CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

IOM MISSION – TIMOR-LESTE

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

1. Timeline

Call for Expression of interest ID # TL-011/22

Posted (date)

12 July 2022

Application Deadline 25 July 2022

Implementation Start Date 01 August 2022

Implementation End Date 31 December 2022

2. Locations

Timor-Leste

3. Sector(s) and area(s) of specialization

Diaspora Engagement

4. Issuing Agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

5. Project Background

We are living in an era of unprecedented migration with more people on the move than ever before – 1 billion out of a world population of 7 billion. Of these, an estimated 271.6 million people or 3.5 per cent of the world’s population are living outside their country of origin, making migration a defining feature of our times, affecting the lives of people, communities, and countries globally.

Migration is centuries old and is both a coping strategy and an opportunity for economic betterment. It is a phenomenon that benefits both countries of origin and destination. In countries of origin, it is in the form of remittances, diaspora investments and skills transfer and in countries of destination by filling labour and skill shortages and increasing cultural diversity among others. In addition, migration is often an enabler of individual capacities and human development at the household level and further contributes to national development and resilience to economic and environmental shocks.

Decades of emigration from Timor-Leste has resulted in large, and growing, Timorese diaspora communities all over the world, but concentrated to mainly Australia, Indonesia, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, and the U.K. Exact numbers are difficult to obtain as there is limited data on the Timorese diaspora. According to the government of Timor-Leste, it is estimated that there are currently around 50,000 Timorese nationals living abroad, mainly in Australia, Indonesia and the UK.

The Timorese diaspora can play an important role in the socio-economic development of Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste’s diaspora communities are growing and remittances from the Diaspora constituting Timor-Leste’s second largest source of revenue/income after oil. In recent years, the government of Timor-Leste has increasingly recognized the immense 2 development potential that the Timorese diaspora communities hold. As such, there is an increasing consensus that diaspora engagement approaches need to be transformed from ad hoc exercises to high-level policy priorities embedded in government structures with requisite budgetary planning.

Project Overview:

Currently, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Timor-Leste is jointly implementing the Project “Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) and Financial Diversification in Timor-Leste.” The project aims to assist the Timorese government to develop and establish a holistic and integrated national financing framework which will help to improve governance, coordination, articulation of a financing strategy and strengthening of the monitoring and oversight framework.

The programme will help diversify financing sources of the country and grow the fiscal space for Timor-Leste to reduce the reliance on petroleum funding. Three financing areas have been identified for catalyzing strategic investments in People, Prosperity and Planet that emphasize financing – health, diaspora and climate financing, respectively.

A strong INFF that mobilizes pro-health taxation, diaspora financing and financing for climate-related SDGs will be a catalyst for increasing investments in sustainable development. To realize this, the project has developed a National Diaspora Policy, National Action Plan (NAP) and Remittance Mobilization Strategy (RMS) to engage and empower diaspora in sustainable development.

6. Expected Results

This pilot scheme is designed to respond directly to the aims and recommendations of the Timor-Leste National Diaspora Engagement Policy, 2023 – 2027, and Timor-Leste National Diaspora Engagement Action Plan, 2023 – 2027, by providing an iterative learning model to inform the delivery of one of the key recommended activities within the policy and action plan, namely recommendation 4.2. This recommendation focuses on the development of a Global Timorese Impact Fund.

This fund will ultimately result in the development of an independently brokered social impact fund for the Timorese diaspora to have a more structured support mechanism to advance entrepreneurial, philanthropic, and humanitarian support to Timor-Leste. A key aspect of this process will also include embedding financial education and financial literacy tools to educate both remittance senders and recipients on the use of such remittances for such social impact. This independent fund, implemented by a partner verified by government, the diaspora, and key cooperation partners, can serve as a broker between the diaspora and home.

The successful delivery of a wider focused impact fund will require early interventions to promote exchange between key actors in Timor-Leste and the Timorese diaspora to scope preliminary barriers, challenges, and procedural enhancements to actualize such a vision for the impact fund. This pilot diaspora scheme is a key step in this process.

There is a growing evidence base on the increasing importance of locality to diaspora engagement. Ranging from assessments from fields such as investment promotion and tourism, there is a heightening focus on the linkages between diaspora and local development. Furthermore, with the most recent estimates from the Central Bank of Timor-Leste on the purpose of remittances sent by the diaspora back home through Money Transfer Operators (MTOs) being heavily focused on family (90%) then beginning this impact journey at a local and municipal level is a strategic policy first-step in Timor-Leste. Local is where the diaspora heart often beats strongest and where impact is felt most.

Therefore, the scope of this diaspora pilot scheme is to build a short-term exchange programme between a municipality and a leading Timorese diaspora organization to initiate a matched-funding impact facility that will merge seed capital provided by IOM and a municipality with seed capital support provided by the Timorese diaspora to be operationalized through local partnerships. Through this pilot, key organizational and operational steps will be identified that can be utilized for scaling the model of engagement towards the fuller achievement of recommendation 4.2 of the Timor-Leste National Diaspora Engagement Policy, 2023 – 2027, and Timor-Leste National Diaspora Engagement Action Plan, 2023 – 2027.

7. Selection Criteria

Name, Description, Weight

Relevance of proposal to achieving expected results:

Description: Relevance of proposal to achieving expected results; Expertise on life skills, budgeting skills as well as, communication, negotiation and participation skills ; Expertise and experience in developing and delivery of training programmes and capacity building for CSOs and public institutions; Adequacy and clarity of proposed budget (including contribution by CSO); Relevant technical expertise and experience in working with a different range of stakeholders at a national and local level in establishing a youth-sensitive perspective across sectors

Weight: 60

Sustainability of intervention

Description: Experience in partnering with key institutions related to youth and adolescent participation and development; National and Local experience, presence and community relations; Management ability; Sustainability of intervention.

Weight: 20

Other

Description: Replicability/scalability; Gender mainstreaming skills to apply during implementation of the programmes; Innovative approach

Weight: 20

8. Attachments

Description URL

ANNEX A – Terms of Reference See page 7

ANNEX B – Implementing Partner References Checklist See page 6

ANNEX C – Implementing Partners General Information Questionnaire See page 12

ANNEX D – Concept Note Template Link

ANNEX – E Financial and Narrative Reporting Templates Link

ANNEX F – Project Implementation Agreement Template Link

9. For more information on this partnership opportunity, and to apply, please visit https://www.iom.int

The organizations responding to this call need to demonstrate their capacity to implement all listed activities as a single package. Partial applications for individual activities will not be considered.

IOM reserves the right to cancel/reduce the scope of planned activities or to introduce new/broaden the scope of the existing activities. Selected Implementing partner needs to be ready to develop a detailed budget based on submitted proposal in two weeks upon receiving the notification from IOM.

All applicants will receive written notification, within the two weeks after the deadline for the submission of Concept.

Note, of the outcome of the selection process. Should an applicant request further clarification, IOM will provide a response explaining the transparency and integrity of the selection process undertaken.

IOM reserves the right to decline disclosure of the specificity of decision derived by the IOM mission due to reasons related to confidentiality.

IOM reserves the right to accept or reject any Expression of Interest, and to annul the selection process and reject all Expression of Interest at any time, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Implementing Partners. For more information, please contact please contact IOM HR Focal Point sending email to [email protected].

Expression of Interest submission guidelines

This document contains instructions on the preparation and submission of the Application including Annex A: IP Information.

1. The Application must be submitted through mail to [email protected] no later than 25 July 2022. Late Application will no longer be considered.

2. A detailed description must be provided on how the requirements specified in the Call for Expression of Interest (CEI) issued by IOM will be matched by the capabilities, experience, knowledge and expertise of the Implementing Partners

3. The Application must be submitted in one original and one copy and envelop must be marked “Original” and “Copy” as appropriate. If there are any discrepancies between the original and the copy the original governs. Both envelopes shall be placed in an outer envelope and sealed. The outer envelope shall be labeled with the submission address, reference number and title of the Project and name of the Implementing Partner.

4. The Application must be submitted in the English language and in the format prescribed by IOM within the CEI. All required information must be provided, responding clearly and concisely to all the points set out. Any application which does not fully and comprehensively address this CEI requirements may be rejected.

5. The Application document should comprise of the following:

a. Cover letter

b. Technical Proposal including workplan (Noting that for efficient implementation activities do not need to follow the sequence of the outlined deliverables but can be carried out in conjunction and/or as per the institution’s preferred structure and planning c. Financial Proposal (template accessible through link, see page 4)

d. Activity Timeline

e. Duly accomplished application documentation as outlined within the CEI signed on all pages by the Implementing Partner’s Authorized Representative; and

f. Any other relevant document

g. Cover Letter;

6. Applications may be modified or withdrawn in writing, prior to the closing time specified in this Request for EoI. Applications shall not be modified or withdrawn after the deadline.

7. The Implementing partner shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of the Application and IOM will not in any case be responsible and liable for the costs incurred.

8. IOM at no occasion will ask an application fee from Implementing Partners.

9. All information given in writing to or verbally shared with the Implementing Partners in connection with this CEI is to be treated as strictly confidential. The Implementing Partner shall not share or invoke such information to any third party without the prior written approval of IOM. This obligation shall continue after 5 the selection process has been completed whether or not the Implementing Partner application is successful.

10. IOM will treat all information (or that marked proprietary/sensitive/financial) received from Implementing Partners as confidential and any personal data in accordance with its Data Protection Principles.

11. The Implementing Partner by submitting an application gives consent to IOM to share information with those who need to know for the purposes of evaluating and managing the proposal.

12. IOM reserves the right to accept or reject any Application, and to cancel the process and reject all Applications, at any time without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Implementing partner or any obligation to inform the affected Implementing partner of the ground for IOM’s action

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER REFERENCES CHECKLIST

The below information is requested to be include in the response to the CEI issued by IOM:

TABLE 1 – MAIN IMPLEMENTING PARTNER EXPERIENCE IN LAST THREE YEARS (free format)

• Starting Month/ Year

• Ending Month / Year

• Donor / Lead partner

• Description of projects

• Contract Amount Remarks ( Provide documentary evidence)

TABLE 2 – SIMILAR EXPERIENCE IN LAST THREE YEARS (free format)

• Year

• Donor / Lead partner

• Description of projects

• Contract Amount

• Remarks (Provide documentary evidence (*))

TABLE 3 – LIST OF KEY STAFF MEMBERS (free format)

• Name

• Designation Qualification

• No. of Years of Experience Provide an organizational chart and detailed CVs for key management and personnel in the Organization

TABLE 4 – ANY OTHER INFORMATION (free format) In addition to the required information, Implementing Partners may provide any other related documents

Terms of Reference

Introduction

We are living in an era of unprecedented migration with more people on the move than ever before – 1 billion out of a world population of 7 billion. Of these, an estimated 282 million people or 3.5 per cent of the world’s population are living outside their country of origin, making migration a defining feature of our times, affecting the lives of people, communities, and countries globally. Migration is centuries old and is both a coping strategy and an opportunity for economic betterment. It is a phenomenon that benefits both countries of origin and destination. In countries of origin, it is in the form of remittances, diaspora investments and skills transfer and in countries of destination by filling labour and skill shortages and increasing cultural diversity among others. In addition, migration is often an enabler of individual capacities and human development at the household level and further contributes to national development and resilience to economic and environmental shocks.

Decades of emigration from Timor-Leste has resulted in large, and growing, Timorese diaspora communities all over the world, with noteworthy communities in Australia, Indonesia, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, and the U.K. Exact numbers are difficult to obtain as there is limited data on the Timorese diaspora. The Timorese diaspora can play an important role in the socio-economic development of Timor-Leste.

Timor-Leste’s diaspora communities are growing and remittances from the diaspora constitute Timor-Leste’s second largest source of revenue/income after oil. In recent years, the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) has increasingly recognized the immense development potential that the Timorese diaspora communities hold. As such, there is an increasing consensus that diaspora engagement approaches need to be transformed from ad hoc exercises to high-level policy priorities embedded in government structures with requisite budgetary planning.

Background

Currently, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Timor-Leste is jointly implementing the Project “Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) and Financial Diversification in TimorLeste” with the aim to assist the Timorese government to develop and establish a holistic and integrated national financing framework which will help to improve the governance and coordination, articulate a financing strategy, and strengthen the monitoring and oversight framework. The programme will help diversify financing sources of the country and grow the fiscal space for Timor-Leste to reduce the reliance on petroleum funding. Three financing areas have been identified for catalysing strategic investments in People, Prosperity and Planet – health, diaspora and climate financing, respectively.

Objective

This pilot scheme is designed to respond directly to the aims and recommendations of the TimorLeste National Diaspora Engagement Policy, 2023 – 2027, and Timor-Leste National Diaspora Engagement Action Plan, 2023 – 2027, by providing an iterative learning model to inform the delivery of one of the key recommended activities within the policy and action plan, namely recommendation 4.2. This recommendation focuses on the development of a Global Timorese Impact Fund.

Proposed interventions

The successful delivery of a wider focused impact fund will require early interventions to promote exchange between key actors in Timor-Leste and the Timorese diaspora to scope preliminary barriers, challenges, and procedural enhancements to actualize such a vision for the impact fund. This pilot diaspora scheme is a key step in this process.

There is a growing evidence base on the increasing importance of locality to diaspora engagement. Ranging from assessments from fields such as investment promotion and tourism, there is a heightening focus on the linkages between diaspora and local development. Furthermore, with the most recent estimates from the Central Bank of Timor-Leste on the purpose of remittances sent by the diaspora back home through Money Transfer Operators (MTOs) being heavily focused on family (90%) then beginning this impact journey at a local and municipal level is a strategic policy first-step in Timor-Leste. Local is where the diaspora heart often beats strongest and where impact is felt most.

Therefore, the scope of this diaspora pilot scheme is to build a short-term exchange programme between a municipality and a leading Timorese diaspora organization to initiate a matched-funding impact facility that will merge seed capital provided by IOM and a municipality with seed capital support provided by the Timorese diaspora to be operationalized through local partnerships.

Overarching Outcomes:

There are different expected outcomes across the lifecycle of this pilot scheme. These outcomes will also be the responsibility of the different actors across the lifecycle of the pilot scheme. Before providing a detailed breakdown of the expected outcomes per phase of the pilot scheme, the overarching expected outcomes of the pilot scheme are as follows:

A. Creation of a Twinning Mechanism between a municipality in Timor-Leste and a leading Timorese Diaspora Organization. This will also include opportunity for the municipality to present their annual plan to outline municipality priorities and plans for SUCOs and a space for diaspora organization to present their work and plans for potential collaboration with municipality.

B. Delivery of a Dialogue Process through this Twinning Mechanism to explore potentials for social impact through diaspora financing (initiated at the launch event).

C. Delivery of a Diaspora Social Development Prospectus from the municipality based on the dialogue process to provide information on a maximum of 2-3 social impact projects/programmes in targeted SUCOs for consideration of support from the Timorese diaspora.

D. Creation of a Pilot Global Timorese Social Impact Fund to support these projects/programmes with seed capital provided by IOM and municipality for matched support by the Timorese diaspora to an accumulative total final value of 13,000 USD by end of 2022.

E. Hosting of a visit to recipient of diaspora financing to include representatives of municipality, GoTL, IOM, and diaspora community.

F. Short assessment report to guide input into potential replicability of process and scaling of model to include other municipalities and diaspora organizations.

Expected results

This fund will ultimately result in the development of an independently brokered social impact fund for the Timorese diaspora to have a more structured support mechanism to advance entrepreneurial, philanthropic, and humanitarian support to Timor-Leste. A key aspect of this process will also include embedding financial education and financial literacy tools to educate both remittance senders and recipients on the use of such remittances for such social impact. This independent fund, implemented by a partner verified by government, the diaspora, and key cooperation partners, can serve as a broker between the diaspora and home.

Impact

Through this pilot, key organizational and operational steps will be identified that can be utilized for scaling the model of engagement towards the fuller achievement of recommendation 4.2 of the Timor-Leste National Diaspora Engagement Policy, 2023 – 2027, and Timor-Leste National Diaspora Engagement Action Plan, 2023 – 2027.

Partnerships and collaboration:

• Teamwork: Nominated representatives from participating organizations should be able to develop and promote effective collaboration within and across the different partners of the pilot scheme to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Outcome Orientated: Nominated representatives from participating organizations should be able to produce and deliver quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. They should be outcome-oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes as collaboratively designed by all participants.
• Managing and Sharing knowledge: Nominated representatives from participating organizations should continuously seek to learn, share knowledge, and innovate in their approach to the pilot scheme. This is particularly important given the nascent nature of formalized diaspora financing mechanisms for diaspora financing for social impact in TimorLeste.
• Accountability: Nominated representatives from participating organizations should be able to take ownership for achieving the roles of their organization in the collaborative framework of the pilot scheme. They should have the authority to assume responsibility for their own action and delegated work.
• Communication: Nominated representatives from participating organizations should encourage and contribute to clear and open communication with all partners in the pilot scheme. Given the likelihood of some contrasting views between local actors and the diaspora on beneficiaries of the pilot scheme, they should be able to explain complex or sensitive matters in an informative, inspiring, and motivational way.

Proposed timeline:

Phase 1 – Application Phase

Performance or Reporting Indicator Responsible Actor/Institution Deadline (2022)

• Sharing of ToRs with Prospective Municipalities & Diaspora Organizations IOM 12 July 2022
• Application for Inclusion in Pilot Scheme Municipality/Diaspora Organization 25 July 2022
• Nomination/Notification of Inclusion in Pilot Scheme IOM 29 July 2022

Phase 2 – Launch Phase

• Performance or Reporting Indicator Responsible Actor/Institution Deadline (2022)
• First Twinning Mechanism “Kick-Off Call” (i.e., introduction). IOM/Municipality/Diaspora Organization; 01 August 2022
• Production of Diaspora Pilot Scheme Infographic. IOM; 01 August 2022
• Virtual Launch Event for Diaspora Pilot Scheme. IOM/Local Authorities/Diaspora Organization 08 August 2022

Phase 3 – Implementation Phase

Performance or Reporting Indicator, Responsible Actor/Institution, Deadline (2022)

• Monthly Twinning “Dialogue Consultations” to scope out mutual areas of interest between municipality and diaspora organization for social impact financing (e.g., to identify target SUCOs, invited speakers will also provide insight around diaspora finance, financial education and literacy, and other key aspects related to delivering the outcomes of the pilot scheme). IOM/Municipality/Diaspora Organization; 12 August 2022
• Conduct scoping of potential local NGO partner to implement funding from impact fund as independent executor of financing. IOM/Municipality/Diaspora Organization; 19 August 2022
• Creation of Independent Fund with Seed Capital via IOM for content materials and ringfenced matched financing for social impact project for diaspora financing. IOM/Municipality/Diaspora Organization/Local NGO; 19 August 2022
• Conduct assessment of suitable social impact projects or programmes identified by municipality in targeted SUCOs. IOM/Municipality/Diaspora Organization; 26 August 2022
• Design and Digital Publication of Diaspora Finance Social Impact Prospectus (including CASE statement for diaspora financing campaign). IOM/Municipality/Diaspora Organization; 26 August 2022
• Identification of Social Impact project/programme for Diaspora Financing Campaign with Infographic to showcase impact. IOM/Municipality/Diaspora Organization/Local NGO; 01 September 2022
• Allocation of seed capital by municipality in independent fund and initiation of diaspora financing campaign through diaspora organization. IOM/Municipality/Diaspora Organization/Local NGO; 01 September 2022
• Physical Visit to Recipient of Funding to showcase potential/impact of diaspora financing (including media coverage). IOM/Municipality/Diaspora Organization/Local NGO; 01 November 2022
• Production of Evaluative Report to gather insight for scaling Global Timorese Impact Fund IOM/Municipality/Diaspora Organization/Local NGO 31 December 2022

Qualification and experience

• Be a formalized diaspora network or organization in their respective country of residence (either as recognized leader organization of the diaspora community and/or registered charity in the respective country of origin).
• Have the scope to provide a liaison person to facilitate engagement with municipality in Timor-Leste.
• Have a history or record of providing social impact support to Timor-Leste in areas such as entrepreneurship, humanitarianism, or philanthropy.
• Possess potential to create a small scale “seed capital” diaspora financing campaign amongst the Timorese diaspora in their respective country of origin (guidance and advice will be providing on such a campaign via content from the Timor-Leste Remittance Mobilization Strategy).
• Be able to potentially visit Timor-Leste at end of the pilot scheme to gather testimony and showcase impact of pilot scheme.
• Commitment and responsibility to provide leadership to develop collaboration with the municipality beyond the pilot phase to ensure sustainability of the partnership to work towards long-term diaspora engagement at a municipal level in Timor-Leste.

Submission of the project proposal 25 July 2022

Place and deadline for submission of the project Place: Dili, Timor-Leste

Project duration: 01 August 2022 – 31 December 2022 (5 months)

Implementing Partners General Information Questionnaire

Call for Interest ID number:

Full name of the Organization and abbreviation:

Address and e-mail of contact person:

Date of completion: Existing partnership with IOM?

If yes, when did the cooperation with start?

A. BACKGROUND AND GOVERNANCE

• Is your organization legally registered in the country(ies) of implementation? If yes, please provide registration number/proof. If not, please explain.
• What is the status of the organization (e.g. IO/iNGO, NGO, etc)?
• Does the organization produce an annual audited financial statement that is publicly available? If not please explain.
• Does the organization`s management or ownership have any affiliation to IOM that would result in a conflict of interest?
• Who has influence over the organization?
• When was the Organization founded? When was the Organization last assessed by IOM or another UN entity
• Date of last external evaluation and the name of the evaluator. Can the evaluation be shared with IOM?

B. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

• Is an updated organizational structure/chart and the CVs of key personnel attached to the application?
• Where does the organization work in the country and what is its in-country structure and field presence?
• How many staff members work in the country office/programme?
• Are the all the main operational functions adequately staffed and resourced (finance, logistics, implementation, M&E)?
• Does the organization have personnel guidelines?
• Does the organization have personnel security procedures?

C. EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT AND INFLUENCE

Networks and coordination

• Is the organization involved in networking with other Civil Society Organizations, humanitarian organizations or networks? If yes, please provide details.
• Does the organization coordinate its work with other Civil Society Organizations (local, national, international)? If yes, please provide details.
• How does the organization interact with beneficiaries and communities?
• Does the organization coordinate with the government/authorities?
• Does the organization engage in public or political processes (i.e. national and local government policy or budget discussions / decisions)

Information and advocacy

• Does the organization produce information materials regularly? If yes, please describe.
• Does the organization hold public events for fundraising or other purposes? If yes, please describe.
• Does the organization work through the media?
• Does the organization use advocacy as a foundation of its work? If yes, please describe.
• Does the organization perform any lobbying activities? If yes, please describe.