CSSF invites bids for building capability of the G5 Sahel Joint Force
The CSSF Sahel is seeking bids for projects that seek to increase the effectiveness of the G5SJF’s community engagement, protection of civilians and human rights compliance.
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Details
Background
CSSF
The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) is a unique cross-government fund created in 2015 to prevent conflicts and tackle threats to UK interests that arise from instability overseas. The CSSF is designed to bring innovative and creative approaches to complex problems where there are no tried and tested approaches, or where more traditional programming has not worked.
The Fund is able to take risks in complex environments and adapt to fast-moving political, economic and security situations. It is agile and able to start programming quickly, through pilots or funding projects in partnership with other donors and partners. This enables it to take opportunities and respond to evolving crises and unstable contexts.
Context
The security situation in the Sahel continues to decline. Humanitarian needs are rising and the development goals increasingly unmet. Increasing instability, especially in Mali, gives ungoverned space to conflict, serious organised crime and violent extremist groups. Security and defence forces lack the expertise, equipment and institutional structure to effectively tackle these threats to stability.
In Mali, security and defence forces have little control over large sections of the country and lack support from local populations, especially in the North. Security and defence forces are also alleged to be committing human rights violations against civilians, further reducing public trust and undermining civilian-military engagement efforts.
Improving the capability, compliance and community support for security and defence forces and regional security initiatives in the Sahel is crucial to containing the threat, stabilising the region, protecting civilians and allowing for the provision of humanitarian assistance and basic services. Investing in the capacity of regional forces is a key part of our efforts to ensure G5 ownership for a longer-term, more sustained approach to security in the region, given the increasingly cross-border nature of the threats.
UK engagement
The UK is a major humanitarian donor in the Sahel and has recently deployed troops to the integrated peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA. The CSSF Sahel Security and Stabilisation programme is seeking to complement this work by reducing violence towards civilians from conflict, serious organised crime and jihadist threats; improving trust between Sahelien states and citizens, in order to create better conditions for stabilising political settlements; and support efforts to make international security and stabilisation efforts more coordinated and effective.
The Joint Force is a key part of the security response in the region and the UK has provided support previously through the EU Africa Peace Fund as well as through small-scale bilateral projects. The UK is looking to increase the effectiveness of the Joint Force in a way that also supports G5 efforts to improve protection of civilians and ensure human rights are protected – critical to their stabilising approach.
Objectives and scope of work
Objectives
We are seeking proposals that will support our objective to improve the effectiveness of the G5SJF’s community engagement. To achieve this, we are interested in proposals that look at working with the Joint Force, civil society, or both.
Areas of focus could include, but are not limited to:
Improving the ability of the Joint Force to engage with and protect civilians in a human rights compliant way, increasing public trust
This could involve, but is not limited to:
- improving the Joint Force’s means and modes of engaging with local populations
- supporting implementation of aspects of the Joint Force Human Rights Compliance Framework
- targeted support to national forces, in a way that will improve the community engagement of the Joint Force
- supporting the meaningful participation of women in the Joint Force, to help strengthen accountability and the confidence of the population
- improving Joint Force accountability for human rights violations and civilian harm, to increase public trust
Improving the ability of conflict-affected civilians in the Joint Force’s area of operations to engage with the Joint Force and advocate for and advance their own protection
This could involve, but is not limited to:
- improve community means and modes of engaging with security forces, at the local, regional or national level
- improve understanding of local populations of their human rights and the rules and laws surrounding proper conduct of security forces, and expectations of what interactions they can and should have to improve their own security
Proposals should be based on a conflict sensitive approach, which uses research, monitoring and evaluation to ensure interventions are well coordinated with other initiatives on the ground to maximise effect and address the most pressing need in the most effective way possible. Proposals should “do no harm” and be based on local ownership and long term sustainability. Research may be an element of this.
Scope
Proposals must clearly demonstrate how the work will help HMG to deliver against our objectives as outlined above. Proposals can be for one or more projects, covering a combination of the areas of focus identified or other areas in support of our objectives.
We will consider proposals which look at a number of G5 countries, or focus on Mali specifically, with a variety of project approaches as necessary. We are particularly interested to see proposals focused on working in cross-border communities.
Proposals should demonstrate consideration of other donors, implementing partners, and existing projects in the region. The proposal should make clear how the proposed intervention complements other activities, making them more effective, adding niche added-value and ensuring through coordination with allies and partners we achieve more than the sum of our parts.
Budget
Our budget for this work is £1,000,000 for FY 2021/22. Project proposals should not exceed this amount whether singularly or collectively. Bids can be non-ODA, or a combination of ODA and non-ODA. As this is grant funding, only not-for-profit external organisations are eligible to submit proposals to this call for bids.
It is likely that FCDO will seek further funding for UK Financial Years 2022/23 – 2023/24. Proposals should therefore have a 1-3 year scope, but with each year achieving sustainable outcomes in its own right. The project proposals should look to commence April 2021. They should demonstrate how the invention could be built on and / or would catalyse longer term impact. Funding beyond one year, whilst envisaged, will not be guaranteed at this stage.
Competencies / expertise required
Proposals should ideally demonstrate that the implementing partner has:
- profound knowledge of the Sahelien context, particularly Mali, and issues around protection of civilians, human rights and security force capability building in fragile contexts
- where relevant, experience of working with civil society and local populations
- where relevant, experience of working with militaries and security forces
- existing capacity and capability to deliver the proposed activities or the ability to stand up a team quickly
- if needed, existing network of partners in countries/regions covered by proposal
- extensive programme and project experience in conducting programmes for security and stability in fragile contexts
- excellent project management skills
- judgement in identifying, managing and mitigating risks
- ability to assume duty of care for all staff and participants in project activities
- awareness of CSSF processes and/ or working with the FCDO
Outputs and deliverables: reporting
Implementers should expect to meet the programme manager monthly (and to be in contact as often as needed). We require quarterly written narrative, results and financial reporting, including on value for money. A project completion report will be needed upon project completion. These requirements are in addition to any independent evaluation for the project.
When assessing your bid, we will be interested in your Theory of Change, the impact and outcomes you consider realistic and achievable, and how this impact will be measured. Please use the attached project proposal form to help achieve this.
Finance
Payments will usually be made quarterly in arrears. Evidence of expenses and achieved deliverables for the reporting period will need to be presented before payment. The combined total of management fees, overheads and administration should not exceed 10% of the overall project cost.
Assessment
Bids will be assessed against the following criteria:
- strategic fit – alignment with stated objectives and scope of work expected
- geographic reach – demonstration of ability to operate in areas proposed
- project viability – including a realistic description of methodology and activities to deliver the outcome and deliverables (outputs) within the project duration
- stakeholder management – including the capacity of the implementing organisation to engage with key stakeholders and involve local/international expertise to deliver expected outcomes
- project design – including clear achievable objectives/outputs
- value for money
- clear monitoring and evaluation procedures
- risk management
How to bid
Please complete the attached and using the guidance provided. We will accept proposals in French, but organisation must have the capacity to work in English when required.
Completed forms should be sent in standard document and spreadsheet formats to bebamako@fcdo.gov.uk by 21 March 2021, with ‘Call for bids CSSF Sahel G5’ in the subject line of your email.
Bids submitted after this date will not be considered. Bids can be submitted at any time up to the indicated deadline. Bidders will be notified via email of the outcome of assessments before or on 29 March. Due to the volume of bids expected, we will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful bids.
Please also familiarise yourself at an early stage with the standard attached.
Contacts
Please contact bebamako@fcdo.gov.uk with any questions or queries.
Last updated 14 March 2021 + show all updates
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Deadline date for the submission of bids has been extended.
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French translation of the bid has been added.
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First published.