NGO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT FOR SCALING UP CSO HIV/AIDS PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS

Government of Botswana

National AIDS Coordinating Agency

Request for Expressions of Interest (EOI)

Project ID: P102299-

NGO Technical Assistance Support for Scaling Up CSO HIV/AIDS Prevention Interventions

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This request for expressions of interest follows the General Procurement Notice for this project that appeared in dgMarket on July 6, 2011

The Government of Botswana has received financing from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) towards the cost ofBotswana National AIDS Prevention Support Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds to engage NGOs to provide technical assistance support for Scaling Up CSO HIV/AIDS Prevention Interventions in the following areas:

• To provide Technical Support to strengthen CSO Technical Planning andExecution of Prioritized HIV/AIDS Prevention Intervention
• .

Applicants who have a proven track record in providing similar technical and management support can submit an application to one area or two proposals for both areas above. Applicants should explicitly state whether they have staff capacity for the area (s) they express their interest in.

Introduction:

The Botswana National AIDS Prevention Support (BNAPS) Project is a collaborative effort between the Government of Botswana and the World Bank/International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). The Project focuses on streamlining and strengthening the ability of key HIV and AIDS interventions to deliver important outputs, outcomes and impacts. A key achievement of this Project will be the development of a Performance Based Financing system that enhances the Project's abilityto deliver high volume, high quality, cost-effective (value-for-money) and verifiable HIV and AIDS prevention interventions. As the projectprogresses, one key lesson learned has been the need to balance NACA's coordination mandate with the increased technical and implementationsupport demands from BNAPS funded CSOs. Technical quality assurance, capacity building and fiduciary oversight of CSO interventions requiresignificant technical staff support to 59 CSOs funded under Call for Proposal (CfP # 3). Expanded technical support to CSOs is critical to achieve improved HIV/AIDS prevention outcomes. In order not to compromise the quality of technical support to CSOs during the scaled-up implementation period, NACA wishes to engage CSOs with a demonstrated track record and specialized expertise in HIV/AIDS prevention with a focuson the prioritized areas of focus (generating demand for SMC servicesand increasing coverage and quality of MCP interventions). To enable continued hand-holding and to respond adequately to technical and implementation support needs during the expanded phase of BNAPS, NACA wishes engage NGOs with reputable experience and a strong and results oriented proposal to support implementation by CSO partners.

Objectives:

The NGOs Technical Assistance will seek to:

• Strengthen CSOs technical, implementation approach and roll-out of MCP interventions at community level and, as needed, provide technical support to CSOs implementing demand creation interventions to stimulateuptake of safe male circumcision interventions in the 16 high volume sites established by the Ministry of Health.
• Provide support on core grants management functions (financial management and reporting, governance, and monitoring and evaluation, and provide community mobilization and participatory community implementationsupport to strengthen the bottom-up nature of HIV/AIDS interventions funded by BNAPS.

Scope of Services

The tasks to be performed under this assignment are divided into two components: (i) technical support to strengthen planning and execution of prioritized HIV/AIDS Prevention Interventions; (ii) CSO targeted management support with a focus on financial monitoring and management, governance strengthening and project monitoring.

• (i) Technical support to strengthen technical design, planning and execution of prioritized CSO implementers' HIV/AIDS Prevention Interventions; (ii) support materials development and dissemination of nationalHIV/AIDS materials to strengthen behavior change particularly on multiple and concurrent partnerships; (iii) provide support to improve planning and where needed execution of specific campaigns and interventions; (iv) Provide technical training support for peer educators and keystaff in CSOs funded by NACA to strengthen quality of HIV/AIDS prevention services offered to communities; (v) Support development of technical data collection instruments and where needed data analysis by CSOs; and (vii) Support NACA at national level in technical reporting on CSO technical interventions as requested.

• Prepare a training program and train implementing NGOs or private firms in project management with a focus on financial management and monitoring, implementation planning and monitoring and governance; (ii) Develop standard formats and procedures for regular internal CSO supervision of activities they are funded by NACA and where requested, undertake joint supervision visits with NACA team including district based staff; (iii) Keep NACA management and BNAPS team abreast of latest field situation including challenges and remedial measures taken by the implementing CSOs and the NGO TA to overcome the challenges; (iv) Support CSOs to strengthen or develop appropriate financial procedures in line with the directions spelledout in the Operational Manual for the BNAPS; support implementation and enforcement of an adequate control system; (v) Submit to the NACA Management consolidated reports of management support activities undertaken by the NGO TA each quarter with a copy to the District AIDS Coordinator's office of the district where technical support activities would have been provided summarizing key issues resolved and agreed follow up actions by the CSO; and (vi) Support NACA in the financial close-out process at the end of each financial year.

Key staff required for this assignment includes Public Health Specialist and Behavioral Specialist for technical support and Financial Management Specialist, Project Management Specialist and Organizational Development Specialist for management support.

Duration of Assignment:

The performance period of the NGO Technical Assistance will be 14 months limited to between 01 August 2012 and September 30, 2013. All technical and administrative undertaking should therefore be concluded within this time period.

NACA now invites eligible NGOS to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested NGOs must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments in HIV and AIDS prevention and impact mitigation and public health programs, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.).

Selection of the Consultants will be done in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank'sGuidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers, published in May 2004, revised October 2006 and May 2010. The selection method will be Selection Based on the Consultants Qualifications (CQS). Using this method a shortlist shall be established from NGOs who have expressed interest and only the best qualified and experienced NGO for each assignment will be asked to submit a technical and financial proposal. NGOs are therefore reminded to provide comprehensive and detailed information as only one NGO will be asked to submit a technical and financial proposal for each assignment.

Submission Details:

The expression of interest must include the following documentation:

• NGO profile indicating core areas of expertise and experience and availability of appropriate skills among staff.
• Evidence of past successful experiences (names of projects, role in the project, contact persons, country of use) in supplying similar typeof technical assistance.
• Evidence of track record for skills transfer to local technical staffand CSO implementers
• Evidence of knowledge about the workings of HIV and AIDS interventions, particularly as elaborated in the Botswana's Second National Strategic Framework for HIV and AIDS 2009 2016 (NFS II).
• The NGO must not be an implementer of BNAPS funded activities
• Profile of staff who may be assigned to carry out the assignment.

Interested organizations may obtain further information at the address below during office hours (i.e. 08.00 to 12.45 and 13.45 to 16.30 hours local time, Mondays to Fridays. Excluding Public Holidays.Interested organizations may alsorequest for detailed ToRs by sending an email [email protected].

Submission Deadline:

Submissions must be clearly marked:

• for NGOs expressing their interest in providing technical support and / or

• for NGOs expressing their interest in providing management support

The submissionsmust be delivered in sealed envelopes to the address indicated below before 16.30 hours, local time, on Friday, 29th June 2012. These must be deposited in Room no 002, Ground Floor, at the address below.All Expressions of Interest received after this time will not be considered.

Submission Contact Information:

Interested consulting firms should forward their expression of interest, together with the above documentation to the following address:

The National Coordinator,

National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA),

West Gate Mall, Unit 9,

Private Bag 00463,

Gaborone,

BOTSWANA.

Tel: +276 3710314

Fax: +267 3710312

E-mail: [email protected]

Attention: George Daniel Senior Procurement Consultant