National Consultant – field researcher for conducting focus groups on access to education and health services by children and their parents in refugee-like situation in Abkhazia, Georgia

National Consultant – field researcher for conducting focus groups on access to education and health services by children and their parents in refugee-like situation in Abkhazia, Georgia

1. Background

For the last few years number of persons in refugee-like situation has been increasing in Abkhazia, Georgia. According to the latest statistical data, by the end of 2016 there were 612 persons in refugee-like situation in Abkhazia, Georgia^[1]. They have mainly arrived from Syria (56%) and Ukraine (44%)^[2]. Out of the total, there are 180 children in 0 to 17-age range (See table 1 for number of children by age group and gender). Currently there is limited evidence regarding barriers to education and health services by children in refugee-like situation in Abkhazia, Georgia.

Table 1. Number of children in refugee-like situation by age groups and gender (2016)^[3]

Age group                    Female                     Male                    Total

0-4                                  25                             20                         45

5-11                                44                             41                         85

12-17                             22                              28                         50

1. The purpose of the study

The purpose of this study is to gain an in-depth perspective on existing challenges in access to education and health faced by children in refugee-like situation in Abkhazia, Georgia. The qualitative methodology of the proposed study will allow to delve into actual barriers as experienced by the children and their families. As a result, analytical study report will be produced that will inform key stakeholders on barriers to access to education and health among persons in refugee-like situation. The report will be used in advocacy for improving legislative environment and relevant policies related to persons in refugee-like situation in Abkhazia, Georgia.    

1. Methodology

Focus group discussion (FG) and in-depth interviews will be applied as main methods for qualitative data collection, which will allow for reaching out to significant number of persons in refugee-like situation. The focus groups and interviews will be conducted with children (ages 14-17) and their families. Potential participants will be selected with different countries of origin taking into account the language spoken by the participants. Each focus group discussion will be held with 6 to 10 participants. The focus groups will be moderated by an experienced researcher with assistance of a translator. Additionally, school administrators and df State Migration Service/Passport Department representative will be interviewed to gather further in depth information on the relation between registration and access to education/health. To ensure coverage of persons in refugee like situation with diverse backgrounds FG and interviews will be conducted with the following groups and individuals:

1. Location of FG/Interview: TBD

   Country of Origin/Language spoken: Syria                        

   Target Group: Children- age 14-15

2. Location of FG/Interview: TBD

   Country of Origin/Language spoken: Syria                        

   Target group: Children- age 16-17

3. Location of FG/Interview: TBD

   Country of Origin/Language spoken: Syria

   Target Group: Parents (including: beneficiaries of Dranda Child center, parents of younger children)

4. Location of FG/Interview: TBD

   Country of Origin/Language spoken: Ukraine             

   Target Group: Interviews (4) with children – age 14-17

5. Location of FG/Interview: Sukhumi

   Country of Origin/Language spoken: Ukraine

   Target Group: Parents (including: preschool age children; beneficiaries of Ukrainian Child Center) – Focus group or 4 interviews

6. Location of FG/Interview: TBD

   Country of Origin: All

   Target Group: Interviews with school administrators (3) and State Migration Service/Passport Department representative (1)

    

Ethical considerations

The study will go through an external ethics review in accordance with UNICEF regulations. Informed consents will be obtained from children and parents in advance and in the beginning of each FG and interview, all participants will be reminded of their choice and freedom to quit the study at any point. Anonymity and confidentiality will be ensured throughout the entire study. A researcher will be selected based on relevant background in conducting focus groups and in-depth interviews (preferably with children as well). Additionally guidance will be provided to the researcher and the translator by UNICEF and UNHCR education and protection teams.  UNHCR staff will also participate in some of the focus group discussions.

1. Implementation of the study and timeframe

The study will be conducted by a team of two researchers – lead researcher and a field researcher (based in Abkhazia, Georgia).

The implementation of the study will be launched in September 2017 and finalized by end of January 2018. The study will be implemented in the following key stages and timeframes:

1. Activity: Developing focus group guide and interview questionnaires for parents, children, school/migration service administrative personnel

   Deliverable: Focus group/interview guide and questionnaires

   Timeframe: September 2017

2. Activity:  External ethical review of the study

   Deliverable: Ethical review report

   Timeframe: October 2017

3. Activity: Fieldwork: conducting focus groups (with assistance of translator, where needed)

   Deliverable: Focus group transcripts and audio recordings

   Timeframe: October- November 2017

4. Activity: Analysing and developing final report

   Deliverable: Final narrative report integrating findings and key recommendations

   Timeframe: December 2017- January 2018

1. Overall goal of consultancy

Overall goal of part-time consultancy is to support implementation of the qualitative study on access to education and health services by children and their parents in refugee-like situation.  The consultant will work in coordination with the designated UNICEF/UNHCR staff, conduct focus groups in various locations in Abkhazia, Georgia and contribute to developing a final report integrating findings and key recommendations.

The consultant will be obliged to meet the set deadlines as a part-time consultant as described in the below Chapter 6 (Specific tasks, timeframes and deliverables) and produce deliverables in a high quality manner. UNICEF will measure consultant’s performance and quality of deliverables in accordance with UNICEF’s regulations.

1. Specific Tasks, timeframes and deliverables

Activity/Task 1. Support the development of focus group guide and interview questionnaires for parents and children; develop interview questionnaire for school and migration service administrative personnel.

Timeframe: September 2017.

Deliverable: Inputs and feedback provided for draft focus group guide and parent and child interview questionnaires; interview questionnaire for school and migration service administrative personnel.

Activity/Task 2. Conduct 3 focus groups (See section 3: Methodology above for detailed list of target groups) and 12 interviews[4] in Abkhazia, Georgia with assistance of a translator as necessary.

  Timeframe: October-November 2017

  Deliverables: Focus groups transcripts and audio recordings.

Activity/Task 3. Analyze focus group data from focus groups and interviews conducted in Abkhazia, Georgia.

Timeframe: November-December 2017

                Deliverables: Analytical report on conducted focus groups and interviews.

Activity/Task 4. Support developing a final narrative report (in English) integrating findings and key recommendations.

  Timeframe: December 2017-January 2018

  Deliverable: A section on Abkhazia, Georgia study findings for the final narrative report, feedback on the full draft report provided.

Activity/Task 5. Coordinate and plan study related activities as necessary (for Abkhazia, Georgia focus groups).

  Timeframe: Throughout consultancy

  Deliverable: Progress reports for respective deliverables.

• Duration and mode of consultancy. The part-time consultancy service is required for the duration of five (5) months starting as of September 2017.

   

1. Supervision:

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the UNICEF Education Officer and UNHCR Protection Officer. Day-to-day supervision and guidance will be provided by UNICEF’s Education Officers. The consultant will also work in close coordination with other relevant staff of UNICEF’s Sukhumi Field Office.

1. Required qualifications:

    

• Advanced degree in Social sciences; 
• Extensive experience in conducting qualitative research, including focus groups;
• Experience of conducting focus groups with children is an asset;
• Good familiarity with education and health system in Abkhazia, Georgia;
• Demonstrated ability to write study reports;

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Russian.  

1. Payment terms and rates:

Consultancy fees will be disbursed to the national consultant upon presenting respective deliverables: (Subject to agreement with consultant in accordance to UNICEF rules and regulations):

I payment – Deliverables 1, 2, 5.

II payment – Deliverables 3, 4, 5.

NOTE: Applicant should include the requested total fee (Gross including travel costs and 20% of income tax) in USD in his/her application letter to UNICEF.

1. Contract arrangement and duration:

    

   This is a part-time consultancy service for the duration of five months.

   Duty station: Sukhumi (combination of home and office-based work) and occasional travel in nearby locations

   Travel: Travel to other locations will be arranged by UNICEF as necessary.

    

Leave

• The consultant has no entitlement for annual leave, sick leave, maternity, adoption or paternity leave or any other kinds of special leave.

• Health Insurance: UNICEF does not provide or arrange health insurance coverage for consultants. Health Statement forms must be submitted to UNICEF prior to signing the contract.

   

   

1. Termination of the Contract

The contract may be terminated by either party before its expiry date by giving a 14 days’ notice in writing to the other party.  However, in the event of termination on the ground of misconduct, UNICEF will be entitled to terminate the contract without notice. In such case, the Contractor will be compensated on a pro-rata basis for no more than the actual amount of work completed to the satisfaction of UNICEF.