Local expert on election counselling and advocacy

1. Contracting body

Hilfswerk Austria in the Republic of Moldova
Str. Alexandru cel Bun 85, mun Chisinau
Republic of Moldova
Tel +373 22 21 25 41
www.hilfswerk-austria.md
info@hwa.md
Type of organization: Non-profit association

2. Basic data
Donor reference: OEZA 8108-07/2016
Project number 679

Project title:
ProDem – Increasing participation of young and first time voters (YFTV) in the Republic of Moldova in democratic processes by enhancing their attitude towards elections


Countries of implementation:
Republic of Moldova

Expected source(s) of funding:

Austrian Development Agency, ERSTE Foundation

Intended project duration:
24 months, starting with August 2016

Project Partners:
Hilfswerk Austria International (lead partner)
Representation of Hilfswerk Austria International in the Republic of Moldova
NGO Speranta
NGO Mostenitorii

3. Organization setting and background


Given today’s statistics regarding the unsatisfactory participation of young people in elections and the awareness vis-à-vis this important event for the country, it is obvious that Moldova needs voter education related initiatives more than ever. Only through civic education on elections and motivation to vote, young voter participation will increase to create bigger political diversity. Voter education serves as a catalyst for future generations to become enthusiastic participants in country’s democracy. After all, that’s what living in a democracy is all about.

The project aims at encouraging activism and enhancing the degree of young people’s involvement in the life of local communities and the entire country. The impact of the project is not only to inform and facilitate YFTV's active participation in upcoming election but also to foster in all Moldovan young people an appreciation and knowledge of the democratic process itself and its importance for their lives and all people of their communities. The project implementation will focus on practical and targeted activities that will address the specific groups of voters' motivation and preparedness to participate fully in upcoming elections.

The action strives to achieve the following results:
ER 1: YFTV in 8 target communities increased their knowledge and awareness about voters’ rights and responsibilities and elections procedures.
ER 2: YFTV in 8 target communities receive continuous and sustainable support and coaching with regard to their active civil participation.
ER 3: YFTV in 8 target communities have increased their practical experience with election mechanisms and procedures.
ER 4: CSOs and representatives of election administrations and educational institutions have broadened their knowledge on concerns of YFTV and on approaches to increase YFTV participation in elections.

Target groups:

TG1: Young and first time voters (YFTV): young population of 8 target communities between the ages of 16 and 20, mainly school students from upper grades and other educational institutions, including most disadvantaged groups from marginalized rural areas, such as young people with disabilities, young people belonging to national minorities (Roma or others), young women from vulnerable groups (working abroad, single mothers, others).

TG2: Representatives of CSOs and local administration of 8 target communities.

Hilfswerk Austria International (HWA) will be responsible for the overall project management, monitoring, and reporting of the proposed action.

HWA Moldova as main local partner (both on the national and regional (Chisinau) level) will coordinate the overall project implementation. It will have the role to track progress in project implementation, to take remedial action where necessary as soon as possible, as well as to update action plans. It will ensure that the expenses presented by project partners incurred for its implementation and correspond with the activities agreed between the project partners. It will deliver draft reports and other documentation to Hilfswerk Austria International (HWA) and ADA. In addition, HWA Moldova will be responsible for project activities related to its target area - Chisinau municipality.

The local partners will lead and deliver project activities planned for their specific target regions, NGO Speranta responsible for project activities in Hincesti rayon and NGO Mostenitorii - for Drochia and Riscani rayons.

- Municipality Chisinau (Budesti, Colonita)
- Rayon Riscani (Costesti/Corlateni, town. Riscani)
- Rayon Drochia (town Drochia, Pelinia / Sofia)
- Rayon Hincesti (Lapusna, Carpineni/Mingir)

4. Purpose of the contracted tasks

The purpose of the contracted tasks is to accompany the project and support the project team with expert input within the project implementation cycle in the frame of the following main project activities, as listed in the project proposal:

A.1.1 Baseline survey on needs and concerns of YFTVs
A.1.2 Press conference
A.1.3. PR materials (video, publications) and website elaboration
A.1.4. Community public events
A.2.1. Selection of the counsellors
A.2.2. Elaborating the Training Program for election counsellors
A.2.3. Three-day intensive trainings for election counsellors
A.2.4 Set-up of mobile help points
A.3.1. Elaboration of a Mock Elections Methodology
A.3.2. 8 Mock Elections
A.3.3. Feedback rounds
A.4.1. Conducting dissemination workshops
A.4.2. Organizing a national conference

Thus it is expected that Expert shall support the project team in the following activities:
At local and regional levels:
• Conduct a baseline survey to highlight YFTV’s priorities and concerns;
• Conduct an information campaign to enhance the attitude of young and first time voters towards elections and voting through a variety of measures - public events, press conference, publications, website and online platform;
• Train and employ election counselors (acting as community leaders) and set-up help points which shall foster YFTV’s appreciation and knowledge of the democratic process itself and its importance for their wellbeing and the situation of their communities;
• Organize Mock elections for YFTV to mobilize and motivate them to participate more confidently in the upcoming elections;
At national level
• Facilitate media-campaigns through the project website in order to promote active engagement and dialogue;
• Produce a film, print a poster and a brochure to call YFTV to vote;
• Organize workshops to disseminate project outputs and promote the importance of voting among young people.
• Conduct National Conference to promote the project outcomes to national stakeholders.

5. Timetable & Deliverables

The contract is service contract for the intended duration of 21 months, starting with November 1st, 2016.

Task Timeline
Review of the baseline survey conducted by a research agency to highlight YFTV’s priorities and concerns in 8 target communities Q4/2016
Participation at the Project steering meeting and regular internal meetings ongoing
Leading the Press Conference on presenting the outcomes of the baseline survey and informing about the project initiative Q4/2016
Providing guidance and expertise in conducting tailor-made information campaign for an enhanced attitude of YFTV towards elections and voting Q4/2016
Elaboration of the TORs for election counsellors, identification of potential counsellors in the target regions and selection of 8 counsellors in alliance with the project team Q1/2017
Development of the Training Program & materials for election counsellors and Conducting a 3 days intensive training program on election counselling Q1/2017
Guiding the 8 election counsellors on setting-up and running mobile help points in their target communities On-going from Q2/2017
Review of the Mock Election Methodology and participation at Mock Elections in 8 target communities along with project partners Q1/2017
Participation at the Feedback rounds in 8 target communities along with project partners Q1/2018
Promoting networking of stakeholders active in the field of youth active citizenship within dissemination workshops organized by project partners Q1-Q2-2018
Participation as a speaker at the National Conference on promotion of the project outputs and fostering networking of the stakeholders active in the field of youth active citizenship Q2/2018
Cooperation with media agents (newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, online resources) to gain their support for project’s aim and to ensure continuous coverage of project progress and outcomes On-going
Advising HWA and project partners on long term training strategies for ensuring the project sustainability On-going
Drafting of project progress reports on a quarterly basis On-going
Ensuring constant communication with CEC and synergies with other projects in the field of election On-going

The Contractor shall be aware of the fact that the project will be finished on 31.07.2018, meaning that no tasks related to the project can be carried out after this deadline.

Above timeline is based on regular circumstances and can be subject to changes in case of external influence (e.g. complaints from potential bidders, etc).

6. Expected qualifications of the Contractor

The Contractor shall fulfil the following qualifications:

 Extensive professional experience (at least 5 years) in election counselling, advocacy and civic participation, information and public awareness raising campaigns within the frame of various donor sponsored projects EU/ OSCE/ Council of Europe, USAID, etc.
 Sound expertise in the field of political science and administration, solid knowledge of Moldovan electoral legislation and procedures
 Relevant experience on cooperation with various stakeholders involved in electoral process
 Demonstrates strong intellectual and operational capacity in providing and coordinating advisory
services to stakeholders in electoral processes, specifically to Election Monitoring bodies (EMBs)
 Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
 Demonstrates ability to multitask under pressure and to meet strict deadlines often under hardship
conditions
 Excellent organizational skills and ability to work effectively in teams, delivering through and with others
 Self-management, including conflict management/negotiating skills
 Strong conceptual and methodological skills as election and advocacy trainer
 Geographic expertise in Chisinau, Riscani, Drochia and Hincesti districts is preferable
 Fluency in English and extensive experience in writing all types of documents within the field of development cooperation reporting
 Fluency in Romanian and extensive experience on developing election content based materials, thematic articles, postings, etc.
 Working knowledge of Russian (is an asset)
 Computer literacy
 Driving licence (is an asset)

7. Contracting body's approach to be considered

HWA is an NGO founded with the aim of providing worldwide assistance to people in need, regardless of their heritage, gender and religion. HWA’s work is oriented towards Austrian and international objectives of development cooperation. Therefore, HWA expects all Contractors to respect its values as stated on the HWA webpage: http://www.hilfswerk.at/hwa/english/about-us.

In regard to the contracted tasks HWA expects the Contractor to consider the following guiding principles:

 The demand and needs of the target group(s) of the project:
 Poverty Reduction Approaches and principles of international cooperation of the target country
 Gender and sustainability aspects
 Equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities, minorities, elder people or other special vulnerable groups.

8. Application Procedure and deadlines

Interested candidates are requested to provide their application by email natalia.mihailov@hwa.md, no later than October 27, 2016 .


The application set must include:
 The standard CV / Resume (preferably in English language)
 1-page description of candidate’s professional experience
 Financial offer (monthly rate, all taxes including)


Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews.