Consultancy to Scope Programme Expansion Opportunities in Eastern Ukraine

Background

HelpAge International is a registered charity in the UK, leading an international network focused on ageing issues and supporting older people globally. HelpAge works with 171 partners in 90 countries to help older people claim their rights and challenge discrimination and poverty, so that they can lead dignified, secure, active and healthy lives. HelpAge operates through a Global Team with staff based across the world. Through this structure HelpAge delivers its Strategy 2030.

HelpAge International has been present in Ukraine since 2014 conducting humanitarian operations in support of vulnerable internally displaced and conflict-affected older persons in Ukraine. As one of the few INGOs with an operational presence in Ukraine at the start of the crisis, we were able to respond immediately with life-saving activities in the Donetsk and Luhansk Regions and have since scaled-up assistance in the Eastern and Western Regions of Ukraine. Our response plan includes immediate support such as cash assistance, food distributions, NFI distribution (health and dignity kits), WASH, Protection and Mental Health and Psychosocial First Aid as well as longer-term programming on cash assistance and community and home-based health and care.

The current programme in Eastern Ukraine focus includes: i) Regular Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support (MHPSS) services through home-based care delivered by a large cadre of field based social workers; ii) the provision of Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA); iii) the provision of winter clothing, hygiene kits and sanitary items; iv) support for shelters and care homes; and v) support for community centres.

HelpAge in the East is currently operating in 4 areas. Its main presence is in 1) Dnipropetrovsk Oblast; and 2) Kharkivska Oblast, with a small presence in 3) Donetsk Oblast and 4) Zaporizhia Oblast. The provision of the above services currently varies across and within these areas. For 2023/24 HelpAge would like to explore transitioning to a comprehensive integrated area/Oblast based system of progamme delivery targeting 1,000 of the most vulnerable older persons in each of these locations plus in 2 new locations bringing the total to 6 oblasts: 5) Luhansk Oblast and 6) Kherson Oblast.

A scoping mission is now required help HelpAge better understand 4 of these locations: 1) Donetsk Oblast; 2) Luhansk Oblast; 3) Kherson Oblast and 4) Zaporizhia Oblast.

Objectives

• To identify the needs, risks, potential locations, actors, potential partners and service gaps to inform possible HelpAge programme expansion in each of these Oblasts.
• To identify specific issues relating to working in newly de-occupied territories in each of these oblasts (Russian forces currently occupy territory in each location but are these are expected to become increasingly de-occupied as Ukrainian forces advance and open up new opportunities for programme delivery and access to new populations).
• To produce a report of the findings. No more than 40 pages (not including annexes).
• Mentor and build the capacity of HelpAge’s accompanying local programme officers and translator in conducting scoping missions and risks assessments.

Person Specification (External consultant)

The scoping team will comprise of 1) an external consultant; 2) a member of HelpAge’s local programme team (a different person for each Oblast); and 3) an HelpAge translator/research assistant. The external consultant should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Experience of designing and leading high quality scoping missions in conflict-affected contexts.
• High level of English writing and presentation skills (Ukrainian and Russian is an advantage but not essential).
• Experience of working in a team and supporting the learning and development of junior team members.
• Experience of conducting needs assessments, identifying risks, programme opportunities, potential project areas and partnerships.
• Capacity to provide effective analysis and focused recommendations for programming of the vulnerabilities, drivers of conflict and fragility, socio and political context and needs assessments.

Time Frame

40 days (approximately 10 days per oblast inclusive of travel and briefings in Dnipro). To commence as soon as possible and be completed by 31st March 2023.

Remuneration

Professional fee as a daily rate with 20% advance and 80% on acceptance of final report and presentation. Per diems and accommodation as per HelpAge rates, together with in-country transportation and economy class return airfare via Krakow will be provided.

Equal Opportunities

HelpAge International is committed to creating an inclusive working environment, promoting and providing equal opportunities and respecting diversity in employment. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Safeguarding

Everyone has a role in creating and sustaining a safe and respectful working environment, where no one comes to any harm or is maltreated. At HelpAge we take our responsibilities very seriously and will take action against wrongdoing. We will do everything we can to ensure that we do not engage people that pose a safeguarding risk and will undertake criminal record checks as required.

Diversity & Inclusion

HelpAge International is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all its employees/consultants while extending the culture of inclusion into our work.

We believe that our workforce should reflect the wide diversity of the communities we serve, and that diverse voices should be elevated and intentionally integrated into our work. We embrace difference and diversity of identity, experience, and thought, and actively strive for inclusive behaviors across our organization and work regardless of gender, race, disability, age, nationality, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, marital status, pregnancy, social status, and political beliefs.