UNFPA is in the process of identifying potential implementing partners in the category of international and national non governmental organisations, Civil Society Organisations and academia for the implementation of the Women and Girls First (WGF) Programme and the Health, Empowerment and Rights (HER) Programme under the fourth Country Programme Cycle (2018 - 2022). 

1. Background

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s global strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. Currently, UNFPA Myanmar is implementing its fourth Country Programme (2018 -2022). 

Women and Girls First Programme 

Under the Women and Girls First programme, UNFPA is committed to leading the international community and supporting national stakeholders in addressing gaps in gender equality, improving sexual and reproductive health services, responding to and preventing gender-based violence (GBV) and integrating gender equality and women's rights perspectives into national policies, development frameworks and laws. Through these key outcomes, UNFPA has sought to achieve improved and strengthened access to justice and increased participation of women in the peace process, through economic and political empowerment. The geographical focus areas of the first phase of the programme (2015-2019) included Rakhine, Kachin, Shan, Kayin and Mon States. For the second phase (2019-2022) of the programme, UNFPA will continue to prioritize the same targeted states while also expanding interventions to Chin and Kayah States. 

WGF Phase II continues to span the humanitarian, peacebuilding, development nexus, recognising linkages between acute and long term development SRHR, GBV and MHPSS needs. Building upon lessons learned from WGF Phase I, Phase II seeks to focus on three key areas 1) system strengthening, 2) access to integrated services and 3) enhanced community resilience and cohesion to achieve gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all community members: 

Systems are responsive to the needs of women, girls, young people regarding SRHR, the right for safety from violence and safety in emergencies, are adopted and implemented in line with the National SRHR policy (2019), NSPAW (2013-2022) and UNSCRs on Women Peace and Security and Conflict Related Sexual Violence. 

Improved access to a quality, comprehensive, rights based package of integrated SRHR, GBV and Mental Health and Psychosocial services (MHPSS). 

Enhanced community resilience and social cohesion towards realisation and localisation of SRHR, GBV and MHPSS outcomes. 

Theory of Change WGF Phase II 

Health, Empowerment and Rights 

In Myanmar, young people account for about 28 per cent of the total population. Young people include adolescents (aged 10-19) and youth (aged 15-24). Sexual and reproductive health is still considered a taboo subject, making it challenging for young people to access accurate information which helps them make informed choices for their future. The joint UNICEF/UNFPA programme ‘Health, Empowerment and Rights’ (2018-2023), funded by Global Affairs Canada, aims to strengthen sexual and reproductive health service delivery for adolescents and youth which will complement ongoing programmes including the Women and Girls First Programme. Furthermore, within this programme UNFPA will support the development and implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Myanmar for in and out of school youth and enhance access to quality Adolescent and Youth Friendly Health Services through the following outcomes: 

1. Enhanced protection and response to sexual and gender-based violence in Myanmar for women, young people, girls and boys;
2. Enhanced protection and promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights of women, young people, girls and boys by state and non-state actors;
3. Enhanced access to sexual and reproductive health services that are gender responsive, adolescent–friendly and meet the standards for quality care and equity in access.

The target states and regions Rakhine, Chin, Shan, Ayeyarwaddy, Kayin and Magway have been identified based upon key indicators including the Maternal Mortality Rate, unmet need for family planning and adolescent fertility rates (age 15-19). 

Background information HER programme 

2. Requirements 

Those interested in participating in the process should forward their expression of interest to UNFPA by email to bids.myanmar@unfpa.org clearly marked ‘expression of interest for collaboration’ by using the template and enclosing the information listed below. 

1. Full legal name and address of applying institution
2. Copy of valid legal registration in the country
3. Mandate or mission statement of organization
4. Statement of organization’s expertise in the relevant area
5. Short description of the organization’s existing operations in the subject matter area, geographical locations (State/Region), human resources in the proposed field, including key achievements and how long the operations have been carried out.
6. Audit report of the organisation last two  years 

Upon receipt of the above information from prospective implementing partners, UNFPA will review applicants for placement on a short-list of potential implementing partners. Selected partners may be invited to submit formal proposals at a later stage. 

Deadline for submission of Expression of Interest: 11 October 2019

Deadline for request additional information/clarification: 28 October 2019

Review of submissions: 28 October - 11 November 2019

Notification communicated: 25 November 2019

Note: Due to the high volume of communications, UNFPA is not in a position to confirm receipt of the expression of interests.