Call for Proposals - Organizational Capacity building of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities with specific focus on women and other underrepresented groups - Trinidad and Tobago

UN CALL FOR PROPOSALS
UNPRPD INITIATIVE IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

The United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) Initiative, Trinidad and Tobago invites interested Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) legally registered in Trinidad and Tobago, including non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations and Civil Society organizations to apply.

I. BACKGROUND 

It is estimated that 1 billion people, or 15% of the world’s population live with a disability and approximately 3% with severe disability. With an increase in the aging population and chronic diseases, it is expected that the prevalence of people living with disabilities will increase.

Persons with disabilities continue to face multiple barriers that prevent them from equal and effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the strong emphasis on disability inclusion within the Sustainable Development Goals, have created important advances in this area, but much more needs to be done before people with disabilities can participate fully within society on an equal basis with others.

Data on disability in Trinidad and Tobago stems from the 2011 Population and Housing Census (Central Statistical Office Trinidad and Tobago 2011). According to the census, the disability prevalence rate in Trinidad and Tobago is 4.3% of the total population with a slightly larger number of females with disabilities than males. Disaggregated data by age and gender was collected on Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and non-formal education and training. Data was also collected on the unemployment rate of persons with disabilities.

Comparing the figures of the 2011 census with international figures on the prevalence of disability, it can be assumed that the figures in the census are grossly understated (WHO and World Bank 2011). The Census is based on self-reporting and does not include adequate questions to fully determine the prevalence of disability and therefore does not provide statistically sound and internationally comparable data essential for developing evidence-based disability policies, legislation and programmes for people with disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago. The Equal Opportunity Act (EOA) Chap.22:3 is currently the only piece of legislation that specifically references the rights of persons with disabilities. This Act seeks to prohibit certain types of discrimination and established an Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and an Equal Opportunities Tribunal (EOT).

In June 2015, Trinidad and Tobago ratified the CRPD. Trinidad and Tobago is also a signatory to the ILO Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Convention (No. 159, reasonable employment) and Recommendation 168. As a signatory to the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD), the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services’ (MSDFS), Disability Affairs Unit has responsibility for reporting the progress of implementation of the articles of the convention every two years to the CRPD committee at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The government has a National Policy on Persons with Disabilities (2018) to address the gaps and inconsistencies of existing legislation and to provide a foundation for the development of appropriate disability legislation. The National Policy which was approved as a White Paper in May 2019 acknowledges that legislation in Trinidad and Tobago requires amendments to bring the country in line with CRPD standards.
 

II. PURPOSE OF THIS ENGAGEMENT
 
The purpose of this project is to build the organizational capacity of OPDs with specific focus on women and other underrepresented groups. Training will include change management, advocacy, budgeting, leadership, communications and proposal writing.

III. REQUIREMENTS AND COMPETENCIES

Organizations wishing to apply,  should meet the following requirements and competencies:

• Be a registered civil society organization including Non-Profit Organizations, Faith-Based Organizations and Civil Society Organization (Non-registered organizations can apply as an Associate Partner to a registered entity.)
• Be registered within the United Nations Partner Portal: https://www.unpartnerportal.org/landing/.
• Possess extensive experience in organizational capacity building. Preference will be given to those organizations who have previously engaged OPDs and persons with disabilities.
• Possess Extensive experience in organizational capacity building in the public and private sector with specific emphasis on training in proposal writing, change management, advocacy, budgeting, leadership and communications.
• Project management experience would be an asset.
• Possess a high capacity to foster partnerships and coordinate with other stakeholders
• Be registered by the relevant bodies
• Previous experience working with UN agencies and persons with disabilities  is an asset but not mandatory.

Trainers should have a strong command of the English language and be able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences. Trainers should also be equipped with the necessary tools to deliver capacity building to participants with varying disabilities e.g Sign Language interpreter, Braille, etc.
 

IV. EVALUATION CRITERIA

Applications will be assessed by a review panel to identify organizations that have the required knowledge, skills, and capacity to support achievement of results using criteria outlined in section 3.2 of the Invitation to Proposals document.

It should be noted, however, that participation in this Invitation for Proposals does not guarantee the organization will be selected for partnership with UNFPA. Selected NGOs will be invited to enter into an implementing partner agreement and applicable UNFPA programme policy and procedures will apply.
 

V. SUBMISSION DETAILS

Only NGO Profile and Proposal Forms submitted in English will be considered. Those wishing to apply, shall submit the following:

Organizational Profile – Supporting Documents required:

1. Copy of valid legal registration in Trinidad and Tobago
2. Evidence of established management structure (i.e., organogram/ organisational structure);
3. Documents such as past contracts, donor reports are desirable but not mandatory;
4. Project planning, budgeting procedures and source of funding
5. Reporting Procedures Monitoring and Evaluation, Assets and Inventory Management
6. External audit within the last three years, administrative and financial rules, list of banks, internal control framework
7. Past annual financial statement(s) is required
8. Procurement policy and templates, Human Resources Policy, Policy for Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Code of Conduct, Fraud Prevention Policies and Practices.
9. CVs for staff involved in the project
10. Detailed Proposal, inclusive of Budget  

Interested organizations should submit their Application packages by Thursday, August 4, 2022 4:00 PM AST by email to srocprocurement@unfpa.org.
 

Applications received after the above deadline and time will not be considered.

For further questions regarding the process please contact: trinidad.office@unfpa.org on or before Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

Note:

• There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the bid solicitation process. 
• UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.