Call for tenders to engage a qualified audit company for expenditure verifications for the LEA project implemented in Lebanon

Caritas Austria is planning to award a service contract to a qualified audit company for expenditure verifications for its project “LEA – Lebanon: Eradication of All forms of forced labor and exploitation” implemented in Lebanon. The project is co-financed by the European Union (EU), the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and own contributions of Caritas Austria. More information on Caritas Austria can be found here. The overall objective of the LEA project is to eradicate all forms of forced labour and exploitation in Lebanon (SDG 1, SDG 8, SDG10, SDG 16 and in line with the ILO conventions C029 on Forced Labor and C189 on Domestic Workers and UN resolution 45/158 on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families). Outcomes: The project aims at improving the effectiveness of support mechanisms for the reception, analysis and response to situations of violations of labour rights and abuse as well as enhancing the access of migrant workers to justice and mechanisms for the protection of their rights. Outcome 1: Improved effectiveness of support mechanisms to receive, analyse and respond to labour rights violations and situations of abuse; Outcome 2: Enhanced access of migrant workers in Lebanon to justice and rights protection mechanisms in line with international standards The expected outputs (OP) are: OP 1.1: Improved institutional tools and capacities to receive and respond to situations of abuse and human rights violations in accordance with international standards. OP 1.2: Enhanced knowledge and procedures of CSOs and/or other key stakeholders to address migrant workers´ issues. OP 2.1: Increased awareness of the general public about migrant workers’ rights and existing situations of abuse and rights violations. OP 2.2: Improved prevention and protection services for migrant workers in situations of vulnerability and/or abuse Cooperation between Caritas Austria and local partners: Activities are implemented by the three local implementing organisations named above. Caritas Austria is responsible for overall coordination. A cooperation agreement has been concluded between the local partners and Caritas Austria. EXPENDITURE VERIFICATION PROCESS: The expenditure verifications have to be carried out in accordance with the EU terms of reference (annex 1a). The financial reports will be prepared by Caritas Austria based on the financial online tool SAPI Finance and shared with the audit company. Two interim expenditure verifications for internal use and one final expenditure verification after the end of the project covering the whole project duration to be shared with the donor shall be carried out. The expenditure verification of local partners will take place in the offices of implementing partner organisations in Beirut (if possible). Supporting documents of Caritas Austria expenditures can only be sent in electronic format (scan). The complete tender package can be found under the following link: https://wolke.caritas.at/s/XHSdj4rqnX2T3ym , Password: QELHzL92fn How to apply Requests for clarification: Any queries on the application process or issues that arise can be sent to claudia.prantl2@caritas-austria.at up to 3 days before the submission deadline. Submission of tender application/offer: For your application please use the tender application form (annex 2). Applications shall be submitted in English. Please note that only signed offers can be accepted (legally valid signature of the bidder including proof of the power of attorney/representation of the signatory, see page 7 of the tender application from, annex 2). A scanned copy of the signature will be accepted. Selection criteria: – Tender submission: compliance with the invitation and terms of reference – Working according to international auditing standards – Be a certified and registered auditor in the country – Technical and professional capabilities / experience Award criteria: In accordance with Caritas Austria’s procurement rules a selection committee of Caritas staff will evaluate all offers and select the best provider based on price and quality (“best value for money”). Price and quality will be weighted with 50% (price) and 50% (quality). Deadline for reception of offers: Offers have to be presented per e-mail no later than 01.12.2024, 23:59 CET. Interested applicants should submit their application via e-mail to: Aglaia.Daligny@caritas-austria.atwith the subject line: ‘Expenditure verification for LEA project’. Consultants who do not submit their quotation by this deadline will not be considered.