Institutionalising a Volunteer First Responder Service in Armenia (VolFiRe)

  1. CONTEXT & BACKGROUND
Title of the project Institutionalising a Volunteer First Responder Service in Armenia (VolFiRe)
Country / Location Armenia / nationwide
Date of the Action 01.12.2022 –  31.08.2025

The Civil Protection system in Armenia is currently mainly based on professional responders from governmental institutions. They are to a large extent on-duty firefighters and other paid staff of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES). But Armenia has numerous remote areas particularly affected by the limited coverage through the regional fire and rescue services. These areas are often out of reach if we consider international standards for rapid response to emergencies and disasters. Closest MES local fire brigades are established far from these municipalities, 20km to 45km, and access is often difficult (bad road condition, mountainous roads…). In some cases, the emergency services cannot at all reach the municipalities due to snow fall in winter or landslides in spring. This fact also applies to ambulances and other medical services. Therefore, the Armenian population living in remote areas is extremely vulnerable in case of emergencies (accidents, medical emergencies, house fires…) and disasters (landslides, forest fires…).

Therefore, the Austrian Red Cross (AutRC) implemented the StrengthVOL project[1] from 2020 – 2022 (funded by DG ECHO and co-funded by the Austrian Development Agency). In the frame of this project the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia (MES), Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS) and Austrian Red Cross (AutRC) developed a comprehensive model for Civil Protection volunteering for Armenia. In this model, the volunteers are first responders, firefighters and rescuers called “Volunteer Fire Rescue Groups” (VFRGs). Volunteers pass an exam with MES and successful candidates receive from MES an official rescuer ID. VFRGs are alerted and deployed by the MES Crisis Management Centre (911) for any emergency or disaster occurring within the municipality. They are available 24/7 and should be deployed within 15 minutes after the alert. The groups themselves are responsible for running the station, equipment and fire truck. They are alerted and deployed on a regular basis. They are volunteer firefighters like in similar volunteer systems in many European countries, e.g., Austria.

Based on the lessons learned from the StrengthVOL project and its main recommendations, the following outputs have been defined for the current project “Institutionalising a Volunteer First Responder Service in Armenia (VolFiRe)”:

  • Further development of the conceptual framework for Volunteer Fire Rescue Groups in Armenia (> Output 1)
  • The model for Volunteer Fire Rescue Groups (VFRG) should be established as an integral part of the civil protection system of Armenia. (> Output 2)
  • More Volunteer Fire Rescue Groups should be established, trained, activated, and well supported countrywide. (> Output 3)
  • Since MES capacities are also limited in case of large-scale disasters, the local Volunteer Fire Rescue Groups should be made deployable also for regional disaster response (> Output 4)
  • Gender equality and disability inclusion are important aspects to be integrated in the Volunteer Fire Rescue Groups. (> Output 5)

This Disability Inclusive Gender study is going to be realized within Output 5 of the ADC (Austrian Development Cooperation)-financed consortium project of Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS), Austrian Red Cross (AutRC), Armenian Caritas (AC) and Caritas Austria (CA). AutRC is the lead organization of this project, Caritas is responsible for promoting Gender Equality and Disability Inclusion within the Volunteer Fire Rescue Groups in this project.

  1. OBJECTIVE & SCOPE

Gender and disability should not be a barrier to benefitting from development actions. Being aware of the diversity dimensions like gender and disabilities and adapting programs and actions adequately to the respective needs helps to make actions more relevant for those most in need and ensure that nobody is left behind.

As to the ADC (Austrian Development Cooperation) Guidance, “Gender analysis is the basis for gender mainstreaming and makes possible to understand gender inequalities in a given situation, or sector, and to formulate projects or (sector) programs in a way to address and redress the situation (European Commission, 2009). It helps to understand root causes of inequalities, how they might impact on the outcomes of a program, how to tackle these; as well to detect if there is a need for specific, targeted actions for women and girls (or, in a given situation, for men and boys). At a minimum it helps to understand how not to do any further damage (“do no harm”), thus avoiding incorrect assumptions and stereotypes and reproducing unequal power relationships.”[2]

The objective of the DIGA analysis is to inform future project implementation, to ensure that the planned interventions are gender and disability responsive and improve gender equality and the empowerment of women and men with disabilities, and to identify appropriate steering measures where necessary.

The DIGA analysis should be realized on sector level (emergency preparedness) and on project activity level. The latter means to identify the specific needs and priorities of the target groups relating to the project context and the target area, and to examine the extent to which gender roles, relationships, disability and cultural as well as structural issues are key.

In particular, the DIGA analysis shall consider the following requests and questions:

  • A mapping of key actors (other donors, government institutions, women’s movement, DPO’s) active in gender equality, disability inclusion and civil protection, and of services available / gaps in services

Aim: To have an understanding of what is already happening in Armenia, regarding disability inclusion, gender equality and the civil protection system particularly, and where the involved organizations could collaborate with like-minded organizations or expand their networks to support inclusion and equality in their programs.

  • Municipalities

# Key statistics: Assessment of how many women, girls, men and boys with disabilities live in the 12 target municipalities[3] (including type of disabilities) and of their access to relevant facilities in case of emergency.

# How are women, girls, men and boys with disabilities participating in the social life of their families and municipalities? What roles do they usually play, especially girls and women with/without disabilities?

# Are there any regional peculiarities that have to be taken into consideration?

  • Participation in and design of VFRG (Volunteer Fire Rescue Groups)

# What kind of barriers are hindering women, girls, men and boys with/without disabilities to participate in volunteering for VFRGs? What kind of conditions / support to they need to actively and equally participate?

# To give concrete / practical recommendations on how woman, girls, men and boys with/without disabilities can be integrated in the recruitment process for volunteers? How to design the recruitment process so that all feel welcome?

# What are specific roles in the VFRG (Volunteer Fire Rescue groups) that could be appropriate for people with different types of disabilities and what are the corresponding implications for training needs?

# How can more women and girls (with / without disabilities) and men and boys with disabilities be encouraged to participate in VFRGs?

# Are there good examples of the inclusion of women or persons with disabilities in emergency response and relief?

  • Training module on gender equality and disability inclusion

To give concrete recommendations on how to design a training module to reach the objective of raising awareness for gender equality and disability inclusion among different involved groups (mainly volunteers and mentors)

In addition, the following two topics can be covered in case the scope of analysis allows (but it is not the main objective of the analysis):

  • Key risks / barriers faced by women, girls, men and boys with / without disabilities in case of emergency in the respective areas and how could they impact an emergency situation?
  • Emergency preparedness:

How could gender equality and inclusion issues be integrated into an emergency preparedness plan?

  1. METHODOLOGY

The methodology is to be developed and specified by the consultant. A mixed methodology of qualitative and quantitative methods, relying on secondary (e.g. literature review) as well as primary data (e.g. stakeholder consultations, surveys, Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions) is recommended.

For the purpose of objectivity, direct access to the municipalities in target project areas by the consultant should be prioritized.

General Points for the data collection

  • Data collection should be conducted in a gender-sensitive and disability-sensitive manner, meaning girls/women with/without disabilities shall be asked separately from boys/men with/without disabilities when doing focus group discussions and that it is ensured to have  a representative group where all people in the group are heard.
  • It shall be ensured that the place and time of data collection is accessible for people with disabilities and safe for girls/women to attend.
  • Times when people are usually occupied with other activities shall be avoided.
  • It shall be ensured that that people with disabilities can receive and understand the information about when, where and for what the data collection is being conducted. For example, be prepared to engage sign language interpreters or use pictures/easy language to communicate key information. Some persons with disabilities might need assistance or other specific support needs which should be provided in the data collection.

 

  1. DELIVERABLES & REPORTING

The consultant will submit the following reports:

Inception & Desk Phase
A draft and final inception report (10-15 pages without annexes), detailing:
# the Analysis Design and Approach: Methodology/Methods, Data collection instruments, Data

analysis, Limitations/Risks and Mitigation measures,..
# and a detailed workplan

Field Phase
Intermediary Note on preliminary findings

Synthesis Phase

A final draft DIGA report including concrete and practical recommendations (about 25-30 pages without annexes), and a draft executive summary (max. 4 pages) in English and Armenian.

And the final DIGA report including concrete and practical recommendations (25-30 pages without annexes), the final executive summary (max. 4 pages) in English and Armenian.

 

  1. TIMEFRAME
Action Responsible Until
Kick-Off
  • Signature of contract (including Code of Conduct)
  • Provision of documents
  • Giving a clear understanding of the model of Civil Protection volunteering for Armenia called “Volunteer Fire Rescue Groups” (VFRGs) established  in the frame of the  StrengthVOL project[4] in 2020 – 2022 (funded by DG ECHO and co-funded by the Austrian Development Agency).
  • Giving a clear understanding of the objectives and deliverables
 AC, ARCS 3.3.2023
Inception & Desk Phase
Submission of draft inception report Expert 20.3.2023
Feedback on Inception report  – in written and/or in an online meeting Caritas, Red Cross 24.3.2023
Inclusion of comments in inception report + Submission of final inception report Expert 30.3.2023
Approval of final inception report AC 3.4.2023
Field phase
Field Visit, interviews,… Expert 1st half of April
Intermediary Note on preliminary findings Expert 17.4.2023
Feedback on preliminary findings – in written and/or in an online meeting Caritas, Red Cross 21.4.2023
Synthesis phase
Submission of draft final report (incl. draft executive summary) Expert 27.4.2023
Feedback on draft final report (and executive summary) – in written and/or in an online meeting Caritas, Red Cross 5.5.2023
Inclusion of Feedback + Submission of final DIGA report, incl. the executive summary to contractor; in English and Armenian. Expert 15.5.2023
Presentation of findings & recommendations (in the frame of a round table) Expert End of May 2023

  1. REQUIRED QUALIFICATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

 

  • An advanced degree and min. 5 years experience in social sciences, gender, disability inclusion or another relevant field
  • Demonstrated professional experience and expertise in gender analysis, gender mainstreaming and disability inclusion in humanitarian and development programmes;
  • A consultant (or team of consultants) from a DPO and/or women’s organisation would be well regarded, or willingness to work in partnership with DPOs/ women’s organisations  in order to ensure that  perspectives of women and people with disabilities are embedded at all points of the project.
  • Demonstrated experience in research and analytical work in gender equality, women’s empowerment and inclusion issues in Armenia;
  • Demonstrated experience in conducting research and analysis, including data collection, and using participatory approaches;
  • Excellent communication, report writing and analytical skills;
  • Fluent in Armenian and English, both oral and written

  1. GUIDING PRINCIPLES & DONOR CONCEPTS

The expert must conduct the Analysis in accordance with the principles outlined in the “Caritas Internationalis management standards” and the “Caritas Code of Conduct”.

The expert must take all required steps to ensure that the Analysis is designed and conducted to respect and protect the rights and welfare of the people and the municipalities of which they are members, as well as to ensure that the analysis is technically accurate, reliable, and legitimate, and conducted in a transparent and impartial manner. Moreover, the analysis should ideally contribute to organizational learning and accountability.

  1. HOW TO APPLY

The applicants may use a free format for the elaboration of the proposal (including work plan, detailed description of methodology, budget). The financial offer should include proposed budget of all-inclusive fee in AMD, including separate lines for the Consultancy fee and other costs (e.g travel, data  collection assistance, printing, etc.), as deemed necessary for the assignment. When working on the budget, applicants should take into account the fact that fieldwork is required.

The payment will be made as follows:

  • 1st installment – 40% (after signing the agreement); and
  • Final installment – 60% (after approval of final deliverables)

Interested candidates are requested to submit their CV and proposal (including work plan, detailed description of methodology, names and contact details of two references) demonstrating their ability to deliver on this assignment with the subject DIGA – Disability Inclusive Gender Analysis Consultancy to Gayane Norikyan g.norikyan@caritas.am, and in cc to Davit Hakobyan dhakobyan@redcross.am.

The deadline for submission of proposals is 16th of February 2023.