Call for Strengthening Community Infrastructure Management Systems (Nigeria)

Deadline: 15-Jul-2026

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria is inviting qualified and experienced firms to establish and strengthen community-led management systems for sustainable community infrastructure across Northeast Nigeria. The initiative focuses on improving governance, operations and maintenance, community ownership, and collaboration between local communities and government institutions to ensure long-term sustainability of rehabilitated infrastructure.

About the UNDP Nigeria Community Infrastructure Management Initiative

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria is seeking qualified organizations to implement a project that strengthens community-led management systems for public infrastructure across Northeast Nigeria.

The initiative is part of the Accelerating Recovery of Affected Communities from Security and Humanitarian Crises in Northeast Nigeria project, funded by the Government of Japan. It builds on previous investments made through the Regional Stabilization Facility (RSF), which rehabilitated critical community infrastructure to improve livelihoods, essential services, and local governance.

The project aims to ensure that these community assets remain functional, well-managed, and sustainable through stronger governance systems, local ownership, and institutional collaboration.

Focus Areas

The project supports activities related to:

• Community-led infrastructure management
• Operations and maintenance systems
• Community Management Committees (CMCs)
• Capacity building and technical training
• Local governance and accountability
• Community ownership of public infrastructure
• Coordination between communities and Local Government Authorities (LGAs)
• Financial management and resource mobilization
• Social inclusion and gender equality
• Youth participation
• Community resilience
• Sustainable infrastructure management
• Transparent decision-making
• Conflict-sensitive governance
• Monitoring and continuous mentoring

Funding Background

The initiative is funded by the Government of Japan under UNDP’s recovery programme for Northeast Nigeria.

It seeks to consolidate recovery efforts by ensuring that rehabilitated infrastructure continues delivering benefits through effective community management and long-term maintenance systems.

Project Objectives

The project aims to:

• Establish sustainable management systems for community infrastructure.
• Strengthen Community Management Committees.
• Improve collaboration between communities and Local Government Authorities.
• Develop practical operations and maintenance systems.
• Build governance and accountability mechanisms.
• Strengthen financial sustainability.
• Encourage community ownership.
• Improve transparency and inclusive decision-making.
• Increase participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
• Enhance resilience of community infrastructure.

Community Management Committees (CMCs)

The project will establish and strengthen Community Management Committees responsible for managing public infrastructure.

Implementation includes:

• Establishing 5 new Community Management Committees
• Strengthening 11 existing Community Management Committees
• Supporting 16 communities across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States

Each committee will consist of 15 members, including:

• 10 members from existing Community Stabilization Committees
• 5 representatives from Local Government Authority technical departments and respected community representatives

This structure is intended to improve coordination, accountability, and long-term infrastructure sustainability.

Inclusion and Gender Equality

The project places strong emphasis on inclusive participation.

Key inclusion targets include:

• At least 40% women representation in every committee
• Participation of youth
• Inclusion of vulnerable groups
• Community-wide ownership of infrastructure
• Gender-responsive governance
• Social cohesion and equal participation

Key Project Activities

Successful organizations will undertake activities including:

• Community consultations
• Committee establishment and validation
• Infrastructure inventory and assessment
• Governance framework development
• Preparation of Terms of Reference
• Financial management systems
• Accountability mechanisms
• Record-keeping systems
• Training for committee members
• Capacity building for Local Government Authorities
• Resource mobilization planning
• Community engagement activities
• Conflict-sensitive management
• Monitoring and mentoring
• Documentation of lessons learned
• Performance assessments
• Reporting and evaluation

Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Planning

Each Community Management Committee will develop an Operations and Maintenance Plan based on the UNDP Standard Operating Procedure.

Plans will include:

• Maintenance schedules
• Assigned responsibilities
• Reporting procedures
• Infrastructure inspection systems
• Estimated operational costs
• Resource mobilization strategies
• Maintenance tracking tools
• Infrastructure performance monitoring

Why This Initiative Matters

Many community assets deteriorate after rehabilitation because maintenance systems are weak or absent.

This project helps communities:

• Sustain public investments
• Improve service delivery
• Strengthen local governance
• Build institutional partnerships
• Increase accountability
• Enhance resilience
• Improve infrastructure management capacity
• Encourage community ownership
• Support long-term recovery and development

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants should be qualified and experienced firms capable of implementing community-based governance and infrastructure management projects.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Experience in community development
• Infrastructure management expertise
• Institutional capacity building experience
• Governance strengthening experience
• Training and facilitation skills
• Financial management capability
• Monitoring and evaluation expertise
• Multi-stakeholder coordination experience
• Ability to work with government agencies, communities, civil society organizations, and development partners

Implementation Locations

The project will be implemented in:

• Borno State
• Adamawa State
• Yobe State

Activities will cover sixteen Regional Stabilization Facility-supported communities.

Expected Deliverables

Successful implementing partners will deliver:

• Functional Community Management Committees
• Governance frameworks
• Operations and Maintenance Plans
• Capacity-building programmes
• Training workshops
• Infrastructure inventories
• Accountability systems
• Monitoring reports
• Community engagement activities
• Resource mobilization plans
• Documentation of lessons learned
• Sustainability recommendations

How to Apply

Interested organizations should prepare a comprehensive proposal that includes:

1. A detailed implementation methodology.
2. A strategy for establishing and strengthening Community Management Committees.
3. Quality assurance and risk management mechanisms.
4. A detailed implementation work plan and timeline.
5. Partnership arrangements with government institutions, Local Government Authorities, civil society organizations, community structures, and development partners.
6. A monitoring and evaluation framework.
7. A comprehensive financial proposal aligned with planned activities.
8. Evidence of relevant organizational experience and technical expertise.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal

• Demonstrate extensive experience in community governance and infrastructure management.
• Present a practical methodology for committee strengthening.
• Clearly explain community engagement approaches.
• Include measurable monitoring indicators.
• Show experience working with local governments.
• Emphasize gender equality and inclusion strategies.
• Develop realistic sustainability plans.
• Ensure the financial proposal aligns with implementation activities.
• Highlight previous experience in Northeast Nigeria or similar contexts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of this UNDP project?

The project aims to strengthen community-led management systems that ensure sustainable operation and maintenance of rehabilitated community infrastructure in Northeast Nigeria.

Which states will benefit?

The initiative will be implemented across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States.

Who can apply?

Qualified and experienced firms with expertise in community development, governance, infrastructure management, and institutional capacity building are eligible to apply.

What types of infrastructure are included?

The project covers community infrastructure such as markets, water systems, community centres, and other public assets previously rehabilitated through the Regional Stabilization Facility.

How many Community Management Committees will be supported?

The project will establish five new committees and strengthen eleven existing committees, covering sixteen communities.

Is gender inclusion required?

Yes. At least 40% of committee members should be women, while youth and vulnerable groups must also be meaningfully represented.

What should applicants include in their proposals?

Applicants should submit a detailed implementation methodology, governance approach, work plan, partnership strategy, monitoring framework, quality assurance measures, and a comprehensive financial proposal.

Conclusion

The UNDP Nigeria Community Infrastructure Management initiative represents an important investment in sustainable recovery across Northeast Nigeria. By strengthening Community Management Committees, improving governance systems, enhancing local capacity, and promoting inclusive community ownership, the project aims to ensure that rehabilitated public infrastructure continues delivering long-term social and economic benefits. Organizations with expertise in community governance, infrastructure sustainability, institutional strengthening, and stakeholder coordination are encouraged to submit high-quality proposals that contribute to resilient and self-sustaining communities.

For more information, visit UNDP.