INVITATION FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR PARTNERSHIP

INVITATION FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR PARTNERSHIP

The Secours Islamique France (hereinafter referred to as the “SIF”) wishes to invite suitable international and local Non-Governmental Organizations to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) to partner with the SIF in humanitarian and development programs in Lebanon.

A. Background:

Founded in 1991, the SIF is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) of national and international solidarity, acting for more than 30 years in France and around the world.

With its headquarters in Massy, France, SIF is dedicated to reducing poverty and vulnerability in France and in 15 countries around the world without regard to race, religion, gender or ethnicity.

The humanitarian principles by which the SIF abides by are impartiality & universality, neutrality & independence, and responsibility and transparency.

SIF intervenes where humanitarian and social needs require it by mobilizing emergency/humanitarian and relief operations, setting up early recovery, rehabilitation and development programs and advocacy actions.

SIF is duly registered in Lebanon by Decree 13572/2014, with its Lebanon Country Office in Beirut and a suboffice in Tripoli. SIF implements programs for vulnerable individuals and communities in Lebanon, . Our sectors of operation are Child Protection, Livelihoods, Food Security and both directly and with national NGO partners, with previous implementation in the WASH and Education sectors. SIF actively participates in both national and regional coordination mechanisms and liaises with relevant local authorities.

SIF defines a partnership as being the merging of efforts, skills and resources (human and/or financial) between different stakeholders while maintaining an autonomy in order to carry out common projects. A partnership also includes a notion of agreement on common objectives and an implementation calendar. A partnership allows the various actors involved to join forces to extend, diversify and complete their projects as well as their quality and impact. By optimizing their resources, providing their expertise, and using their bonds of trust with local communities, the partners ensure the proper implementation of projects. This is why SIF is currently searching for partners.

B. The purpose of this EOI:

In its new strategic direction, SIF is currently in the process of mapping suitable international and local NGOs that have the required capacity to implement programs in SIF’s Strategic Sectors:

• Education and promotion of child welfare
• (Food) Security & Livelihoods
• WASH
• Shelter & Rehabilitation

As well as in SIF’s cross-cutting areas of intervention:

• Gender protection
• Environment protection/climate change adaptation
• Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

The purpose of this invitation for EOI is to identify potential partners through a competitive pre-selection process. Eligible organizations will be included in the SIF potential partner roster, but will not necessarily sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and collaborate with SIF.

SIF will acknowledge receipt of the submitted EOIs. EOI submissions will then be reviewed on the basis of pre-established internal criteria. All applying organizations will be informed about the outcome of their submission.

The preselected partners will then be informed on how to proceed further and go through a more in-depth capacity assessment of their organization in order to potentially be selected.

If and when collaboration opportunities present themselves. SIF will approach preselected agencies to ascertain their interest in collaborating on the co-creation of a project design and budget to match the opportunity.

C. Eligibility criteria of potential cooperating partners:

In order for an organization to be preselected, they must fill in the “information sheet” and “screening sheet” (see Annexes) to ensure that they are aligned with SIF’s operational standards and values. Any application received without these completed documents will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

Preference will be given to organizations that meet the following criteria:

• Be registered in the Lebanon and have the authorization to operate in the area (relevant approval certificates should be provided along the information sheet);
• Be an active member of relevant sector working groups;
• Have an operational presence in Beirut/Mount Lebanon (BML), North Governorate and/or Akkar Governorate.
• Have the institutional and technical capacity to implement humanitarian and/or development and resilience programs benefitting the vulnerable local populations.

D. Review Process and timeline:

The invitation for EOI will be open to receive submissions until 7 July 2023 (midnight, Lebanon time). SIF will then assess the documents listed above and will pre-select potential cooperating partners based on the review of the required documents and information. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their submissions before or on 31 July 2023 via email. The preselected potential partners will then be asked to participate and collaborate in the realization of an Organization Capacity Assessment.

E. How to prepare and submit your EOI:

Organizations that wish to participate in the invitation for EOI are requested to submit their application in English, addressed to:

At the following email: [email protected]  

With the subject heading: EOI_SIF_country name_name of organization

Before or on 7 July 2023 (midnight, Lebanon, time)

Interested organizations are requested to complete and submit the attached Partner Information Sheet of a maximum of 4 pages (excluding annexes).

For further information or queries, please use the same email address mentioned above.

Please send all your questions before 7 July 2023

Note this is not a call for Proposal. This invitation does not bind SIF to issue any agreement or contract to the organizations who express their interests.

List of Annexes to be completed and uploaded with the EOI:

Annex 1. Partner Information Sheet

Annex 2. Partner screening Sheet