| Overview : CFP-181/21 Call for Proposals from NGO/CSOs for the Establishment and Capacity Building for Young Media Professionals forums to Promote Social Cohesion II Attention to all bidders: - Proposal conference minutes, and - Q and A (received via email) have been posted. Please be guided accordingly. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Social Cohesion Programme is a five-year initiative launched in 2020 to improve the enabling environment for peace and social cohesion in all areas of Iraq. Many entrenched sectarian and social divisions have followed the war against ISIL in Iraq and are further impacted by recent anti-government political demonstrations. Historical grievances also exist, which must be stemmed by raising awareness about the impact of violence, giving voice to grievances, and facilitating opportunities for citizens to dialogue and restore trust with each other. The programme’s activities aim to facilitate locally driven solutions and support the integration of conflict sensitivity and social cohesion into Iraq’s governance, stabilization, and development agendas. The media and advocacy component of the programme seeks to improving media’s potential to promote positive narratives and increasing people’s understanding of each other. It will address segregation, insecurity and resultant risks of violence and extremism and media’s potential to positively inform attitudes and perceptions. Efforts will target media institutions and media professionals to be supported to improve conflict sensitive content generation and reportage and strengthen positive social cohesion narratives. In 2020, UNDP Social Cohesion Programme established citizen journalism networks in Baghdad, Anbar, Ninewa, Salah al-Din, Diyala, Najaf, Karbala, Dhi Qar, and KR-I. 120 young journalists and social media bloggers, and activists trained to use digital tools in journalism to promote peace and coexistence. Over 300 media products, videos, articles, reports, and web stories were produced to support peacebuilding efforts and published on the newly established Tanoua (تنوع) website. Knowing how important it is to equip young journalists with the latest tools and methods in media and the gap between the media curriculum in Iraq and the rapid development in the media sector over the last 2 decades, UNDP introduced a citizen journalism and social cohesion manual. 1000 copies distributed to media faculties, students, and media professionals in Arabic and Kurdish languages and is available online. Through the ToR attached under Appendix I, UNDP seek to contract an implementing partner who will be responsible to run Tanoua website, provide training to citizen journalism networks in Baghdad, Anbar, Ninawa, Salah al-Din, Diyala, Najaf, Karbala, Dhi Qar, and KR-I on journalism ethics and standards, and how to combat hate speech and violent extremism ideas on social media, and organize a set of roundtables with media stakeholders in Iraq to discuss the future of media in general and the citizen journalism in particular and how media can contribute to peace and security, and produce a detailed report with recommendations and follow up steps. Eligibility Criteria The applicant organizations must be non-profit non-governmental organizations (NGOs) experienced in media with focus on Iraq and MENA region, with Registration with the Federal Government of Iraq and preferable the Kurdish Regional Government. Without the Federal Government of Iraq Registrations, the submission will not be deemed eligible. eTendering: Bidders, who registered on the e-tendering, will be able to download the complete bidding documents from the e-tendering website at: https://etendering.partneragencies.org Qualified local NGOs are strongly encouraged to apply. The applicant organizations must have the following minimum expertise and experience: - Proven knowledge and understanding of media issues in Iraq, with an emphasis on managing and producing content on different social media platforms, an understanding to the role of citizen journalism and social cohesion issues, youth and women empowerment and countering violent extremism and hate speech on social media platforms especially in the targeted locations (Baghdad, Anbar, Ninawa, Salah al-Din, Diyala, Najaf, Karbala, Dhi Qar, and KR-I). - Proven expertise and experience in working on media training and capacity building for journalists and social media influencers and bloggers, strong ability and experience to facilitate and report high level meetings and discussion. - Proven technical expertise and experience in the design, implementation, and management of media development project using innovative ways. - Proven expertise and experience in working on conflict sensitivity and gender programming, with experience in reducing violence, re-establishing peace, and enhancing collaborative relations among different groups in Iraq through media, particularly with, peace activists, youth and women. - Proven organizational management expertise, including on administration, finance, human resources, procurement and operations. - Proven, strong social capital and partnerships with local organizations, networks and movements (particularly those working on issues relevant to this TOR) in the target locations specified in this TOR, and the proven ability to create formal working relationships to collaboratively implement this project. - A minimum of 5 years of active experience, undertaking similar work in Iraq with a wide range of stakeholders. The core team for implementation of the project shall be comprised of the following key staff profiles: 1. Project Manager (1 position) 2. Project Coordinator (1 position) 3. Website administration (1 position) 4. Capacity Building Specialist (1 position) 5. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Specialist (1 position) 6. Finance and administration Officer (1 position) Scope of the Technical and financial proposal The Technical Proposal must be submitted in keeping with the template provided in Annex A, and the Financial Proposal must be submitted in keeping with the template provided in Annex B. The overall Submission must be accompanied with the following minimum supporting documentation. 1. Copy of Registration with the Federal Government of Iraq and preferably with the Kurdish Regional Government 2. CVs (establishing competence and demonstrating qualifications/skills relevant to the TOR) of the technical, management and implementation support personnel proposed to work on the Project 3. Annual certified financial report and Audit Report is undertaken during the last 2 years. 4. Profile of the proposed partners (if applicable). 5. Evidence of the Organization’s Regulations/Policies and Procedures, manuals with regards to human resources and financial management, procurement and contracting and administration. 6. Evidence of previous relevant experience that qualifies the Organization to undertake this Project. 7. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the organization should take all necessary actions and safeguarding procedures required to protect staff and beneficiaries against the virus. 8. Duly completed NGO Request for Information (RFI) template attached under Annex C. The Financial Proposal must provide a detailed cost breakdown for the achievement of each Output, providing separate figures for each expense category. Project Management and indirect costs must be reflected separately, and not exceed a total of 18% of the total budget. The cost breakdown will be used to determine the value for money against each unit cost, as well as the calculation of price in the event both parties have agreed to add new deliverables to the scope of services. The Financial Proposal Template provided is to guide the applicant, and not to restrict the applicant. Please also submit an excel budget separately. Duration The implementation of the Project shall last for one year for the date of signing the contract with the target being to complete all the activities within this period. Potential applicants should refer to the “Frequent Asked Questions” posted in UNDP’s website. A pre-bid conference will be held on Time: 12:00 - 13:00 Iraq local time Date: 9 May 2021 Venue : Skype meeting All interested proposers are encouraged to participate in the pre-proposal conference. The UNDP focal point for this arrangement is: Enkhmandakh Ishdorj, Procurement Specialist Email: enkhmandakh@undp.org Proposers interested to attend the Pre-Proposal Conference must send the following information to the above-mentioned e-mail address before 12:00 noon on 8 May 2021 including participants name, company name and skype i.d. Note: UNDP reserves the right not to fund any proposals arising from this Call for Proposals | 
