EXPERIENCES OF INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION APPLICANTS.
Cro? na Gaillimhe Resource Centre is one of five resource centres
funded by the Society of St Vincent De Paul (SVP). The Resource Centre
is located in Galway city centre, offering a range of educational and
social programmes since **Apply on the website**. While many of our
activities are open to everyone living in the community, we have a
number of programmes specifically for people living in the four direct
provision centres in Galway City. These include a homework club, an
after-school activities programme and The Asylum Support Service which
supports people through the International Protection process.
THE ASYLUM SUPPORT SERVICE
The Asylum Support Service was set up in **Apply on the website** in
response to queries from people in the International Protection
process looking for information and advice on their applications and
interviews. Although each applicant is entitled to free legal aid
throughout the process, the experience was and still is, that this is
very limited particularly at application and interview stage.
We are one of a very small number of agencies providing this service
nationally. We liaise with other agencies on areas of mutual interest
and also in referring asylum seekers to other support agencies. The
service is delivered by two case workers on a part time basis.
We offer help;
* with completing the International Protection Application
Questionnaire;
* in preparing for the substantive interview with the International
Protection Office; and if unsuccessful, in preparing for appeal with
the International Protection Appeals Tribunal;
* in applying for permission to remain in Ireland;
* in applying for family reunification;
* in applying for citizenship.
Much of our work focuses on preparing people for their substantive
interview and appeal. On average we meet approximately fifty new
clients annually whom we support throughout their application process.
As the application process if often more than a year this means that
our client base is expanding year on year.
AIM OF THE RESEARCH
This is the first time we have commissioned research specifically
focusing on this service and will focus on the period **Apply on the
website** to present. This research will help inform a long-term plan
for our service.
The research will focus on;
* Assessing the effectiveness of the service in meeting the needs of
the client group since **Apply on the website**;
* Making recommendations on how the service could develop in line
with best practice;
* Documenting personal stories of the experiences of asylum seekers
as they progressed through the International Protection process and
identifying issues or obstacles they encountered.
On completion of this research Cro? na Gaillimhe Resource Centre
expects to have a final report completed to the highest standard. The
report will inform the future direction of the service and should
therefore have clear recommendations based on the findings, models of
good practice and the likely developments arising from the White Paper
on Ending Direct Provision relevant to our work. Please note we are
not involved in the delivery of direct provision accommodation. Our
interest in the White Paper relates only to support services that are
available to residents.
The information documenting applicants? experience of the
International Protection Process will be a brief stand-alone report.
WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE RESEARCHER AND CRO? NA GAILLIMHE
RESEARCH STEERING TEAM
* The role of the team will be to familiarise the researcher with the
work of the service and agree the workplan, code of ethics,
methodology and interview questions.
* The researcher will conduct the various interviews and meetings
independently.
* The team will assist in organising interview times/rooms and
interpreters as required. It is envisaged that interviews will take
place in our office or on zoom.
* The team will direct the researcher to relevant literature and
links to similar services.
* The team and researcher will agree a communication/meeting plan
linked to the work at each particular phase.
METHODOLOGY
People in the asylum process are considered as Vulnerable Adults by
the St Vincent de Paul and therefore the research methodology must
reflect this and have a clear code of research ethics. This tender
requires applicants to detail their approach to the research in that
context (see tender requirements points **Apply on the website** page
3).
However, it is expected that the following research methods will be
included:
* Interviews with representative number of clients;
* Interviews/focus group with members of the Cro? na Gaillimhe team
and SVP;
* Interviews with support services and network groups;
* Examination of models of best practice nationally.
TIMELINE
The work will be broken into three phases. There will be an agreed
mid-point where a progress report will be presented and discussed with
the team.
_Phase 1: January **Apply on the website**_
In this preparatory phase the team and researcher will agree:
* the workplan;
* the code of research ethics;
* the methodology and how the information is gathered;
* the structure, format and content of consultations including any
interviews, questionnaires or focus groups;
* the timeframe and deliverables at each stage and date for the
progress report;
* any outstanding conditions of the tender.
_Phase 2: January ? February **Apply on the website**_
It is envisaged that all the interviews will be conducted within this
period and research into models of good practice will start.
Progress report presented to the team.
_Phase 3: March **Apply on the website**_
In the final month, the researcher is expected to submit a full draft
for comment, followed by a final report to the agreed standard.
TENDER REQUIREMENTS
The proposal should include the following:
* A statement outlining your interest and understanding of the
International Protection system in Ireland.
* An outline of skills, qualifications, and experience in the area.
* Submission of (or links to) at least two pieces of research
undertaken in the last three years.
* A plan identifying the possible approaches and methodologies to be
used in carrying out the research.
* A statement of how you would engage with the client group and the
ethical principles that would underpin that engagement including data
protection.
* A list of any specific areas for which you would need guidance.
* A breakdown of each component, with specific targets and
timeframes.
* Names of two referees familiar with your research skills and/or
suitability for this work.
* The tender document should be no longer than four pages. In
addition, a supporting CV/Resume can be included.
CONDITIONS OF THE TENDER
* Applicants will be shortlisted for interview based on fulfilling
the conditions of the tender
* Applicants invited for interview will be required to make a
presentation.
* Applicants must produce an up-to-date Tax Clearance Certificate.
* All the material gathered in the work belongs in its entirety to
Cro? na Gaillimhe Resource Centre and cannot be used by the
researcher for any other purpose.
* Any conflict of interest must be declared at the tender stage.
* Any changes to the agreed timeframes must be agreed by the Cro?
na Gaillimhe team.
* The final report is copyrighted to the SVP.
* The final report will be distributed to relevant government
departments, agencies and NGO?s. The researcher will be acknowledged
in the foreword.
BUDGET
The total budget for the work cannot exceed ?**Apply on the
website**, inclusive of VAT, travel and subsistence, and any other
costs that arise. Cro? na Gaillimhe can provide meeting space and
access to printers etc.
SUBMISSION OF TENDERS
Tenders must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 7th December **Apply on the
website** by post or online.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a Zoom interview the week of
**Apply on the website**th December.
Late tenders will not be considered.
PLEASE ADDRESS TENDER TO:
Loretta Needham
Manager
Cro? na Gaillimhe Resource Centre, SVP
Maureen O?Connell House
1 Mill St
Galway H**Apply on the website**AK**Apply on the website**
For clarification on any aspect of the tender process please email
Janet Kehelly at **Apply on the website**
INVITATION TO TENDER FOR SERVICE EVALUATION & DOCUMENTING PERSONAL
EXPERIENCES OF INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION APPLICANTS.
Cro? na Gaillimhe Resource Centre is one of five resource centres
funded by the Society of St Vincent De Paul (SVP). The Resource Centre
is located in Galway city centre, offering a range of educational and
social programmes since **Apply on the website**. While many of our
activities are open to everyone living in the community, we have a
number of programmes specifically for people living in the four direct
provision centres in Galway City. These include a homework club, an
after-school activities programme and The Asylum Support Service which
supports people through the International Protection process.
THE ASYLUM SUPPORT SERVICE
The Asylum Support Service was set up in **Apply on the website** in
response to queries from people in the International Protection
process looking for information and advice on their applications and
interviews. Although each applicant is entitled to free legal aid
throughout the process, the experience was and still is, that this is
very limited particularly at application and interview stage.
We are one of a very small number of agencies providing this service
nationally. We liaise with other agencies on areas of mutual interest
and also in referring asylum seekers to other support agencies. The
service is delivered by two case workers on a part time basis.
We offer help;
* with completing the International Protection Application
Questionnaire;
* in preparing for the substantive interview with the International
Protection Office; and if unsuccessful, in preparing for appeal with
the International Protection Appeals Tribunal;
* in applying for permission to remain in Ireland;
* in applying for family reunification;
* in applying for citizenship.
Much of our work focuses on preparing people for their substantive
interview and appeal. On average we meet approximately fifty new
clients annually whom we support throughout their application process.
As the application process if often more than a year this means that
our client base is expanding year on year.
AIM OF THE RESEARCH
This is the first time we have commissioned research specifically
focusing on this service and will focus on the period **Apply on the
website** to present. This research will help inform a long-term plan
for our service.
The research will focus on;
* Assessing the effectiveness of the service in meeting the needs of
the client group since **Apply on the website**;
* Making recommendations on how the service could develop in line
with best practice;
* Documenting personal stories of the experiences of asylum seekers
as they progressed through the International Protection process and
identifying issues or obstacles they encountered.
On completion of this research Cro? na Gaillimhe Resource Centre
expects to have a final report completed to the highest standard. The
report will inform the future direction of the service and should
therefore have clear recommendations based on the findings, models of
good practice and the likely developments arising from the White Paper
on Ending Direct Provision relevant to our work. Please note we are
not involved in the delivery of direct provision accommodation. Our
interest in the White Paper relates only to support services that are
available to residents.
The information documenting applicants? experience of the
International Protection Process will be a brief stand-alone report.
WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE RESEARCHER AND CRO? NA GAILLIMHE
RESEARCH STEERING TEAM
* The role of the team will be to familiarise the researcher with the
work of the service and agree the workplan, code of ethics,
methodology and interview questions.
* The researcher will conduct the various interviews and meetings
independently.
* The team will assist in organising interview times/rooms and
interpreters as required. It is envisaged that interviews will take
place in our office or on zoom.
* The team will direct the researcher to relevant literature and
links to similar services.
* The team and researcher will agree a communication/meeting plan
linked to the work at each particular phase.
METHODOLOGY
People in the asylum process are considered as Vulnerable Adults by
the St Vincent de Paul and therefore the research methodology must
reflect this and have a clear code of research ethics. This tender
requires applicants to detail their approach to the research in that
context (see tender requirements points **Apply on the website** page
3).
However, it is expected that the following research methods will be
included:
* Interviews with representative number of clients;
* Interviews/focus group with members of the Cro? na Gaillimhe team
and SVP;
* Interviews with support services and network groups;
* Examination of models of best practice nationally.
TIMELINE
The work will be broken into three phases. There will be an agreed
mid-point where a progress report will be presented and discussed with
the team.
_Phase 1: January **Apply on the website**_
In this preparatory phase the team and researcher will agree:
* the workplan;
* the code of research ethics;
* the methodology and how the information is gathered;
* the structure, format and content of consultations including any
interviews, questionnaires or focus groups;
* the timeframe and deliverables at each stage and date for the
progress report;
* any outstanding conditions of the tender.
_Phase 2: January ? February **Apply on the website**_
It is envisaged that all the interviews will be conducted within this
period and research into models of good practice will start.
Progress report presented to the team.
_Phase 3: March **Apply on the website**_
In the final month, the researcher is expected to submit a full draft
for comment, followed by a final report to the agreed standard.
TENDER REQUIREMENTS
The proposal should include the following:
* A statement outlining your interest and understanding of the
International Protection system in Ireland.
* An outline of skills, qualifications, and experience in the area.
* Submission of (or links to) at least two pieces of research
undertaken in the last three years.
* A plan identifying the possible approaches and methodologies to be
used in carrying out the research.
* A statement of how you would engage with the client group and the
ethical principles that would underpin that engagement including data
protection.
* A list of any specific areas for which you would need guidance.
* A breakdown of each component, with specific targets and
timeframes.
* Names of two referees familiar with your research skills and/or
suitability for this work.
* The tender document should be no longer than four pages. In
addition, a supporting CV/Resume can be included.
CONDITIONS OF THE TENDER
* Applicants will be shortlisted for interview based on fulfilling
the conditions of the tender
* Applicants invited for interview will be required to make a
presentation.
* Applicants must produce an up-to-date Tax Clearance Certificate.
* All the material gathered in the work belongs in its entirety to
Cro? na Gaillimhe Resource Centre and cannot be used by the
researcher for any other purpose.
* Any conflict of interest must be declared at the tender stage.
* Any changes to the agreed timeframes must be agreed by the Cro?
na Gaillimhe team.
* The final report is copyrighted to the SVP.
* The final report will be distributed to relevant government
departments, agencies and NGO?s. The researcher will be acknowledged
in the foreword.
BUDGET
The total budget for the work cannot exceed ?**Apply on the
website**, inclusive of VAT, travel and subsistence, and any other
costs that arise. Cro? na Gaillimhe can provide meeting space and
access to printers etc.
SUBMISSION OF TENDERS
Tenders must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 7th December **Apply on the
website** by post or online.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a Zoom interview the week of
**Apply on the website**th December.
Late tenders will not be considered.
PLEASE ADDRESS TENDER TO:
Loretta Needham
Manager
Cro? na Gaillimhe Resource Centre, SVP
Maureen O?Connell House
1 Mill St
Galway H**Apply on the website**AK**Apply on the website**
For clarification on any aspect of the tender process please email
Janet Kehelly at **Apply on the website**
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Others
