External Сonsultant for the Gender Analysis and Assessment Consultancy – older people in Eastern Ukraine in HelpAge International in Ukraine, Representative Office

External Сonsultant for the Gender Analysis and Assessment Consultancy – older  people in Eastern Ukraine

HelpAge International

HelpAge International’s vision is a world in which all older people can lead dignified, healthy, and secure lives. To achieve this vision, HelpAge International’s mission is to promote the wellbeing and inclusion of older people and reduce poverty and discrimination in later life. This applies to all older people, including those affected by humanitarian emergencies. 

HelpAge International in Ukraine works to support older people affected by the conflict. As part of our humanitarian work, HelpAge collaborates with local partners and older people in Ukraine to provide essential services for older people affected by the conflict – including cash assistance, non-food items, health and care services, as well as psychosocial and legal support, particularly those who have been displaced, and hard-to-reach areas. HelpAge also engages in policy advocacy to promote inclusive humanitarian responses that recognise the specific intersecting needs and rights of older people. 

About the HelpAge Ukraine

HelpAge has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, establishing an office in Kyiv and providing programmatic outreach in the Eastern region. Early in the crisis, HelpAge developed a remote management approach, building on an already established model following internal restructuring of HelpAge in 2021 and the Remote Management policy developed during the COVID-19 global pandemic in 2020.HelpAge in Ukraine relocated its main office from Kyiv to Lviv in April 2022 due to the conflict. Since phase 1 planning, we are now based in 4 locations in Ukraine, with offices in Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro and Chernivtsi. 

HelpAge provides multi-sectoral support to conflict-affected older men and women aged 60 and above, including persons with disabilities. This support encompasses home-based care, psychosocial assistance, case management, multi-purpose cash transfers, provision of hygiene and assistive products, as well as winterization supplies. In addition to direct service delivery, HelpAge undertakes research and advocacy efforts aimed at amplifying the voices of older people and safeguarding their rights and interests. The organization also leads the Age and Disability Working Group, which functions at the national level under the framework of the Protection Cluster.

Background

Since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, older people have emerged as one of the most significantly impacted demographic groups. Representing 23% of the population affected, older individuals face severe challenges related to displacement, isolation, access to services, and heightened vulnerability to violence and exploitation. Older women, constituting approximately 70% of the older population, bear disproportionate burdens due to gender inequalities exacerbated by the crisis.

HelpAge International, in collaboration with local partners "Right to Protection"(R2P) and "Volunteer 68", is implementing a multisectoral humanitarian assistance program aimed at enhancing resilience, wellbeing, and protection of at-risk older people, particularly women and individuals with disabilities in Eastern Ukraine (Dnipro, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv oblasts).  To further inform our approach and ensure improved age and gender responsive humanitarian interventions, we are looking for a consultant to undertake a gender assessment and analysis which will be used to shape our interventions and advocacy.

Purpose of the Gender Assessment and Analysis

The gender assessment and analysis aims to provide evidence-based insights into gender dynamics, needs, barriers, and capacities among older men and women affected by the conflict. The analysis will ensure that the humanitarian interventions by HelpAge and its partners are informed by accurate gender-age and disability disaggregated data and effectively address the differentiated needs and vulnerabilities of older individuals, particularly older women and those with disabilities.

Objectives of Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive gender assessment and analysis to inform the design and implementation of HelpAge’s interventions and advocacy efforts within the specific project locations. The  analysis will serve as a foundation for understanding the specific risks, vulnerabilities, and opportunities faced by older women and men in humanitarian settings. It will also highlight key areas requiring further exploration and provide insights into how project interventions can be more effectively tailored to address gender-and age related challenges.

The assessment will look to examine the root causes of vulnerability and risks, including gender inequality, conflict dynamics, and power structures. Additionally, it will explore how gender influences access to roles, resources, services, and information within affected communities.

Specific Tasks:

The consultant’s work will:

• Identify specific needs, constraints, and opportunities for older women and men, applying an intersectional approach that considers age, disability, and gender.
• Assess gender disparities in older people’s access to humanitarian services, including protection, health and care, legal aid, psychosocial support, multipurpose cash assistance (MPCA), winterization support, and home-based care.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of current and proposed project activities in addressing gender-based disparities and ensuring equitable outcomes for beneficiaries.
• Provide actionable recommendations for gender responsive and transformative approaches to strengthen project implementation.

Geographical Scope of the Assessment

The assessment will cover the targeted locations of the project, specifically Dnipro, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv oblasts. It will involve an analysis of gender dynamics in these regions, considering thebroader socio-political and conflict-related factors that impact older populations.

Methodology and Proposed Tasks

The consultant will employ quantitative and qualitative, informed by participatory research methods:

• Desk review of existing literature and situation in Ukraine, including HelpAge project documents,  gender analysis and assessments, and relevant humanitarian reports.
• Conduct Focus Group Discussions (estimated one in each target oblast) with older women and men, including groups differentiated by disability status.
• Conduct Key Informant Interviews (approx. 7-10) with project staff, local partners, beneficiaries, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders(other NGOs and local authorities).
• Complete  observations with project team and participants to verify data and capture contextual nuances.

Deliverables

• Report outlining methodology, proposed tools, and detailed work plan.
• Draft gender assessment and analysis reeport including executive summary, methodology, findings, analysis, actionable recommendations, and annexes (tools, stakeholder list, detailed data) for review and comments.
• Final aender assessment and analysis 

Presentation of findings and recommendations to HelpAge and partners.

Consultant Profile

• Proven track record and experience of conducting gender assessments and analysis, particularly in humanitarian contexts.
• Demonstrable understanding and experience of age, gender, and disability intersectionality.
• Familiarity with Ukraine’s socio-cultural and humanitarian contexts.
• Fluency in English required; proficiency in Ukrainian or Russian highly desirable.

Ability to conduct fieldwork directly without sub-contracting.

Timeline

The assessment will be expected to commence by 16of April 2025 and should be completed within 8 weeks of commencement.

Management and Coordination

The consultant will report to HelpAge International’s Country Director in Ukraine and collaborate closely with the project teams and gender focal points.

Ethical Considerations

The consultant must adhere to ethical principles and "Do No Harm" standards throughout the assessment process, ensuring confidentiality, consent, and sensitivity to participants' circumstances.

HelpAge International Employee Core Competencies:

The competency framework of HelpAge International is designed to set out clearly and transparently the skills and behaviours our people need to help us deliver our vision and mission. It supports key HR systems including workforce planning, recruitment and selection, performance management, learning and development and succession planning. The competencies and their “behavioural attributes” define what each person needs to do to be successful and to contribute to the HelpAge International’s mission, vision, and 2030 strategy. As such, they can be used for all our workforce, including staff and volunteers/interns.

1. Working Collaboratively with Others.

2. Adaptability and Flexibility.

3. Supporting and Facilitating Change.

4. Extending HelpAge’s Reach and Impact.

5. Diversity and Inclusion.

The framework was developed following an inclusive process of a staff survey along with input and feedback from a Competency Framework working group. The working group included staff from across different

countries and global teams to ensure that the framework reflected the needs of HelpAge International across the board.

HelpAge employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, HelpAge's policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.

HelpAge is International is committed for safeguarding, ethical and free harassment work environment:

HelpAge International is committed to safeguarding all people who come into contact with our work, including older people, at-risk adults, children, and our staff. We do have zero tolerance towards that employee who violates our code of conduct and safeguarding policies, those include:

The Code of Conduct policy defines rules for the following:

· Standards of Behavior.

· Anti-discrimination, harassment, and bullying.

· Anti-corruption.

· Rules for social media.

The Safeguarding policy defines rules for the following:

· Sexual Abuse of Beneficiaries and Community Members (PSEA),

· Child Safeguarding Policies,

· Anti- Human and Child Trafficking Policies,

· Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace Policies,

 How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• CV with accompanying cover letter
• Detailed technical proposal, outlining an understanding of the study, proposed methodology, study tools, and proposed workplan plan including consultancy time and costs
• Two eexamples of previous work relevant to this assignment 
• Contact details of two referees.