and timelines, approach to addressing the activities, risk analysis and mitigation measures, ethical considerations, names and qualifications of staff/consultants who will be working on the trainings and detailed budget for the project. If you are submitting electronically, please submit one set of project documents in word format and one set in PDF/scanned format. 9 th April 2014 (proposals received after this date WILL NOT be considered)
Project overview Background The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in Afghanistan through its Political and Economic Empowerment Pillar (PEEP) is supporting national counterparts including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), Parliamentary bodies, and civil society organizations in implementing the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA) and the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) in the areas of political and economic empowerment for women. The Pillar strengthens women's participation in peace, security and reconciliation processes by developing the capacity of women and men as agents of change and supporting them in their advocacy efforts to ensure women s inclusion and participation in the peace process and the negotiation tables. It strengthens the coordination of efforts of women peace activists for greater impact. It works to provide opportunities for greater dialogue and technical assistance to enhance accountability to women s human rights through the implementation of CEDAW, UNSCR 1325, related resolutions and other national and international frameworks in support of women s rights. This call for proposals is seeking to grant funds to innovative project proposals aimed at enhancing the understanding of university students including boys and girls, local leaders (Provincial Councils & Provincial Peace Councils) and the youth groups from civil society on concepts of CEDAW and UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions such as 1820, 1888,1889, 1960, with an emphasis on networking and dialogue among the training participants to exchange views on women s participation in conflict resolution, prevention and women s participation in peace building processes (Women, Peace and Security environment) and women s participation as advocates and beneficiaries in the development process. In each of the proposed provinces, a total of 150 individuals including 100 students and lecturers, 30 persons from PCs and PPCs and 20 persons from CSOs are expected to be trained on the proposed topics. The division and combination of the participants into separate categories will be at the discretion of the incumbent implementing partner and should be justified accordingly in the proposal. The project should also encourage university students, local leaders and women s rights activists in the 10 provinces to take leadership roles in creating and sustaining a culture of peace and justice in their communities and Afghanistan at large, recognizing and supporting women s role based on CEDAW and SCR 1325 in the Peace, Security and development agenda. The geographic coverage proposed is divided below. Interested agencies may send in their proposals to one or more of the regions proposed. East Region: Kabul, Nangarhar, Bamyam, Ghazni North Region: Badakhshan, Balkh, Samangan, Kunduz South Region: Kandahar West Region: Herat All proposals should seek to fulfil the objectives as set out below, with clear logical framework indicating the activities outlined in detail towards meeting the objectives. The proposal should also provide details of the implementation strategy as well as details of the resources to be utilized. All applications must be submitted in the attached format. UN Women welcomes innovative approaches in implementing this project. Description of Responsibilities Under the overall guidance and in coordination of UN Women s Political and Economic Empowerment Pillar(PEEP), the implementing partner will undertake the following actions: (c) Objectives 1. Provide opportunities for university students, local leaders (PCs and PPCs) and the civil society
youth groups to learn about CEDAW and UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions supporting women s rights and participation in the peace and development processes. 2. Develop a training manual which includes methodology of the trainings that includes concepts of UNSCR 1325 and CEDAW and related resolutions, as well as related tools and case studies. 3. Encourage participants to advocate for initiatives to promote the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and CEDAW in support of women s rights in their communities and Afghanistan and act as advocates for women s rights under the mentioned frameworks 4. Encourage the participants to serve as focal points for sharing information and concerns about women s rights and status in those provinces with UN Women and its partners. Eligibility criteria Interested applicants should meet the following criteria: 1. Registered and have legal status in Afghanistan 2. At least 3 years of experience (of the organization or of its proposed staff if a new organization) 3. Track record of successful implementation of similar projects UN Women will not consider proposals from: A) Individuals without any organizational affiliation; B) UN agencies and affiliated UN agencies; C) Organizations that do not have an office in Afghanistan; D) Government entities; E) Current UN Women grantees. Criteria for selection of proposals: Proposals will be selected in accordance with the following criteria: 1. Reputation of Organization and Staff: Documented successful track record (for newly formed organizations, the personnel to be assigned to the UN Women project should have a proven track record in this area); A proven commitment to results (able to provide records of successful projects); Proven credibility in the country, especially credibility in terms of working towards gender equality, women s political participation and trainings on mentioned subjects. 2. General Organizational Capability: Strength of project management on conducting successful and standard trainings on women s rights; Record and evidence of organizational culture of accountability, such as a written code of conduct, measures on anti-corruption and sexual harassment policy; A track record of delivering quality and timely project results. 3. Organizational expertise in the area of specified programme: Evidence that the organization is able to conduct quality trainings and facilitate networking, or previous experience and expertise in conducting trainings on women s issues. 4. Accountability and Financial Control: A functioning internal control framework and process to deliver quality and timely project results. 5. Grassroots presence/outreach: Evidence of the organization having grassroots networks in the country. Where to submit proposals? The proposals should be sent under the subject of Training for University Students, Local Leaders, and Civil Society Youth Groups on the Concepts of CEDAW, UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions in the subject of your letter or email. The applicants should submit their proposal in either of below mentioned ways: 1. In a sealed envelope to the following address: PO Box: 949, UN Women Afghanistan, UNOCA Compound, Jalalabad Road, Kabul, Afghanistan 2. Via e-mail to: registry.unwomen.af@unwomen.org, copying Mariam.khalil@unwomen.org Please note that receiving the application electronically is preferred.
ANNEXES The following documents have to be annexed to your proposal: Annex 1: Project workplan Annex 2:Project budget Annex 3: Registration certificate Annex 4: Copy of code of conduct Annex 5: Contact details of three references
Technical Evaluation Criteria S/N Requirement Points Points Obtainable received Section One: Expertise of the Organization/Technical Capacity 1 Registration with Ministry of Economy of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan 4 Reputation of Organization and Staff: Documented successful track record (for newly formed organizations, the personnel to be assigned to the 6 2 UN Women project should have a proven track record in this area); A proven commitment to results and accountability (able to provide records of successful projects); Proven credibility in the region, especially credibility in terms of conducting trainings and networking opportunities particularly on gender equality General Organizational Capability: Strength of project management; Record and evidence of organizational culture of accountability, such as a 6 3 written code of conduct and a track record of delivering quality and timely project results; annual reports, audit reports of previous projects if available 4 Organizational expertise in the area of specified program: Indicated clear understanding of the requested tasks (understanding of political dynamics in Afghanistan, the objective (s) of the assignment and a description of how the applying Agency proposes to undertake the assignment) 8 5 Completeness of Proposal: the important aspects of the task have been 4 addressed in sufficient detail. 6 Grassroots presence/outreach: Does the NGO have existing grassroots 2 networks in the country/region TOTAL POINTS: 30 Section Two: Goal, Objective of the Project, Proposed Workplan, Approach and Personnel The work plan presentation and the sequence of activities including 1 milestones are clear and the planning is logical, realistic and can be 19 implemented efficiently. 2 Sufficient human resource is planned for implementing this assignment 8 3 Clear approach is presented for conducting the subject and data quality assurance 8 TOTAL POINTS: 35 Section Three: Financial Strengths of the Proposal 1 Realistic budget plan 5 2 Financial format prepared (price Schedule) and budget narrative 5 3 Cost breakdown with projection for every individual activity 6 4 Reliability of cost for each activity 5 5 Audit report (Of previous projects conducted) 2 TOTAL POINTS 23 TOTAL POINTS IN SECTIONS 1-3 88 Presentation of Proposal: Timeliness, adherence to templates, and language 12 TOTAL POINTS 100