Terms of Reference (ToR) National Consultant for Market Assessment to Establish Baseline Data for UNHCR Armenia Cash-based Interventions

Transcription

1 Terms of Reference (ToR) National Consultant for Market Assessment to Establish Baseline Data for UNHCR Armenia Cash-based Interventions Organization: UNHCR Location: Yerevan (with possible trips to Kotayk, Syunik, Gegharkunik and Tavush regions) Application deadline: 28-Sep-17 Type of contract: Individual Contract Post Level: National Consultant Languages required: Armenian, English, and Russian Starting date: 12 October 2017 Duration of contract: 30 working days Background The Representation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) established its presence in Armenia in December 1992 in response to the request from the Government of Armenia to assist with the mass influx of 360,000 ethnic Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan who fled to Armenia due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Armenia currently hosts about 20,000 Persons of Concern (PoC) to UNHCR, including approximately 15,000 refugees and persons in a refugee like situation that have sought protection in Armenia after being displaced by the conflict in Syria. In addition, Armenia hosts asylum-seekers and refugees from Azerbaijan, Iraq, Iran and Ukraine as well as smaller numbers originating from various countries. UNHCR also provides assistance to about 1,000 persons fled to Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the escalation of the conflict in early In addition to refugees, asylum seekers and persons in a refugee-like situation, there are around 421 documented stateless persons in Armenia who are also persons of concern to UNHCR. Context of the consultancy Although according to the Law on Refugees and Asylum Seekers, refugees and asylum-seekers in Armenia are entitled to the same rights as nationals in terms of access to social and health care services, neither the Government of Armenia, nor local non-governmental organizations have sufficient capacity to properly address those outstanding issues of PoCs. Refugees, as many others among local population, are influenced by the shortcomings of the social protection system, however their vulnerable situation is aggravated due to the absence of a broader family based fallback support systems on which most of the local population can rely.

2 UNHCR Armenia aims to fill the gap between entitled and actual state benefits of its persons of concern by offering a broad range of services and assistance and paying special attention to the most vulnerable. UNHCR s interventions include social services, care services, housing, medical assistance, legal assistance and representation in courts, support of income generation activities, vocational education, soft skills and career coaching, and other assistance provided to persons of concerns to meet their basic needs and to facilitate their socio-economic integration in the Armenia society. UNHCR s interventions include both cash and non-cash assistance. Cash-based Interventions (CBIs) are aimed to cover specific basic needs of most vulnerable persons of concern, and - in cases of extreme vulnerability and inability to access income - regular monthly cash assistance to cover shelter needs or, in exceptional cases, other acute or vital needs. In 2017, the CBI interventions (may) include: (i) assistance to access adequate housing, (ii) payments to address winter-specific needs, (iii) one-time assistance serving durable solutions (e.g. voluntary repatriation, resettlement, relocation to a private housing or to a social housing provided by operational partners), (iv) other one-time or multiple-time assistance addressing specific needs and (vi) integration conditional cash grant. All CBIs are managed in-line with UNHCR Armenia CBI Standard Operating Procedures. Scope of work UNHCR Armenia Representation seeks a national consultant to conduct a market assessment to help the operation in determining (a) the appropriateness of the cash delivery mechanism (CDM) for provision of UNHCR assistance in Armenia as opposed to other mechanisms such as vouchers or in-kind assistance, (b) the most appropriate response and delivery modality for its Cash-based Interventions and, (c) the baseline market value for the core goods covered by CBIs. The results of the market assessment will become a basis for UNHCR Armenia Operation s cash-based interventions in When necessary, the consultant is expected to work in close cooperation with the international livelihoods consultant hired by the UNHCR regional office. Based on consultative and field-based approach, and in accordance with UNHCR s appropriate guidelines, toolkits, and SOPs, the national consultant will conduct a market assessment to achieve the following specific objectives: 1. Collect all relevant pre-assessment information to design the methodology of the market assessment, including specificities of the target populations, CBI interventions, geographic marketplaces, and other relevant context information. 2. Based on initial input from UNHCR, its partners and key stakeholders, conduct identification/mapping of the core goods and their specifications as per target UNHCR Armenia CBI interventions. The indicative list of core goods is attached as Annex 1: 3. Conduct comparative analysis of cash vs. non-cash assistance delivery mechanisms and assess the appropriateness of the cash delivery mechanism for each intervention/core goods.

3 4. Conduct data collection on the market availability of the core goods, their seasonal variations in supply, demand and price, and the access of the target population (physically and socially) to markets to purchase those core goods. 5. Using the data collected from previous steps, determine supply chain capacity to meet core good needs as per CBI interventions and marketplaces. 6. Consolidate and analyse risk information collected through the market assessment, including risks associated with the supply chain ability to meet demand, protection risks, and risks connected to the wider market environment and infrastructure. 7. Based on the information collected, define the CBI transfer value for core goods and targeted populations. 8. Determine the cost of delivering cash assistance to the beneficiaries as per UNHCR CBI interventions. 9. Develop a final market assessment report with summary statements for all core good supply chains. Deliverables The main deliverable of the consultancy is the final market assessment report. The draft report will be reviewed by UNHCR, and the final report will be produced by the national consultant based on the provided feedback. The contractor shall submit electronic copies of all datasets, all quantitative and qualitative data (completed questionnaires, recorded interviews, focus groups, etc.), and any other documents used or collected in the course of the consultancy. Performance indicators for evaluation of results Satisfactory completion of tasks indicated in these ToR; Quality of consultancy and elaborated analysis; Adequate and prompt provision of the technical inputs; Timely delivery of drafts and deliverables as indicated these ToR; Interactive and pro-active cooperation with governmental and non-governmental organizations working with refugees, asylum seekers and persons displaced from Syria. Consultancy fees: In accordance with UN rules and scale for Armenia. Required qualifications Completed advanced university degree in economics, sociology, socio-economic development, marketing, development planning, financial management or other related field. A relevant university degree in combination with a qualifying experience in the sector may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in market assessments and research.

4 Proven experience in conducting assessments, research and preparing analytical reports. Experience in working with internal and national NGOs, UN agencies and government authorities at national level. Excellent writing, communication and negotiation skills; ability to prepare clear and concise reports. Excellent analytical skills. Excellent knowledge of English and Armenian, knowledge of Russian is an asset. How to apply Interested candidates should send their CV and motivation letter with clear indication of their financial offer and implementation timetable to the following address The deadline for submission of applications is 28 September *** About UNHCR The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a humanitarian and nonpolitical organization mandated by the United Nations to protect refugees and help them find lasting solutions to their problems. UNHCR s activities are based on a framework of international refugee law and standards that includes the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, as well as an array of international and regional treaties on human rights and humanitarian law. The core mandate of UNHCR is the international protection of refugees. The provision of international protection by UNHCR implies ensuring the basic human rights of refugees in their countries of asylum and that refugees will not be returned involuntarily to a country where they could face persecution. Longer term, the organisation helps refugees find appropriate durable solutions to their plight, by repatriating voluntarily to their homeland, integrating in countries of asylum or resettling in third countries. UNHCR has presence in the Republic of Armenia since 1992, under a Co-operation Agreement signed with the Government. UNHCR s work in Armenia presently concentrates on capacitybuilding activities geared towards strengthening national authorities, laws and policies to ensure the proper handling of refugee and asylum issues, the reception and care of refugees, the promotion of self-reliance of refugees and the realization of durable solutions. These are carried out in combination with other activities such as advocacy, information dissemination and monitoring.

5 ANNEX 1. INDICATIVE LIST OF CORE GOODS # CBI Intervention Core Goods Regions 1 Rental Subsidy Apartment, room and house for rent 2 School supplies 3 Baby food Notebook, pen, pencil, ruler, rent of mandatory textbooks, painting album, school bag, etc. Baby formula (including special baby formulas such as anti-reflux, hypoallergenic) 4 Winterization Heaters, winter outdoor clothing 5 Food Based on minimum food basket 6 Household items 7 Hygiene items 8 Bedding Based on minimum consumer basket (without food) Soap, shampoo, tooth paste, tooth brush, sanitary pads, washing powder, dish washing liquid, dishwashing sponge, comb, bath towel, etc. Bed (including matrass), bedding and bed linens