Armenian Caritas Benevolent NGO

in the framework of

“Building community resilience in the bordering provinces of Syunik, Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor” project

Call for the selection of a Consultant/Company to support building the emergency preparedness and response capacities of the targeted communities

Project title Building community resilience in the bordering provinces of Syunik, Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor
Place of implementation Republic of Armenia
Deadline for the applications 30.07.2023
Start date August 2023
Duration Short-term Service contract
E-mail for applications l.stepanyan@caritas.am, info@caritas.am

1.    Background

The geopolitical situation in the South Caucasus region continues remaining unstable which heavily impacts the situation in Armenia. In order to halt the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan, Trilateral Statement on complete ceasefire and termination of all hostilities in the area of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was signed by the Prime Minister of Armenia, the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia on November 9, 2020.

Despite ongoing negotiations on a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the ceasefire regime established by the Trilateral Statement is periodically violated by the Azerbaijani armed forces, accompanied by targeting not only the positions of the Armenian Armed Forces and Artsakh Defense Army, but also peaceful settlements and civilians, leading to human and material losses.

On the one hand, due to the on-going blockade of Lachin corridor the entire population of Artsakh is in a state of total isolation, facing massive violations of individual and collective human rights, as well as multifaceted existential and security threats which create an obvious risk of displacement of the Armenian population from NK to Armenia.

On the other hand, Azerbaijan not only continuously threatens to use force against the Republic of Armenia, but also has made several acts of aggression during the period of 2020-2022, occupying more than 140 sq km of the sovereign territory of Armenia in Syunik, Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor provinces. Moreover, infrastructures including transport communications, gas, electricity supply, community roads; and educational institutions are under direct target of unlawful armed locations of Azerbaijan on the territory of Armenia. As a result, safety and security of the mentioned provinces are endangered. Bordering areas are the most affected, and the largest refugee-hosting (people in a refugee-like situation) communities, and the population in these areas are always at risk of becoming food insecure, homeless, displaced, and without source of income in case of a new shocks or prolonged crisis. Capacities and infrastructures of the bordering communities of Armenia to respond to emergency situations be it a result of natural or manmade disasters are not well-developed.

All the above-mentioned brings to the desolation of targeted communities. The life of civilian population of bordering communities in the mentioned provinces has been fully destroyed which may lead to new internal displacement from there.

To the top of all above mentioned, Armenia remains extremely vulnerable for many reasons but especially its dependency on global factors beyond its control, including climate change, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

Overall objective of the project

To contribute to building resilience and self-sufficiency of bordering communities affected by the escalation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict

The Project logic is based on the identified needs and gaps. The axis of the project is to facilitate building the emergency preparedness and response capacities of the targeted communities to address the consequences of past and possible crisis situations. This will be done through the institutional, structural, human resources development of the targeted communities as well as advocacy towards the Government and non-state stakeholders.

The following activities will be carried out in the framework of the project:

  • the most vulnerable communities of Syunik, Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor provinces in terms of security/preparedness to emergency situations and coping with the consequences will be identified in collaboration with the regional authorities;
  • the most urgent needs in terms of infrastructures, capacities, risks, possibility of creation of voluntary emergency response groups, etc., gaps in legislation will be assessed and mapped;
  • advocacy strategy and action plan will be developed based on the identified gaps and needs;
  • advocacy will be carried out through bilateral meetings with the regional and state authorities, round table discussions, events in other formats;
  • capacity building support in terms of the development/improvement of Contingency plans will be provided to the local municipalities and local CSOs, active groups to address the consequences of crisis situations;
  • support will be provided to the local municipalities for developing/improving community infrastructures based on the assessment results of community needs.

For this, in the framework of the Project “Building community resilience in the bordering provinces of Syunik, Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor” Armenian Caritas seeks a Consultant/Company to support building the emergency preparedness and response capacities of the targeted communities.

1.    Scope of the action/services to be delivered

As the first step fact finding missions in the bordering communities of the Syunik, Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor provinces to identify four most vulnerable communities in terms of emergency preparedness and response will be implemented; needs assessment will be conducted in the identified communities to find out the most urgent needs, gaps in legislation and mechanisms. Then advocacy strategy and action plan will be developed based on the identified gaps and needs; consultacy and support will be provided to the Armenian Caritas for implementation of advocacy through bilateral meetings with the regional and state authorities, round table discussions, events in other formats. Also, capacity building support in terms of the development/improvement of Contingency plans will be provided to the local municipalities and local CSOs, active groups to address the consequences of crisis situations. The geographic focus of the action is the Syunik, Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor provinces of Armenia.

The action will be implemented in two phases. In the 1st phase the action will cover two communities of Syunik and Vayots Dzor provinces in the months of August-October 2023. In the 2nd phase the action will be implemented in two other communities of Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces in the months of September-November.

  1. Objectives and methodology of the action
    • Overall objective

The overall goal of the action is to support building the emergency preparedness and response capacities of the targeted communities.

The action will be conducted for the following stakeholders

  • Armenian Caritas
  • Caritas Confederation
  • Local communities and population of Syunik, Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor provinces
  • Armenian Government

2.2. Specific objectives

  • To identify the most vulnerable communities of Syunik, Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor provinces in terms of security/preparedness to emergency situations and coping with the consequences through fact-finding missions, in collaboration with regional/local authorities.
  • To assess and map the most urgent needs in terms of infrastructures, capacities, risks, possibility of creation of voluntary emergency response groups, gaps in legislation and mechanisms through fact-finding missions and other mechanisms.
  • To develop and validate a report with policy recommendations, advocacy strategy and action plan based on the identified gaps and needs.
  • To consult Armenian Caritas on implementation of advocacy through bilateral meetings with the regional and state authorities, round table discussions, events in other formats
  • To provide support in development/improvement of Contingency plans and relevant mechanisms/tools to the identified communities together with experts, local municipalities and local CSOs, active groups that will also be trained/capacitated to address the consequences of crisis situations.
    • Suggested methodological approach

The methodological approach for the action should include the following elements:

  • review the project-related documentation and design the methodology including needs assessment and fact-finding missions’ methods, tools, scope of secondary data, workplan, report outline, etc.;
  • briefing from the project team;
  • study secondary data (previously produced thematic research reports, statistical data, policy analysis, and experts’ positions) for emergency preparedness and response with a focus on the project provinces;
  • interviews with stakeholders (Ministry of Internal Affairs, Regional and local municipalities, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Unified Social Services of MLSA, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, and other state and non-state agencies identified during the meetings with the project team);
  • conduct fact-finding missions;
  • provide a comprehensive analysis of the identified needs with major highlights corresponding to the project objectives and results areas identified;
  • provide practical policy recommendations to advocate for the adoption of tailored approaches, improvement of the legislation, and State programmes, etc.;
  • consult the Armenian Caritas on implementation of advocacy actions.

3.    Costs and Financing

The contract will be on a fixed price basis. The payment will be made as follows:

  • 1st instalment – 50% (after signing the agreement)
  • Final instalment – 50% (after submission of final deliverables).

4.    Reporting / Deliverables

The service provider is expected to deliver:

  • Inception report with a methodological part, timeline, including interviews / focus group guidelines, etc. in English
  • Report with main findings of fact-finding missions and needs assessments; advocacy strategy and action plan in Armenian with a Summary of at least 10 pages in English
  • Presentation of the report with recommendation
  • lists of participants
  • Any other materials agreed beforehand with the project staff that will developed within the scope of the action
  1. The profile of the company / expert to support the establishment of creative labs in 3 provinces of Armenia

The selection of the Consultant/Company to support building the emergency preparedness and response capacities of the targeted communities will be done according to the below mentioned conditions: giving preference to the company/expert having experience in conducting studies in field of this ToR:

  • educational background of the team (Master’s degree or equivalent in International Humanitarian law, political sciences, economics, or other relevant fields)
  • relevant experience of the company/consultant (at least 5 years)
  • deep knowledge of the geopolitical situation of Armenia, emergency preparedness and response related issues, key role players, policies, and legal framework in the field of International Humanitarian law, Human Rights and Policy-related issues.
  • excellent analytical and research skills, credibility
  • strong advocacy skills

6.    Application Procedure

Armenian Caritas invites interested and qualified professional companies and experts to participate in a call for proposals in July 2023.

Interested candidates are required to provide their signed/stamped applications, composed of the below mentioned documents before 25th of July, 2023 via l.stepanyan@caritas.am; info@caritas.am email addresses.

  • Technical proposal that will include brief methodology, and budget.

Important note: unified methodology should be developed for the whole scope of the action. Nevertheless, the Budget should be split for two phases of the action described in the Part 6 “Scope of the action/services to be delivered” of this ToR (page 3).

  • CV of the applicant (in case of organization – the relevant specialists)
  • diplomas, qualification Certificates (in case of organization – the relevant specialists)
  • copy of the state registration certificate of the participant (in case of organization)

 

Please note: Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for the interview.