Livelihoods Assessment for People in Need’s Ukraine Response

1.Introduction

People in Need (PIN) has been active in Ukraine since early August 2014. Currently, PIN is one of the major humanitarian actors in Ukraine responding to the recent military escalation providing humanitarian aid to conflict-affected people across Ukraine. Since 2014, PIN has implemented emergency food and cash assistance, NFI, shelter, protection, livelihoods and WASH interventions supporting 3 million vulnerable IDPs, returnees and host communities in urban and rural areas. PIN’s main humanitarian donors include ECHO, EU, BHA, UHF and the Czech Government.

The rapid escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine with the invasion by Russian Forces along the Northern and Eastern borders of Ukraine, and expansion up from Crimea in late February 2022, fundamentally reset PIN’s country priorities and ways of working. Before the escalation PIN’s strategy was to develop Nexus programming, seeing its role as empowering the most vulnerable and their communities in the East. The guiding principle was for PIN to pursue transformative change, rather than restoring pre-conflict conditions in the two Oblasts: Donetsk and Luhansk affected by the conflict since 2014. The invasion by Russia in February fundamentally changed this approach with PIN rapidly expanding its operations to all 24 Oblasts working with over 100 partners primarily in the East through Cash, Food Aid, Shelter/NFI, WASH, PSS and small grants to partners and in the West through Cash, Shelter/NFI and PSS. PIN also looked to develop over time work in Education in Emergencies (EiE). In July 2022 the senior management gathered to reassess its response a key output of this meeting was the need to develop livelihoods projects specifically in rural and small to medium-sized settlements across the Oblasts in which PIN will continue to work. In order to achieve this it was decided a separate study would be needed to assess current livelihoods and livelihoods options going forward.

2.PURPOSES OF THE ASSESMENT

The purpose of the assessment is to identify Livelihoods options for rural and small to medium settlements across Ukraine. It will do this through using qualitative and quantitative assessment methodologies with the analysis based around the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach and Framework including vulnerability context, Livelihood assets, Policies Institutions and Processes (PIPs) and Livelihoods Options and Outcomes and will integrate market and institutional assessments. Gender, Age and Disability (GAD) as well as protection and environment will be integrated throughout the assessment and specific outcomes will ensure specific recommendations include GAD, protection and environmental considerations.

The Overall Objective of the Assessment is toassess the potential of different livelihoods options in rural and settlement-level areas in three different contexts in Ukraine: conflict-affected populations in the east, retaken areas in the North and IDP and vulnerable host community populations in the West.

The specific objectives are:

1. To identify the key vulnerabilities preventing people achieving their livelihood outcomes
2. To identify existing livelihoods assets of community, host, returnee and IDP populations
3. To assess current livelihoods in the three identified contexts using participatory analysis and quantitative and qualitative surveys.
4. To assess the various barriers and constraints preventing people engaging in livelihoods opportunities and identify ways to overcome/mitigate these barriers
5. To identify constraints and opportunities for strengthening institutions, enterprises and markets to improve local livelihood opportunities.
6. To identify livelihoods options in each of the three contexts and within rural and small-medium towns including the potential for grants, trainings, asset transfers etc.

3.METHODOLOGY

The evaluation is to be carried out by an external consultant who will independently lead the assessment process; an internal assessment team drawn from PIN’s MEAL teams and programme teams will assist in the process and where necessary assistance can be drawn from partner CSOs and local consultancy companies for enumerators.

This assessment exercise is intended to be inclusive and participatory, engaging multiple actors, within as well as outside PIN. Gender, Age and Disability (GAD) needs to be integrated throughout the analysis and within the findings and recommendations, protection and environmental considerations must also be integrated. Upon signing the contract, the international consultant will be briefed about the programme by the Deputy Country Director Programmes, Region Directors and other appropriate staff. The consultant will undertake a desk review of key documents provided by PIN as well as a review of online materials.

Upon arrival in the country, the consultant will become acquainted with PIN’s Core Assessment group which will be formulated specifically for this assessment and will serve as the direct focal point for the external evaluator. Cooperation between the Core Assessment Group and the Assessment Team are expected not only to increase the quality and relevance of the assessment, but also to increase ownership of the results. This is expected to lead to greater acceptance and adoption of the outputs.

A suggested list of the Core Assessment Group members will be provided by the DCD-Programmes for finalization and confirmation upon the arrival of the consultant.

The consultant with the Core Assessment Group and internal assessment team will agree on the design and process of the evaluation in detail and will finalise methods, tools, and sampling for the evaluation.

4.TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONSULTANCY

1. To review existing related literature and studies in the light of assessment objectives
2. Prepare the review plan, tools and methodologies in participation with Core Assessment Group ensuring GAD, protection and environment considerations are incorporated and share final methodology with management for approval.
3. Ensure internal assessment team and any external agents can apply the developed tools for the study, potentially through training and field testing.
4. Manage the assessment including coordination of internal assessment team and if appropriate any external contractors.
5. Conduct interviews, questionnaires and necessary approaches for information collection and analysis,
6. Carryout the assessment with participation of all stakeholders using participatory tools and methodologies
7. To travel to target areas identified for sampling and hold consultations with relevant stakeholders and communities ensuring that consultations are inclusive taking account of Gender, Age and Disabilities (GAD) and other groups as appropriate.
8. Conduct workshop to discuss and agree upon findings and recommendations
9. To provide debrief to Country management and prepare comprehensive assessment report on findings of process and recommendations for future interventions.
10. Adhere to PIN core policies on security, code of conduct and other relevant policies

Qualifications Required

1. Minimum of a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Natural Resource Management, Agriculture, Sociology, Anthropology, Rural Development, Poverty, Public Policy and other relevant social sciences, with adequate experience in community development approaches.
2. Significant experience of working with the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach.
3. Significant experience of conducting livelihoods analysis and using participatory data collection methodologies and tools including Participatory Rural Appraisals.
4. Experience of conducting and using quantitative and qualitative data collection approaches and analysis.
5. Experience of livelihoods analysis in different contexts including emergency, protracted conflict and development is desirable.
6. Experience with project formulation, implementation and evaluation procedures. Familiarity with programming and procedures of INGOs, as well as in the conduct of assessments and guidelines, will be an important asset.
7. Experience of undertaking large-scale livelihoods assessment for programming purposes.
8. Excellent English writing and communication skills. Demonstrated analytical skills, ability to assess complex situations, to succinctly and clearly distill critical issues, and to draw practical conclusions.
9. Demonstrated ability to work with government agencies, UN, donors and NGOs.
10. Previous work experience in Ukraine is desirable as is knowledge of Ukrainian and/or Russian.
11. Experience leading multi-disciplinary, multi-national teams. Ability to meet short deadlines.
12. Excellent interpersonal, coordination and planning skills. Sense of diplomacy and tact.
13. Ability and willingness to travel extensively to rural areas and adaptive to local customs and traditions. Including good state of physical health.

Expected outputs

The proposed output will include:

1. Presentation of 1st draft of the report to PIN Ukraine and relevant programme staff before departure, including preliminary findings.
2. A final report incorporating PIN Ukraine feedback on the draft report, with final key findings and recommendations, within two weeks of receiving field feedback.

Evaluation report:

The Evaluation report should consist of the following:

• Executive summary
• Detailed conclusions and recommendations as per the objectives of the Assessment
• Appendices of (a) terms of reference, (b) summary of activities, meetings, and discussions, (c) summary results of any field work, (d) brief description of any workshops/training provided, and (e) bibliography.

Timeframe:

• The overall evaluation proposed to be 45-50 days, including preparation, field work and report writing, with at least 5 weeks in country.
• The entire consultancy, including field work, should be undertaken in October-December 2022.

Reporting: the consultant will report to the Ukraine Deputy Country director for Programmes and on a day-to-day operational basis should receive support from the Region Directors/Area Managers while in Ukraine. Final submission of the report will be to the DCD Programmes.

Response proposal specifications

Those interested in the consultancy must include in their application a detailed technical and financial proposal with the following components:

• Technical
  • Understanding and interpretation of the TOR.
  • Methodology to be used in undertaking the assignment.
• Financial Proposal
  • Consultant’s daily rate in $US or € Euro.
  • Other costs e.g. accommodation, travel, and printing.
• Organizational and Personnel Capacity Statement
  • Relevant experience related to the assignment
  • Referees.
  • Curriculum vitae.

Any publications or examples of similar assignments.