LOCATION: NAIROBI, MOMBASA AND TURKANA
PROJECT DURATION: 2023-2024
BACKGROUND
Localization attained prominence within the humanitarian sector in the lead up to and during the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) held in Istanbul in 2016. While the concept was not new within humanitarian practice, there was a renewed emphasis on the role of local actors in humanitarian action. The United Nation’s Secretary General’s report to the WHS, ‘One Humanity, Shared Responsibility’ recognized the need for the international aid system to embrace a ‘new paradigm of working’ by seeking to reinforce rather than replace national and local systems. Through commitments made in the Grand Bargain and Charter for Change, localization has become a formal part of the mainstream humanitarian reform agenda.
The Secretary-General’s call that humanitarian action should be ‘as local as possible, as international as necessary’ sums up the goal of localization. While definitions of localization vary, simply put, localization refers to processes of better engaging local and national actors in all phases of humanitarian action, including greater support for locally led action. This is in recognition of the critical role of local actors in responding to humanitarian crises, the existing capacities that includes contextual knowledge, community networks and their ability to build long-term resilience. As with the definition of localization, there is much discussion as to who entails local actors. Granted, local and national actors are not a homogenous group and do often comprise of civil society organizations and nongovernmental organizations that operate in locations before, during and after a crisis. The key feature being that these organizations should be accountable to local laws; accountable to communities where they work and led by local nationals.
In refugee contexts, refugees and asylum seekers continue to lead humanitarian assistance efforts through organizations that include community-based organizations, self-help groups and other groupings that respond to crises before, during and after displacement. In partnership with host communities and international non-governmental organizations, these refugee-led organizations have contributed to strengthened refugee protection and enhanced refugee self-reliance.
PURPOSE OF THE CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
As part of the implementation of HIAS’ strategic priorities on localization of humanitarian action, HIAS Kenya is rolling out a pilot initiative to fund local/national organizations including refugee-led organizations in Kenya. The purpose of this call for expression of interest (call) is to solicit interest from prospective partners that wish to participate in the pilot initiative.
PILOT GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES
GOAL: To strengthen humanitarian assistance in the refugee program in Nairobi, Mombasa and Turkana through the practice of localization.
OBJECTIVES:
- To enhance the delivery of humanitarian assistance by local organizations through access to sub-awards from HIAS and equitable partnership practices.
- To enhance the technical and operational capacity of local organizations through structured capacity strengthening and sharing activities.
- To enhance the visibility of local organizations through joint advocacy and coordination activities.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE PILOT
- Local and/or national organizations report enhanced delivery of humanitarian assistance as a result of accessing quality funding.
- Local and/or national organizations report enhanced technical and operational capacity as a result of participation in capacity strengthening and sharing activities.
- Strengthened refugee-led advocacy and coordination efforts.
ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF SUB AWARDS
HIAS Kenya anticipates, but makes no guarantee, to fund 4 sub awards through this call.
ANTICIPATED AMOUNT TO BE FUNDED PER SUB AWARD
HIAS Kenya anticipates, but makes no guarantee, to fund $ 60,500 per sub award.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We are looking for local and/or national organizations including refugee-led organizations with experience in the refugee sector operating in Kenya in the following locations: Nairobi, Mombasa and Turkana (Kakuma).
KEY DEFININTIONS
Local and/or national organizations: Organizations engaged in humanitarian response that are headquartered and operating in their own aid recipient country (Kenya) and which are not affiliated to an international non-governmental organization.
Refugee-led organizations: An organization or group in which persons with direct lived experience of forced displacement play a primary leadership role and whose stated objectives and activities are focused on responding to the needs of refugees and/or related communities.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The following eligibility criteria will be used to rate the organizations based on the information submitted in the expression of interest form. Partners are strongly encouraged to take time to answer the questions in the form comprehensively.
- Proven track record in the refugee sector – partner has sufficient experience working in the refugee sector i.e., at least 5 years’ experience for Kenyan-led local organizations and at least 2 years’ experience for refugee-led organizations.
- Proven track record in HIAS’ signature programming areas (Legal and Community –Based Protection; Economic Inclusion; Gender & Gender Based Violence (GGBV) and Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) i.e., at least two years delivering programs in one or multiple programming areas.
- Geographical coverage: partner has presence in HIAS’s target areas (Nairobi & its environs; Mombasa; Turkana (Kakuma) i.e., at least 2 years programming in the specific target areas.
- Partner’s current funding portfolio: partner has experience managing awards of similar amounts i.e., has handled more than $ 50,000 worth of awards in a year for Kenyan-led local organizations and at least $ 20,000 cumulatively for refugee-led organizations.
- Institutional capacity: partner has documented policies and procedures in line with best practices to support the work of the organization i.e., Prevention of Sexual Exploitation (PSEA), Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), Safeguarding Policies, Anti-Discrimination and Inclusion Policy and Gender Policy.
- Reputation: partner has a good reputation and is well accepted in the communities and areas of operation-i.e., is the organization a member of an area-based network or has existing community links in the area of operation and can submit recommendation letters from UNHCR and/or other agencies.
- Legal Identity: partner possesses valid legal identity- i.e., the partner is registered as an NGO or CBO and is compliant with statutory requirements.
- Relations with authorities- partner is seen as a legitimate party and has good relations with the authorities i.e., can submit recommendation letter from the Department of Refugee Services and/or other local authorities.
SELECTION PROCESS
This call constitutes the first step of the selection process. Organizations that meet the eligibility criteria will proceed to the next selection process where they will get an opportunity to submit a concept note. The process will be very competitive, therefore only 3 eligible organizations per location will be selected to proceed to the next step.
Tentative timetable for the selection process
DATE TIME (EAT)
- Call for Expression of Interest sent out 08/06/2023 1700
- Questions on the Call for Expression of Interest 14/06/2023 1500
- Deadline for submission of responses to the online form 18/06/2023 1700
- Notification of results and next process 30/06/2023 1700
ABOUT US:
Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.
HIAS’ operation in Kenya was established in 2002 with a mission to serve the most vulnerable urban refugees through our signature programs: Legal and Community-Based Protection, Gender and Gender-Based Violence (GGBV), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Economic Inclusion. HIAS Kenya has established offices in Nairobi in the following locations: Mimosa, Kayole, Eastleigh and Kawangware.
VISION:
HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.
MISSION:
Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.
VALUES:
Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • הכנס ת אורחי ם (Hachnasat Orchim)
We Welcome the Stranger
Justice • Justicia • Justice • צד ק (Tzedek)
We Pursue Justice
Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • חס ד (Chesed)
We Approach our Clients with Empathy
Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • חברותא (Chevruta)
We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership
Courage • Coraje • Courage • אומץ (Ometz)
We Act with Courage to Build a Better World
Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • רו ח (Ruach)
We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience.
