Jobs and Careers

COMPETITION TYPE : 

Call for Proposals

DETAIL DESCRIPTION : 

Following the recent escalation of the decades-long conflict in the region, the Government of the Republic of Armenia reported that between 24 September and 4 October 2023, 100,632 refugees, including 30,000 children, arrived in the country. An average of 15,000 people arrived per day, with a peak of 40,000 refugees entering the country on 27 September 2023. So far, the Government has registered over 101,000 refugees in government-run registration centres. Overall, the number of refugees constitute almost 3 percent of the entire Armenian population, i.e., 1 in 30 people, which adds to the 36,000 refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless people of all nationalities who were already present in the country. According to the latest available data from the Government of the Republic of Armenia, many of the new arrivals are vulnerable, including older people, women and children, pregnant women, people living with disabilities and people with chronic health conditions, as well as new-borns. 52 percent are women and girls, 31 percent are children and 18 per cent are older persons. About half of the refugee population are from the countryside.

Background Information
HEKS/EPER is the Swiss Aid Agency, operating in the field of development, income generation, human rights and emergency aid. The purpose of the HEKS/EPER strategy in the South Caucasus is to improve inclusion and the living conditions of rural and disadvantaged population groups as well as contribute to the peaceful coexistence of South Caucasus countries. Other than in the South Caucasus, the organization is presented in more than 30 countries with its own regional.
HEKS-EPER South Caucasus responded to the crisis immediately upon the influx of the forcibly displaced people to Armenia. Financial support has been allocated to the Syunik NGO to organize a shelter for the forcibly displaced people in Yeghegnadzor and to the Armenian Round Table to provide one-time cash assistance to the most vulnerable groups of people in Gegharkunik Marz.
The shelter has a capacity of providing roof, food, hygiene, medical and phyco-social support to about 230 people. Families with children are provided with access to schools nearby.
The cash distribution is foreseen for 3+ children, women-led, adults-only households.
The duration of the project is three months (October 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023)

Objectives of the Assignment
HEKS/EPER South Caucasus, as part of the "Emergency Support to Displaced Vulnerable Populations from Nagorno Karabakh in Armenia" project, is seeking an experienced professional to conduct final monitoring and evaluation of the project's implementation in target regions: Vayots Dzor and Gegharkunik.

The overall objective of this assignment is to carry out research to produce values for the main:
Objective 1: 1300 forcibly displaced people in the targeted communities received cash-based assistance.
Objective 2: A safe and secure place is provided for 230 forcibly displaced people, protecting them from immediate threats to their well-being.
Objective 3: These 230 forcibly displaced people have access to basic necessities such as food and hygiene.
Objective 4: Psychological first aid (rehabilitation activities) is offered to help these 230 forcibly displaced people cope with the emotional and psychological trauma they have experienced due to their displacement, and other traumatic events.
Objective 5. Access to schools is ensured for 50 forcibly displaced children
Data collection methodology and evaluation tools should be proposed and developed and allow measuring the change of the Indicators by the end of the project.

Evaluation Methodology
For the Monitoring and Evaluation of the project selected expert should use quantitative and qualitative methods: survey, focus-group discussions, in-depth interviews, as well as conduct the desk research of existing reports, regulations and laws. Whenever needed all the data should be disaggregated by gender, age group, region, etc.
Purpose and Scope of work
Selected expert should propose a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to provide a robust understanding of the dynamics of change that can be accredited to project interventions. Different methodologies can be used for the measurement of different indicators.
- In consultation with HEKS-EPER and according to the project logical framework, the selected expert will be expected to finalize the questions and research methodology and design data collection tools for quantitative and qualitative researchers.
- Collect and analyse available secondary data related to project objectives.
- Conduct primary data collection.
- Analyse and interpret data to develop a comprehensive report.
- Prepare a presentation on key findings and insights.

Criteria
The specific objectives of the review mission are clustered in the 3 main review criteria to be assessed by the consultants:
A) Relevance (use value in context) – to what extent the project is suited to the priorities and policies of the target group, the recipients, government, and donors. Review the relevance of the project strategy and assess whether it provides the most effective route towards intended results.
B) Effectiveness (Target and result achievement (Outcomes) - Review the log frame and indicators against progress made towards the project targets to measure the extent to which the project activities attain its objectives.
C) Project Implementation and Management Arrangements – to what extent the structure, management and working processes framework appropriate for project implementation and work to be carried out.

REQUIREMENTS : 

Required qualifications and eligibility criteria
- Advanced degree in development studies, social and/or political sciences or other relevant filed;
- At least five years of experience in implementation of the qualitative and quantitative researches and triangulation of data;
- Excellent analytical and communication skills;
- Proficiency in English as well as proficiency in writing reports and developing presentations in English;
- Ability to work within a tight deadline and produce on schedule.

Deliverables
The following are the deliverables from the selected experts, which will be subject to review and approval of HEKS-EPER:
- Work plan, including research approach and timeline;
- Research methodology, including sampling, data collection tools to measure the baseline values of each indicator;
- Evaluation report, including desk research summary, values of all indicators, and detailed data collection methodology (by the end of December 2023).

All above-mentioned documents should be developed and provided in English.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES : 

Interested candidates should submit the following documents in English:
a) Technical proposal (max. 3 pages) outlining their motivation for the application, the methodological approach on how to conduct the assignment, and the resources required;
b) Financial proposal outlining all costs incl. e.g. transport, additional data collection staff (if required) and a work plan;
c) CV.
Applications should be sent in electronic format only to: anna.sarkissyan@heks-eper.org no later than November 24, 2023.

Please clearly mention in your application letter that you learned of this job opportunity through Career Center and mention the URL of its website - www.careercenter.am, Thanks.