RECABASO Call for Expression of Interest

Call for Expression of Interest for Participation in Capacity Building in Results Based Management for AIDS Services Organizations in Eastern and Southern Africa
1. Introduction

The Comprehensive RBM Capacity Building for HIV AIDS Service Organizations (RECABASO) project is a new and innovative initiative) aimed at utilizing best practices in identifying and addressing RBM capacity gaps among organizations implementing HIV programmes in Eastern and Southern Africa. The RECABASO project strives to reinforce the role played by Results Based Management in improving the effectiveness of HIV and AIDS programmes. The project approach stresses that adequate capacity building and technical support is necessary in helping many ASOs release their potential. In this context RATN with funding from Sida launched the RECABASO initiative aimed at building RBM capacity for AIDS service organizations and community institutions implementing programmes towards achieving the public health Millennium Development Goals 4, 5, and 6 which are; to reduce child mortality rate; improve maternal health and combat HIV and AIDS, malaria, and other diseases In Eastern Africa, the project will be implemented by Regional AIDS Training Network based in Nairobi, Kenya, in partnership with Eastern Africa Networks of AIDS Service Organizations (EANNASO), based in Arusha, Tanzania. The project will involve AIDS service organizations and community institutions indicating specific RBM areas in which they need capacity building and how the need is linked to improved HIV services delivery. RECABASO teams of RBM experts will then follow up with detailed diagnosis of the RBM capacity gaps through site visits. The panel of reviewers will align the successful applicant organizations to best solutions that shall include experimental learning, internships, on-site mentoring and technical support and follow-ups. The beneficiary organizations from the capacity building processes shall then form online learning communities where they will continue to share their experiences on applying the new knowledge and skills. 2. Rationale for RECABASO

A growing body of evidence points to the important benefits of integrating RBM into all HIV and AIDS interventions. The principles of managing for results was especially highlighted in the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and reaffirmed in the Accra Agenda for Action in 2008 as part of the efforts to work together in a participatory approach to strengthen country capacities and to promote accountability of all major stakeholders in the pursuit of results. The RECABASO initiative is a new and innovative project aimed at utilising best practices in identifying and addressing RBM capacity gaps among organisations implementing HIV programmes in Eastern and Southern Africa. Globally, development agencies and the donor community are now focussed on integrating RBM into HIV and AIDS interventions for better service delivery. Evidence has shown that organisations utilising RBM principles are yielding better results and attracting for more funding. Notably, RBM capacity is highly limited or non-existent in some instances especially

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among indigenous civil society organisations. Therefore, the RECABASO project aims to address the need for such capacity required for RBM in five East African countries.

3. Pilot Phase The initiative consists of a pilot phase running from January 2011 to November 2011. The purpose of the following call for expression of interest is to select up to 25 AIDS service organizations which will benefit from the capacity building and Technical assistance under this pilot project in the form presented in Section 3 of the present Call for Expression of Interest. Interested AIDS Service Organizations should express their interest by submitting an Expression of Interest, a template of which is attached hereto as Annex 1.

4.

Definitions and Interpretation

Applicant Award Criteria Deadline Eligibility Criteria

means an AIDS Service Organization applying to this Call for Expression of Interest; means the criteria applied by the RECABASO Team to select the eligible beneficiaries; means March 25, 2011; means the minimum criteria with which the Expression of Interest and the Applicants must comply and which are listed in Annex 2 hereof; means a proposal sent by an Applicant in response to this Call for Expression of Interest, within the deadline, to be drafted in accordance with the template attached hereto as Annex 1; means RBM Capacity Building for HIV and AIDS Service Organizations launched by the Regional AIDS Training Network with funding for pilot project from Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) aimed to strengthening the capacity of ASOs in managing HIV interventions for results. means any non-governmental organization implementing HIV and AIDS interventions at national or local level meeting the Eligibility Criteria as set out in Annex 2 hereof; means the Eligibility Criteria and the Award Criteria;

Expression of Interest

RECABASO

ASOs

Selection Criteria

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Capacity Building;

Means technical skills and knowledge to as provided in the framework of the RECABASO Initiative. Capacity building support will take the form described in section 5 below. Means Results Based Management. It is a management approach that reflects on processes and resources to achieve interventions targeted at commonly agreed results. Means assessing and quantifying business risks, then taking measures to control or reduce them.

RBM

Risk Management

5.

Description of RECABASO Approach

The selected organizations will be entitled to Capacity Building in RBM. The RECABASO approach consists of the following steps: 5.1 Stage 1 Selection of ASO for RBM capacity building Applicant organizations will be requested to complete a simple application form indicating their RBM capacity gaps and motivation for their application including suggested solutions to the identified gaps. 5.2 Stage 2 Diagnosis/Screening for RBM gaps and short-listing Panel of RBM experts will make visits to the short-listed applicant organizations to diagnose the RBM challenges and gaps in the applicant organization. Based on reports of the RBM experts and related evidence the RECABASO team shall then shortlist the applicant organizations using a well defined award criteria that will among other things assess how the gaps identified are linked to improved HIV services delivery. 5.3 Stage 3 Alignment of ASOs to capacity building solutions This stage is the core of the project strategy because it is the stage where the panel f RBM experts will recommend how each of the shortlisted applications will be linked to relevant capacity building. The project will involve a total of five (5) options to which the shortlisted applications shall be aligned to. The options include; (a) Identify a relevant training within or outside the RATN network; (b) Pooling applicants with common gaps; (c) Experiential learning by placement; (d) Technical Support and on-job experiential learning; and (e)Twining of organizations for mutual support and learning The solutions may be provided as a package or as independent units depending of the nature of the RBM gaps and appropriateness of the solutions as determined by the RECABASO team base on the diagnosis reports and related evidence. 5.4 Stage 4 Development of Learning Communities and Follow-ups This stage will involve development of learning communities of organizations and trainees from different training courses and workshops. At any point in time there would be multiple learning communities based on different learning groups and RBM thematic areas covered over a given period.

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6.

Expression of Interest

A template for the Expression of Interest is attached hereto as Annex 1. The Expression of interest includes the Applicants identification (based on the form under Appendix 1 to the Expression of Interest). No later than 15 calendar days before the Deadline, the Applicants may request clarifications regarding the Call for Expression of Interest or the nature of the Technical Assistance. Such requests must indicate the Call for Expression of Interest reference number and the name of the Applicant and shall be submitted via e-mail to: Attention: RECABASO Co-ordinator Regional AIDS Training network Recabaso@ratn.org Answers to all questions will be published at least 10 calendar days before the Deadline, on RATN website www.ratn.org and on all other interfaces where the Call is published. RECABASO Team will not contact any Applicant prior to the selection, unless it considers it necessary to clarify issues of a mere technical nature. However, should RECABASO Team come across any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or any type of clerical defect in the text of the Call for Expression of Interest before the Deadline, the RECABASO Team will correct the text and inform the Applicant accordingly. 7. Submission of Expression of Interest

The Expression of Interest shall be submitted on or before the Deadline both by (i) e-mail and (ii) by registered mail or professional courier service. The Expressions of Interest sent by registered mail or professional courier service shall consist of a single closed package and shall contain the Expression of Interest, in paper form. The Deadline for the submission of Expressions of Interest is March 25, 2011 The Expression of Interest shall indicate the reference number of the Call (RECABASO/2011/02) and the name of the Applicant Organization, and shall be sent to the following address: Postal Address: RECABASO CO-ORDINATOR REGIONAL AIDS TRAINING NETWORK P.O. BOX 16035-00100, NAIROBI KENYA Telephone: +254 020 2635929/2635938 E-mail Address: Recabaso@ratn.org

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Prior to the Deadline and in the same manner as specified above, the applicants may change or amend their Expression of Interest by clearly indicating the parts to be changed or amended. Prior to the Deadline and in the same manner as specified above the Applicants may withdraw their Expression of Interest. After the Deadline, an acknowledgement of receipt will be sent to the relevant Applicants by RECABASO Coordinator via e-mail. The acknowledgement of receipt is not to be considered confirmation of completeness of the Expression of Interest, nor any kind of assessment to this effect. 8. Selection Process

The Expressions of Interest will be examined by the REBASO team of experts using professional analysis and judgment, taking into account the Eligibility Criteria. RECABASO Team will reject incomplete or unsigned Expressions of Interest, as well as those Expressions of Interest not complying with the Eligibility Criteria. Applicants complying with the Eligibility Criteria will go through the selection process based on the Award Criteria. RBM Capacity Building and Technical Assistance will be awarded at the sole discretion of the RECABASO Team. Applicants should by no means consider that simple submission of a complete application will give rise to any claims, or other rights, or legitimate expectations to be ultimately selected as a beneficiary under this Call for Expression of Interest. RECABASO Team can cancel the Call for Expression of interest at any stage of the procedure. The selection shall be deemed complete upon written confirmation by the RECABASO Team to the Applicant. ASOs not selected for capacity building under the framework of RECABASO shall be informed accordingly. Upon request, rejected Applicants may ask for further information to the RECABASO on the reasons for their non-selection. The selection for capacity building as detailed in Section 8 above does not give any right of access to Sida funding. 9. Attachments Expression of Interest RECABASO Eligibility Criteria RECABASO Award Criteria Application Identification and Application Form

Annex 1. Annex 2. Annex 3. Appendix.

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ANNEX 1 to the Call for Expression of Interest RECABASO/2011/02

To: RECABASO CO-ORDINATOR REGIONAL AIDS TRAINING NETWORK P.O. BOX 16035-00100, NAIROBI KENYA

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Call for Expression of Interest No.: Deadline for the submission of the Expression of interest: Expression of Interest for: Applicant submitting the Expression of Interest: RECABASO/2011/02 25 MARCH 2011 RECABASO __________________ (Organization name)

Dear Sir or Madam, Herewith we are submitting our Expression of Interest on behalf of [Applicants name] in response to the Call for Expression of Interest RECABASO/2011/02. The undersigned duly authorised to represent the [Applicants name], by signing this form certifies/certify and declare(s) that the information contained in this Expression of Interest and its Appendices is complete and correct in all its elements.

Yours sincerely,

Signature(s):

Stamp of the Applicant:

Name and position in capital letters: Applicants name:

Place: Appendix

Date (day/month/year):

Appendix: Applicant Identification and Application Form

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Appendix to the Expression of Interest APPLICATION FORM

A.1 Applicant identification
INFORMATION REQUIRED CONTACT DETAILS Address: Telephone: Fax: E-mail: Website: Date of registration: Country of registration: Registration number:

REGISTRATION DETAILS

A.2 Contact person INFORMATION REQUIRED TITLE Mr/Ms/Dr/other NAME Surname: First name: DESIGNATION CONTACT Email: DETAILS Tel:

B. Applicant Profile What is the mission statement of the applicant organisation?

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B1. (a)

Type of your organization (please tick/shade) appropriately: Community-based organisations (CBO) working on HIV and AIDS

(b) National Network of AIDS Service Organisations (c) National Civil Society Organisation working on HIV and AIDS

(d) Other Specify

B2.

Please list any organizations /bodies that your organization is a member of or is affiliated to;

B3.

Provide the following details on size of your organization in terms of number of permanent staff and budget in the last three (3) years No. of full time staff Annual Budget (US$)

Year 2011 2010 2009

B4.

Please provide an overview of the project (s) or programmes your organisation has implemented in the past three years: Name of project Keys Project Year(s) of Donor(s) Outcome(s) implementation

1. 2. 3.

C. Applicants Information for RBM intervention C1. Describe how your organisation applies or understands Results Based Management principles?

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C3.
i.

Please assess answer the following question by ticking the appropriate box
NQuestion o . To what extent is your organization using results information to manage and adjust on-going operations, strategic plans, policies and resources To what extent is there tangible support from management for building and supporting resultsbased management? To what extent is RBM-based training available to managers and staff throughout the organization? To what extent do the appraisal systems in your organization relate individual accomplishments to outcomes? To what extent do your organizations values and ethics reflect an outcome focus? To what extent is risk management systematically practiced in your organization and linked to outcomes To what extent do your business plan/strategic plan specify organization-wide performance expectations that are clear, concrete and time-bound? To what extent are outcome measurements linked to financial measures To what extent is evaluation integrated into the management of programs and policies To what extent are results data used for internal managing? Advanced Beginning Not Started Dont know

ii.

iii.

iv.

v.

vi.

vii.

viii.

ix.

x.

xi.

C4

Overall, how would you rate your organization in terms of practice of Results Based Management? 2. Not started 4. Do not know/ Not sure

1. Advanced 3. Beginning

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C5.

Briefly describe why your organization is applying for capacity building for Results Based Management (RBM) (If space is not enough use separate page but maximum one (1) page)

C6. Does your organization have the following documents? Please tick as appropriate Type of Document Yes No 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Constitution for the Organization Registration certificate Audited Accounts for last Financial Year Annual Report for last Financial Year Organizational chart Current Strategic Plan Annual work-plan Monitoring and Evaluation Plan/Framework Organizational Capacity Statement/Profile

Not Applicable

C7. If yes to C6 (6) above, is the current Strategic Plan fully funded? (tick one) Yes fully funded Yes Partially funded Not funded

END

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ANNEX 2 to the Call for Expression of Interest RECABASO/2011/02 RECABASO: Eligibility Criteria
IMPORTANT: RECABASO Team reserves its right to verify the accuracy of the information provided by the Applicant by means of due diligence, if required. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA System of appraisal (for RECABASO use only) Yes / No 1.1 1.2 1.5 1.6 The Applicant is an AIDS service organization The Applicant is based in the Eastern and Southern African region The Applicant has declared interest in RBM capacity building The Expression of Interest is prepared in accordance with Annex 1 to the Call for Expression of Interest. All necessary supporting documents are provided. The Expression of Interest and the relevant appendices (Appendix 2 and 3) are duly signed. The Expression of Interest is submitted both by registered mail and email. The Expression of Interest is submitted within the Deadline.

1.7

1.9

1.10

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ANNEX 3 to the Call for Expression of Interest RECABASO/2011/02 RECABASO: Award Criteria

No.

AWARD CRITERIA

Evaluation (weighting) For RECABASO use only

1.1 1.2 1.5

Eligibility criteria met as per Annex 1 The applicants organizational governance structure Applicants demonstrated need and interest in Results Based Management Applicants potential to demonstrate results

30 20 20 10 20 100

1.6 1.7

Assessment of relevant supportive document Total

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