Call for Proposals for Responsible Parties to provide Economic Empowerment Services in South Africa

Deadline: 13-May-2025

The UN Women has launched the Call for Proposals for Responsible Parties to provide Economic Empowerment Services for Migrant and Host Community Women in South Africa.

The programme aims to achieve the following three outcomes:

• The South African government and relevant stakeholders develop and implement gender-responsive migration policies, laws and services.
• Migrant and host community women have access to decent work.
• Government and relevant international human rights bodies ensure the promotion and protection of migrant women’s rights through strengthened global norms and standards.

General overview of services required/results

• UN Women plans to engage a national responsible party to provide economic empowerment services for 300 migrant and host community women, comprising approximately 80% migrant women and 20% host community women.
• The responsible party will be expected to provide the following:
  • Capacity building of participating women
    • Demand-driven skills training, including entrepreneurial (ILO or alternative models), technical and vocational training including in non-traditional (male-dominated) sectors
    • Digital literacy training to enhance marketing, financial transactions and networking
    • Leadership and financial management training to support business control and effective enterprise management
    • Business development services, including coaching and mentoring
    • Provision of day-case services for women with child-care responsibilities where possible
    • Distribution of start-up kits to support new business ventures
  • Seed funding for business development
    • Facilitation of access to finance and start-up capital through microfinance, savings and credit associations, and private-sector initiatives
    • Development of criteria for access to small grants or loans
    • Engagement with financial institutions to administer and disburse additional funds to women entrepreneurs

Description of required services/results

• UN Women plans to engage a national responsible party to provide economic empowerment services for 300 migrant and host community women, comprising approximately 80% migrant women and 20% host community women as outlined below:
  • Demand-driven skills training, including entrepreneurial, technical and vocational training, with day-care support for women with childcare responsibilities
  • Business development services, including digital literacy, leadership and financial management, and coaching and mentoring to improve performance and business scalability
  • Access to finance and start-up capital through relevant mechanisms, enabling participants to establish and manage their own businesses

Funding Information

• The budget range for this proposal should be [200,000 USD – 220,000 USD.

Duration

• 1 July 2025 (or as soon as possible) – 30 June 2026, with the possibility of renewal up until 31 December 2026.

Competencies

• Technical/functional competencies required
  • Legally registered and authorized to operate in South Africa for at least five years.
  • Proven knowledge and experience in providing economic empowerment services for women, including migrant women.
  • Strong understanding of the specific needs, challenges and vulnerabilities of migrant women and girls.
  • Proven ability to deliver demand-driven skills training (entrepreneurial, technical and vocational) tailored to women, including migrant women.
  • Experience facilitating access to finance for women entrepreneurs, including through microfinance, savings and credit associations, and private-sector initiatives.
  • Experience managing projects that foster social cohesion and promote diversity regardless of gender, race or nationality.
• Other competencies required
  • Core Values:
    • Respect for Diversity
    • Integrity
    • Professionalism
  • Core Competencies:  
    • Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
    • Accountability
    • Creative Problem Solving
    • Effective Communication
    • Inclusive Collaboration
    • Stakeholder Engagement
    • Leading by Example

For more information, visit UN Women.