Antecedentes

The October 2012 parliamentary elections in Georgia resulted in a change of Government and move towards more socially oriented agenda. The Government of Georgia is reforming the social protection system, defined broadly as a set of public actions addressing poverty and social vulnerability. Current priorities of the state social protection system include, but are not limited to the eradication of extreme poverty, social exclusion and improving living standards of the most vulnerable. This was also translated in state funding pattern, as budget has become more socially oriented. Only in 2013 the budget of the Ministry of Labour Health and Social Affairs (MoLSHA) increased by 28% compared to the previous year. Increase in old age pension and introduction of the universal health insurance benefited majority of Georgian population.

Notwithstanding positive developments, Georgia has one of the highest inequity and poverty levels in Europe. Substantial part of the adult and child population is still living below the poverty line.  Poverty, limited employment opportunities, income disparity, and social exclusion of the most vulnerable create challenges for developing the country. Lack of the preventive community based services, combined with the limited of older persons, persons with disabilities, youth leaving state care, homeless and other vulnerable groups of the Georgian population.

Housing needs, cause by the full reliance on market forces and limited role of the state in the housing sector become increasingly evident by raising numbers of homeless, adults and children living and working on the streets, persons illegally occupying state or privately owned property. Housing needs are particularly obvious among youth graduating from the formal care, persons with mental health and substance abuse problems, single parent households and families with many children living below the poverty line, etc. During the last year, GoG has been working on identifying solutions for the most acute housing needs of the selected groups by developing shelters for homeless. However, introduced solutions are only temporary, do not address multifaceted bio-psycho-social needs of the homeless persons and are not suitable for preventing future problems. Since, the risk of homelessness is relatively high among those vulnerable groups, a special attention should be focused on preventing new cases of homelessness and stopping people from ever becoming homeless.

Another important and partially overlooked challenge in the country is lack of social services for aged citizens, representing fifth of the Georgian population. Existing demographic trends show that the percent of older persons in the country is further increasing and according to the World Health Organization estimates will reach 36% by 2050. In order to ensure appropriate quality of life for older citizens, prevent health and social problems and avoid heavy burden on the state budget, resulting from institutionalization, long-term hospitalization, homelessness and other risks, GoG needs to advised and supported in introducing rights based care approach for this and other groups in need of care (persons with physical and mental health problems, etc.). In general, development of the concept of the social care system tailored to ensure rights and meet the needs of different vulnerable persons is at the early stage of development in Georgia.

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (10.12.1948, article 25) an adequate housing is one of the most important basic human needs. The Government of Georgia, in its Human Rights Strategy 2014-2020 also acknowledges housing right of its citizens. Due to the complexity of the issue (socio-economic and demographic situation, political, administrative and legal factors), many state entities are responsible and need support in for establishing the system able to ensure adequate housing opportunities for different target groups. Technical support provided to the MoLSHA taking lead in these developments, would ensure capacity strengthened and political support for introducing the short, medium and long term national housing strategies, developed in line with international best practices and knowledge of local context.

Deberes y responsabilidades

The main objective of the consultancy is to identify key areas/existing gaps in social policy development and implementation to better accommodate longer-term responses towards social assistance.

Tasks to be undertaken

• Review existing policies in national social policies, with special emphases on older persons, persons with disabilities, youth leaving care and homeless persons;
• Based on desk review, undertake a brief assessment of existing gaps in social policy development and implementation;
• Organize and mentor group discussions to sum up and obtain all necessary information from the relevant staff;
• Facilitate a process of defining vision and strategic direction on homelessness  through working group meetings, especially established by MoLSHA;
• Conduct focus groups with stakeholders and prepare stakeholder analysis for the strategy;
• Develop draft strategic paper for the homeless people that will contain the following information: analysis of situation and current legal framework, the best international practices in responding to the homelessness, defined target groups, vision, mission and strategic direction on solution on homelessness, including efficient systems for prevention of homelessness.

Deliverables

• Brief overview of the national social assistance/protection policies and the gaps of the national system of social protection;
• Facilitated working group meetings;
• Draft strategy on addressing housing needs of selected categories of homeless people;
• Mission report containing information on accomplishments and scope of work as well as respective recommendations;
• The language of each deliverable (Georgian/English) will be determined upon consultation with MoLHSA and the consultant.

Management arrangements

• The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the GRF project Manager;
• GRF Project team will provide support when and as needed;
• The consultant shall provide draft inputs for the initial in-house review and upon the feedback from UNDP and MoLHSA, finalize those for final submission.

Indicative Timing

The consultancy should be undertaken during March – May, 2015. Total level of effort for the consultancy is maximum 40 days.

Payment Modality

The payment schedule will be agreed with the consultant and will be made in three (3) installments upon satisfactory completion/submission of the deliverables.

Evaluation

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on cumulative analysis method:

Offeros will be evaluated against combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum obtainable score is 100, out of which the total score for technical criteria equals to 70 and for financial criteria – to 30. Offerors that do not meet Minimum Qualification Criteria will be automatically rejected, while the rest will form up the long list. The offerors who obtain minimum 35 points as a result of the desk review will be invited for the interview. Offerors who pass 70% threshold, i.e. obtain minimum 14 points, as a result of the interview  will be requested the financial proposal.

Financial Proposal

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount.

Maximum 30 points will be assigned to the lowest price offer. All other price offers will be scored using the formula (inverse proportion):  Financial score X = 30* the lowest price offer/suggested price offer. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal as well.

Competencias

Core Competencies

• Demonstrated commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies

• Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office and web-based applications;
• Proven ability to deliver quality output working under tight deadlines;
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Strong and proven research and analytical skills;
• Ability to communicate effectively and facilitate discussions at the senior level with government officials;

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education

• Master’s degree in social sciences, public administration or other related area; Doctoral degree will be an asset (Minimum qualification requirement: Master's degree - 15 points, PhD - additional 5 points).

Experience

• At least eight  years of social policy advisory experience in the relevant field (Minimum qualification requirement: eitgh years - 15 points, more than eight - additional 5 points);
• An extensive hands-on experience of at least 5 years of actual involvement in a social protection reform (5 points);
• Experience of working with Government Organizations and International Agencies (5 points);
• Preferably a social protection system building experience in Eastern Europe countries or countries in political transition;
• Understanding of the mandate and the role of UNDP would be an asset;
• Knowledge of Georgia’s social protection landscape would be an asset.

Language Requirements

• Excellent Georgian and English language skills (both written and oral).