Anunțuri de Angajare

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Social perception survey on the attitude of local inhabitants towards the national park creation

Assignment: Social perception survey

Location: Lower Dniester Ramsar Site that covers 13 localities (Copanca, Plopi-Stiubei, Cârnățeni, Gradinita, Popeasca, Talmaza, Cioburciu, Rascaieți, Purcari, Olănești, Crocmaz, Tudora, Palanca) on the right Dniester river bank.

Project: “Ecosystem-based adaptation, climate-resilience measures and institutional development in the Lower Dniester area”

Post type: Individual service contract

Estimated start of assignment: March 2022

Working languages: Romanian, Russian, English

Duration of assignment: max two months – until the end of April 2022

Organizational Context 

The project “Ecosystem-based adaptation, climate-resilience measures and institutional development in the Lower Dniester area” is implemented by consortia of partners: BIOTICA Ecological Society and Public Association EcoContact and funded by Austrian Development Cooperation. The duration of the project is 54 months, December 2017 - May 2022.

Activities implemented within the project are designed to contribute to the development of the water supply/sewage system facilities and protected area management, for climate adaptation in long-term mitigation and adaptation in the Lower Dniester Ramsar Site (LDRS).  This is done with the close involvement of the local population, local authorities, and other interested stakeholders.  In addition, the project had a grant component to support women-led businesses’ evaluation of ecosystem services in economic and ecological terms, and assessment of the related costs.

A consortium led by BIOTICA Ecological Society  and the PA EcoContact has achieved the following Specific Expected Results:

1. Implemented climate adaptation measures for water supply systems in villages from the LDRS, ensuring equal and affordable access to water for women, men, and socially vulnerable groups.

2. Legal and institutional framework for the creation of a Lower Dniester National Park is developed.

3. Developed capacities of local communities from the target area of the Lower Dniester for climate adaptation, nature conservation, and management.

4. Improved management of the Lower Dniester Ramsar Site through cost-based evaluation, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation measures

5. Selected areas of the LDRS are rehabilitated through forestation on both riverbanks. Ecosystem services and climate mitigation were enhanced.

Background

The territory of the Lower Dniester Ramsar Site is located in the South-Eastern part of Moldova. The area includes the territory of 4 localities on the eastern side of Caușeni district (Cârnățeni, Copanca, Plopi-Știubei, Grădinița) and 9 localities in northern and eastern part of Ştefan Vodă district (Popeasca, Talmaza, Cioburciu, Rascaieți, Purcari, Olănești, Crocmaz, Tudora, Palanca).

A.          The main objective of services

In order to assess the project impact, the Consortium requires information on the current level of understanding and perception trends of the population from Lower Dniester localities after awareness-raising campaign regarding, benefits and opportunities for population and local communities in the existence of the LDRS, creation, and functionality of future Lower Dniester National Park. The information will be used to measure the social value of the project implementation, as well as to evaluate and communicate the results of the project implementation.

The perception survey has to be developed and conducted as an end-line survey at the end of the project, the baseline has been carried out at the beginning of the project so that the changes in the citizen’s perception can be assessed based on major indicators. Both quantitative and qualitative methods shall be applied, including representative sampling. For the survey, respondents and focus groups have to be selected randomly and the sample size will be representative.

The perception survey should be conducted by the senior/junior data analyst / community mobilization expert. The full report and the summary of findings will be elaborated in the Romanian language, translated into the English language, and will be disseminated to the project donor and relevant partners.

Specific objectives:

• To collect credible data, based on Communication Strategy of Lower Dniester National Park indicators and the project M&E framework
• To check for accuracy and validate data to be used as the endpoint measure, based on which different benchmarks will be drawn for measurement the perception regarding the benefits and opportunities in the area;
• To draw information that will assist the Consortium to develop appropriate and timely messaging and advocacy campaigns within the LDRS area

B.          Expected outputs

Key responsibilities:

- Record the main stakeholders for conducting the survey;

- Establish the main question for the survey  based on the Communications Strategy  indicators and the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework;

- Elaborate the survey questionnaires for various stakeholder groups, including the focus group discussions,  that will answer the main indicators of the awareness-raising activities;

- Conduct a local survey to obtain views from stakeholders of implementing area on issues relevant to the development of LDRS (as well as other issues relevant to environmental protection and eco-friendly economic opportunities within the area);

- Provide cross-tabs and supportive analysis on the degree of the main indicators of the awareness-raising activities impact upon the target beneficiaries;

--            Carry out the survey report based on quantitative and qualitative data/indicators, including the performance of documentary visits within the area.

- Social perception survey should be gender-sensitive and targeted to the main  groups of stakeholders: local  public authorities and institutions, local business, particularly tourism business, opinion leaders as teachers, civil society representatives, and women (including women entrepreneurs)

- Social perception survey should take into consideration ADAs framework on gender equality, environmental safeguards, and social inclusion of vulnerable groups.

1. Deliverables

Interviews and focus groups should cover a sufficient number of persons based on proposed sampling including an important share of women.

D.          Payments

Payments will be done based upon the submission of deliverables mentioned at point C ).

E.          Qualifications

The potential candidate shall prove the following minimum qualification requirements:

• Similar Experience in carrying out research and surveys especially in similar thematic areas and rural communities.
• Ability to analyze data using up-to-date statistical tools for purposes of building a reliable database.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and responsible attitude towards the assignment.
• Tangible at least 1 reference of previous similar assignments implemented during the last 3 years.
• Experience in leading focus groups.
• Experience in qualitative interviews.
• Advanced university degree in statistics or sociology or related to any other field.
• Proven analytical capacity, communication, and report drafting skills and skills related to the organization of meetings and adapting to different environments (cultural, economic, political, and social).
• Fluency in English, Romanian orally, and in writing, (knowledge of the Russian language is an advantage).
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools.

F.           Selection Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated in consideration of the Evaluation Criteria as stated below:

The offer will be evaluated by using the best value for money approach (combined scoring method).

Technical proposal will be evaluated on 70%. Whereas the financial one will be evaluated on 30%.

Below is the breakdown of the technical proposal on 100% which will be brought to 70%:

How to apply

The potential candidate must submit the following documents in English:

1.           The CV of the expert that reflects the relevant experience in the assignment, and at least one reference of the previous Social Perception Surveys conducted/or similar task.

2.           Financial offer for the implementation of assignment including travel costs.

3.           Proposed work plan for the assignment, that confirms availability and approach for the implementation of the assignment.

4. List of reference persons/organizations where similar assignments were completed (at least 1)

The documents shall be submitted via email, with an indication of the subject

Social Perception Survey on LDRS, no later than February 21, 2022, to the email address of procurari@ecocontact.md. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  For more detailed information, please contact Ion Marin, Project Manager, +373 22 996162, or by email: ion.marin@ecocontact.md