ARMENIAN ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS

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Call for Baseline and Final Evaluation Consultant

16.07.2021

Local Consultant on Project Baseline and Final Evaluation Study in Shirak Region

The “Armenian Association of Social Workers” non-governmental organization (hereafter AASW) announces a tender for the selection of the Local Consultant on Baseline and Final Evaluation Study (Shirak Region) assignment within the framework of the “Promoting Social Inclusion and Self-Reliant Livelihood Activities in Armenia” Project (hereinafter Project).

The main objective of this consultancy is to support the implementation of Project Component-3 activities (Project management and administration, monitoring and evaluation, and knowledge dissemination), specifically implementation of Project baseline and final evaluation study, as a tool to assess the overall project achievements and deliverables against the project objectives in Shirak region.

Scope of Work

Under the guidance of the International Consultant on Baseline and Final Evaluation study and supervision of the Project M&E Specialist the Local Consultant on Baseline and Final Evaluation study for Shirak region (hereafter Local Consultant) shall contribute to the:

  1. Implementation of baseline and final evaluation of the introduction and functionality of Social Case Management model.
  2. Implementation of the impact analysis of Project small business grants.

The Local Consultant shall be responsible for the following tasks:

  1. Under the “Implementation of baseline and final evaluation of the introduction and functionality of Social Case Management model” the local consultant shall be responsible for the following tasks:
  • organize and conduct expert interviews with relevant actors in the Shirak region, related to the activities of the MLSA Unified Social Services (USS) in the frames of both baseline and final evaluation studies (overall 12 interviews, 6 per stage (the list of experts should be confirmed by the PIA)), including data analyzing and reporting.
  • organize and conduct focus group discussions with social workers and other stakeholders related to the USS activities in the frames of both baseline and final evaluation studies (overall 12 focus group discussions, 6 per stage), including data analyzing and reporting.
  • Support the International Consultant on Baseline and Final Evaluation Study in the process of testing the data collection tools and provide feedback regarding their adjustments.
  • Summarize the data gathered through qualitative and quantitative methods and submit the respective report to the International Consultant to prepare the General Baseline Study Report.
  • Support the International Consultant on Baseline and Final Evaluation Study in preparation of relevant reports by providing feedback, suggestions and inputs, including participation in relevant meetings and discussions.
  1. Under the “Implementation of the impact analysis of Project small business grants” the local consultant shall be responsible for the following tasks:
  • following the methodology of the baseline and final evaluation study developed by the International consultant organize and conduct baseline, midline and end line questionnaire surveys among all project small grant recipients (There will be totally at least 300 grant recipients in all project regions. For the Shirak region the initial estimation for grant recipients is 90 (estimation is based on the proportion of FBP beneficiaries)) of the Shirak marz and selected business management skills (BMS) training participants (The initial number of training participants below the pre-defined threshold involved in the survey is at least 50. The projected number of training participants involved in the survey for Shirak region is at least 15) below the sub-grant evaluation threshold (i.e. those, who passed the BMS training but didn’t qualify for the grant), including data entry in respective database (.xsl, .sav, etc.);
  • organize and conduct expert interviews with trainers and coaches of sub-grant recipients in the Shirak region, as well as with the representatives of other key stakeholder agencies, including data analyzing and reporting (overall 10 interviews, for baseline and end line stages).
  • Support the International Consultant on Baseline and Final Evaluation Study in the process of testing the data collection tools and provide feedback regarding their adjustments.
  • Summarize the data gathered through qualitative and quantitative methods and submit the reports (baseline, midline and end line) to the International Consultant to prepare the respective reports.
  • Support the International Consultant on Baseline and Final Evaluation Study in preparation of relevant reports by providing feedback, suggestions and inputs, including participation in relevant meetings and discussions.

Timetable & Milestones

Task (estimated time required per task)

Activity Period

1. Implementation of baseline evaluation study of the introduction and functionality of Social Case Management model

within 45 days after contract signed

2. Implementation of baseline evaluation study of the Project small business grants.

within 45 days after the contracts signed with the small grant beneficiaries

3. Implementation of midline evaluation study of the Project small business grants.

within 6 to 8 months after the first tranche of small grants transferred

4. Implementation of final evaluation study of the introduction and functionality of Social Case Management model

within 45 days after the end of the capacity building program for SWs

5. Implementation of end line evaluation study of the Project small business grants.

during the last 4 months before the end of the Project

Above timeline is based on regular circumstances and can be subject to changes in case of external influence and re-scheduling of the project activities.  All the deliverables will be provided in Armenian, with a brief report in English.

Expected skills and qualifications of the Consultant

  • University degree in task-relevant field (e.g. Sociology, social sciences, social work, social policy, etc.);
  • Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative surveys and studies, report writing;
  • Proven skills in statistical software (EXCEL, STATA, etc.), other relevant computer skills necessary to prepare well-designed, professional documents;
  • At least 3 years of experience of working in wider social protection area (the knowledge and experience of social policy and/or social work case management will be considered as an asset).
  • Experience in evaluation of projects (both individually and within a team) funded by development partner organizations (World Bank, EU, USAID, UN agencies, etc.), and preferably within social policy domain and/or covering vulnerable groups of society;
  • Previous experience of working in the Shirak region will be considered as an asset;
  • Knowledge of Armenian and English language, good communication, presentation and facilitation skills.

The Project

The project is expected to help increase access to social assistance benefits and services and provide self-employment support to about 11,000 vulnerable members of society in urban and rural communities in Ararat, Armavir, Kotayk, Lori and Shirak regions of Armenia. The Project grant was received under the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) which is financed by the Government of Japan.  

The project has been designed by the World Bank in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Armenia and will be implemented by the Association of Social Workers– a non-governmental, not-for-profit national professional representative body of social workers in Armenia.  The JSDF was established by the Government of Japan and the World Bank as a mechanism to provide direct assistance to the poorest and most vulnerable groups in eligible World Bank countries. The aim is to enhance their capacities, strengthen their empowerment and participation in society and economic life.

 Application

All interested candidates meeting the above-listed requirements are requested to submit their letters of interest and CVs to the e-mail address below until July 30, 2021.

Please clearly indicate the title of the position (Local Consultant on Baseline and Final Evaluation Study (Shirak Region)) in the subject line of the e-mail. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the interview.

E-mail:  procurement@aasw.org

Tel:  (374 93) 514499 (for questions and clarifications)

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