Establishing a Pool of Protection Partners for Future Collaboration in Lebanon
Call for Expression of Interest
Establishing a Pool of Protection Partners for Future Collaboration in Lebanon
IOM Lebanon – Protection Sector
Project Background
Lebanon is currently experiencing a severe and protracted emergency, exacerbating vulnerabilities across various communities, including migrants, displaced populations, and host communities. In response, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Lebanon has been actively engaged in addressing critical protection needs through a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach. IOM's protection services encompass a range of activities aimed at safeguarding the rights and well-being of individuals at risk, including victims of trafficking, survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), unaccompanied minors, and individuals facing other forms of exploitation or abuse.
Working closely with a network of local and international partners, IOM Lebanon supports initiatives that provide life-saving assistance, protection monitoring, case management, psychosocial support, and referral pathways to specialized services. These efforts are anchored in a people-centered, rights-based approach that prioritizes the needs of the most vulnerable while enhancing the capacities of local actors to respond effectively to the protection challenges on the ground.
As IOM continues to scale up its emergency response, there is a growing need to expand its network of protection partners to ensure comprehensive coverage across all regions of Lebanon. This call for expressions of interest (EOI) aims to establish a pool of potential partners who can contribute to IOM’s mission by delivering protection services or by complementing IOM’s interventions through local knowledge, outreach, or specialized expertise. The focus is on identifying new or lesser-known actors whose activities may not yet be within IOM’s radar but who have the potential to significantly contribute to the protection ecosystem in Lebanon.
Expected Results
This call for expressions of interest (EOI) aims to establish a pool of protection partners for future collaboration. By mapping and understanding the capabilities and presence of new or lesser-known actors, IOM Lebanon seeks to broaden its protection reach, ensuring that no vulnerable population is left behind. 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.
How to apply
Other Information
Partners 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 Concept Note (CN), 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 protection mandate and the current humanitarian context in Lebanon.
Within the CN, partners are invited to outline a project idea, focusing on protection-related interventions that could be activated if an opportunity arises. This project should demonstrate how the partner’s expertise can support IOM’s protection goals and address current gaps in services.
All submissions will be evaluated based on the relevance of the proposed project to IOM’s protection objectives, the partner’s capacity and sustainability, as well as the innovative aspects of the project idea. This process will help IOM establish a pool of potential partners for future collaboration, although the submission of an EOI does not guarantee immediate partnership or project implementation.
This call for EOI is aimed at mapping potential protection partners and establishing a pool for future collaboration. Selected partners may be considered for future protection interventions in Lebanon as IOM’s emergency response continues to evolve. This EOI is not linked to immediate funding or project execution but rather serves as an initial step towards exploring collaborative opportunities.
Selection Criteria
Criteria
Description
Weight
Relevance of organization to IOM protection objectives
Demonstrated expertise in protection services, including life-saving assistance, case management, psychosocial support, and referral pathways. Experience working with vulnerable populations (e.g., migrants, victims of trafficking, GBV survivors) and a rights-based approach. Proven experience in developing and implementing protection interventions, collaboration with national/local partners, and multi-sectoral coordination.
60%
Capacity and sustainability of organization
Experience in partnering with key institutions, CSOs, and other protection actors at national and local levels. Established presence and community relations in vulnerable or hard-to-reach areas. Proven track record in managing protection projects with sustainable impact. Organizational capacity to contribute to the scale-up of IOM Lebanon’s protection services. Ability to provide continuous services amid emergency response.
20%
Innovation and replicability
Demonstrated ability to implement innovative protection solutions or approaches in emergency contexts. Capacity to scale or replicate successful protection initiatives across different regions. Experience in integrating gender-sensitive and survivor-centered approaches into protection programs. Creativity in addressing emerging protection needs and gaps in Lebanon’s humanitarian context.
20%
Attachments
Description
ANNEX 1 - Implementing Partner References Checklist
ANNEX 2 - Implementing Partners General Information Questionnaire
ANNEX 3 - Concept Note Template
ANNEX 4 – Financial Assessment
ANNEX 5 – Declaration of Conformity
Annex 6 – Data Protection Principles
For more information on this partnership opportunity, and to apply, please visit
Partial applications for individual activities will not be considered. Should an applicant request further clarification, IOM will provide a response accordingly.
IOM reserves the right to cancel/reduce the scope of planned activities or to introduce new/broaden the scope of the existing activities. 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 any questions or further clarification on the submission process or the Terms of Reference, partners can contact Hiba Ramadan on hiramadan@iom.int.
Expression of Interest submission guidelines
This document contains instructions on the preparation and submission of the Application including Annex A: IP Information.
- The Application must be submitted no later than 15 January 2025 through sending an email to Hiba Ramadan on hiramadan@iom.int. Late Application will no longer be considered.
- A detailed description must be provided on how the requirements specified in the Call for Expression of Interest (CEI) issued by IOM will be matched by the capabilities, experience, knowledge and expertise of the Implementing Partners
- The Application must be submitted in the English language and in the format prescribed by IOM within the CEI. All required information must be provided, responding clearly and concisely to all the points set out. Any application which does not fully and comprehensively address these CEI requirements may be rejected.
- The Application document should comprise of the following:
- Duly accomplished application documentation as outlined within the CEI signed on all pages by the Implementing Partner’s Authorized Representative; and
- Any other relevant documents
- Applications may be modified or withdrawn in writing, prior to the closing time specified in this Request for EoI. Applications shall not be modified or withdrawn after the deadline.
- The Implementing partner shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of the Application and IOM will not in any case be responsible and liable for the costs incurred.
- IOM at no occasion will ask for an application fee from Implementing Partners.
- All information given in writing to or verbally shared with the Implementing Partners in connection with this CEI is to be treated as strictly confidential. The Implementing Partner shall not share or invoke such information to any third party without the prior written approval of IOM. This obligation shall continue after the selection process has been completed whether or not the Implementing Partner application is successful.
- IOM will treat all information (or that marked proprietary/sensitive/financial) received from Implementing Partners as confidential and any personal data in accordance with its Data Protection Principles.
- The Implementing Partner by submitting an application gives consent to IOM to share information with those who need to know for the purpose of evaluating and managing the proposal.
- IOM reserves the right to accept or reject any Application, and to cancel the process and reject all Applications, at any time without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Implementing partner or any obligation to inform the affected Implementing partner of the ground for IOM’s action.
