Social protection-security protection expert in action research in Latin America (Colombia or Peru)

Background

In 2020 , UNHCR and HelpAge International partnered wiht UNHCR to develop a regional evaluation, Ageing on the Move that analysed the intersectionality between ageing and human migration. The assessment focuses in five countries in the region: El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Different data was collected in Central America and the Andean regions, highlighting the situations faced by older persons on the move in these two different contexts. According to the sample, in El Salvador and Honduras, only 10% received a social pension, and 5% received pensions for war veterans or disability. In relation to the social pension, there is a remarkable gender difference. Approximately 14% of all men receive a pension, compared to 4% of all women. Another aspect of concern is in the case of deported old people, who state that they were contributing for years in the country of destination, but with deportation, they return to the country of origin, losing their contributions to social security. In the Andean region, the evaluation shows that only 4% of the sample receives a social pension, most of them being internally displaced in Colombia. In Peru it is 3%. In Ecuador, there is no pension income.

These data reveal the low opportunity that people have had to contribute to contributory pensions, since they have had a working life with a high degree of informality and instability. 52% of the people surveyed had jobs before the pandemic, and 79% were informal. With pandemic, half of the sample that had a job, lost it.

Based on the sample of 725 surveys, “36% of those from El Salvador and Honduras received humanitarian aid, compared to 49% from the Andean region…” Most of the aid was concentrated in food, and toiletries, “with 48% in the countries of the northern region of Central America, and with 52% in the countries of the Andean region. Secondly, subsidies, economic support or monetary transfers stand out, with 35% in the countries of the northern region of Central America and 45% in the countries of the Andean region. (HelpAge International:2021)

These data show the economic fragility facing by old people on the move, especially those who are in mixed movements, which are cross-border movements and that include asylum seekers, refugees, victims of trafficking and smuggling of persons, unaccompanied or separated children and adolescents and migrants in an irregular situation. (HelpAge:2021)

Purpose

The regional report “A claim to dignity: Old people on the move” (HelpAge: 2021) provided a baseline reflecting the grade of vulnerability of older people in accessing to social security rights. The study provided evidence that social security systems in the region are not responding to three phenomena to which we referred above:

1. The accelerated aging of the region
2. International mobility
3. Informal sector

The aim of this study is thus to contribute to filling this evidence gap, i.e. to examine how social protection systems in the region can adapt and respond to these three interconnected phenomena or trends, to protect the right of old people on mixed movements,

While the evidence is being collected, the research process involves raising awareness through some advocacy actions towards governments and stakeholders to address the key issues and early fundings raised by the field work.

Scope

HelpAge defines social protection as the system of public policies and programmes aimed at preventing or protecting all people against poverty, vulnerability, and social exclusion throughout their life courses. That said, and recognizing the importance of the right to care, health and other measures to improve the standard of living of old population, for the purposes of this research we will focus on cash transfers, because it is an important instrument to combat poverty, and because it is an instrument that protects the autonomy and independence of old people.

This study will aim to examine pension system (contributory and non-contributory) to identify access barriers, identifying any positive experience during COVID -19 that manage to overcome some of these barriers.

Geographical focus

The research will cover two or three countries from the Andean region, with similar type/patterns of migration, with similar contexts that allow to address the research questions in much more depth. (Colombia, Perú, and in question mark Ecuador)

Methodology and process

The methodology will apply an actions research approach, involving key stakeholders, social protection government agencies and a qualitative sample made up of old people on mixed movement, so that they can collaborate and participate in picturing the diagnostic as well as also in the identification of solutions.

HelpAge is seeking proposals from researchers on how they will approach the assignment. There is some guidance in this TOR as well as in the concept note to be reflected in submissions. The approach is to be finalised and agreed in the inception phase.

Fieldwork will be carried out remotely.

The methodology focused on actions research approach includes the following activities:

-Review of recent literature

-Organization of meetings or virtual discussions with stakeholders

-Focus groups

-Semi-structured interviews

-Deep interviews

Guiding Questions

To achieve the purpose of the study will answer the following research questions:

• What are the main barriers to access to social protection by people in mixed movements?
• What is the situation of old people on mixed movement with disability in relation to social protection mechanism?
• To which extend legal status of old people on mixed mobility was a factor of consideration to be included or excluded into the social security emerged mechanism?
• What are the gaps in collecting data on people in mixed movements?
• What is the degree of articulation between the authorities that collect the information and those responsible for offering or coordinating social security?
• Identify any positive experience during COVID that manage to overcome some of these barriers – did people on mixed movement access to Social Protection during COVID-19?
• What international practices social systems covering old people on mixed movement exist and can be replicated in LAC region?
• Are there any ongoing efforts, schemes, or incentives undertaken by the governments in LAC to include people on mixed movement in its social protection systems?
• how much would cost for the Social Pension to absorb all older people on the move?

Deliverables

1. Inception Report: The Consultant will propose an
   1. Overview of the stage of art in social protection in LAC focusing the Andean Region.
   2. A methodology based on an action research approach and to respond the guide questions, identifying the key stakeholders.
   3. Definition of the sample includingOld People on mixed movements, governments agencies and another stakeholders.
   4. A report outline, that allows to address the guiding questions of the research**.**
2. Data collection tools: qualitative and quantitative tools
3. Draft research report following the structure approved by the inception report
4. Validation workshop
5. Final research report (edited and lay out) following HelpAge brand here: https://helpage.app.box.com/s/7azqjo7wa2435tvjy281nfgu5juchdei

Timing and deadlines

The consultancy is hoped to start in September 2022 and expected to be completed by 30 November 2022.