Introduction

The National Social Inclusion Foundation (NSIF) is the central body to receive and allocate public funds to duly registered NGOs. The Foundation operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity. Its mission is “to empower and improve the wellbeing of people living in conditions of poverty and vulnerability through impactful and sustainable stakeholder partnerships”.

As announced in the Budget Speech 2019-2020, the NSIF has set up a Fortified Learning Environment Unit (FLEU), with the aim of better supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds in their education and thereby, responding to the negative impact of poverty and other adversities on educational outcomes.

Fortified Learning Environment (FLE) National Programme

The overall objective of the Fortified Learning Environment (FLE) National Programme is to address specific developmental and educational challenges faced by vulnerable children attending crèches (including “centres d’éveils”), pre-primary and primary as well as secondary schools.

Implementation of the FLE – Primary Programme

The NSIF invites Expressions of Interest from NGOs/NPOs duly registered with the NSIF to be considered as service providers under the FLE National Programme for the implementation of the FLE – Primary School Programme in 58 identified primary schools around the island.

General Conditions

Selected NGOs/NPOs shall be required to abide by the general conditions set forth below:

• To implement multiple interventions as an all-inclusive package of services delivered within the school environment;
• To undertake actions according to the FLE National Programme;
• To intervene at primary school level;
• To recruit, manage and remunerate FLE – Primary School Coordinators as per HR requirements, profiles and remuneration determined by the FLE National Programme;
• To adhere to the monitoring, evaluation and reporting frameworks of the FLEU; and
• To work in close collaboration with all partners of the FLE National Programme namely, the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, the Mauritius Institute of Education, the school management staff, PTA and other participating NGOs/NPOs.

Eligibility Criteria

This Call for Expression of Interest is addressed to NGOs/NPOs registered with the NSIF, who have demonstrable experience in promoting the social and emotional wellbeing of vulnerable children by providing specialised psychological and counselling services, support and related therapeutic interventions within the school context, and willing to participate in the FLE National Programme.

They should demonstrate the managerial experience and technical capabilities in the field of educational and counselling psychology through the implementation of specialised support and interventions, such as psychological assessments, counselling, therapy, life skills programmes, socio-emotional learning (SEL), classroom behaviour management and parent and teacher workshops.

Proven expertise in providing training, monitoring and supervision for the above-mentioned psychological therapies and interventions is desirable.

Assessment and Selection

Expressions of Interest shall be assessed according to the following process:

• Pre-selection
  A pre-selection of applicants will be made on the basis of the relevance of their core activities/services provided and their track records in terms of programme/project implementation in the field of education.
• Due diligence
  Pre-selected Expressions of Interest will be followed up with a due diligence process to determine the capacities of applicants including their technical capabilities, governance structure, HR and financial management. Available information on past monitoring performance, where applicants have been previously funded by the NSIF, will be used for the purpose of due diligence. Additional information may be requested as required. The Foundation will conduct interviews and engage in discussions with applicants. The due diligence process may also comprise on-site visits.
• Selection
  Following due diligence, the Foundation shall select NGOs/NPOs to participate in the FLE National Programme.

Funding

The amount of funding will be based on pre-determined budgets. Allocated funding will cover HR and administrative expenditures renewable subject to satisfactory monitoring performance and availability of funds.

Funded NGOs/NPOs will be required to sign a Funding Contract Agreement (FCA) with the NSIF. The FCA is a legally binding document setting out the general terms and conditions of funding.

Disbursement of funds will be made in two instalments conditional upon meeting all monitoring and reporting requirements as set out in the FCA.

Submission of Expression of Interest

The Expression of Interest should be sent on the prescribed Expression of Interest Application Form Application Form which can be downloaded below.

• The Expression of Interest Application Form, clearly marked FLE – Primary School Coordinators on the envelope, must be sent to the Secretary General by registered post to the address below.
• Late and/or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
• The outcome of the selection is expected to be communicated to applicants within one month of the closing date.

The Deadline for the submission of Expressions of Interest is Monday 15 February 2021.

Information and Guidance

For any further information and guidance, please contact the NSIF at [email protected] or call on 260 2406. Interested NGOs/NPOs may also access the job description for the position of FLE – Primary School Coordinators and the list of primary schools below.