Establishing a Pool of Site Management and Coordination Local Partners for Future Collaboration in Lebanon

Establishing a Pool of Site Management and Coordination Local Partners for Future Collaboration in Lebanon

IOM Lebanon – Site Management and Coordination

Project Background

As part of the activation of the sector system, in line with the Lebanon Flash Appeal, the Site Management and Coordination Sector has been mobilizing partners to assist populations in collective sites affected by the escalation of hostilities since September 2024. As of 7^th of November 2024, 875,180 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been identified by IOM DTM of which over 190,000 are estimated to be residing in 1,019 collective centers and Lebanon - Mobility Snapshot - Round 60 - 07-11-2024 | Displacement Tracking Matrix . As the government is responsible for all collective centers, interventions are complimentary, with greater focus on collective and migrant centers, without clear management entities. These sites are typically more underserved, particularly those in hard-to-reach locations. The escalation exacerbates the already challenging living conditions, intensifying the growing needs of these displaced communities. The Lebanese government, in collaboration with the humanitarian community, is spearheading the emergency response. At the site level, MOSA, MEHE, and various local and civil organizations are engaged in facilitating space allocation, overseeing distributions, and monitoring site flow. However, the extensive scale of displacement, compounded by significant challenges such as insufficient governmental resources to support the operational costs of collective sites, limited mobilization capabilities, understaffing, limited institutional presence in site management, and a lack of funding, has necessitated enhanced site management support.

Working closely with a network of local partners, IOM Lebanon supports initiatives that provide Shelter, Site Management and Coordination (SMC) services, Protection and Health services.

In addition to providing Site Management and Coordination Support in both government and non-government sites, IOM SMC through partnership and localization efforts, aims to connect the IDPs living in collective sites, including those in self-settled sites, unfinished and abandoned buildings, and overcrowded shelters with humanitarian service providers and support their access to a better shelter option, with safe and dignified living conditions in line with humanitarian standards and community led approach.
 

Expected Results

This call for expressions of interest (EOI) aims to establish a pool of local SMC partners for future collaboration. By mapping and understanding the capabilities and presence of actors, IOM Lebanon seeks to broaden its SMC reach, ensuring safe and dignified living conditions and that IDPs have access to services. This EOI is not tied to the implementation of any specific project; rather, it serves as a strategic opportunity to assess potential partners for future engagement as IOM responds to the evolving humanitarian needs in the country.

Specific activities and experience, include, but not limited to:

1. Deploy a mobile roving team to actively provide Site management and coordination services supporting site managers/site focal points to enhance site management capacity
2. Regular site visits to agreed coverage of districts/governorates – coverage should be in line with gaps identified by the SMC sector – regularity of which to be in line with criteria outlined by the sector
3. Regular site and service monitoring in agreed coverage areas based on agreed tools by SMC sector
4. On-going referrals to sectors and other actors to highlight gaps and needs and facilitate response, tracked on a common reporting mechanism developed by the SMC sector
5. Site improvements/repair or rehabilitation in collective sites to improve site maintenance and safety. This may include protection and prevention measures, distribution of key materials to increase privacy and dignity, small scale site improvements to reduce hazards on site and increase the quality of life in displacement sites (distribution of fire extinguishers, lighting, winterization based on needs and resources)
6. Establish Community Accountability and Feedback Mechanisms to consider frequently asked questions from sites and dissemination of responses developed in coordination with the sector and interagency efforts

Indicative Budget - Submitted proposals should be no more than USD 150,000 to 180,000. In line with IOM’s regulations, the budget will be paid in installments, depending on agreed project deliverables.

Staff costs should not exceed 25% of the total budget.

Other Information
Local agencies/National Non-Governmental Organizations (NNGO) interested in submitting an expression of interest should complete and submit the documents mentioned under the ‘Attachments’ and ‘EoI Submission Guidelines’ sections of this call.

Regarding the Terms of Reference (ToR), it will be a document outlining the potential scope of work for future collaboration. Partners are required to fill in this document, which includes the description of a proposed project that could be implemented in collaboration with IOM in the future. The proposed project should align with IOM’s Site Management and coordination mandate and the current humanitarian context in Lebanon.

Within the ToR, partners are invited to outline a project idea, focusing on Site Management and Coordination interventions. This project should demonstrate how the partner’s expertise can support IOM’s SMC operations goals and address current gaps in the sector.

All submissions will be evaluated based on the criteria shared, including the relevance of the proposed project to IOM’s SMS objectives, the partner’s capacity and sustainability, the coverage areas, as well as the innovative aspects of the project idea, although the submission of an EOI does not guarantee immediate partnership or project implementation.

This call for EOI is aimed at mapping potential SMC local partners and establishing a collaboration. Selected partners will be considered for Site Management and Coordination interventions in Lebanon as IOM’s emergency response continues to evolve.

For any questions or further clarification on the submission process or the Terms of Reference, partners can contact: IOM Lebanon Site Management Operations at the following e-mail address: LebanonSMOperations@iom.int

Selection Criteria

Criteria

Description

Weight

Relevance of organization to IOM Site Management and Coordination objectives

Demonstrated expertise and strong track record of successful site management in similar projects or environments. This includes relevant qualifications and experience in understanding the site-specific challenges.

60%

Capacity and sustainability of organization

Experience in partnering with key institutions, CSOs, and other SMC actors at national and local levels. Established presence and community relations in vulnerable or hard-to-reach areas. Proven track record in managing SMC projects with sustainable impact. Organizational capacity to contribute to the scale-up of IOM Lebanon’s SMS services. Ability to provide continuous services amid emergency response.

20%

Innovation and replicability

Demonstrated ability on a clear plan on how the project can be scaled or replicated in different contexts/location,

Demonstrated ability to engage with community and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Innovative means of engagement can include participatory planning processes, capacity building, and feedback loops that inform project development. Clear coordination mechanism that fosters communication, information sharing, and community participation.

Experience in site management strategy that promote sustainability within the site and empower resident including plans for capacity building, community engagement, and integration of services that address both immediate and long-term needs. An exit strategy that outlines how responsibilities will transition to local actors or governments is also important for ensuring continuity after the project concludes.

20%

For more information on this partnership opportunity, and to apply, please visit – https://www.iom.int  

The organizations responding to this call need to demonstrate their capacity to implement all listed activities as a single package. Partial applications for individual activities will not be considered.

IOM reserves the right to cancel/reduce the scope of planned activities or to introduce new/broaden the scope of the existing activities. Selected Implementing partner needs to be ready to develop a detailed budget based on submitted proposal in two weeks upon receiving the notification from IOM.

All applicants will receive written notification, within two weeks after the deadline for the submission of Concept Note, of the outcome of the selection process. Should an applicant request further clarification, IOM will provide a response explaining the transparency and integrity of the selection process undertaken.

IOM reserves the right to decline disclosure of the specificity of decision derived by the IOM mission due to reasons related to confidentiality.

IOM reserves the right to accept or reject any Expression of Interest, and to annul the selection process and reject all Expression of Interest at any time, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Implementing Partners.

For more information, please contact in writing Osti Angela, Program Manager at LebanonSMOperations@iom.int