Limited Call for Expression of Interest ET-Rapid Response Mechanism

1. Organizational overview

   Since establishing a permanent presence in Ethiopia in 1973, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has been implementing relief, recovery, resilience, and development programs to assist all those in need without discrimination.

   Today, LWF is a nationally recognized, international faith-based organization legally re-registered with the Agency of Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) and operates in five regional states. LWF Ethiopia engages proactively with local governmental and community structures to ensure the rights and the dignity of the most vulnerable are upheld, respected, and fulfilled.

   LWF is mainly known for its timely, compassionate, and professional humanitarian work and its field presence in hard-to-reach areas. A defining feature of LWF is its local rootedness and global connectivity – linking community voices with international dialogue and advocacy. LWF is also distinguished by collaboration with local actors including local government, national NGOs and community-based organizations, aiming to develop their capacities as primary humanitarian actors. LWF forms part of the wider humanitarian network including Cluster Coordination and Rapid Response Mechanisms, and is an active member of the HINGO Group, currently serving on the Steering Committee and the EHCT.

   LWF’s programs contribute to save lives, reduce vulnerabilities and transform the lives of disaster affected communities including women, men, girls, boys, and people living with disabilities (PLWD), creating a more just society. In partnership with 13 humanitarian partners, under the leadership of IRC, LWF is a regional Lead Agency in Bale and East Bale of Oromia Region for anticipatory and timely response to any forms of disasters through Ethiopia Rapid Response Mechanism (ET-RRM) Project which is supported by ECHO and other bilateral donors.

2. Focus of the call

   ET-RRM project is a rapid response project that started implementation on November 1, 2024, in Ethiopia to respond to acute onset emergencies nation-wide. This call for expression of Interest (EOI) is issued to identify potential implementing partners within an effort to addressing the potential needs of communities who may be affected by crises in the Bale and East Bale zones of Oromia regional state, during the period from December 1, 2024, to March 31, 2026. The response to these needs will be shaped by the specific nature and severity of the crises that may occur, but it is anticipated that a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach will be required to effectively respond to the diverse challenges that may be faced by the affected population. Selected potential implementing partners will be pre-positioned for an event where rapid response will be required within days of a crisis occurring.

3. Intervention activities

   The proposed response should address acute humanitarian needs of crisis affected individuals within 7-15 days of a crisis occurring. Possible interventions include: include multipurpose cash transfers (MPCT), emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), emergency shelter (ES)/non-food items (NFI), education in emergencies, health, nutrition, and protection activities as a stand-alone or mainstreamed across all sectors.

4. Eligible locations

   Bale and East Bale Zones, Oromia Regional State.

5. Funding available

   To be determined by the particular characteristics and scale of the crises that may arise and require RRM response (and only when there is response fund available under the ET-RRM project).

6. Eligibility criteria

• Be formally registered with the Government of Ethiopia and have a valid license.
• Have an active presence, experience, and active participation in coordination platforms in the emergency intervention zone or woreda and intend to implement directly.
• Have relevant technical expertise within the given geographic area, in line with the objectives and scope of the RRM outlined above.
• Have basic human resources, financial and logistical systems in place in intervention to deliver assistance in compliance with donor requirements.
• The capacity to demonstrate the existence of positive engagement with the community and the local government.
• Have proven prior emergency response experience is a plus. For any NGOs which have received previous sub-grants for rapid response programming, past performance utilizing the sub-grant funds and timely implementation of the sub-grant project will be considered during decision making.

1. Expression of Interest (EOIs) must include:

   Please use the template attached with the EOI.

2. Evaluation/selection:

   Valid EOIs will be evaluated by The Lutheran World Federation and other members of the RRMT. Selected organizations will be notified and requested to submit a potential response plan, outlining the main needs in the target area, and potential responses that the organization has the capacity to deliver, within 10 working days, for further evaluation and/or discussion.

Selection for submission of potential response plan does not guarantee ET-

RRM funding.

1. Submission deadline:

EOIs must be submitted to The Lutheran World Federation Addis Ababa Office located at Arat Killo, Mekane Yesus Building, no later than 4:00 PM (EAT), on 12th December 2024.

Expression of Interest (EOI) Template

1. General Information

Name of organization:

Year established in Ethiopia:

Office address (Head office and Regional):

Are you registered in Ethiopia? If yes, what is the date of most recent registration?

Are you a local or Internation NGO

Active implementation location (region, zone, woreda)

What are the sectors in which your organization conducts its operations or implements its programs?

WASH Nutrition Health NFI Food security and Livelihoods

Protection Education

Do you have an emergency response experience? If yes, please state funding source.

Yes No

2. Organization Capacity

Operational Infrastructure: such as office spaces, equipment, and technology.

Logistical and Supply Chain Capacity like vehicles.

Human Resources: qualified and experience staff of the organization.

Partnerships and Networks organization’s established relationships with local, national, or international partners, especially with relevant cluster(s).

Logistical and Supply Chain Capacity like vehicles.

3. Past Emergency Response

Project Name and Donor

Programming Sectors

Date

Location

Budget

4. Justification for Organizational Suitability for This Call

Kindly provide a detailed explanation of why your organization is the most suitable candidate for this call.

How to apply

Address for hand delivery:

Lutheran World FederationAddis Ababa

Amist Killo, Opposite to AAU Engineering Faculty

Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Eyesus office compound, 2nd floor

For email submission:

procurement.ethiopia@lutheranworld.org

Any queries on this call, can be sent to yitbarek.yigezu@lutheranworld.org.