Աշխատանք և կարիերա

ԴՐՈւՅՔ : 

Terms of Reference

ԱՇԽԱՏԱՆՔԻ ՆԿԱՐԱԳԻՐ : 

Background Information
The Austrian Development Agency (the ADA) is a public-benefit, non-profit, limited liability company headquartered in Vienna. It is owned by the Republic of Austria, represented by the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. On behalf of the federal government of Austria, ADA plans, finances and supports development programmes and projects in the countries of Africa, Asia, South-Eastern and Eastern Europe, and the Caribbean. The goal of ADA is to improve conditions of life in developing countries and assist partner countries in their sustainable development. It also promotes projects in development communication and education in Austria to advance the discussion on development cooperation.
Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) has a long-standing partnership with the Government of Armenia, which has been a priority partner country since 2012. The Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of the ADC, supports its partner countries in implementing programmes and projects and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. ADC has been committed to implementing and co-financing the delegated cooperation project, in cooperation with Team Europe Initiative and in the frame of ADC Eastern Partnership Framework Strategy 2021-2027. Further background information and documents regarding the ADC’s engagement in Armenia are available on our homepage www.entwicklung.at.
The ADA has been delegated by the European Union (EU) to implement a strategic project focusing on support to the green and inclusive socio-economic development in Syunik (the “R2D Syunik: Recovery, Resilience, Development for Syunik” project). The project is the part of the Team Europe framework Initiative “Targeted Recovery Initiatives for Southern Armenia – Syunik Region” (https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/team-europe-initiatives_en).

R2D Syunik: Recovery, Resilience, Development for Syunik Project
The overall objective of the R2D Syunik project, implemented within the Resilient Syunik Team Europe initiative and co-financed by the European Union and Austrian Development Agency, is to enhance recovery and resilience of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and sustainable small-scale communal infrastructure in Syunik by focusing on the following deliverables:

Outcome 1:
Improved business environment for MSMEs and enhanced private sector competitiveness.
Output 1.1:
Improved business, managerial, technical and idea generation capacities (including green/circular economy, sustainable and inclusive capacities) of start-ups, MSMEs and social enterprises.
Output 1.2:
Increased access to financial services and consultancy to support innovative and sustainable investments by start-ups and SMEs (including female and/or youth led entities).
Output 1.3:
Increased availability of non-financial services supporting business (including women and/or youth entities).
Outcome 2:
Improved availability of sustainable green communal infrastructure.
Output 2.1:
Sustainable, green community infrastructures are rehabilitated and maintained.
Output 2.2:
Bankable community infrastructure projects are prioritized and prepared in the communities.
Outcome 3:
Intensified multi-stakeholder coordination for regional development in Syunik.
Output 3.1:
Regular multi-stakeholder coordination for regional development in Syunik.
The Action’s approach is based on the broad involvement of national, regional, and local stakeholders. On the national level, official administrative structures and institutions are involved in the steering and implementation of R2D Syunik. The regional administration and the local communities of Syunik are the main partners for all three Outcomes. The project strives to interact with all other relevant stakeholders in areas such as business development, innovation, sustainable development, education, training, public services, and environmental protection to ensure coherence with all other pillars of the TEI (Team Europe Initiative) Joint Intervention Logic.
The R2D project seeks to improve the framework conditions for and competitiveness of Syunik´s businesses as well as enhance the delivery of public services by the local administration. The direct target groups of the Action are individuals, businesses, communities, and the regional administration in Syunik. Indirect target groups are the general population as well as all other businesses operating in the region.
Attention is given to local public, private and non-governmental organizations, projects, and initiatives that contribute to increased incomes, the creation of decent jobs and the overall improvement of livelihoods. Special attention is paid to mainstreaming gender equality and inclusion of disadvantaged groups, such as refugees/displaced populations who have suffered from the local conflict. The Action is implemented in line with ADA’s principles and standards as outlined in the environmental, gender and social impact management (EGSIM) manual.
The project has established a permanent presence in the Syunik marz. ADA undertakes coordination of the TEI management group.

ՊԱՐՏԱԿԱՆՈւԹՅՈւՆՆԵՐ : 

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Objectives of the Gender and Social Inclusion Expertise for the R2D Syunik Project
Activities being implemented within the business and public infrastructure oriented components (i.e., Outcome 1 and Outcome 2) of the R2D Syunik Project include the development of capacities of regional and local partners and other stakeholders, including public authorities, capacity development and consultancy service providers and small grants distributors (Strategic Partners), MSMEs (Key Market Actors, Developing Market Actors and the Project beneficiaries), educational service providers (Sector Support Organisations), R2D Syunik Project Management Team (PMT) and other stakeholders, if needed.
For this purpose, the R2D Syunik Project is looking for expertise to develop and implement capacity development programme to R2D Syunik Project staff in gender and social related issues including review of the EGSIM analysis conducted within the Project, the training of the PMT members (as a continuation of the internal training on the ADA EGSIM policy and a three-day gender training, both conducted in 2024) and relevant stakeholders, development of gender and social inclusion action plan for gender and social mainstreaming of the Project.
The overall objective of the assignment is to ensure gender equality as well as gender and social sensitive implementation of the R2D Syunik Project through gender and social mainstreaming of the whole Project.

Scope of Work

Within the duration of the assignment, the Gender and Social Inclusion Expert is expected to effectively mainstream gender and social aspects into the whole project implementation and management cycle.
Specifically, under direct supervision and guidance of the R2D Syunik Project Team Leader/Gender Focal Point and in close collaboration with project experts, the Gender and Social Expert will undertake the following tasks:
Internal (within the Project Management Team):
- Review relevant ADA, ADC and R2D Syunik Project documents on the requirements for gender and social mainstreaming,
- Recognize and analyse gender and social inclusion oriented training needs within the PMT,
- Develop a training plan based on the above, to be updated yearly in line with the development of the project lifecycle and current needs,
- Deliver gender and social inclusion trainings for the Project staff (one three-day training per year in 2025, 2026 and 2027). Specific topics to be covered within each training will be agreed with the PMT prior delivery of the training.


External (for the Project stakeholders):
- Conduct focus group discussions and interviews with the key projects stakeholders, including public authorities, capacity development and consultancy service providers and small grants distributors (Strategic Partners), MSMEs (Key Market Actors, Developing Market Actors and the Project beneficiaries), educational service providers (Sector Support Organisations), and other stakeholders, if needed,
- Collect data on learning needs and capacity gaps, particularly emphasizing gender, social, and environmental issues in the areas of intervention of the project (e.g., gender division of labour, access to use of resources and infrastructures, women’s and men’s needs and preferences, opportunities for and constraints on women’s participation, specific needs of displaced population and other vulnerable group related to access to local infrastructures),
- Develop a capacity building/development action plan for all stakeholders, including beneficiaries of the Project with tailored approach for each group to target their needs and capacitate on inclusion approaches,
- Deliver three-day gender and social inclusion training courses for the R2D Syunik Project stakeholders based on capacity building action plan (tentatively: one training in 2025 and two training courses per year in 2026 and 2027). Specific topics to be covered within each will be agreed with the PMT prior delivery of the training.
Proposed capacity development action plan must include at least the following:
-Gender and social inclusion mainstreaming; women, youth, other underserved groups,
- Climate change and adaptation, transition to green economy for man and women,
- Improving local infrastructures and measuring gender differentiated impact,
- Analysing sex and age disaggregated data, data collection tools and methods, gender sensitive and responsive indicators,
- Stakeholder engagement in enhancing impact for disadvantaged groups.

For the gender- and social-sensitive implementation of the Project:
- Monitor and identify potential gender- and social-differentiated impacts of the Project and its sub-projects to propose further adaptations within the Project implementation,
- Review collected sex-disaggregated data within the Project Monitoring and Result Management system to conclude and inform relevant Project staff on potential gender and inclusion impacts and contribute to reports.

Deliverables and Reporting

The selected expert(s) are expected to deliver the following outputs/results:
- Capacity development needs assessment of the R2D Syunik Project Management Team is conducted,
- Capacity development/training plan (incl. suggested training topics and agendas) for the PMT is developed and presented to the Project Team Leader/Gender Focal Point,
- Agreed gender and social inclusion training for the PMT is effectively delivered,
- Gender- and social-sensitive analysis (including capacity building/development needs) of the Project stakeholders is conducted and reported,
- Analysis of the Project gender- and social-sensitive results (and their indicators) is conducted and reported,
- Plan of action for the Project gender and social mainstreaming is developed and presented to the PMT,
- Agreed gender and social inclusion training for the Project stakeholders is effectively delivered,
- Final report covering all expected outcomes/results of the assignment, including training reports (with analysis of the participants’ increase of knowledge based on pre- and post-evaluation data), is developed and delivered to the PMT.

Duration of the Assignment and Proposed Work Plan

The assignment is planned to commence in June 2025 and will be accomplished in June 2027 (with possible extension to June 2028). It is estimated that the Contractor will work for around 35 working days.
Additional details can be found at the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RTxwJOpOWZfNjf3E6oOnfrvrkEv0zqkZ/view

ԱՆՀՐԱԺԵՇՏ ՈՐԱԿԱՎՈՐՈՒՄՆԵՐ : 

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Core competencies
- Results orientation and accountability,
- Planning and organizing,
- Team working,
- Judgement and decision making.

Education
- The Gender and Social Inclusion Expert should have at least a university degree in Social or Natural Sciences or other relevant discipline, preferably with a specialization in gender and project cycle management.

Technical and Functional Experience
- A minimum of 5 years practical experience in the field of gender equality and gender and social mainstreaming,
- Formal training in gender analysis and gender planning and demonstrated expertise in mainstreaming gender in projects and programmes,
- Understanding of the gender context in Armenia, and experience working with government institutions and international or non-governmental organizations supporting gender and development work in the specific area of intervention,
- Familiarity with gender analysis tools and methodologies in the specific areas of intervention,
- Strong communication skills, and ability to liaise with various stakeholders, including local government representatives,
- Strong experience in managing the development (incl. training curricula, presentation, training materials and handouts), and deployment of short- and long-term training courses,
- Excellent oral and written Armenian and English language.

ԴԻՄԵԼՈւ ԿԱՐԳԸ : 

The closing date for submitting applications is 6 June 2025, COB;
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered;
Applications (in English) should be e-mailed to [email protected] and should include the following:
- An application letter addressing the Applicant’s adequacy, relevance and interest for the assignment (max 1 page);
- Detailed Technical Offer, including:
a) Capacity statement concerning the capability to conduct the assignment (conduct all activities and deliver outcomes), reflecting how the Applicant's previous experience and resources match the scope and objectives (max. 1 page);
b) Work plan, including the approach and methodology of the assignment, activities, milestones, and the timeline (max 5 pages);
c) Updated expert’s/experts’ CV(s), including relevant work experience and qualifications (as defined/required in section 8 above), together with statement(s) regarding availability during the planned implementation period, and proposed composition of the team, if relevant;
d) References from independent organisations and samples of similar previous work, ideally within the past three years (if available). References provided may be verified prior to award of the contract.

- Financial Offer (in AMD, net) indicating fee(s) for expert(s) and a breakdown of all expenses related to the assignment.

Only complete applications with all the documents described above will be considered.

Award criteria
The contract is awarded to the technically and economically most favorable bidder (best value for money). The submitted offers will be evaluated according to the following criteria and weighting.
Quality: 65%
The quality will be evaluated according to the following sub-criteria:
- Capability to conduct the assignment, including resources of the bidder (weight: 10%),
- Experts’ educational background, capacities and qualifications, documented relevant work experience (weight: 45%),
- Proposed Work Plan (weight: 45%).

Price: 35%
Financial Offer shall include daily fee. The proposed total value of the contract will be calculated based on the assumption that 35 days will be delivered within the time duration of the assignment.

Calculation method
An Evaluation Commission consisting of 3 members will evaluate the offer on the basis of the quality-related award criteria. For each quality criterion, a score of 0/1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10 can be achieved.

Quality Criterion: offers are scored in a manner that the offer with the highest score in the criterion obtains the maximum number of points and each next offer the proportionally lower number of points according to the following formula:
Points Quality Criterion = (Individual score of the offer / Score of the offer with the highest score) x 65%

Price Criterion: offers are scored depending on the price offered in the financial offer in the manner that the offer with the lowest price obtains the maximum number of points and each next offer the proportionally lower number of points according to the following formula:
Points Price Criterion = (Lowest price / Price of offer) x 35%

Calculation of total points:
Total points = Points Quality Criterion 1 + Points Quality Criterion 2 + Points Quality Criterion 3 +
+ Points Price Criterion

The best offer is the offer with the highest number of total points. If the number of total points is the same for more than one bidder, the offer with the lowest total price (amongst these bidders) shall be the most favorable offer.
Upon completion of the evaluation ADA reserves the right to negotiate with the bidder with the most favorable offer (highest ranking). ADA may conduct negotiations with more bidders if the outcome of the evaluation procedure did show only minor differences between the offers or the negotiations with the bidder with the highest-ranking lead to no contractual basis within a reasonable period of time.
The Contractor will be selected through a direct award procedure in accordance with the Federal Austrian Procurement Law (according to ADA´s internal procurement guidelines).
ADA will notify all bidders of the award decision.

Խնդրում ենք Ձեր նամակում հստակ նշել, որ այս աշխատանքի հնարավորության մասին տեղեկացել եք Կարիերայի կենտրոնի վեբ-կայքից և նշեք կայքի հղումը՝ www.careercenter.am։ Շնորհակալություն.

ԱՇԽԱՏԱՎԱՐՁ : 

1. For the procurement of these services Austrian Public Procurement Law is applied (Austrian Federal Public Procurement Act, PPA2018) and a direct award procedure conducted. ADA acts as Contracting Authority. 2. Several bidders will be invited to submit an offer. 3. The contract will be awarded to the technically and economically most favorable bidder (best value for money). 4. ADA intends to contract these services to the selected best bidder in the form of a framework service contract with a maximum amount. Such Framework Service Contract is used when the Contracting Authority (here ADA) has a regular need for certain services, but the extent of this need cannot be precisely determined in advance. Hence, the ToR contain a rough and comprehensive description of the expected services (a framework). 5. The award of a framework contract as such does not yet constitute a contract for services; it rather stipulates the terms for individual service as may be contracted henceforth between ADA and the Contractor. 6. The particular services will then be contracted on a needs basis by individual written orders (per e-mail) issued by the PMT. Such orders will stipulate in detail the services to be performed and the required working days agreed with the contractor for this individual order. 7. At the end of each month, if services have been delivered, the consultant will submit a timesheet for approval and a corresponding invoice for payment. 8. Subcontracting: subcontracting is not allowed for this assignment.

ԾՐԱԳՐԻ ՄԱՍԻՆ : 

Contact

Mr. Jaroslaw Zarychta, R2D Syunik Project Team Leader/Gender Focal Point.
E-mail: [email protected]
Coordination Office for Technical Cooperation of the Austrian Embassy Yerevan
Erebuni Plaza Business Centre, Room 602, 26/1 V. Sargsyan St., 0001 Yerevan, Armenia