CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Country: Djibouti
Closing date: 18 Oct 2014

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ENERGY PROJECT INTENDED TO REFUGEES OF ALI ADDEH AND HOLL HOLL CAMPS AND DJIBOUTI URBAN REFUGEES

Notre Réf : 002/HCR/PRG/08/2014

The Representation of the United Nation High Commissioner for refugees in Djibouti launches a call for expression of interest for the implementation of the energy project intended to refugees based camps in Ali Addeh and Holl Holl and urban refugees in Djibouti during the year 2015.

The purpose of the Call for Expression of Interest is to solicit interest from existing or prospective partners that wish to participate in the Djibouti UNHCR operation and contribute complementary resources (human resources, knowledge, funds, in-kind contributions, supplies and/or equipment) to achieving common objectives.

Title and project identification:Care and maintenance intended to Somali and Eritreans refugees and asylum seekers of Djibouti

Operational Context

Djiboutiis a small country located in the East/Horn of Africa region, at the entry point to the Red Sea. It is strategically located on one of the busiest international maritime routes and plays a pivotal role in the international community’s efforts to fight piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. The country is also actively engaged, both politically and militarily, in the search for peace and security in Somalia.

The country maintained cordial relationships with its neighboring countries. However, the standstill in the border dispute with Eritrea also remained. Although the situation remained calm at the border between the two countries, the dispute has not found a decisive settlement yet. At the same time, Djibouti, like other countries in the region, has been faced with repeated threats of terrorist attacks which pushed the authorities to tighten security measures in the country. Movements of refugees across the country were subjected to tighter controls and police round-ups conducted in Djibouti town in order to curb illegal migration. Based on the precariousness of the stability in the region and especially in Somalia, this situation will continue to adversely affect refugee protection and will remain an operational challenge.

Brief presentation of the sectorial needs, objectives, intended results and main activities

Among the challenges of the Djibouti operation, access to kerosene and other sources of energy for persons of concern to UNHCR is a considerable gap in the context of financial constraints. Furthermore, the climate and the environment do not enable UNHCR and implementing partners to provide alternative solutions such as firewood because the country is characterized by a semi-arid environment without trees. Cutting trees in the country is forbidden. It also presents a high risk of SGBV against women who are forced to go very far from the camps to collect firewood. In 2014 UNHCR has initiated a pilot project with the Ministry of Environment to provide firewood, harvested under supervision, to households. While awaiting the results of this project, the following issues have been noted since the past few years: insufficient quantity of kerosene provided (one liter/person/month); irregularity of kerosene distribution; a lack of a sustainable energy strategy; the possibilities of renewable energy are not sufficiently explored (only a pilot project of solar lanterns and improved stoves was implemented in 2011 but not evaluated for possible extension); low funding of the energy program; and insufficient funds to sustain research for new technology based on local materials.

To improve the situation, UNHCR and its partners have to explore new and alternative solutions which could improve access to sufficient energy for the persons of concern. The following root solutions should be envisaged: develop and implement a strategy for the access to sustainable energy; provide households with energy-saving equipment (such as improved stoves); provide training to persons of concerns on energy-saving practices; explore alternative energy such as solar technology (provide solar cooking equipment/ solar household lanterns); improve awareness on energy-saving; and conduct an assessment on energy

Some indicators:

Impact Indicator: % of households with access to sustainable energy

Output:Alternative/renewable energy promoted

Performance Indicator: % of households using alternative and/or renewable energy (e.g. solar, biogas, ethanol, environmentally friendly briquet, wind)

% of households using firewood harvested in a supervised manner

Output:Electricity/ lighting provided

Performance Indicator: % of households with access to electricity/lighting

% of health facilities with access to electricity/lighting

Output:Energy saving practices promoted

Performance Indicator:% of households provided with energy saving equipments

Output:Strategy developed and implemented

Performance Indicator: Sustainable energy strategy developed and implemented (yes/no)

As of 31 July 2014, Djibouti hosts 20,687 refugees and 3,814 asylum seekers (total population of concern is 24,501). The refugee population is 95.64% Somalis, 2.59% Ethiopians, 1.66% Eritreans and 0.11% nationals from other countries (Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, Bangladesh, Burundi, RDC…etc.). 82.9% of the population is living in the camps (18,134 in Ali-Addeh and 2,202 in Holl Holl) where a multi-sectorial assistance is delivered by UNHCR and its partners. The remaining 4,165 is urban caseload. The past few weeks were marked by reduced registration of new arrivals

Period covered: 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015.

Main country work languages: French and Somali. At the camp, Somali and English are the common languages.

How to apply:

To apply, organisations can use the Concept Note Response form attached in DOC-format on this page.

The submission can be presented either in French or English and should include below information considered as selection criteria:

Sector expertise and experience: the required specific skills, sector specialists, knowledge and human resources. 35pts

Project management: ability to deliver project objectives, accountability mechanisms and sound financial management, taking into account the audit results of the previous UNHCR-funded projects, past performance and the external audit of partners’ financial statements, where applicable. 15pts

Local experience and presence: ongoing programme in health, nutrition and reproductive/HIV programs; local knowledge; engaging refugees and other persons of concern; trust from local communities; local presence; partner policy on community relations; complaint mechanisms for persons of concern; self-organized groups of persons of concern; and other factors that would facilitate access to and better understanding of the persons of concern and that would reduce administrative difficulties. 5pts

Contribution of resources: evidenced and documented contribution of resources to the Project in cash or in-kind (e.g. human resources, supplies and/or equipment) by the partner that are presently available (or potentially mobilized by the partner) in order to supplement UNHCR resources. 35pts

Cost effectiveness: level of direct costs and administrative costs imposed on the Project in relation to project deliverables. 5pts

Experience working with UNHCR: global and/or local partnerships including knowledge of UNHCR policies, practices and programmes, including an understanding of and ability to work within UNHCR’s funding limitations and associated inherent risks. Partners that have three consecutive qualified audit opinions for UNHCR-funded projects may not be considered. 5pts

NB:

1. You will find attached a format of the concept note with key required information of the submission.
2. Interested organizations can receive more details if requested and are invited to send the concept.
3. Please write in the subject: “Call for expression of interest for the implementation of the energy project in Djibouti”
4. UNHCR reserves the right to reject any bid that does not meet the submission requirements listed above.
5. Deadline : 18 October 2014
6. Communication of decision to applicant organizations: 15 November 2014.
7. Applicant organizations are invited to send the concept note at:

UNHCR Representative Office of Djibouti

24 Route de l’IGAD, Héron

B.P 1885 Djibouti Republic

Email : djbdj@unhcr.org, Tel : (253) 35 22 00, Fax : (253) 35 86 23