Localization Strategy Individual Consultant

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family

CONS Local

2024-08-01

July 22, 2024

General Background of Assignment:

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Europe, including Moldova, has experienced a significant influx of refugees. By spring 2022, refugees fleeing the war accounted for more than 4% of Moldova’s population. The large-scale arrivals exposed the limitations of traditional integration approaches, prompting more coordinated responses across various stakeholders and levels of government. This led to the development of innovative urban agendas, stronger alliances between mayors, increased city-to-city cooperation, and significant investments in integration programs.

The activation of the Temporary Protection Directive by the European Union allowed for swift access to rights and services, quickly resolving many administrative challenges. Cities and towns in Central and Eastern Europe, including Moldova, have played a crucial role in integrating and providing services to new refugee populations. The unprecedented support from citizens, the private sector, and the private sector has also been significant. Municipal governments, including those in Moldova, have had to adapt quickly to accommodate the new arrivals. These municipalities, many of which had previously hosted few or no refugees, are now key players in long-term integration efforts. This shift requires enhanced support for housing, work, education, and community inclusion, as well as long-term solutions.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has led the response to the Ukrainian refugee situation in coordination with the Government of the Republic of Moldova. Two years after the war began, UNHCR is concentrating efforts on its localization strategy, which aims to strengthen the capacities of local actors, including authorities, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and other stakeholders, to enhance their leadership and coordination of refugee protection and inclusion in Moldova. As part of this effort, UNHCR is working with municipalities across Moldova to establish a network of cities committed to championing the protection and inclusion of refugees – the Cities of Solidarity Initiative (CoS). UNHCR collaborates with municipalities and local actors to support the development of local action plans aligned with national and sub-national development strategies (e.g., municipal and regional development plans). The agency offers technical assistance, partnership building, fundraising support, and training in areas related to refugee protection and inclusion.

The objective of this assignment is to support local municipalities, i.e. Otaci, Ungheni, in developing local action plans aimed at properly integrating refugees into existing and upcoming development plans and strategies at the national and sub-national levels. These plans will consider the socio-economic impacts on both refugees and their host communities, ensuring comprehensive support from national governments and international organizations. The implementation of these action plans will involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including local authorities, CSOs, the private sector, and international agencies, to create a cohesive and inclusive environment for refugees in Moldova.

Duration of Assignment: 01 August 2024 – 31 October 2024

Part time

Location: Home based in Moldova, Chisinau. Selected applicant may be required to work from UNHCR premises upon request of supervisor

Travel: May be required within Moldova as per request of supervisor

Overall Purpose and Scope of Assignment:

Position Overview

The Consultant will report to the Senior Development Officer, UNHCR Moldova. The consultant’s primary responsibility is to develop, in collaboration with key stakeholders, 2 local action plans, specifically focusing on Otaci and Ungheni, ensuring these plans are integrated into their respective local development plans. This entails a comprehensive approach to refugee protection and inclusion, embedding these elements within local policies and intervention strategies. Each action plan will be meticulously tailored to address the unique needs and contexts of the municipalities. This process involves extensive stakeholder engagement, including local authorities, civil society organizations, the private sector, and both refugee and host communities, to ensure that the plans are not only relevant but also sustainable and inclusive.

The consultant will leverage existing data and conduct new assessments to accurately identify challenges and opportunities within each municipality, ensuring that the action plans are well-informed and effectively targeted. Furthermore, the consultant will facilitate workshops and consultations to co-create these plans with the active participation of all relevant stakeholders, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment to the successful implementation of the initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Desk Research:

Data Collection and Analysis: Gather and analyze relevant data to prepare a comprehensive Desk Review report. This report will provide the foundation for understanding the local context and identifying key areas for intervention.

Methodology Development: Develop a detailed methodology and data collection plan for designing the local action plans. This should include stakeholder mapping, local development plans, related outcome frameworks, and an inventory of development indicators. This comprehensive approach ensures a thorough and systematic design process.

Workshops Design and Implementation:

Workshop Preparation and Execution: Prepare and cofacilitate two workshops in localities where Cities of Solidarity (CoS) Memoranda of Understanding are being signed, as indicated by UNHCR. These workshops are crucial for engaging local stakeholders and ensuring the action plans are co-created with those who will be implementing them. The workshop to be conducted in Romanian.

Participatory Analysis: During the workshops, perform a participatory analysis of the humanitarian and development needs, identifying gaps both financial and operational where additional support is required. This participatory approach ensures that the action plans are grounded in the actual needs and capacities of the local communities.

Key Focus Areas: Address critical areas such as mainstreaming protection information, the inclusion of forcibly displaced persons in public services using an Age-Gender-Diversity approach, policy and strategy design, participatory mechanisms, fundraising strategies, and project implementation and monitoring. These focus areas are essential for creating comprehensive and effective action plans.

Adaptability: Adjust the key focus areas based on consultations with partners and the needs identified during the workshops. This flexibility ensures that the action plans remain responsive to the evolving context and priorities of the local communities.

Drafting the Action Plan:

Development of Detailed Plans: Develop detailed and actionable plans for each locality incorporating all gathered insights and identified resources. This includes outlining activities, timelines, and milestones based on the information collected in the previous steps.

Stakeholder Feedback: Incorporate feedback from all stakeholders, including refugees and host communities, ensuring the plans are comprehensive and inclusive.

Roles and Responsibilities: Define clear roles and responsibilities for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, ensuring that each activity is financially, technically, or materially covered, or identifying additional resources/support required.

Review and Adaptation: Ensure the plans include mechanisms for regular review and adaptation to evolving needs, as well as capacity strengthening activities focusing on local actors.

Final Report and Local Action Plans:

Workshop Report: Draft a short report on the development of the workshop, used methodology, participation, and outcome.

Compilation and Finalization: Draft the local action plans, based on the comprehensive Desk Review, participatory analysis, and workshop outcomes. This document will serve as a strategic guide for the implementation of the action plans.

Validation and Endorsement: Present the drafted action plans to local authorities and stakeholders through the Local Refugee Coordination Forums. Facilitate review sessions to gather feedback, make necessary adjustments, and secure formal approval and commitment for implementation.

Communication and Implementation: Communicate the final action plans to national and international actors, ensuring broad awareness and support. Begin the implementation and follow-up process in collaboration with municipalities, local stakeholders, and partners.

Final Outcome:

Deliverable 1: Desk Review Report (due by 15 August 2024)

Deliverable 2: Create Workshop Plan (due by 25 August 2024)

Deliverable 3: Cofacilitate workshop and prepare final report including Local Action Plans for Two Municipalities (due by 15 October 2024)

All products should be delivered in English and Romanian

Required level, qualifications, and work experience:

Work experience: The candidate should have experience in development projects, design and/or advocacy for public policy, humanitarian assistance interventions.

Education: Degree in Political Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, Refugee Protection, or related fields.

Years of Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience working in development sector, public Policy design, humanitarian assistance liaison with governments and local actors, and/or development.

Languages required: Working knowledge of English, Romanian and Russian.

Remuneration:

Consultancy fee: MDL 105,137

Payment schedule: Payment of the contract price will be done in three instalments, within 30 days after the successful completion and approval of the deliverables:

Completion and approval of deliverable 1: 30%

Completion and approval of deliverable 2: 30 %

Completion and approval of deliverable 3: 40 %

DSA payment: DSA will be calculated as per UNHCR rules if travel outside of Chisinau is required.

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

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Desired Languages

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Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No