Research Study on Migrants’/Refugees’ Rights and Gaps
Place - Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Duration - Short-term
Technical Proposals for place - "Armenian Caritas" Benevolent NGO
Address: Yerevan, Chaykovski 34, apt. 23
E-mail submission of technical proposals
l.stepanyan@caritas.am
robert.moosbrugger@caritas.at
Project background
As the number of people fleeing persecution, war and poverty continues to rise, many of them have lost their lives during transit while those who manage to make it are confronted with insurmountable problems ranging from social to economic marginalization and inequality. Many of them are not legally protected, nor do they receive humanitarian support. Therefore it is crucial to provide assistance and protection to these already vulnerable people against exploitation and abuse. The RPR action contributes to this by defending, respecting and promoting human rights particularly of marginalized and disadvantaged asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in Lebanon and Armenia. The action applies the human rights based approach based on the view that this will mitigate the global migration and refugee crisis. The action is coordinated by Caritas Austria and executed by its partners, Caritas Lebanon and Armenian Caritas. The three organisations have a long standing relationship, and therefore, have created a cross-border consortium to provide solutions for refugees and migrants in each country as well as for Syrian-Armenian refugees still living in Lebanon and Syria who intend to migrate to Armenia. The action is funded by the European Union under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).
Overall objective of the action
To contribute to the defence of human rights of asylum seekers, refugees, persons in refugee-like situation and migrants in Lebanon and Armenia.
Specific objectives/outcomes
SO1: To advocate for policies aiming at the protection of rights of migrants (incl. asylum seekers, refugees, persons in refugee-like situation) and to monitor the implementation of respective policies
SO2: To enhance the abilities of migrants (incl. asylum seekers, refugees and persons in refugee-like situation) to access their rights and to prevent negative impacts resulting from migration
Scope of the study
The study shall be carried out and based on this a policy paper with recommendations shall be elaborated during the months of May to September 2017. The geographic focus of the study is Armenia.
Goals of the study
Overall objective of the study
- The overall objective of the study is to elaborate a policy paper with recommendations based on the outcomes of the research study and identified gaps and urgent needs for the protection of the migrants’ and refugees’ rights and advocate it in front of the Government of Armenia.
The study will be conducted for the following stakeholders:
- Armenian Caritas
- Caritas Austria
- European Union Delegation to Armenia
Proposed Key Questions
Related to legal issues:
- to study and analyse the legislation and other legal acts concerning the rights of migrants and refugees of non-Armenian origin. Which are the existing legislation and other legal acts on the rights of migrants/refugees? Are there any legislative gaps?
- to study and analyse the legislation and other legal acts concerning the rights of persons in refugee-like situation, mainly Syrian-Armenians displaced to Armenia due to the civil war in Syria. Which are the existing legislation and other legal acts on the rights of the Syrian Armenians displaced to Armenia due to the civil war in Syria? Are there any legislative gaps?
- to conduct interviews with representatives of State bodies, International and Pan-Armenian organizations, local NGOs involved in supporting Syrian-Armenians. What is the impact of legal reforms on everyday life of Syrian-Armenians, what are the legal framework gaps?
Related to integration:
- to conduct interviews with representatives of State bodies, International and Pan-Armenian organizations, local NGOs involved in supporting Syrian-Armenians. What is the picture of the current situation: existing problems, support projects implemented by the stakeholders?
- to carry out research among Syrian-Armenians, including representatives of Syrian Armenian NGOs. What is the current situation from their perspective? What are the main challenges and specifics of the integration process in Armenia? What are the features (legal, economic, psychological and other) on Syrian-Armenian’s economic integration (employment, business sector) in Armenia?
- to conduct a mapping of the organizations assisting Syrian-Armenians. Who are the main stakeholders? What are the current projects? What are the urgent needs?
Suggested Methodological Approach
- desk review of existing documents (legal acts and other relevant documents);
- briefing from Caritas Armenia project manager and the team;
- review of the current research materials on the relevant topic;
- data collection;
- interviews;
- mapping;
- research implementation;
- suggestions elaboration for the policy improvement.
Main responsibilities and tasks
- to conduct a research study on the legal framework and existing policies on the rights of migrants’, refugees and persons in refugee-like situation;
- to elaborate a policy paper with recommendations based on the findings of the research for improvement of the existing policies and implemented projects. The research and the policy paper will be submitted to Armenian Caritas (in Armenian and English languages);
- to introduce the policy paper /package of suggestions for improvement of migrants’ and refugees’ rights, in this context the rights of Syrian-Armenians, to the Armenian Caritas partners and RA Government together with Armenian Caritas (in Armenian and English languages);
- to conduct mapping of the organizations assisting Syrian-Armenians;
- to elaborate a booklet on the rights of Syrian-Armenians, including the mapping (in Armenian).
Costs and Financing
The contract will be on a fixed price basis.
The payment will be made as follows:
- 1st instalment – 40% (after signing the agreement);
- Final instalment – 60% (after submission of final deliverables).
Time Plan
The following is an indicative time plan:
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Invitation for proposal: |
Mid April 2017 |
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Submission of proposal: |
End of April 2017 |
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Selection of candidates: |
Beginning of May 2017 |
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Clarification of Terms of References/ |
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Signing Agreement: |
May 2017 |
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Desk study and preparation: |
May 2017 |
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Field study: |
June-July 2017 |
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Research delivery: |
End of July 2017 |
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Submission of deliverables: |
End of September |
Reporting / Deliverables
- a research on Syrian-Armenians’ rights and existing policies including the specifics and the gaps (in Armenian and English languages);
- a policy paper: suggestions for the improvement of migrants’ and refugees’ rights /in this context the rights of Syrian-Armenians/ as well as the existing policy which will be submitted to Aarmenian Caritas (in Armenian and English languages);
- presentation of the policy paper /package of suggestions for improvement of migrants’ and refugees’ rights, in this context the rights of Syrian-Armenians, to the Armenian Caritas partners and RA Government together with Armenian Caritas (in Armenian and English);
- a booklet on the rights of Syrian-Armenians, including also information package on the existing bodies supporting Syrian-Armenians (in Armenian).
Researcher’s Profile
- Master’s degree or higher in the social sciences or legal studies, or another relevant field;
- relevant experience of the person/organization (at least 3 years);
- relevant knowledge on the key players, policies, and legal framework in the field of migration;
- deep knowledge on the issues of Syrian-Armenians and the current situation;
- excellent analytical and research skills.
Application Procedure
Caritas Armenia invites interested and qualified researchers/research organizations to participate in a call for proposals in April 2017.
Interested candidates are required to provide their application, composed of the below mentioned documents before 28 April 2017 by 18:00:
- CV (including experience in similar research/projects on migration issues, proving documents, project links, etc.);
- Motivation letter;
- Proposal description including methodology, technical proposal, budget and working plan.
Please note: "Armenian Caritas" BNGO will invite for the interview only the short-listed applicants from the first documentary stage.