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This special edition of SATE Social Work Newsletter is covering different aspects of how COVID-19 pandemic affected social work field in Armenia.

The special edition is available in Armenian.

The “Armenian Association of Social Workers” non-governmental organization (hereafter AASW) announces a competition for the selection of the “International Consultant for the development and/or revision of tools for Social workers and referral protocols for key service providers” assignment within the framework of the “Promoting Social Inclusion and Self-Reliant Livelihood Activities in Armenia” Project (hereinafter Project).

The main objective of this assignment is to support the Client in design and implementation of a structured social case management approach (Component 1) that can serve as a tool to enhance the internal cohesion of services and benefits in the country’s social protection and labor system.

The ultimate purpose shall be to revise and/or develop the following documents:

- Tools for social workers, such as i) Comprehensive tools (screening and assessment) to assess households’ vulnerabilities, ii) Templates for the preparation of “family development plans”, iii) Referral manual linked to an inventory of key social and active labor market services, iv) Management Information System (MIS) for social workers.

- Referral protocols for key service providers.

The assignment will be implemented in February 2021 – April 2021 period.

Scope of work

Under the guidance and supervision of the representative of the Project Implementing Agency (Project Component-1 Coordinator) and in close collaboration with the international consultant for component 1 (social case management methodology), one lead local consultant and three local consultants (one per dimension), the International Consultant shall lead the development/revision of the tools for social workers and referral protocols for key service providers.

The international consultant shall be responsible for the following tasks:

1. To develop/revise the tools for social workers, the Consultant will:

• Share with Local Consultants and Project Implementation team the international best practice of case management tools for social workers,
• Support Local Consultants to develop the Report on case management tools in Armenia and provide feedback on the Report.
• Develop Recommendations on the development/revision of tools for social workers;
• Lead the team of Local Consultants to develop/revise the tools for social workers (except MIS for social workers, the team will conduct meetings with IT experts to guide the translation of developed tools into MIS)
• Conduct a workshop with relevant stakeholders (Government/MLSA officials, social work practitioners, NGO stakeholders, etc.) to introduce the developed/revised tools for social workers; consolidate provided comments and make further elaboration (if needed). In coordination with the team implementing Component 1, include the final version of these tools in the Manual for social workers and training materials for SW.

The development/revision of tools for social workers will be assumed from the lessons learned and best practices which will be adapted to the Armenian context accordingly. Qualitative methods (in-depth expert interviews, observations, focus groups, etc.), led by local consultants, will be applied to define the pros and cons of the current tools applied.

2. 2. To develop referral protocols for key service providers, the Consultant will:

• Share with Local Consultants and Project Implementation team international best practice of referral protocols for key service providers,

• Support Local Consultants to develop the Report on existing procedures of referral protocols for key service providers and provide a feedback on the Report,
• Support Local Consultants and IT Consultant to study existing IT tools used by social workers and develop recommendations on the development of MIS for social workers,
• Elaborate an outline for new referral protocols for key service providers and lead the team of Local Consultants to develop referral protocols, which will include the work with various social groups (children, elderly people, persons with disabilities, etc.), and social cases (violence, national and cultural minorities, etc.) as well as describe formal arrangements on preferential access for referred beneficiaries to key service provides and provide the integrity of the support from referred institutions.
• Carry out an on-line workshop with relevant stakeholders including Government/MLSA officials, social work practitioners, researchers and NGO stakeholders to introduce the developed referral protocols for key service providers; consolidate provided comments and make further elaboration (if needed)

Deliverables and Timeline

The working language of the deliverable documents is English.  As part of the assignment, the consultant should visit the project site (Armenia) at least twice based on the agreed schedule with AASW. 

Above timeline is based on regular circumstances and can be subject to changes in case of external influence. As part of the assignment, the consultant will visit the Armenia at least twice. The visit timeframe will be agreed with AASW.  

Expected skills and qualifications of the consultant

The Contractor shall meet the following qualifications and skills:

• Higher professional education in task-relevant field (e.g. social sciences, social work)
• Sound knowledge on social work tools and at least 15 years of experience in the relevant field
• Profound experience facilitating local policy level consultations, developing methodologies and tools for more than 10 years
• Experience with social protection sector, transformative social work, case management
• Strong experience designing and undertaking social analysis
• Previous experience with associations/network initiatives and/or unions will be regarded an additional asset.
• Experience in working in post-soviet area with cross-cultural sensitivity and emotional maturity is a plus (experience in the South Caucasus is an advantage)
• Willingness and ability to travel to Armenia, interact with staff, community and primary/secondary stakeholders
• Familiarity with the work of the World Bank is an asset
• Fluency in English (written and spoken); skills in Armenian and/or Russian is an asset. All documents will need to be written in English.
• Very good communication, presentation and facilitation skills
• Relevant computer skills necessary to execute well-designed, professional documents

The above mentioned tasks shall be carried out within the framework of a Service Contract agreed between the PIA (“Armenian Association of Social Workers” NGO) and the Consultant. The Contract will be signed over the period between February, 2021 and April 30, 2021 for a total of 25 working days. International consultant will cooperate with four local Consultants on specific tasks (one leading consultant and three consultants as per project dimension) and PIA team. 

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 January 26, 2021.

Please clearly indicate the title of the position (Tools for Social workers and referral protocols for key service providers) 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)