Procurement Notices

I.                    Project Background:

UNDP in close collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries launched “Building Shoreline Resilience of Timor-Leste to Protect Local Communities and Their Livelihoods” project with the funding support of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).  The objective of the project is to strengthen the resilience of coastal communities by the introduction of nature-based approaches to coastal ecosystem conservation and shoreline protection integrated with strengthening the livelihoods and adaptation capacity of vulnerable coastal community.  

In addition, enhance inter- and intra-ministerial coordination for collaborative development planning as well as identify and research potential revenue streams for long term sustainability.

As the development challenges of coastal areas are complex and cross-sectoral; the project will be implemented in close collaboration with the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) through the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment; Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Social Solidarity, University of Timor Leste(UNTL), NGOs and private enterprise.  It also employs an integrated approach, while tailoring activities to address the specific needs, challenges and priorities of the Government of Timor Leste.

Mangroves and coastal wetlands are highly vulnerable to the projected impacts of climate change, particularly sea-level rise (SLR). An estimated 80% of mangroves have been lost in Timor Leste, since 1940 (Boggs et al. 2009, Alongi 2014), due to a combination of both, climate related risks (i.e. sea level rise, increased storm events) and also, non-climate related anthropogenic impacts (i.e. demand for fuel wood, building materials, salt production, rice production, uncontrolled grazing).  While the relative contribution of these causal, climate and non-climate factors is unknown, anecdotal evidence (i.e. the lack of natural regeneration in many areas), suggest SLR has had major impacts, particularly on the north coast.  The loss of mangrove forests has resulted in greater exposure to sea surges, inundation, erosion and accretion processes.

The pressures from upland areas, coupled with the rapidly rising sea level, are putting coastal communities (and the ecosystems and resources upon which they depend), particularly at risk. Over the past two decades, mangroves, which serve as a natural defense to the sea, have been severely degraded leaving the country’s shoreline and coastal communities vulnerable to coastal inundation, erosion, salt water intrusion, and impacts of sea-borne natural hazards (e.g. waves, storm surges, and in extreme cases, small scale tsunamis).

The major non-climate impacts on mangroves include large-scale land clearance and conversion for rice farming and traditional salt production, and also use as fuelwood for cooking and household income. Mangroves are also illegally cut for house construction, boat building, and also for fuel wood to support traditional salt-making livelihood activities. There are very limited incentives for coastal communities in Timor Leste to protect and conserve mangroves.  Further, restoration projects to-date have been short-term; too short for community learnings to take place and for mangroves to have time to regenerate.

Communities are not guided or provided with sufficient incentives to become stewards of natural resources, ecosystems or the essential services that grant coastal protection and livelihood sustainability. There are some interventions by the government to improve the situation in mangrove areas, like in Ulmera village where mangrove rehabilitation and replanting have been piloted to cover 3km2 mangrove area. But rarely are mangrove rehabilitation and livelihood development linked to achieve sustainable results. Employment and income generation potential associated with mangrove rehabilitation, protection and sustainable management has not been exploited as part of the local, suco level development plans, investments or public and private partnership initiatives.

There is limited knowledge about the win-win solutions, whereby protection of natural assets such as mangroves can effectively protect and sustain physical and economic assets against climate change induced hazards and at the same time deliver on social and economic benefits.

This project will systematically strengthen the synergistic relationship between coastal communities and mangroves ecosystems and ensure that coastal communities in Timor Leste have economic incentives to maintain and safeguard these protective natural systems, without compromising their livelihood options.  This will be achieved through community-led adaptation interventions, that include mangrove re-afforestation, conservation and livelihood diversification options (such as agroforestry, fish ponds, intensive gardening, fruit trees, developed through integrated community-based land use models and adaptation plans (such as the Forest-Fish-Fruit mound-ditch model, successfully implemented in Bangladesh. In addition, public awareness will be enhanced about the important role of coastal ecosystems in shoreline protection and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

In line with this, UNDP would like to invite experienced NGOs and CBOs to submit a project proposal to collaborate in the implementation of community based ecological mangrove/ coastal ecosystem restoration and upstream sustainable land management (SLM) activities integrated with mangroves supportive alternative livelihoods activities.

Project Target site: Hera and Wenunuk sucos, Dili, Municipality

Further assessment of sites against the established criteria will be conducted during the project initiation phase in each target area with the technical support of Mangrove Specialist.

II.                  Scope of the Intervention:

The overall aim of the project should be to restore the existing and rehabilitate the degraded mangroves ecosystem in the targeted areas through community based approach integrated with mangrove supportive livelihoods options for the local communities that emphasizes natural regeneration and restoration.

III.                Main Tasks and Deliverables: The Grantee main responsibilities include:

1. Target identification: both areas for mangrove and coastal biodiversity restoration/rehabilitation and direct and indirect beneficiaries
2. Community consultation, sensitization and awareness raising on climate change, ecosystem and natural resources management, mangroves, etc.
3.  Mobilize the community and engage stakeholders to implement the planed project activities
4. Engage with local government and partners
5. Implement planned activities as per Annual Work Plan, prepare periodic reports
6. Document best practices, organize learning and sharing events, plan for scale-up and replication of successful practices
7. Monitoring and Evaluation
8. Others as deemed relevant

IV.                Who may Submit Proposals: experienced international, national or subnational NGO, CSOs or CBOs implementing on-the-ground capacity building project and financed by a grant.

V.                  Competencies:

·                     Demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking and expertise in mangroves and coastal landscape management

·                     Proven experiences in working with community-led initiatives, community mobilization

·                     Proven capacity to implement and achieve set target

·                     Strong community mobilization, awareness raising and organizing capacity

·                     Strong presentation and facilitation skills.

·                     Excellent command of English with exceptional writing, presentation, communication and facilitation skills.

VI.                Budget: The maximum amount per grant award for such project will be limited to $50,000, with applicants required to provide a detailed budgetary estimate. Administrative cost (logistical, staff salary and other related costs should be within 15% - 20% of the total budget). UNDP will evaluate performance of the grantee and fund release is result based.

VII.              Project Period: March - Dec 2018

VIII.            Organizations can apply for one or more Districts based on their expertise and presence in the districts in implementing similar projects

For more information, contact Mr. Ivo Cancio at ivo.cancio@undp.org, Phone no. 78022992 or Mr. Roni Pati Tpoi, at  roni.tpoi@undp.org, Phone no. 78616921/78059295    

Completed proposals should be received (sealed hard and soft copy) by Procurement Unit of UNDP Caicoli, Dili, Timor Leste no later than [15 February 2018].

Note: Please ensure that a project proposal and all attachments are legible. All supporting documents (attachments) should also have the name of the project on them. Keep a copy of your proposal for your own records as the one you submit will not be returned.

Annex 1 : Proposal Out line and Content

1. Applicant

Name of Organization: _____________________________________________________

Established _________________ Number of members ______________Number of similar projects implemented_________ and ongoing _______

Mailing Address:              ______________________________________________________

Physical Address:             ______________________________________________________

Telephone:                         ______________________________________________________

Fax:                                        _____________________ E-Mail: _________________________

Project Title                     ______________________________________________________

Principal Officer:              ______________________________________________________ 

(Name and Position)

Project Contact/Manager: _______________________________________________ 

(Name and Position)

Proposed Starting Date: ___________ Expected Project Duration: ____________________

1. Project Proposal Content

·         Background/ introduction 

·         Project rationale      

·         Design principles and strategic considerations            

·         Project Objective, Outcomes and Outputs/activities

·         Key indicators, risks and assumptions            

·         Cost-effectiveness  

·         Sustainability            

·         Replicability                               

·         Project Results Framework (Please use the annexed standard format)

·         Detailed Budget and Annual Work Plan (Please use the annexed standard format)

·         Management Arrangements

·         Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

·         Stakeholder Involvement Plan           

·         Compliance with UNDP Safeguards

·         Exit strategy

·         Legal Context

·         Annexes     

1. Proposed Budget

·         Fund Requested- from UNDP: _____________                       

·         Fund from other sources including own contribution: _____________

·         Total project cost: ______________

1. Organizational Background and Capacity to implement the Propose Project (max 1 page)

This section should clearly demonstrate that the proposing organization has the experience, capacity, and commitment to implement successfully the proposed project. Among the issues to be covered in this section include:

·         Nature of the proposing organization – Is it a community-based organization, national or sub-national NGO?

·         Purpose and core activities of the organization

·         Organizational approach (philosophy) for project implementation, i.e. how does the organization deliver its projects?

·         Length of existence and project management experience

·         Organizational structure, governance and administrative framework: number of paid staff members, volunteers, if any.

·         Membership and affiliation to associations or umbrella organizations

·         Legal status - registration with government approved authority

·         Target population group (women, local communities, youth, etc.)

·         Previous experience relevant to the proposed project including: projects addressing problems of Coastal Biodiversity loss, Climate Change Mitigation and/or Adaptation, land degradation/Sustainable Forest Management and Pollution of Water Resources. Experience in implementing projects that focus on environment and natural resources management and sustainable development at community level.

1. Proposed Methodology and Approach to implement the Project (max 2pages)

·         Provide a description of organizational structure and readiness to implement the project

·         Provide suggested work plan and timetable. This section may be presented in graphical (table) form and can be attached as an annex. It should indicate the sequence of all major activities and implementation milestones, including targeted beginning and ending dates for each step

·         Describe how stakeholders and communities will be involved in target setting and implementation of the project  

1. Quality of Personnel and Suitability for the implementation of the Project - CVs

·         This section should demonstrate proven in-house experience – evidence that the applicant can successfully implement the project

·         Provide information on team composition and task assignments, and attached CVs/resume of key experts

·         Details of current staff and qualifications: organizational structure that indicate the total number of professional, administrative and support staff etc.

1. Additional information

·         Provide additional information or description of resources supporting your organization’s qualification for the proposed assignment, including any recommendations, certificates, award, brochures, pamphlets etc. the grantee wishes to attach.

Annex 1 : Technical Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation forms for technical proposals  are presented below. The obtainable number of points specified for each evaluation criterion indicates the relative significance or weight of the item in the overall evaluation process.

The Technical Proposal Evaluation Forms are: Form 1: Expertise of Organization Submitting Proposal; Form 2: Proposed Work Plan and Approach; Form 3: Personnel.

Note: The score weights and points obtainable in the evaluation sheet are tentative and may be changed depending on the need or major attributes of technical proposal.

Annex 2. Logical framework