IOM Call for Proposals

Implementation of the referral mechanism for medical and psychosocial care for the benefit of cross-border traders and Porters in Rusizi District.

Background

Cross Border Trade (CB) represents a vital source of livelihoods and food security for African border communities, enhancing the potentials for regional economic integration and political stability in the Great Lakes region. Over the past two decades, informal CT (ICT) has increasingly come under the prism of research institutes and international organizations for its flexibility to adapt to rapid political, economic, military and environmental changes. However, despite many efforts to regularize the CT, the sector remains largely informal, partially regulated by simplified trading regime and predominantly operated by women traders. 

While acknowledging the potential for economic development and the regional dimension of foreign trade, there are crucial aspects of CT to consider that relate to women's well-being and social cohesion in cross-border communities. The border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) can represent both an area of economic opportunities and a space of multiple challenges for many women traders and carriers. According to a study conducted by IOM in 2020, despair, frustration and fear are frequently mentioned as causes that affect the mental health of women traders, who mainly depend on this source of income for their survival, that of their children and their families. members of their family.

The International Organization for Migration in Rwanda (IOM), through the support of the European Union (EU), is implementing a 3-year cross-border project - “Secure cross-border social, economic and commercial activities in the Great Lakes Region” - aimed at improving trading relations among the bordering communities of Rusizi (Rwanda) and Bukavu (Democratic Republic of Congo - DRC), enhancing women’s welfare and social cohesion initiatives. Under this operational framework, IOM launched a survey in Rusizi and Bukavu to assess psychosocial needs and social cohesion resources in the bordering communities between October 2019 and March 2020.

The present Call for Proposals is part of the operational plan developed by IOM on the basis of the results of the action-research and measures suggested by the study to enhance women’s welfare and cross-border trade in Rusizi District/ Rwanda.

As part of this action, IOM and its partners implemented pilot activities aimed at supporting the economic and psychosocial well-being of women cross-border traders and their families. Based on good practices and lessons learned in the pilot phase, a mapping of actors and support structures has been developed in order to establish a long-term referral mechanism. The referral mechanism takes into account four strategic areas specific to informal cross-border trade, including: improving medical and psychological care for vulnerable people and victims of gender-based violence; the management of conflicts of cross-border traders; managing potential conflicts between women cross-border traders and border officials.

With a view to continuing to contribute to the improvement of the mental health and well-being of women engaged in small cross-border trade through effective support, IOM plans to popularize and implement the referral mechanism as well that support for cross-border coordination on issues aimed at social cohesion between communities.

The actions planned and presented in this call for proposals will ensure continuity of action and consolidate the process of supporting the well-being of women traders in Rusizi and Bukavu. This plan foresees the commitment of two implementation partners, one in Rwanda/Rusizi District and one in DR Congo/Bukavu, for the review, popularization and implementation of the referral mechanism.

This plan envisages the engagement of one implementing partner, to implement community-based activities, awareness campaigns and mediation initiatives between cross-border traders and borders authorities, in coordination with IOM Staff and Social Cohesion Mobile Team in Rusizi District.

Scope of the Call for Proposals

IOM Rwanda is seeking applications from eligible Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Rwanda with experience in delivering conflict mitigation and social cohesion initiatives, protection, and psychosocial services, in bordering communities of Rusizi District.

The overall goal of this Call for Proposals is to enhance women’s welfare and protection services to vulnerable cross-border traders and porters in the bordering communities of Rusizi District. This objective should be achieved through the direct provision of psychosocial support activities and social cohesion initiatives, access to cross-border markets and credit schemes, business enhancement and trade expertise, inclusion in professional networks and cohesive communities.

The specific objectives of the Call for Proposals are as follows:

1. Revision, update, finalization, and consolidation of the existing referral mechanism
2. Facilitate the training of border officials and local actors who will be responsible for raising awareness of the mechanism and will represent a bridge for referrals.
3. Popularization and implementation of the referral mechanism for the benefit of women trading on both sides of the borders.
4. Impact assessment as well as elaboration of recommendations on the challenges to be covered (support services not available or additional needs), which should be considered in future actions.

Project Proposals should address at least two of the four specific objectives of the Call for Proposals, clearly indicating implementing modalities, synergies among activities, theory of change, selection criteria for beneficiaries, benchmarks and output/outcome indicators. Partnership among NGOs and CSOs are eligible, provided that each partner is clearly tasked with project activities and managerial responsibilities within the consortium. 

Guidelines for submitting applications

1. Duration of the project

The proposed projects may have a duration of between 2 and 3 months, starting in June 2023 and will be completed no later than September 2023.

2. Beneficiaries

Proposed projects should target vulnerable cross-border traders and carriers, their business organizations, families and communities. 

3. Geographic coverage

The proposed projects should cover at least three districts of Ruzizi and Bukavu in the DRC where the economic relevance of cross-border trade is high (proximity to the border, presence of markets, cooperatives, shops).

Evaluation criteria

IOM will assess project proposals based on their relevance to the above thematic areas and their compliance with the general purpose and specific objectives of this Call for Proposals. Project proposals will be evaluated and ranked according to a scoring point system. Each proposal will be assigned a technical score by the review committee appointed by IOM. IOM reserves the right to carry out due diligence on any organization that is shortlisted, which may include a verification visit to headquarters and a request for additional documentation.

Experience in working with cross-borders traders (max. 30 points).  

The candidate needs to send a table with previous experience of similar interventions to the one proposed, by outlining:

The candidate should send a table detailing their previous experience of the intervention similar to the one proposed, underlining.

• Project title
• Duration of project activities
• The project's objectives
• Main activities
• Partnerships, if applicable.

ii) Effective budget (max. 15 points)

The budget should include a detailed overview of all costs against activities in accordance with the attached budget template. Staff and office costs should not exceed 15% of activity costs. Other overhead costs are not eligible. 

iii) Organization Capacity (max. 15 points)

The candidate must demonstrate both physical capability (e.g. human resource capacity, means of transportation, availability of bank account) and technical knowledge and expertise. For project management staff (project manager and financial assistant), a CV must also be included.

iv) Quality of proposal (max. 15)

The proposal must be clear and in line with the expected objectives of the IOM call for proposals. Target groups and indicators should be realistic and measurable. A proposal that contravenes fundamental ethical principles such as the “do no harm” principle, gender inclusion and respect for diversity or fails to comply with relevant security procedures will not be selected.

Eligible Institutions

They will be considered eligible, national and local associations such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) legally registered in Rwanda.

The candidate must have:

• Work experience in similar interventions.
• Adequate and qualified personnel in relation to the activities.
• Be legally registered to operate in Rwanda and/or DRC.
• Applicants must have established outreach capacities with linkages to the beneficiary groups identified in the program description.

Reporting requirement

The selected organization must provide IOM with an interim narrative report, no later than 15 days after the interim period of the project which will be specified in the Contract, and a final narrative and financial report, no later than 15 days after completion. of the project. Disbursement will be in installments and based on submission and approval of reports.

Duration of assignment                                                                                                                                                    

The selected organization will be contracted by IOM for a minimum period of 2 to 4 months.                                                                                                                                                    

Financial resources: The financial ceiling for each project proposal will be a maximum of 15,000 USD.                        

How to apply: The applicant organization is required to submit a project proposal, including:

• Narrative proposal (max. 6 pages) - Annex A
• Financial proposal following the budget format – Annex B
• Organization Profile
• Copy of government registration as an NGO or CSO
• List of relevant past projects in a table (max 2 pages).
• CVs of staff directly involved in the implementation.

Applications must be accompanied by a letter from the applicant organization, with the signature of the official representative and the official stamp of the organization. Applications can be written in English or in French and should be submitted electronically to: IOMRwandaProcurement@iom.int                                                                                      

Deadline: Applications should be sent to IOM no later than June 18^th, 2023

Any request for additional information should be sent in writing at least one week before the submission deadline to: IOMRwandaProcurement@iom.int