CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – Port Vila Retail Suppliers
Background
The impacts of COVID-19 restrictions in Vanuatu, spanning from March 2020 until today has resulted in a significant reduction in income and livelihoods across Vanuatu, particularly amongst households with pre-existing vulnerabilities. In order to address the needs of our people Oxfam in Vanuatu is deploying a large-scale cash transfer response to assist those in most need. Oxfam is implementing their proven approach for humanitarian response/emergency recovery here in Vanuatu – called an Unblocked Cash response. This has started in SANMA and TAFEA and is about to start in selected areas of SHEFA.
What is Unblocked Cash?
This solution focuses on the distribution of support via goods and services to those most vulnerable as a result of the COVID-19 crises. Rather than receiving funds in the form of cash or food supplies, the recipients are provided with a way to pay for goods and services via a “tap and pay” card, which is used at selected stores using a smart phone app so they can choose what to purchase that best suits their recovery needs. Local stores will be part of this innovative approach, working as suppliers of goods and services to their community households, being reimbursed directly by the project. No cash exchanges hands; stores are provided with smartphones and trained on how to use them to accept card-based payments and the equivalent money for the purchase is deposited to the stores’ bank account. All transactions, including what is being purchased and where, is fully traceable, and is available via an online dashboard monitored by Oxfam and partners.
The Vanuatu Business Resilience Council (VBRC) which is a standing council of the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) is a partner to Oxfam and working with the stores and businesses. VCCI is seeking responses to this EOI from interested retailers in Port Vila under category of Mixed Retail shops, hardware and pharmacy on behalf of Oxfam Vanuatu for this program.
Duration of the program is for 3 months which will begin from Mid-February to end of April. As a chosen store (or vendor) you will be providing service to the beneficiaries which in SHEFA province will be people living with a disability.
As a Vendor, you will be invited to sign an agreement with the Oxfam Vanuatu for this service.
Joining this program will be beneficial to your company or business as you will be receiving more and new customers using your services. These customers will be holding the Oxfam ‘tap and pay’ card.
You will be required to:
- Attend a training on how to use the card system
- Provide a bank account – so that payment for goods is deposited directly to you
- Provide a Business License for 2020/2021
- A Valid personal ID for owner
- Business must be accessible to clients with a disability
Selection criteria
The selection criteria will be evaluated by the VCCI business resilience team along with Oxfam Vanuatu based on the following criteria:
- Business accessibility for all including people with disability
- Type of variety of goods sold
- Must be Located in Port Vila
Applying to the call for expressions of interest
Based on the criteria above, interested business vendor should submit complete form with supporting documents no later than Wednesday 3rd February 2021. Click HERE to download your Vendor Supplier Form which you will need to complete.
All applications should be sent to projects@vcci.vu or can be droped off at VCCI front desk with the subject title “Submission: Oxfam Vendor”.
