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1. BACKGROUND

The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine has had a direct and highly negative impact on social cohesion, resilience, livelihoods, community security, and the rule of law. Recognizing the need to urgently address reconstruction, economic recovery and peacebuilding needs in areas affected both directly and indirectly by the conflict, in late 2014 the Government of Ukraine requested technical assistance and financial support from the international community to assess priority recovery needs. In late 2014, the United Nations (UN), the World Bank (WB) and the European Union (EU) conducted a Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment, which was endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers in mid-2015.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been active and present in eastern Ukraine for the past decade, prior to the conflict, with a focus on community development, civil society development, and environmental protection. Work on addressing the specific conflict-related development challenges discussed above built on this earlier engagement, established partnerships, and started in 2015 through the United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (UN RPP). The UN RPP is a multi-donor funded framework programme formulated and led by the UNDP in collaboration with the Government of Ukraine and in cooperation with a number of partnering UN agencies (UN Women, FAO, UNFPA).

The RPP was designed to respond to and mitigate the causes and effects of the conflict. It is based on findings of the Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment (RPA) and is aligned to the State Target Programme for Recovery as well as to the two oblast development strategies up to 2020. It takes into account the opportunities that have arisen from the Minsk Protocol of September 2014 and the renewal of its cease-fire provisions (the latest cease-fire having been agreed in March 2018) and is also fully adjusted to the humanitarian-development nexus. It is an integral component of the UNDP Country Programme and is therefore fully aligned with the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNFP). It is closely interlinked with the Democratic Governance and Reform Programme, operating nationally and in all of Ukraine’s regions and is consistent with the SDGs, in particular SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong institutions).

The Programme’s interventions are grouped under the following key Programme components, which reflect the region’s priority needs:

Component 1: Economic Recovery and Restoration of Critical Infrastructure

Component 2: Local Governance and Decentralization Reform

Component 3: Community Security and Social Cohesion

The Programme, which operates on the basis of a pooled funding arrangement, follows a multi-sectoral programme-based approach and is implemented using an area-based methodology. With the current project, it is a unifying interventions framework for 12 projects funded by 13 international partners (2019-2022).

The prime focus of the “Strengthening national and local capacities for effective delivery of security, justice and reintegration services in conflict-affected areas of Ukraine” project, funded by the Netherlands, is to improve security and the rule of law, and strengthen social cohesion in conflict-affected oblasts of eastern Ukraine. To do this, it will foster close cooperation with local authorities, including law enforcement and other institutions mandated with ensuring the security and well-being of local citizens (such as the emergency services). Building on the previous work of the UN RPP, the project will support these institutions not only in building their capacities to deliver services, but also in reaching out to the communities they are serving to build engagement and cooperation between them.

To deepen understanding of public needs, the UN RPP conducted its first assessment of citizens’ knowledge of, attitudes toward and experience with justice and security issues in the conflict-affected areas of eastern Ukraine in 2017, a second survey was conducted in 2018 and a third one in 2019-2020. The reports helped the international donor community, the Government and civil society not only to identify public needs, but also to align interventions accordingly and advocate for citizen-oriented policy changes and reforms.

As a follow up, the UN RPP currently commissions a fourth wave of the study to observe the dynamics and key developments since the last assessment. Another focus of the survey will be on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on different spheres of life – community development, human security, access to justice – especially for representatives of vulnerable groups. For this purpose, it seeks to hire a qualified international expert to oversee the implementation of a representative household survey of 5,700 respondents in government-controlled areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts and produce an analytical report based on these results.

2. MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The Assessment will encompass a representative cross-section of the residents of the four oblasts, including both urban and rural communities, with a particular focus on women, youth, elderly, persons with disabilities, persons living in areas close to the “contact line”, minorities (religious, ethnic, or linguistic), IDPs, the LGBTIQ+ community, and other vulnerable population (victims of sexual and domestic violence, people living with HIV, etc.). Separate focus will be put on certain perceptions of people living in non-government controlled areas of Ukraine through an online survey.

The Project, therefore, seeks to identify and recruit a Methodological Expert who will support the assessment process from start to finish, ensuring coherence and quality at all steps. In particular, s/he will work closely with the National Consultant and representatives of the Survey Company, train and instruct the data collection team on the correct application of the methodology in the field. Together with the National Consultant, s/he will also be responsible for analyzing the data obtained and producing the final report which will draw together all findings of the Assessment.

3.DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES / SCOPE OF WORK

In order to achieve the above objectives, the Expert is expected to complete the following:

STEP 1: DESK REVIEW & CONSULTATION

1. The Expert shall review relevant studies, surveys and assessments (will be provided by UN RPP) related to the topics of community security and justice in eastern Ukraine, including:
   • UN RPP, Security and Justice in Ukraine, its methodology and questionnaires (2017, 2018, 2019-2020);
   • UN RPP, USAID, Social Cohesion and Reconciliation Index (SCORE), its methodology and questionnaires (2017, 2018, 2019);
   • UN RPP, Community Profiles (2019);
   • UN RPP, ACTED/IMPACT, AGORA Assessment (2019-2020);
   • Donetsk Oblast Development Strategy Until 2027;
   • Luhansk Oblast Development Strategy Until 2027;
   • Ukraine Socioeconomic impact assessment of COVID-19 pandemic (2020);
   • Protection Cluster (various authors), surveys and studies.
2. With the advice and assistance of the Programme staff, the Expert should obtain and review all relevant programme documentation, including project documents, results frameworks, presentations, annual and progress reports, work plans and activity reports.

STEP 2: DESIGN OF METHODOLOGY & QUESTIONNAIRE(S)

Methodology and the questionnaire will be provided by the UN RPP.

The Expert should review and update the methodology and finalize the questionnaire (including an online survey of NGCA residents) to facilitate comparisons in follow-up surveys considering that the Assessment is to be repeated regularly over time - i.e., in annual follow-up assessment surveys, subject to modification, to inform ongoing activity-planning, monitoring and evaluation, and tracking public comprehension/perception.

STEP 3: OVERSEE FIELD RESEARCH 

The Expert shall:

1. Provide any additional training (online) and expert assistance to the staff of the Survey Company as required by the Assessment’s methodology and questionnaire(s).
2. Review and analyse data on a regular basis during the field data collection phase and advise to the Survey Company on any corrections required, either in the methodology or in practices used.
3. In cooperation with the National Consultant, ensure the implementation of quality control measures at all stages of field data collection.
4. Review and approve the full dataset, questionnaires, and final report from the Survey Company upon completion of the field survey.

STEP 4: DRAFT & FINALISE ASSESSMENT REPORT

Using the data collected by the Survey Company, the Expert shall prepare and submit the Draft Assessment Report to the UN RPP. Based on the feedback provided by the Programme, the Expert will revise and finalise the Assessment Report, which is expected to include the trend analysis, data visualization and interpretation, based on the results from the four waves of “Security and Justice” survey.

The Draft and Final Assessment reports shall be of high quality, of at least 30 pages (plus annexes). In addition, the Expert shall prepare a non-technical summary of the report of no more than 10 pages describing the methodology, key findings and recommendations of the main study. 

The Draft and Final reports prepared by the Expert should both include, inter alia:

1. Analysis of key developments related to community security, justice and social cohesion issues in eastern Ukraine since the start of the conflict based on a desk review of the publications mentioned in Step 1;
2. Executive summary;
3. A clear and concise overview of data, disaggregated by gender, age, location and other factors;
4. Trend analysis of changes in key indicators from the previous waves of the survey;
5. Tables and graphs illustrating the results;
6. Assessment of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on people’s perceptions of feeling safe, protected, informed etc.;
7. Case studies, if applicable;
8. Key points from deep interviews with vulnerable groups provided by the National Consultant;
9. Concrete recommendations on how to improve public and specific stakeholders’ understanding and perception of key justice and security sector institutions, their respective rights, responsibilities, and resources, as well as risks;
10. Identification of potential follow-up activities that will allow to strengthen public safety and increase social cohesion in conflict-affected areas of eastern Ukraine;
11. Annexes, including:

• A detailed description of the methodology, including sampling, data collection methods, data entry, data cleaning, etc. This should also include an outline of the assumptions and any limitations of the survey;
• The Assessment questionnaire(s);
• A detailed bibliography, including other surveys and studies reviewed;
• Analytical framework.

The main findings of the Assessment may be shared and discussed at the national and regional workshops with different stakeholders and beneficiaries, development partners, and/or the broader public. Presentation materials shall be prepared by the Consultant accordingly in ppt or pdf formats as per additional request.

The Assessment report and presentation materials should be written in English (Times New Roman 12 font, ordinary line spacing).

4. DELIVERABLES

The total number of reimbursed working days under the contract shall not exceed 40 (forty) unless specifically agreed otherwise, in writing, by the UN RPP and the Expert.

5. MONITORING/REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The Expert will work in close cooperation and coordination with National Consultant and the UN RPP Monitoring, Evaluation and Innovation Specialist and will report directly to the UN RPP Community Security and Social Cohesion Specialist. The payment will be arranged in stages according to the proposed payment schedule below and upon acceptance of the deliverables based on quality control and recommendations of the UN RPP Community Security and Social Cohesion Specialist.

The contractor shall comply with the system of monitoring, evaluation and quality control, implemented by the UN RPP, and provide the necessary information, reports and statistics according to a preliminary determined schedule.

The Assessment methodology, questionnaires, draft and final Assessment reports, and related presentations are the property of the UN RPP.

6.PROPOSED PAYMENT SCHEDULE

The UN RPP will pay the negotiated amount in 2 tranches as per delivery of the outputs outlined above:

• 40% of the total payment upon completion of Deliverables #1 and #2

• 60% of the total payment upon completion of Deliverables #3 and #4

7. EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

Professional Experience:

1. At least Master’s/Specialist Degree in Sociology, Law, International Law, Human Rights or other
   relevant fields;
2. Relevant professional experience in human rights, rule of law, access to justice, sociological
   assessment or a related field (at least 10 years);
3. Relevant professional experience in supervising research studies on rule of law, access to justicerelated
   issues (at least 4 researches/studies);
4. Relevant professional experience in conducting assessments/surveys in partnership with civil society and government (at least 5 assessments/surveys);
5. Experience in survey report writing in the area of sociology, human rights, justice, reforms and projects (at least 7 research products);
6. Experience of previous work on community security and justice topics in Ukraine and other Eastern European countries will be an asset;
7. Fluency in English is mandatory. Good command of Russian or Ukrainian will be an asset.

Competencies:

• Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates integrity by modeling UNDP’s values and ethical standards; Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; must comply with national laws and are subject to UNDP’s Code of Conduct
• Communication: Excellent communication skills
• Professionalism: Demonstrable experience in implementing surveys (at least 2 prior); strong analytical skills and knowledge of research methodologies and internationals standards on data collections
• Planning and management: Ability to work to tight deadlines
• Teamwork: Ability to interact and to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and multi-cultural backgrounds; strong interpersonal skills

8. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

Applicants shall submit the following documents:

9. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Lump sum contract

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 (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).

The Expert will be responsible for all personal administrative expenses associated with undertaking this assignment including office accommodation, printing, stationary, telephone and electronic communications, and report copies incurred in this assignment.

10.EVALUATION CRITERIA

•    Educational background – 10 points max

7 pts – Specialist/Master’s degree in Sociology, Law, International Law, Human Rights or other relevant area;

10 pts – PhD degree in Sociology, Law, International Law, Human Rights or other relevant area.

• Relevant professional experience in human rights, rule of law, access to justice, sociological assessment or a related field – 15 points max

12 pts – 10-15 years of progressive experience in human rights, rule of law, access to justice, sociological assessment or a related field;

15 pts – more than 15 years of progressive experience in human rights, rule of law, access to justice, sociological assessment or a related field;

• Relevant professional experience in supervising research studies – 15 points max

12 pts – 4-5 proved conducted/supervised quantitative and qualitative research/study/survey on rule of law, access to justice-related issues – (Tracking Public Comprehension & Perception);

15 pts - more than 5 proved conducted/supervised quantitative and qualitative research/study/survey on rule of law, access to justice-related issues – (Tracking Public Comprehension & Perception);

• Relevant professional experience in conducting assessments/surveys in partnership with civil society and government – 5 points max

3 pts – 5 assessments/surveys in partnership with civil society and government successfully conducted/supervised;

5 pts -  more than 5 assessments/surveys in partnership with civil society and government successfully conducted/supervised;

• Relevant professional experience in drafting official reports/surveys – 20 points max

15 pts - proven record of drafting official reports or papers/studies in the area of sociology, human rights, justice, reforms and projects (7-9 reports/studies);

20 pts - proven record of drafting official reports or papers/studies in the area of sociology, human rights, justice, reforms and projects (10 and more reports/studies);

• Language skills – 5 points max

5 pts – fluent in English, working level in Ukrainian or Russian;

0 pts - fluent in English.

Maximum available technical score - 70 points.

EVALUATION METHOD:

Cumulative analysis

Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) having received the cumulative highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight: 70%

* Financial Criteria weight: 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:

30 points [max points available for financial part] x [lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers] / [evaluated price].

The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer and will be awarded a contract.

Maximum available technical score - 70 points.