Call For Proposal :Towards inclusive and Resilient Urban Recovery in Ukraine

13 Oct 2023

These Terms of Reference serve the purpose of engaging one or several Implementing Partner/s to UN-Habitat to support with technical assistance on urban profiling in the project “Towards Inclusive and resilient urban recovery in Ukraine”

Deadline

26 October 2023

Purpose of CFP

These Terms of Reference serve the purpose of engaging one or several Implementing Partner/s to UN-Habitat to support with technical assistance on urban profiling in the project “Towards Inclusive and resilient urban recovery in Ukraine”

Project Key Information 

UN-Habitat Project title : Towards inclusive and Resilient Urban Recovery in Ukraine

Locations  

Oblast: Kyivska, Kharkivska, Dnipropetrovska,  Zakarpatska, Mykolaivska and Lvivska

Town/City/Hromada: 5 hromadas are currently being identified 

Country: Ukraine

Anticipated start date: Scheduled for November 2023 

Estimated duration of project  in calendar months: 18

Maximum proposed value in US$:

Lead Organization Unit: UN-Habitat Programme Development Branch

1. Introduction and Background

These Terms of Reference serve the purpose of engaging one or several Implementing Partner/s to UN-Habitat to support with technical assistance on urban profiling in the project “Towards inclusive and resilient urban recovery in Ukraine”.  

 1.1 Overview of UN-Habitat 

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations programme for human settlements and sustainable urban development. UN-Habitat promotes socially and environmentally sustainable environments, working with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanisation as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination, and poverty. The main objective of UN-Habitat is the promotion of sustainable urbanization as a driver of development and peace, with a view to improving the living conditions of all, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and New Urban Agenda (NUA). Furthermore, UN-Habitat’s work aligns with the United Nations’ system-wide strategy on sustainable urban development.  

UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan focuses on four mutually reinforcing and integrated goals or ‘domains of change’ namely, 1) reduced spatial inequality and poverty in communities across the urban-rural continuum, 2) enhanced shared prosperity of cities and regions, 3) strengthened climate action and improved urban environments, and 4) effective urban crisis prevention and response. 

UN-Habitat has been called upon by its Executive Board to use its tools for urban recovery, including urban profiling, to assess the needs, vulnerabilities and capacities of urban areas and the establishment of urban recovery frameworks (Decision 2023/2 para 4) in countries newly affected by conflict or disaster.  

Further, UN-Habitat in collaboration with the HafenCity University and the United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT), has set up a United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities (UNITAC). UNITAC develops digital tools, provides strategic advice and builds the digital capacity of local and national governments, with a focus on data, mapping and visualization, open and transparent digital governance and people-centered smart cities.  

1.2 UN-Habitat’s Urban Planning and Design Lab (Urban Lab) 

The Urban Lab within UN-Habitat, organizationally located within the Planning Finance Economy Section (PFES) of the Urban Practices Branch (UPB) under the Global Solutions Division (GSD), is an entity supporting local governments in achieving sustainable urban development, by bringing together teams of interdisciplinary local and international urban expertise to deliver upon concrete projects in various cities and towns globally. The Urban Lab supports the positioning of UN-Habitat as a global Centre of Excellence for urban planning and design and translates UN-Habitat’s principles into concrete actionable solutions for regions, cities and towns.  

The Urban Lab is the integrative facility of the Agency where innovative processes and partnerships are translated into tangible and transformative solutions to complex urban challenges, including urban recovery in crisis and post-crisis contexts. The Urban Lab acts as a neutral broker, managing knowledge in complex stakeholder settings to resolve multi-sectoral, multi-scalar and multi-stakeholder challenges, by offering a multi-disciplinary team capturing the necessary thematic areas.  

Through its work, the Urban Lab operationalises the SDGs, the New Urban Agenda and other development frameworks into the built environment through localisation, development of strategies for urban transformation, and by bridging the gap between policy and physical implementation (capital investment planning). The Urban Lab addresses the complexity of cities and regions’ challenges by developing spatial and non-spatial strategic solutions, through evidence-based data analysis, in partnership with stakeholders, that will ensure sustainable urban development outcomes.  

UN-Habitat is now looking at establishing an Urban Lab in Kyiv, Ukraine, to support participatory urban recovery planning through the creation of an enabling environment the promotes an effective, inclusive and resilient urban recovery. The Kyiv Urban Lab will function as a platform for engagement of local and international expertise, addressing solutions for immediate (short-term), medium and long-term (strategic) recovery efforts.  

 1.3 Urban development and recovery in Ukraine 

Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe with an estimated population of 41 million in 2022. Around 70% of the population lives in urban areas, with a large concentration around the capital city, Kyiv, as well as in the Donetsk region. Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the built environment and critical infrastructure have been severely impacted also causing large humanitarian concerns for millions of civilians. As of November 2022, above 6 million people have been internally displaced while almost 8 million of Ukrainians are refugees in other European countries. Coupled with a general movement of the population from the eastern part of the country, the war has escalated the pressure on hosting cities in the western parts.  

The Ukrainian Government (GoU) has a strong ambition to ‘build back better’, making progress towards the SDGs with a specific focus on addressing climate change. This includes a desire for an overhaul of existing towns and neighbourhoods, which typically are mono-functional with inadequate provision of public space and access to public services and functions. The provision of housing is instrumental and existing housing policies needs to be revised for an improved delivery, transparency and accountability as well as construction and energy standards. There is a need to also revisit and update instruments and frameworks for urban planning especially on local level, for reconstruction of the built environment.  

Particular considerations need to be directed towards the changing demographics (including the increased number of people with disabilities) and economics in the country. Regional economic development strategies needs to be developed including approaches for urban and territorial regeneration. Pre-war urbanization trends already included a move from eastern to western regions, now further accelerated by displacement caused by the war and further assessments establishing the extend and conditions for population returns needs to be undertaken to inform and support urban recovery and development work.  

Urban recovery initiatives should feed into the government-defined requirements as set out in the Law on Regulation of Urban Planning Activities which defines the development of Comprehensive Plans of Spatial Development and Concepts of Integrated Development as well as inclusive of the latest amendments introduced by Law #2254, related to the development of Сomplex Recovery Programmes. 

The enacted martial law has contributed to the need to conduct reforms on various matters, inclusive of those on urban planning. However, those, introduced by the Ministry of Restoration in a draft Law #5655 with a focus on urban planning and instruments to support recovery and reconstruction, risk to further undermining decentralization gains which poses a high concern for cities and other urban stakeholders. At the same time, the mentioned draft law aims to guide the recovery efforts by putting in place anti-corruption measures and to ensure transparency, for example through instruments such as the DREAM platform created by the RISE Coalition

Small towns and cities, including more recently formed hromadas, often lack expertise and capacity on a number of fronts, in particular in relation to urban development and planning as well as project design and implementation. It is expected that this gap will affect the capacities of small towns and cities in developing and implementing the “complex recovery programmes” called for by the government under Law#2254-IX.  

Global and regional best practices of urban and territorial development as well as urban regeneration can also be used to inspire renewed urban environments of high quality. To embed aspects of social cohesion, heritage and cultural adequacy in the recovery and development process, emphasis should be placed on inclusive, human-centred approaches and practices, for example with inspiration from the New European Bauhaus  

The war has also affected the availability of Ukrainian expertise, including of urban planners and designers, with some residing abroad and others enrolled in the army. Pre-war, this expertise was already scarce, as the offer of bachelor or master’s programme dedicated to regional and urban planning and design was limited.  

Collectively, this calls for the recovery efforts to introduce a systemic shift in the planning and design of cities, towns and neighbourhoods in Ukraine, while also embedding measures to build capacity within the built environment professions, including urban planning. 

 1.4 UN-Habitat’s response to Urban Recovery in Ukraine 

Upon request of its Executive Board in March 2022 and of the Government of Ukraine in July 2022, UN-Habitat has been exploring how its urban expertise in conflict contexts could support the recovery of cities in Ukraine.   

UN-Habitat’s intervention – “Towards Inclusive and Resilient Urban Recovery in Ukraine” - builds on the approach and experience UN-Habitat has developed in various conflict contexts, such as in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia among others. The approach will be adapted and applied to the specific context of Ukraine for urban recovery and development. Moreover, the proposed response aims at contributing to the Government of Ukraine’s Priority Action Plan 2023, launched in March 2023, specifically to the fourth and ninth areas, namely “Recovery” and “Decentralisation and regional development”. The intervention also aligns with UN-Habitat’s contribution to the United Nations Ukraine Transitional Framework 2022-2023 (to be extended to 2024), as described under Strategic Priority 2 “Strengthening Systems and Building Resilience”.  

UN-Habitat’s Country Programme Framework for Ukraine (adopted in December 2022) provides the overarching framework for UN-Habitat’s support to urban recovery in Ukraine. Further, UN-Habitat’s intervention would align with the ongoing work of the UN Country Team, which is now transitioning from a pure focus on humanitarian action to early recovery activities, including through the set-up of a Durable Solutions Working Group, led by IOM, UNHCR and UNDP, of which UN-Habitat is also a member. UN-Habitat has validated its support to recovery of urban areas in Ukraine through several missions and interactions with partners and stakeholders. 

The Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development (hereafter called Ministry of Restoration) is UN-Habitat’s main focal point. Additionally, UN-Habitat will engage in direct collaboration with select regional administrations (Oblast administrations) and local governments (hromadas).  

In parallel to the initiative “Towards Inclusive and Resilient Urban Recovery in Ukraine”, UN-Habitat in collaboration with the HafenCity University and the UN Office for Information Communications Technology (OICT) has established United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities (UNITAC), with the purpose of developing digital tools and increased capacity for inclusive, smart and resilient recovery of Ukraine. The two initiatives are closely interlinked, for example in the realm of data generation, management and dissemination, as well as, strengthening institutions for improved urban governance and management.  

UN-Habitat aims to strengthen Ukrainian planning capacity and cross-learning initiatives as part of its support to planning for urban recovery at local level, for example through cross-learning initiaties, on-the-job training and tailored capacity building efforts. In addition, UN-Habitat will support the design of new academic curricular, for example by working closely with Ukrainian centres of education. 

In summary, UN-Habitat’s scope of work to support a sustainable and resilient recovery of urban areas in Ukraine includes the following interlinked components:  

  • Strategic and policy advice to inform recovery and development e.g., the establishment of an Urban Recovery Framework on national level;  
  • Urban profiling of select urban areas, including a territorial/regional outlook;  
  • Rapid participatory recovery planning in select urban areas or parts thereof;  
  • Support to the development of strategic urban recovery plans, including a territorial/regional outlook. These can potentially be translated into integrated urban development plans;  
  • Strengthening of capacity among institutions and stakeholders;  
  • Establishment of an Urban Lab in Kyiv;  
  • Development of digital solutions in collaboration with the UNITAC project.  

 2. Aim, Objective and Scope of the Project  

2.1 Overall Objective and anticipated result 

One of the objectives of UN-Habitat’s engagement, through its Kyiv Urban Lab (to be established), is to create an enabling environment on local level for an effective, inclusive and bottom-up recovery of urban areas, with the aim of addressing both immediate needs (short-term) as well as incentivize a strategic and transformative change of the built environment (medium-/long term). By establishing urban recovery processes that facilitate a resilient, participatory and sustainable urban recovery and development, the anticipated impact is more inclusive, just, green, healthy and conducive to livable conditions for current and future urban dwellers. Further, locally-led urban recovery efforts are anticipated to inform and facilitate implementation of national regulatory frameworks, policy and processes. UN-Habitat’s interventions aim to enable a recovery towards resilient urban development while improving quality of life and facilitating population returns. The interventions are also designed to help decentralization gains, empowering local governments to act and respond to urban development. Working closely with other actors and programmes supporting the decentralization process will be critical. 

To achieve this objective, UN-Habitat will strengthen existing approaches and capacities in Ukraine, building on the work of the UN-family, the international community at large and national organisations, adding value with its urban expertise. Specifically, UN-Habitat will focus on urban profiling and recovery planning in select locations, targeting small- to medium-sized cities and towns (< 100,000 in population). Through rapid assessments, identification and selection of local government partners will consider among other things capacities and resources, level of damages and destruction, capacity of service provision due to the high number of displaced persons (or a combination thereof).  

2.2 Geographical scope of the project 

UN-Habitat is planning to initially engage in collaboration with up to five (5) hromadas, or cluster of hromadas, for support in urban recovery planning. In this context, a cluster of hromadas refers to two or more smaller municipalities that have joint urban recovery challenges, are adjacent to one another and where synergies can be harnessed in the urban recovery planning. Such synergies could, for example, relate to common housing/job markets, infrastructure provision, economic development, natural conditions etc.  

The hromadas are still to be identified but are anticipated to be located in various parts of Ukraine, primarily the central and western parts of the country. UN-Habitat will at this moment in time not engage with municipalities that are in, or, are at higher risk of being drawn into a continuous and direct war aggression, i.e. hromadas in the southern or eastern parts of the country. UN-Habitat will tentatively engage with two (2) hromadas as pilot municipalities in the Kyiv region, to help facilitate testing of methodologies and approaches for urban recovery planning in the Ukrainian context.  

2.3 Technical scope of the project  

Urban Profiling aims to gain and establish a common understanding of the current conditions of a particular urban context, and in particular the impact of the crisis on a specific urban area (e.g. a city, town, neighborhood, or region). This is established through the collection and analysis of available urban data and the conduction of spatial analysis. Hence, the data will need to be both digitized and spatialized during the urban profiling process as basis to inform subsequent urban recovery planning. The urban profiling is anticipated to be undertaken on a town/neighbourhood level but will include a territorial outlook when relevant. 

The data generated through the Urban Profiling will feed into an Urban Data Platform (to be developed and established by UNITAC), which where possible will be integrated into national data platforms, such as DREAM platform. The urban data will be also made available to the wider UN team’s recovery efforts and will inform the ongoing UNSDCF (United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework) formulation for the period beyond 2024. The Urban Data Platform, if deemed feasible, can also help in availing data and results and for stakeholder/community engagement purposes.  

The Urban Profiling methodology will be adapted to the Ukrainian context as well as the select hromadas. Typically, the following data sets (but not limited to) are to be collected, managed and spatialized;  

Domain  Dataset

Attribute

Spatial Quantitative  Qualitative

Governance 

Boundaries 

Spatial 

Area 

Name 

Hierarchy 

Society 

Population 

Location 

Population number 

Socioeconomic group 

Average household size 

Displacement condition 

Average monthly expenses 

Access to water service 

Average housing size 

Occupation / economic sector 

Type of water access 

Access to sewage service 

Average monthly income*

Type of sewage access 

Access to electricity service 

Type of electricity access 

Overcrowding condition 

Slum 

Location 

Area 

Name 

Population number 

Environment 

Topography 

Location 

Elevation 

 

Hydrological system (bodies & streams) 

Area 

Type 

Length 

Climate 

Area 

Type 

Ecosystems 

Measurement 

Type 

Area 

Type

Hazard 

Management  

Area

Type

Intensity 

Frequency

Built environment 

Building footprint 

Location 

Area 

Damage/Physical sensitivity level 

Height 

Urban footprint 

Location 

Area 

Year 

Damage 

Location 

Area 

Severity/Intensity 

Infrastructure networks 

Road network 

Location 

Length 

Hierarchy 

Water network   
(pipeline & facilities) 

Location 

Length 

Type 

Diameter 

Material 

Sewage pipeline network  
(line & facilities) 

Location 

Length 

Type 

Diameter 

Material 

Electricity network   
(line & facilities) 

Location 

Length 

Type 

Social facilities/services 

Landuse 

Location 

Area 

Type 

Health facilities 

Location 

Area 

Type 

Capacity 

Education facilities 

Location 

Area 

Type 

Capacity 

Cultural facilities and Heritage 

Location 

Area 

Type 

Governmental facilities 

Location 

Area 

Type 

Public space 

Location 

Area 

Type 

Green area 

Location 

Area 

Type 

Public transport network (line & stops) 

Location 

Length 

Type 

Response 

Early warning system 

Location 

Population number 

Coverage area 

Evacuation routes 

Location 

Length 

Hierarchy 

Evacuation centers/Shelter 

Location 

Area 

Type 

The Urban Profiling will include at least the following key components: 

  • Collection and analysis of the required urban data, including the integration of existing data sets (e.g. sectoral needs assessments, damage assessments, etc.); 

  • Undertake spatially informed analysis of the urban area, including a territorial outlook if relevant, mapping out the functionality of neighbourhoods and urban areas, keeping in mind potential population returns and/or existing pressure on urban systems due to the presence of displaced populations; 

  • Draft diagnostic reports on findings including spatial and non-spatial recommendations (urban profiling report); 

  • Plan and deliver visioning and scenario planning sessions as part of validating the findings of the profiling process and to bridge to the recovery planning phase. 

The urban profiles are anticipated to inform urban recovery planning processes on hromada and neighborhood levels, as well as potentially UN-Habitat’s policy advisory services on a regional and national level. 

2.4 Methodology  

UN-Habitat has an established methodology for Urban Profiling and Urban Recovery Planning in crisis and post-crisis contexts, namely, the Urban Recovery Framework. This, together with the Urban Lab’s approach to urban profiling and planning, provides the general framework and methodology to be applied for delivery of the services. The methodology and approach need to be adapted to the Ukrainian context and is to be finally agreed upon between UN-Habitat and the Implementing Partner.  

Further, the urban profiling processes is anticipated to be undertaken in a staggered fashion for transfer of experiences and knowledge from one context to another, starting with two pilot locations in Kyivska oblast (tentatively Makariv and Borodyanka).  

2.5 Workplan and Timing for Project Implementation 

  •  UN-Habitat will prepare urban recovery plans, including urban profiling, for 5 hromadas (or clusters thereof) within the end of 2024. As an indication for the applicant to submit their tentative timeline for the implementation of the project, below are the key milestones that UN-Habitat has set for this project: 

  • Inception phase: starting November 2023 

  • Urban profiling (including data collection and analysis in the 5 clusters): up to June 2024 

  • Rapid Recovery plans in the 5 clusters: up to August 2024 

  • Strategic Recovery plans: up to December 2024 

 

The applicant is invited to propose a set-up for delivery of the urban profiling component that meets the key milestones, including phasing of activities. 

3. Proposal for Implementation of the Services  

3.1 Types of Services to be provided by the Implementing Partner 

UN-Habitat is seeking to engage an Implementing Partner (IP) to provide technical support in preparing Urban Profiles for select hromadas as part of UN-Habitat’s urban recovery project. The Implementing Partner will collaborate with UN-Habitat’s team, and specifically the Urban Lab in Kyiv and other Implementing Partners (e.g. on recovery planning), for the duration of the overall project, providing technical assistance for urban profiling in the urban recovery processes for five (5) hromadas, or clusters thereof. The technical assistance will include but is not limited to the following activities: 

  • Review and Validation of existing data 
  • Primary data collection (e.g. household survey and damage/physical sensitivity assessment, key facilities assessment, etc.)  
  • Remote-sensing and Participatory Mapping (e.g. hazard assessment; filling data gaps, etc.) 
  • Analysis (key inputs during the diagnostic phase) 

The final content, approach and definition of roles and responsibilities is to be agreed upon between UN-Habitat and the Implementing Partner, as well as, adapted to the Ukrainian context, at a later stage and once all partners are on board. 

3.2 Personnel and Resource Requirements  

Delivery of the services will require the deployment of expertise throughout the process. The Implementing Partner is requested to propose a deployment plan that ensures that the services can be delivered to quality and within the set timeframe. It is suggested that the Implementing Partner deploys a core team (minimum 2 experts) to the Urban Lab in Kyiv to facilitate close collaboration with UN-Habitat’s experts. The Implementing Partner should propose a team of additional experts that can be deployed to engage in certain components, activities and peaks when and as necessary.  

The Implementing Partner is requested to specify the following in their resource proposal, including demonstration of relevant experience from similar assignments within or beyond Ukraine:  

  • Team lead/focal point for the collaboration with UN-Habitat  

  • Technical lead for the urban profiling process (if other than the Team Lead)  

  • Expertise for data gathering/collection and cleaning  

  • Expertise for spatial and non-spatial analysis of the data.  

  • Other additional expertise as proposed by the Implementing Partner.  

3.3 Methodology and Workplan  

Aligned to the scope and methodology outlined for the project under section 2, the Implementing Partner selected to support in the Urban Profiling is requested to propose an approach and methodology for implementation of the services. The proposal should also include an approach for building capacity among collaborating administrations, institutions and other partners and stakeholders, to align with the intentions of the project set out in Section 1 above.  

The Implementing Partner is requested to propose a workplan specifically for the Urban Profiling component, including 5 hromadas (or clusters thereof), and in consideration of piloting the urban profiling in two hromadas within the Kyiv region within 2023. The proposal should indicate a starting date of November 1 (or an alternative date depending on availability and capacity) and the proposed workplan should indicate how the urban profiling can be staggered/phased.  

The workplan proposed by the Implementing Partner should include at least the following phases and components:  

  • Inception phase (organisation and definition of roles and responsibilities, setting up of technical work incl. defining work modalities and urban profiling methodology etc);  

  • Piloting of urban profiling for up to two hromadas, including review of existing data; remote sensing; contextualisation of tools; collection of primary data; analysis; etc.;  

  • Collection of quantitative and qualitative data, both general and for select hromadas, including any additional data that needs to be gathered, validated and/or enlarged;   

  • Analysis and spatialisation of available data;   

  • Development of Urban Profile report;   

  • Phased urban profiling for additional hromadas, or clusters thereof;  

  • Strategy for sustainability, exiting and handing over;  

  • Timing and phasing of work;  

  • Alignment to urban recovery planning and urban data platform development.  

3.4 Locations  

UN-Habitat is currently identifying the 5 hromadas (or clusters thereof), where the project will be implemented. UN-Habitat will select areas in the priority oblasts defined by the Durable Solutions Working Group in the UN Country Team in Ukraine. The priority oblasts identified are: Kyivska, Kharkivska, Dnipropetrovska, Zakarpatska, Mykolaivska and Lvivska. 

At this stage, the first cluster is being discussed with relevant authorities and will potentially include the hromadas of Makariv and Borodyanka in Kyivska oblast (TBC). The other hromadas (or clusters thereof) will be selected in the remaining 5 priority oblasts, also in coordination with partners such as the Durable Solutions Working Group. 

3.5 Risk Assessment  

Undertaking Urban recovery planning in Ukraine would need to consider potential risks and influence from external factors that impact on delivery of the services. The Implementing Partner is requested to assess and outline such potential risks associated with delivery of the services, including risk mitigation measures.. Some of the risks could include, but is not limited to:  

  • Escalation of the war/aggression in the country impacting on capacity to engage in the project; 

  • Direct impact of the war/aggression in select municipalities, or restricted access to the same municipalities due to impacts from the war/aggression;  

  • Rotation of staff within the Implementing Partner and/or within select municipalities affecting their capacity to engage; 

  • Accessibility / availability of data related to urban profiling; 

  • Political interference in undertaking urban profiling in select geographical areas; 

  • Unexpected lack of internal capacity to deliver the services.  

3.6 Budget  

The Implementing Partner is requested to propose a budget for implementation of the services. The budget should be specified according to identified sub-components / workstreams as well as consider a phasing of the services, where e.g. the inception and piloting phase is one. The budget can consider the following budgetary components, amongst others: 

  • Staff and other personnel costs;  

  • Supplies, commodities, materials;  

  • Equipment, vehicles and furniture (including depreciation); 

  • Contractual services;  

  • Travel;  

  • General operating and other direct costs;  

     

4. Eligibility Criteria 

Criteria  Submission Details/ Documents Required  

Legal Status 

  • Certificate of registration/incorporation i.e.,  
  • Proof of registration in Country of Origin.  
  • Proof of registration of Country of operation 
  • Proof of country operational presence 
Organization profile and details 
  • Clear organization profile and structure of the organization indicating : 
  • Organization’s vision, mission and objectives  
  • Management structure  
  • Members of the Governing Board and their Designations duly certified by the Corporate Secretary, or its equivalent document  
  • Proof of membership to professional associations if any. 

Financial Capacity 

  • Audited company financial statements (balance sheet and income statement) and auditors report for the last two years  
Exclusive bank account 
  • Is the organization willing and able to have a separate bank account for the funds provided by UN-Habitat? 
Integrity and Governance  
  • The organization should complete and submit a signed Partner Declaration Form 

Link for download: https://t.ly/xmmYt 

  • Provide the profiles of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Head of the Organization and Chief of Finance 

 

5. Selection Criteria 

Criteria 

Submission Details/ Documents Required  Weighting 
1.   Technical capacity   

25% 

1.1 Does the organization have the relevant experience and proven track record in implementing activities in the areas of the project?  

- Has it managed in the past projects of similar technical complexities and financial size?  

- Is the project linked with the core business of the IP?  

- Does it have recognized, and externally validated expertise in at least two of the following substantive areas: 

  • Urban recovery planning, stakeholder engagement and community participation and finally, engagement and coordination with relevant government entities 

  • Does it have a demonstrated track record of primary data collection, review and validation of existing data, remote-sensing and participatory mapping, and data analysis (key inputs during the diagnostic phase) in Ukraine; as well as a well documented experience in project implementation in Ukraine. 

- Does it have an externally validated reputation for independence, integrity, objectivity, and analytical rigor 

  • List of projects executed in the last 2 years (value, location, donors, nature of projects, execution stage – completed or ongoing). 
  • Demonstrate how the experiences in past projects are relevant in the execution of the current proposal 
  • References from past donors 
 

1.2 Does the organization have qualified technical staff with the experience and the technical skills required by the project?  

What is the staff size, type, qualification and education background? 

  • CVs of key management staff, technical and non-technical staff that will be involved on the project  
  • How many technical staff do you have in the concerned Country for implementing the project? Is there reasonable assurance that such technical staff required by the project will continue to be available as needed in the Project?  
 

1.3 Does the organization have a clear and strong link with an identifiable constituency relevant to the targeted population of the project?  

Does it have the ability to impact on the targeted population and on the issues? 

Does it have strong presence in the field and for how long?  

Does it have adequate capacity to work in key areas/regions where the proposed field activities will be implemented? 

  • Demonstrate, describe and provide proof of local operational presence, including link and ability to impact the targeted population. 
 
1.4 Does the organization possess adequate physical facilities, office equipment, transport, etc. to implement the activities? 
  • Provide location and list of office facilities, vehicles and office equipment locally available to implement the project. 
 
1.5 Does the organization have formal procedures to monitor project execution (e.g. milestones, outputs, expenditures…) 
  • Provide formal project monitoring policies and procedures 
 
2.   Financial and administrative capacity    15%

2.1 Has the organization been in operation over a period of at least 2 years to demonstrate its financial sustainability and relevance?  

  • State the years of operation 
  • Financial statements for the last 2 years 
 

2.2 Does the organization have qualified staff in Finance? Is the current accounting system computerized and does have the capacity to collect and provide separate financial reports on the activities executed under the Agreement of Cooperation?  

Does it have systems and practices to monitor and report whether the project deliverables and expenditures are within agreed time and budget?  

Does it have minimum segregation of duties in place (separation between project management, finance/accounting and executive office) 

 

  • CVs of key finance and accounting staff 
  • Description and key features and controls of the accounting system used  
  • Organization structure/ Organogram 
 
2.3 Does the organization have the capacity to procure goods and services on a transparent and competitive basis? (if applicable) check for procurement unit with experienced staff 
  • Copies of procurement policies and procedures. The procedures should show how you procure locally and internationally. 
n/a
2.4 Does the organization have formal procedures and controls to mitigate fraud such as multiple signature signatories on bank accounts, reporting and prosecution of incidences of fraud? 
  • Describe anti-fraud controls and provide formal procedures  
 
2.5 Does the organization have capacity to provide in-kind, financial, personnel contribution as UN-Habitat Implementing Partner in this present project? Please give details of contribution nature and size. 
  • Describe nature and value of contribution (in-kind or cash) 
 
3.   Financial Proposal    30%

3.1 Is the budget for each component of the activity to be performed by the Implementing Partner  

(i) cost-effective (i.e. the cost should be economical and prudently estimated to avoid any under/over estimation)  

(ii) justifiable/well supported and  

(iii) accurate and complete 

  • Budget Proposal  

Template for the budget proposal: https://t.ly/afPAx  

  • Other supporting documents 
 
4.   Technical Proposal    30%
4.1 The technical proposal is sound and responds adequately to the specifications and requirements? 
  • Technical Proposal document  

Template for the technical  proposal: https://t.ly/9ZCkm 

 

 

 
Cumulative score for ratios    100% 

 

5. How to Apply 

 

Electronic Submission 

  • For more information, please contact unhabitat-ukraine@un.org 

  • The proposal must be delivered in electronic format no later than 26 October 2023 17:00 hrs (CET) to the e-mail address: unhabitat-ukraine@un.org  

  • Format: PDF files only. Zip, RAR and JPEG files must not be used. Proposers should check the attachment format prior to submissions. UN-Habitat will not be responsible if attachments are in other formats that cannot be opened without additional software. 

  • Maximum file size per transmission is 5MB per transmission. There is no restriction on the number of files sent but each transmission must be labelled, for example, 1 of 2.  

 

Notes:  

  1. Interested Organizations must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochure, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc).  

  2. The RFP and accompanying documents must be received in accordance with instructions provided.  

  3. RFP from applicants failing to provide the complete information to fulfill the basic eligibility criteria will be considered non-responsive.  

  4. RFP received after the above deadline will not be considered  

  5. RFP from applicants failing to provide the requested information will be disregarded.  

  6. This RFP does not entail any commitment on the part of UN-Habitat, either financial or otherwise. UN-Habitat reserves the right to accept or reject any or all EOI without incurring any obligation to inform the affected applicant(s) of the grounds.  

  7. All prices must be in USD 

 

Posted on: 13 Oct 2023