Contracting authority: NOVA Centre per a la Innovació Social Call for Tenders: Support to Research, human rights promotion and Dialogue & Advocacy missions of the Maghreb civil society organizations This tender is part of the project KHOTWA, reinforcing the role of civil society organizations to promote human rights in the Maghreb region GUIDELINES FOR TENDER APPLICANTS Deadline for submission September 20 th 2015 Before 23:59 Morocco time
1. Background Since 2011, Maghreb is experiencing a long process of change. Last years have seen significant political changes, however a major effort will be needed to consolidate and promote democratic reforms in full conformity with international human rights standards. Despite the initial encouraging role of Maghreb s CSOs during 2011 events, the region is today experiencing a significant rise of social protest and political repression. In addition, global economic crisis is currently affecting the region, creating high levels of youth unemployment, lack of universal social protection and social rights systems, generating significant risks to the transition process towards democracy. In order to face this risk, this call for tenders aims to support the role of civil society actors, who play an important role in the development, implementation and monitoring of national reforms based on mutual accountability and a shared commitment to respecting universal values, international human rights standards, democracy and rule of law. In view of these challenges, NOVA Center for Social Innovation (NOVA), in partnership with the Coordination Maghrébine des Organisations des Droits Humains (CMODH), the Association Marocaine des Droits Humains (AMDH), the Ligue tunisienne des droits de l'homme (LTDH), SOS Esclavage, Ligue algérienne de défense des droits de l homme (LADDH), Ligue algérienne des droits de l homme (LADH), opens a call for tenders to identify high-qualified support to Research, human rights promotion and Dialogue & Advocacy missions of the Maghreb civil society organizations This call for tenders is part of the project KHOTWA, reinforcing the role of civil society organizations to promote human rights in the Maghreb region. The overall objective of the KHOTWA project is to strengthen and promote civil society's role to reinforce prosperity, stability, social justice and governability in Maghreb countries, through increased participation in the fulfillment of Regional Integration Policy objectives. The expected results of the project are: R1. Strengthened the internal structure of the CMODH R2. Reinforced the CSOs capacities to act as an independent player in the fields of promotion, defense and protection of human rights R3. Encouraged a constructive and structured participation of CSOs in the process of the Maghreb regional integration. R4. Encouraged CSO advocacy capacities and participation in structured policy dialogue instruments. NOVA is an independent, non-governmental and non-profit institute operating at the interface between Human Rights promotion and the development of innovative approaches to nonviolent conflict transformation. Established in 1999, during the last 15 years we have developed more than 300 international projects upon request from conflict parties both state and non-state actors and international organizations and agencies.
2. Objectives of the tender and priority issues This Call for tenders is split in two lots Lot 1: Provide support to research for preparing non-governmental shadow reports for the review of the Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunis Government policies under the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; Lot 2: Provide two high-level experts, influential peacemaker s figures in the world, eminent former governmental dignitaries with a recognized international experience in human rights promotion and conflict resolution to participate in two short missions in Tunis and Morocco. 2.1. Lot 1 Description: MISSION The call for tenders under LOT 1 aims to identify high-qualified researchers with the capacity to provide support for preparing shadow reports for the review of the Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunis Government policies under the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Governments of countries that have ratified UN international human rights treaties are obligated to submit periodic reports to the UN committees that monitor the implementation of those treaties. The purpose of State Parties submitting these reports is to document the steps that they have taken to comply with the corresponding treaty obligations. To supplement government reports, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) often submit separate shadow reports. By preparing this Shadow reports, NOVA and CMODH aim to supplement official government reports and get the valuable opportunity to participate effectively in the international treaty monitoring process. We want to contribute in concrete and strategic ways to the capacity of the UN expert committees to assess more accurately the steps taken by Maghreb governments to comply with international human rights standards. Shadow reports are also expected to be useful tools for the CMODH members in their domestic advocacy efforts to raise awareness about human rights issues and to influence domestic and regional policy-makers.
ACTIVITIES All proposals should include at least the following actions: Elaborate the key contents of four shadow reports (Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunis) for the review of the Government policies under the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The reports are expected to identify and monitor substantive violations of Human Rights for each article of the International Covenant. The shadow reports are also expected to be useful tools for NOVA and CMODH members in their advocacy efforts to raise awareness about human rights issues and to influence domestic and regional policy-makers. Participate in a coordination meeting of the research team in Rabat next October 2015 in order to define the methodology, agree on a common calendar, and clarify roles and the expected outputs of the research. A member of NOVA, who will be the main coordinator of the research team and responsible for the reports, will participate in the meeting. The cost of the travel-tickets, per diems and hotel of the team suggested by the applicant will be covered by the applicant and included in the financial proposal. The applicant will be responsible for preparing a final report on the meeting. Provide a document suggesting techniques, tools and methodologies for monitoring Human Rights violations to be adopted by the CMODH. Provide expert s trainers in the domain of monitoring human rights violations to participate in a one-day workshop in Rabat next October 2015. The workshop will count with 40 members of key Human Rights Organizations from the Maghreb. The workshop will be organized by NOVA, but the fees, travel-tickets, per diems and hotel of the trainer/s will be covered by the applicant and included in the financial proposal. Suggesting the research team as potential trainers is encouraged. The applicant will be responsible for preparing a final report on the training. Elaborate four documents, one for each country, with the main conclusions and recommendations to Civil Society and governmental institutions in order to improve human rights standards in the region. All reports and documents should be written in French and after being approved, translated to arabic. LOCATION Maghreb region: Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria and Tunis. Regarding the territorial disputes of each country it should be considered as their national territory the same borders considered by each country in their periodic reports to the UN committees that monitor the implementation of the treaties. DEADLINE AND PROJECT DURATION The service will be implemented between the 1rst of October and 15 th of January
2.2. Lot 2 Description: MISSION The Call for tenders under LOT 2 aims to identify applicants with the capacity to provide two high-level experts, influential peacemaker s figures in the world, eminent former governmental dignitaries with a recognized international experience in human rights promotion and conflict resolution to participate in two short missions in Tunis and Morocco. NOVA and the CMODH aim to organize two short missions to Tunisia and Morocco with key representatives of the Maghreb civil society in order to: 1) Ensure that a delegation composed by a coalition of human rights organizations from the Maghreb can meet local human rights organizations and know the reality on the ground; 2) Validate findings and recommendations of the four shadow reports (See Lot 1). 3) Present the findings, recommendations, and reports to national and regional authorities and decision-makers. To ensure that the recommendations and conclusions of the report can get maximum dissemination and establish a program of advocacy at the highest level, NOVA and the CMODH will need the support of two high-level experts, influential peacemaker s figures in the world, eminent former governmental dignitaries with a recognized international experience in human rights promotion and conflict resolution that aim to participate in the missions. ACTIVITIES All proposals should include at least the following actions: Provide two high-level experts, influential peacemaker s figures in the world, and eminent former governmental dignitaries with a recognized international experience in human rights promotion and conflict resolution to participate in two short missions in Tunis and Morocco. Provide support set a high-level agenda of meetings in Morocco and Tunis. Provide a report on the missions, including the press clippings. The financial allocation provided by the Contracting Authority, should cover the costs and per diems of the two high-level experts and of the persons that the applicant will consider as needed to implement the activities. In case the suggested two high-level experts are not fluent in French, the translation services will be provided by the applicant and included in the financial offer. LOCATION Morocco and Tunis
DEADLINE AND PROJECT DURATION The service will be implemented between March and July 2016. 3. Financial allocation provided by the contracting authority The amount made available under this Call for tender is: For Lot 1: 56.100 tax included. For Lot 2: 24.000 tax included The Contracting authority reserves the right not to award all available funds. 4. Eligibility of applicants In order to be eligible for a tender, the applicant must: be a legal person; be a specific type of organization such as: non-governmental organization, public sector operator, local authority, international (inter-governmental) organization; be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action. We welcome offers from independent consultants, civil society organizations, legal professionals, law firms, public sector operators and universities. The partners undertaking the actions will be expected to have detailed knowledge of legal systems and cultural practices in the countries of implementation of the actions, as well as of international human rights legislation. They should also have excellent writing skills and able to demonstrate experience of writing for non-legally qualified audiences in accessible ways. Previous experience in advocacy activities and project management, as well as good connections with local civil society and/or rights activists, will be considered positively. If the team does not have strong Arabic skills, may reserve a portion of the funding to translate the documents into Arabic. 5. How to apply and the procedures to follow Applicants are expected to provide the following documents in order to be eligible for the call for tenders: CVs of the team in charge of implementing the actions. Contact information. Proposed methodology for implementing the actions, including the objectives, suggested calendar and proposed stakeholders and beneficiaries Detailed financial offer. A minimum of 5 Project/Research references of previous works.
We encourage applicants to submit these documents in French. Even if applicants can apply to the two tenders, they should submit separate proposals for each tender. The deadline for submission is September 20 th 2015 before 23:59 Morocco time. Please submit all applications to luca@novact.org. Please write in the subject of the email: For Lot 1: LOT 1 - KHOTWA For Lot 2: LOT 2 - KHOTWA For any queries regarding the Guidelines for tender applicants, please contact tender@novact.org. E-mail will be the only channel of communication with the applicants. 6. Evaluation and selection of applications Before September 25 2015, all applicants will receive a notification with the final decision of the Contracting Authority.