EOI: Deployment and Testing of Community Feedback Mechanism in Senegal

UNICEF Senegal is seeking applications to establish and test an inclusive community feedback mechanism that improves accountability, participation, and engagement in targeted municipalities. The initiative will support safe feedback channels, strengthen local capacity, protect sensitive information, and ensure communities, including children and vulnerable groups, can influence decisions and access appropriate support services.

Overview of the UNICEF Community Feedback Mechanism Initiative

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is launching an initiative to improve community accountability and participation in Senegal through the development and testing of an inclusive feedback mechanism.

The programme will be implemented under the Communication for Development sector and will focus on municipalities in the regions of:

• Sedhiou
• Ziguinchor
• Kolda

The initiative aims to create systems where children, families, and communities can safely share concerns, provide feedback, and contribute to improving services.

Purpose of the Programme

The main objective of this UNICEF initiative is to establish a functional community feedback mechanism that strengthens communication between communities, service providers, and local authorities.

The programme will focus on:

• Creating accessible channels for communities to provide feedback.
• Improving accountability of local services.
• Strengthening participation of children and vulnerable groups.
• Supporting local actors in managing community feedback.
• Ensuring feedback is used to improve decision-making.
• Developing recommendations for expanding the mechanism.

Key Focus Areas

Inclusive Community Participation

The initiative promotes meaningful participation by ensuring that different groups can express their concerns and experiences, including:

• Children and adolescents.
• Vulnerable households.
• Community members.
• Local organizations.
• Service users.

The feedback system will be designed to remove barriers and encourage safe participation.

Community Feedback Management

The programme will support the establishment and operation of a structured feedback mechanism that includes:

• Receiving community concerns and suggestions.
• Recording and managing feedback.
• Analysing community responses.
• Providing appropriate follow-up actions.
• Reporting lessons learned.

Capacity Building for Local Stakeholders

Local actors will receive training and support to strengthen their ability to:

• Manage feedback systems effectively.
• Respond to community concerns.
• Apply accountability standards.
• Protect confidential information.
• Use feedback to improve programmes and services.

Child Protection and Safeguarding Approach

A major component of the initiative is ensuring safe handling of sensitive complaints involving vulnerable populations.

The programme will establish referral systems for cases related to:

• Child protection concerns.
• Gender-based violence (GBV).
• Protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
• Other safeguarding risks.

These systems will ensure that complaints are managed safely, confidentially, and through appropriate support pathways.

Data Protection and Confidentiality Measures

The feedback mechanism will follow strong data protection standards to protect community members.

The programme will ensure:

• Secure collection and storage of information.
• Protection of users’ identities.
• Ethical handling of community data.
• Confidential management of sensitive complaints.
• Safeguards against harm to children and vulnerable groups.

Expected Results by November 2026

By 30 November 2026, the project aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• A functional community feedback mechanism tested in three municipalities.
• Increased community participation, including participation from children.
• Improved capacity of local stakeholders to manage feedback.
• Greater use of community feedback in local decision-making.
• Documented lessons learned and good practices.
• Operational recommendations for future expansion and institutionalization.

Geographic Scope

The initiative will be implemented in selected municipalities located in:

Sedhiou Region

Activities will support communities and local stakeholders in improving accountability systems.

Ziguinchor Region

The programme will promote inclusive feedback processes and community participation.

Kolda Region

The initiative will strengthen local mechanisms for receiving and responding to community concerns.

Who Is Eligible?

The opportunity is intended for organizations capable of implementing community engagement, accountability, and communication programmes.

Eligible applicants should demonstrate experience in areas such as:

• Community engagement.
• Communication for Development (C4D).
• Child protection.
• Accountability mechanisms.
• Feedback management systems.
• Data protection and safeguarding.
• Working with vulnerable communities.

Applicants should have the capacity to:

• Coordinate with local authorities.
• Train community stakeholders.
• Establish safe feedback channels.
• Manage confidential information.
• Document programme results.

Why This Initiative Matters

Many communities, especially children and vulnerable groups, face barriers in accessing services and reporting concerns.

A strong community feedback mechanism helps:

• Increase transparency and accountability.
• Give communities a voice in programmes affecting them.
• Improve quality and responsiveness of services.
• Identify protection risks earlier.
• Strengthen trust between communities and institutions.

By creating safe communication channels, UNICEF aims to ensure that community experiences directly contribute to better policies and services.

How the Programme Will Work

Step 1: Establish the Feedback Mechanism

The selected organization will design and adapt a feedback system suitable for targeted municipalities.

Activities may include:

• Mapping existing communication channels.
• Identifying community needs.
• Creating accessible reporting methods.
• Developing operational procedures.

Step 2: Train Local Stakeholders

Training will be provided to relevant actors on:

• Feedback collection.
• Case referral procedures.
• Confidentiality standards.
• Community communication.
• Safeguarding practices.

Step 3: Engage Communities

The programme will encourage communities to actively participate by:

• Sharing concerns.
• Providing suggestions.
• Reporting service gaps.
• Participating in consultations.

Step 4: Monitor and Document Results

The project will track:

• Number and type of feedback received.
• Community participation levels.
• Response actions taken.
• Challenges and lessons learned.

A capitalization report will document findings and recommendations.

Application Requirements and Considerations

Applicants should prepare proposals demonstrating:

• Understanding of community accountability needs.
• Implementation strategy.
• Experience in similar projects.
• Approach to safeguarding and data protection.
• Monitoring and evaluation plan.
• Sustainability strategy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Failing to include child safeguarding measures.
• Weak confidentiality and data protection plans.
• Lack of community participation strategies.
• Ignoring referral pathways for sensitive complaints.
• Submitting proposals without clear sustainability plans.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the main objective of the UNICEF Senegal programme?

The programme aims to establish and test an inclusive community feedback mechanism that improves accountability, participation, and communication between communities and service providers.

2. Where will the initiative be implemented?

The programme will be implemented in selected municipalities in Sedhiou, Ziguinchor, and Kolda regions of Senegal.

3. Who will benefit from this initiative?

Beneficiaries include children, adolescents, families, vulnerable communities, local authorities, and service providers.

4. What types of complaints will the mechanism support?

The system will support general community feedback as well as sensitive complaints related to child protection, gender-based violence, and protection against sexual exploitation and abuse.

5. How will personal information be protected?

The programme will apply confidentiality measures, secure data management practices, and safeguarding standards to protect users’ identities.

6. What are the expected outcomes of the project?

Expected outcomes include a tested feedback mechanism, stronger local capacity, improved community participation, and recommendations for future expansion.

7. Why is community feedback important?

Community feedback helps organizations understand local needs, improve services, increase accountability, and ensure vulnerable groups have a voice in decisions.

Conclusion

The UNICEF Senegal Community Feedback Mechanism initiative aims to strengthen accountability, transparency, and community participation through safe and inclusive communication systems. By empowering communities, protecting sensitive information, and improving local response mechanisms, the programme will contribute to stronger child protection and more effective services across targeted municipalities.