Needs assessment – Call for expert

YEU has developed a one year project called “Exercising our Rights! - Developing new tools in support of Social Cohesion” based on strategic plan 2014-2017 and is now looking for an expert to support development of needs assessment and its analysis. So please take a look bellow to see if you believe your profile fits this project!

THE IDEA

We have decided to focus on innovations in NFE regarding social cohesion as a thematic area due to several reasons.

Time of crisis, doesn’t mean just financial consequences, but erosion of ethics and moral values. Worse, it means a raise of xenophobia, nationalism, which are just undercover triggers for hate speech and increased levels of intolerance towards the Others – those who are different: minorities (ethnical, racial, LGBT…), migrants, people with diffabilities. Unfortunately, we are witnessing, instead of an improve in our societies as those of equal opportunities and solidarity, the increase of bigotry, even in state policies by decreasing opportunities for minorities and migrants, mostly. Therefore, we believe that, by working with young people on different levels – European/national/local – and of different backgrounds, we can set examples of good practices which can later be multiplied all over Europe.

OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of the project are:

• To develop new tools/activities by using non-formal education as methodology in order to support young people’s understanding of social cohesion processes, in the creation of a society of equal opportunities, better understanding of different generations of human rights and struggle against discrimination based on personal characteristics;
• To motivate youth activists to develop and implement local actions, which would serve as examples of good practices;
• To ensure the transfer of innovations from European to national/local level and vice-versa by assuring the quality of the non-formal education provided.

METHODOLOGY

Pairs of youth activists (one trainer and one organizer) from 15 countries will based on results of the needs assessment related to vulnerable groups have training on social cohesion related topics. Based on the results, a focus of new tools/activities will be chosen and these will be developed in the training for trainers and organizers. It is possible that different countries will have a focus on different target groups, depending on the needs of the country. These new tools/activities will be “tested” in local communities by implementing small local actions and/or trainings/workshops. An evaluation seminar and presentation of the new tools will be organized in the University on youth and development in Mollina, Spain in September 2014. After that, all the tools and activities developed will be put in a publication which will be at disposal for other organizations to use it.

WHAT DO WE NEED?

This project involves several phases, and YEU is looking for an Expert to prepare and analyse needs assessment which will be done in 15 countries around Europe.

In order to plan future actions and understand community’s needs, a needs assessment will be done in 15 countries around Europe (based on selected activists/youth organizations who will apply to open call which will be spread in January 2014). The needs assessment will be performed before first training, in order to have the basis for discussing the situation in specific countries and understanding the processes and/or problems vulnerable groups have or general communities have problems accepting. Based on results, contents of upcoming trainings will be finalized and narrow focus will be defined.

Specifically, questionnaire will encompass following vulnerable groups: minorities (ethnical, religious, sexual and racial), migrants, women (as positioning women in society).

Questions will be related to following issues: social cohesion (solidarity, equal opportunities), human rights with special emphasis on social rights, intercultural dialogue (relations with/towards vulnerable groups) and non-formal education (experiences, benefits, new skills). Needs assessment will have following target group: young people aged15-25 living in both urban and rural areas and of different social status, background and education level.

Aim

To understand the opinions of local communities regarding vulnerable groups (of different backgrounds – ethnic, racial, sexual, migrants,position of women) in order to plan development of tools/activities that could provide potential solutions for problems.

Timeline

Mid-February – Development of the questionnaire and translation to local languages;

March – Implementation of the questionnaire;

Until mid-April – Analysis of the results

The needs assessment is necessary in order to develop proper tools and activities related to social cohesion topics.

The questionnaire will be made available online with both open and closed questions. Also, it will be done in local languages in order to make it more accessible to all community members with support of partner organizations.

Profile of the Expert

(priority will be given to those that most closely meet this criteria):

• A degree in Sociology or equivalent training;
• Knowledge and experience concerning the Concerted development of social cohesion indicators - Methodological guide of Council of Europe;
• Able to work in an intercultural environment and on flexible time schedules;
• Able to work in English;
• Committed to work during the full duration of the activity.

 Fee:

Expert will be paid 1000 EUR gross for development of the needs assessment and its analysis.

How to apply?

Send your letter of interest with your CV (relevant experience included) to Tamara Gojkovic, Secretary General of YEU to Tamara@yeu-international.org until February 5^th latest.