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Multi-Sectoral Need Assessment Consultant

Organization: CARE Deutschland
Posted:
Closing date:

Terms of Reference (ToR) Consultancy to Conduct Multi-sectoral Needs Assessment (MSNA)

Background

CARE International (CI) is among the world’s largest international non-governmental humanitarian relief and development confederations. Drawing on more than 80 years of experience, through its 21 Members, CI’s work reaches over 100 countries worldwide to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice.

As a new actor in Ukraine since March 2022, CARE prioritizes a locally led response and primarily partners with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), National NGOs, local authorities, and, when needed, INGOs with longstanding presence and access to hard-to-reach areas.

CARE Ukraine deliberately prioritizes partnerships with local and national Women-Led and Women’s Rights Organizations (WLOs/WROs) to strengthen CARE’s Gender in Emergencies (GiE) principles and the Women’s Voice & Leadership (WV&L) approach. CARE is contributing substantially to the humanitarian response in Ukraine, specifically in protection, health (including SRH), WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), food security, safe shelter, cash transfer, and livelihoods.

Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to design and conduct a Multisectoral Needs Assessment (MSNA) across the following oblasts:
Kharkivska, Mykolaivska, Dnipropetrovska, Khersonska, Donetska, Zaporizhzhia, Odeska, and Sumska.

The consultant will be responsible for carrying out all aspects of the assessment, including data collection, analysis, and reporting. The MSNA findings will be used to inform CARE’s humanitarian programming and advocacy strategies.

Scope of Work

The assessment will include:

  • 24 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) – up to 3 per oblast, preferably conducted in person.
  • 24 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) – preferably conducted in person.
  • 150 Household Surveys per oblast (a total of 1,200 surveys across 8 oblasts) – conducted online.

The consultant will also:

  • Prepare a comprehensive final report based on collected data.
  • Ensure all data is disaggregated by location, gender, disability status, and age.
  • Work respectfully and inclusively with diverse communities, including marginalized groups (e.g., Roma, LGBTIQ).
  • Recruit enumerators of both sexes and, where possible, those with similar lived experiences as the communities being surveyed.

Note:
The consultant will be responsible for arranging appropriate venues for sessions and interviews, ensuring accessibility, and organizing participant refreshments (e.g., coffee breaks, lunches).

Data Collection and Documentation

The consultant will:

  • Conduct FGDs, household surveys, and KIIs using tools and guidelines provided by CARE.
  • Submit all raw data and provide clean, organized datasets for analysis.
  • Record and document discussions (audio/video and notes).
  • Use software such as KoboToolbox or ODK for data collection.
  • Suggest improvements to data collection tools to ensure contextual relevance.
  • Engage respectfully with community members, addressing gender-related and protection considerations.

Approach and Methodology

The consultant will apply a mixed-methods approach combining:

  • Quantitative household surveys
  • Qualitative FGDs and KIIs

The methodology will include a stratified multistage sampling process to select representative locations considering conflict exposure, displacement trends, urban/rural balance, and access.

Sampling overview per oblast:

  • 150 household surveys
  • 3 FGDs targeting diverse groups such as IDPs, host communities, women, youth, and persons with disabilities
  • 3–5 KIIs with local authorities, service providers, and community leaders

All tools will align with inter-agency standards (e.g., JIAF-compatible questionnaires) and cover priority sectors such as shelter, WASH, health, protection, education, and livelihoods.

Objectives

  1. Develop MSNA methodology and tools.
  2. Collect primary data on humanitarian needs of affected populations.
  3. Identify protection risks, gender dynamics, and service delivery gaps.
  4. Ensure inclusive participation of marginalized groups.
  5. Provide actionable evidence to inform CARE’s programs and advocacy.

Approach will emphasize:

  • Localization: working closely with local CSOs and WLOs/WROs.
  • Gender Sensitivity: integrating gender analysis at every stage.
  • Protection and Do No Harm: following ethical standards and safeguarding vulnerable participants.
  • Evidence-driven programming: ensuring findings are relevant and actionable.

Deliverables

The consultant will deliver the following:

1. Methodology and Tools

  • Develop and refine methodology and data collection tools (FGD guides, household questionnaires, KII frameworks).
  • Participate in training provided by CARE to ensure quality and consistency.

2. Data Collection

  • Conduct 24 FGDs, 24 KIIs, and 1,200 household surveys.
  • Record sessions (audio/video) and take detailed notes.
  • Provide data disaggregated by gender, age, disability, and location.

3. Data Analysis

  • Submit raw datasets.
  • Provide cleaned, organized datasets.
  • Deliver transcripts and recordings.

4. Reporting

  • Draft Report: for CARE review and feedback.
  • Final Report: incorporating feedback and including:
    • Executive summary
    • Methodology
    • Profiles for each target oblast
    • Recommendations
    • Annexes (ToR, workplan, tools, maps, bibliography)
  • Presentation of findings: including PowerPoint for CARE Program Leadership and MEAL Teams.

Timeline

  • Data Collection Completed: 31 October 2025
  • Final Report Submission: 30 November 2025

Precise locations within each oblast will be confirmed following consultant selection.

Qualifications and Experience

The consultant must demonstrate:

  • Proven experience conducting quantitative and qualitative assessments (FGDs, HH surveys, KIIs).
  • Knowledge of gender-sensitive and ethical data collection approaches.
  • Familiarity with the Ukrainian context and cultural sensitivity.
  • Experience with KoboToolbox/ODK or similar software.
  • Ability to analyze and report on multisectoral data.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Capacity to handle logistics, including coordination across multiple oblasts.
  • Fluent English required; Ukrainian or Russian desirable.

Safeguarding

The consultant must comply with CARE’s safeguarding policies to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm, abuse, and exploitation. This includes rigorous background and reference checks before engagement.

Data Protection

  • Compliance with GDPR and local data protection laws.
  • Secure handling and anonymization of participant data.
  • Obtaining informed consent prior to data collection.
  • Participants must have the right to revoke consent at any time.

How to apply

CARE invites individuals with the experience and skills described above to submit their application to novikova@care.de in English with a detailed technical and financial proposal, including the following components:
1. Technical Personnel Capacity Statement

• A detailed workplan for the consultancy duration period of 20 working days.
• A cover letter of no more than two pages introducing the consultant and how the skills and competencies described above are met, with concrete examples that demonstrate an understanding of the ToRs and methodology requirements. Please also use this cover letter to indicate the consultants’ availability for the proposed period.
• A CV demonstrating relevant experience to the project, including three referees (with phone number and email address)
• Two examples of reports from previous needs assessments (in English).
2. Detailed financial Proposal
• Consultant’s daily rate in € for working days