MOZ-RRM: Rapid Response Mechanism – Level 1 Implementing Partners Roster
STAGE 1: Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI)
1. SUMMARY OF THE OPPORTUNITY
The MOZ-RRM (Rapid Response Mechanism) consortium is seeking national and international NGOs with experience in emergency programming who are interested in joining the RRM consortium’s roster of partners to support rapid humanitarian responses, anticipatory action, and emergency preparedness in northern Mozambique.
About MOZ-RRM
The MOZ-RRM, led by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), is a consortium of NRC, Solidarités International (SI), Action contre la Faim (ACF), Save the Children International (SCI), Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da Comunidade (FDC), Pronanac, and Impact Initiatives, funded by DG ECHO.
The overall objective of MOZ-RRM is to ensure that timely, needs-based and multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance reaches populations affected by conflict-driven displacement, natural hazards and epidemics in Northern Mozambique, while strengthening anticipatory action and preparedness to reduce the impact of predictable shocks.
RRM operations have been active in Cabo Delgado since at least July 2023, with consortium members conducting rapid needs assessments and emergency responses to successive displacement crises across the province. The MOZ-RRM consortium and its Consortium Management Unit (CMU) were recently established in 2026 to bring these efforts under a unified, coordinated structure.
MOZ-RRM is Northern Mozambique’s largest multi-sector rapid response mechanism, providing life-saving assistance to households affected by conflict, displacement, climate shocks and disease outbreaks. The consortium brings together national and international partners, each contributing operational presence and technical capacity across the priority districts and provinces outlined in Section 3. Through a network of partners, the mechanism delivers rapid emergency assistance across WASH, shelter/NFI, health and nutrition, education and child protection, including through cash and voucher assistance (CVA) as a delivery modality where appropriate.
The mechanism responds through a tiered, pooled-fund-financed response model, including activation ahead of a shock in anticipatory action mode where triggers and thresholds are met. Response plans are developed with the relevant Geographic Lead Agency (GLA) for each priority area.
Response is delivered in two tiers:
- Tier 1: a rapid, life-saving multi-sectoral package delivered within the first 15 days of activation.
- Tier 2: more targeted, vulnerability-based support delivered over the following period, up to approximately 90 days in total.
MOZ-RRM operates a transparent, performance-based Partners Graduation Pathway, structured across three levels. The pathway is designed to support progressive strengthening of actors, enabling organizations to expand their role within humanitarian response over time:
- Level 1: Organizations that have completed the required screening, due diligence and readiness steps and may be considered for activation through the pooled fund, depending on their compliance status, sectoral capacity, geographic relevance, operational readiness, response needs and available funding
- Level 2: partners with demonstrated capacity, engaged in a longer-term role under a consortium member, participating in the Advisory Group.
- Level 3: full consortium membership.
2. PURPOSE OF THIS CALL
This EOI is issued to identify national and international organizations interested in being considered for the MOZ-RRM Level 1 partner roster. Inclusion on the roster does not guarantee funding, partnership or activation. The purpose of Stage 1 is to identify organizations with the capacity and potential to contribute to rapid humanitarian response, anticipatory action and preparedness activities under the MOZ-RRM. Organizations that meet Stage 1 eligibility criteria at this stage will be invited to proceed to Stage 2, which will include due diligence, compliance checks and operational readiness review (see Section 7).
This EOI is the first phase of a new MOZ-RRM Level 1 partner roster process. For this initial round, the consortium expects to identify approximately 8–10 organizations for further due diligence and readiness review, based on current geographic, sectoral, operational and compliance priorities. The process may be reopened or expanded in future rounds once the roster model has been tested and refined. Applicants not prioritized in this first phase may still be retained in the partner pipeline for future consideration.
As the lead agency of the MOZ-RRM consortium, NRC is responsible for administering this EOI and roster process, including screening, due diligence and compliance verification. All compliance under this process follows the contractual requirements of MOZ-RRM’s donor, DG ECHO, and the terms of NRC’s contracting and sub-grant or partnership agreements, in addition to NRC’s institutional policies and procedures.
3. GEOGRAPHIC AND SECTORAL SCOPE
This EOI will prioritize organizations with operational presence, technical capacity or rapid mobilization capacity in the following districts:
– Cabo Delgado: Mueda, Nangade, Muidumbe, Montepuez, Metuge, Chiúre, Mecúfi, Ancuabe, Macomia, Quissanga, Meluco, Ibo, Mocímboa da Praia, Palma, Balama, Namuno
– Nampula: Erati, Memba
MOZ-RRM prioritizes partners capable of rapidly mobilizing staff, supplies and services to reach affected populations within a period of 3 days following shocks causing population displacements and the subsequent activation of an alert-bound response. Operational presence elsewhere in Mozambique is welcomed but not a requirement. The consortium retains flexibility to activate the roster or the Crisis Modifier in other provinces for major emergencies.
This EOI will prioritize organizations with operational presence, technical capacity or rapid mobilization capacity in the following sectors:
- WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene)
- Shelter/Non-Food Items
- Health and Nutrition
- Education in Emergencies
- Child Protection/Protection/GBV
- Multi-purpose cash and voucher assistance (as a delivery modality where appropriate)
Applicants should indicate the specific districts and sectors for which they wish to be considered and demonstrate their capacity in each of them. Inclusion in the roster, if later confirmed, may be limited to specific sectors, locations or response modalities based on the organization’s demonstrated capacity and readiness
4. MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS AND SCREENING CRITERIA
Both national and international organizations are eligible to apply. There is no exclusivity requirement; organizations already engaged with FAST-M, IOM’s Rapid Response Fund, or a Country-Based Pooled Fund are encouraged to apply and may reference that status (see Section 5).
At Stage 1, applicants should be able to confirm the following minimum requirements. Full organizational due diligence will be conducted only for organizations invited to proceed beyond Stage 1.
Mandatory:
• Legally registered in Mozambique, or legally authorized to operate in Mozambique, with a valid legal document
• Active operational presence in Cabo Delgado and/or Nampula, OR demonstrated capacity to mobilize rapidly into these areas
• Relevant technical expertise in at least one MOZ-RRM sector of intervention (Section 3)
• Basic organizational systems in place: human resources, financial management, and logistics and reporting capacity
• Not currently suspended, debarred or blacklisted by any donor, UN agency or government body
• Willingness to comply with applicable donor, NRC and MOZ-RRM requirements, including safeguarding, PSEA, anti-fraud, financial management, visibility, reporting and audit requirements
Additional Considerations
• Demonstrable experience in humanitarian/emergency response programming, with preference given to organizations that have implemented similar activities within the last three years.
• Demonstrated positive engagement with communities, local government, and national disaster management institutions, including the Instituto Nacional de Gestão de Calamidades (INGD), in the target area.
• For organizations that have previously received sub-grants for rapid response, past performance and timely implementation will be considered.
• Engagement with relevant coordination mechanisms (e.g., cluster system, inter-agency coordination platforms)
• Experience with ECHO or USAID-funded programming
5. CONSENT FOR DUE DILIGENCE INFORMATION-SHARING
To avoid duplicating requests already made by other coordination mechanisms, applicants will be asked to confirm:
• Whether they are a current member of, or have completed due diligence with, FAST-M, IOM’s Rapid Response Fund, a Country-Based Pooled Fund (CBPF), Start Network, one of the existing MOZ-RRM consortium members, or another recognized humanitarian vetting mechanism.
• Consent for MOZ-RRM to request relevant due diligence and vetting records directly from that mechanism, where such information-sharing arrangements exist.
• MOZ-RRM will still conduct its own supplementary checks, including sanctions and watchlist screening, regardless of prior vetting elsewhere. This is particularly important for organizations that would receive funds transferred by NRC as grant holders.
6. WHAT TO SUBMIT
Applicants are asked to submit the following documents for Stage 1 through the NRC online submission platform, where you will be able to download the templates directly (see further instructions on how to apply).
● Annex 1: Organization Information Form
Basic organizational details, legal status, contact information, geographic presence, sectors of expertise and prior emergency-response experience
● Annex 2: Narrative Template
A short narrative, maximum 4 pages using the format provided, covering the organization’s operational presence, relevant sector experience, emergency-response experience, basic operational infrastructure, rapid mobilization capacity and relevance to the MOZ-RRM
● Annex 3: Self-declaration form
Signed declaration confirming the accuracy of the information submitted, non-suspension/non-debarment, commitment to humanitarian principles, safeguarding/PSEA, anti-fraud and compliance requirements
● Annex 4: Passporting and Due Diligence information sharing consent form
Confirmation of whether the organization has completed due diligence or is currently registered with another recognized mechanism, and whether the organization consents to MOZ-RRM/NRC requesting relevant information from that mechanism. Organizations with no prior platform membership or due diligence in place should indicate “not applicable.”
● Please submit your legal registration documentation in a single PDF.
● Annex 5: Scoring and Prioritization Grid is provided for your information and does not need to be filled out or resubmitted. It sets out the mandatory Stage 1 checks and the scoring criteria used to assess and prioritize applications that pass those checks, including score thresholds and their outcomes.
Applicants should NOT submit legal documents, audit reports, financial statements, bank details or full policy manuals, except for the organization’s legal registration documentation. These documents may be requested during Stage 2, where required, or obtained through passporting where the applicant has authorized information-sharing with another recognized mechanism.
7. SELECTION PROCESS
This is a progressive screening and readiness process. Organizations may move through different status levels depending on eligibility, due diligence, compliance checks, operational readiness, training and response needs.
Stage 1: EOI Screening
• Submissions will be reviewed against the minimum eligibility conditions and screening criteria in Section 4 and further detailed in Annex 5
• Organizations meeting the Stage 1 requirements will be added to the MOZ-RRM preliminary roster list with an initial “identified” status and invited to Stage 2.
• Applicants may be asked to provide clarifications where information is incomplete or unclear
• Applicants will be notified of the outcome of Stage 1 within 14 working days of the EOI closing date.
Stage 2: Due Diligence and Readiness Assessment
• Organizations that meet the requirements of Stage 1 will be invited to complete the Stage 2 Due Diligence and Readiness Assessment Form.
• Passporting will be used to reduce duplicate documentation requests, where applicable and where the applicant consents. It does not, however, replace NRC’s mandatory checks.
• A capacity and readiness assessment may be conducted, including field verification by the relevant Geographic Lead Agencies of the Consortium (GLA), together with the Consortium Management Unit (CMU), to confirm operational presence, sectoral capacity, rapid response readiness and any support, training or verification needs.
• Readiness and capacity will be assessed through the Stage 2 Due Diligence and Readiness Assessment Form, resulting in a Partnership Readiness Level that determines onboarding conditions and any capacity-strengthening support needed. Full scoring guidance will be provided to organizations invited to proceed to Stage 2.
• Organizations that successfully complete Stage 2 may be confirmed on the Level 1 roster, subject to any conditions identified through the process, and will be eligible to position themselves for shock-based activations through the pooled fund, under the leadership of the Geographical Lead Agency.
Important Note: Being listed on the roster does not guarantee activation or funding for any specific response. Activation depends on the needs of a given alert, sectoral fit, the response plan developed by the relevant GLA, and signing of response-specific agreements. Final approval of the EOI and roster process rests with the MOZ-RRM Steering Committee.
Roster Validity: Organizations approved for the MOZ-RRM Level 1 Partner Roster will remain on the roster for a period of 24 months, subject to continued compliance with MOZ-RRM requirements, satisfactory performance and continued funding availability. The consortium reserves the right to conduct periodic reviews, suspend or remove organizations where significant compliance or capacity concerns arise.
8. TIMELINE
- EOI Submission Deadline: 21 August 2026 at 23:59 Mozambique time (UTC+2)
- Stage 1 outcome notification: by 11 September 2026
- Stage 2 (due diligence/readiness) begins: 14 September 2026
How to apply
- EOIs must be submitted online through the NRC Tender Management System: https://eaydps.nrc.no
- Organisations will need to create a profile on the platform to access the EOI package and its Annexes.
- Please note that this Call for Expressions of Interest is not a procurement tender, call for bids or request for financial offers. Submission of an EOI does not guarantee selection, partnership, funding, roster confirmation or activation. Organisations selected to proceed will be subject to the required screening, due diligence and readiness process.
- The platform will not accept applications after the deadline of 21 August 2026 at 23:59 Mozambique time (UTC+2).
- Applicants should download the mandatory annexes from the platform, complete them, and re-upload them as PDFs, together with their legal registration documentation.
- Annex 5 – Scoring and Prioritisation Grid is provided for information only and does not need to be completed or resubmitted.
- If you face any technical issues with the online platform, please contact [email protected]. This email address is for technical platform support only. Please do not submit application documents to this address.
- For questions or clarifications about the EOI, applicants may contact the Consortium Management Unit until 17 August 2026 at: [email protected] and [email protected]. Please do not submit application documents to the CMU unless specifically requested.
- Responses to clarification questions may be shared with all applicants where relevant, to ensure a fair and transparent process
More Information
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