INVITATION TO REQUEST FOR TENDER
_THE LIVED REALITY OF ECONOMIC INEQUALITIES IN RURAL AREAS AS
EXPRESSED THROUGH THE LENS OF MIGRANT WOMEN._
SCOPE
This project aims to capture the lived experiences of migrant women in
rural communities at risk of economic inequalities. The case study
area is the socio-economically disadvantaged, and culturally diverse,
rural county of Longford which acts as a microcosm of broader trends
in rural Ireland. Preliminary results from Census **Apply on the
website** highlights the rapidly growing population of Longford with
the highest inward migration rate in the country and evidence from
recent research on the impacts of Covid-**Apply on the website** on
women in rural areas suggested that towns like Longford, on the rail
network from Dublin are the destinations for migrants who are being
pushed out of Dublin by the housing and cost of living crisis.
The research outcomes will respond to current knowledge gaps that
exist in literature and policy formulation. The project will work
individually and collectively to build the capacity of women to engage
and self-advocate on the issues that are impacting them and
consequently advocate on behalf of their communities.
Migrant women are not a homogenous group, consequently, experiences
are dependent on a range of factors which can impact positively or
negatively on the social, economic, cultural and political spheres of
migrant women?s lives. The project will provide practical measures
to facilitate inclusion and contribute through policy recommendations
to the active participation of migrant women in the workforce and the
wider promotion of equality for migrant women.
As a grassroots organisation, with considerable experience in linking
the local to the national in terms of policy and advocacy, LWL asserts
that this collaborative initiative with co-creation of knowledge at
its core is very much aligns with advancing greater economic equality.
The project will present the voices of migrant women at grassroots
level yet also adapts the results for use by NGOs and policymakers
with the production of the Guide. The project recognises that past and
present political, economic, cultural and social orders, shaped in
specific spatial contexts have unequal consequences which are further
compounded by gender and ethnicity. Gender segregated labour markets
impact on the work that migrant women obtain (MRCI, **Apply on the
website**), additionally, gender pay gaps and rural environments mean
that migrant women are structurally disadvantaged upon arrival to
rural communities which have direct consequences for their economic
and social outlook.
BACKGROUND
Longford Womens Link (LWL) operates using a model of Integrated
Service Delivery which ensures that LWL?s headline interventions
precipitate specific chains of events that contribute to social impact
from an equality perspective. Women, their families and therefore the
entire community benefit from: A dedicated Women's Community Education
Facility, Domestic Violence and Counselling Services, onsite and
mobile childcare facility (recognising the barriers for women posed by
lack of childcare), Female Entrepreneurship programme and women in
decision-making all of which support economic independence for women
and families. Services provided to approximately **Apply on the
website** women and children in Longford/Midlands in **Apply on the
website** enabled women to access opportunities yielding real benefits
for their families and the wider community. A Migrant Women?s Group
was established in early **Apply on the website** and was facilitated
via LWL ? this group have continued to meet throughout **Apply on
the website** and **Apply on the website** with **Apply on the
website** active members and have already curated a photographic
exhibition as part of Longford Cruth? Festival. The group are
currently being supported by LWL via an Intercultural Grant from
Longford County Council.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the project are:
* To inform rural policy development using evidence which must
recognise the distinct needs, experiences, contributions and
situations of vulnerability faced by migrant women and girls and
inform local services as to the needs of this distinctive group.
* To ensure the process is co-creative and inclusive of all voices
throughout the collaborative project.
* To investigate what economic inequality means to migrant women in
rural Ireland via a case study in Co. Longford. In the context of
housing, employment, income and caring responsibilities and identify
opportunities as well as challenges for migrant women in rural
Ireland.
* To co-produce a tangible manual for rights-holders to support
their inclusion and participation in rural communities.
* To develop a good practice guide for civil society organisations
which will provide guidance to ensure the inclusion of migrant women
in local decision-making/structures.
OUTCOMES
The expected project outcomes are:
* Enhanced conceptual and pragmatic understanding of economic
inequalities of migrant women in rural areas.
* Increased awareness of the systemic issues which continue to
prevent migrant women from playing a full and equal part in their
communities.
* Strengthened advocacy and capacity-building within the group due
to the unique methodological approach.
* Building of resilient communities and an increase in engaged and
active citizens.
* Increased gender-consciousness and ensure operationalisation of
effective gender mainstreaming within decision-making bodies at local
level through the publication of a good practice guide.
* Provision of evidence-based research within a specific context,
capturing the voice and realities of migrant women in a rural setting.
* Establishment of meaningful pathways for rights-holders to have
effective and constructive engagement with policy and decision-makers
on an ongoing basis.
METHODOLOGY:
This project is a qualitative participatory user-centred study
combining data collection and analysis including a desktop review of
previous literature, policy documents and relevant reports. A variety
of methods should be employed to capture the lived realities of
migrant women and should facilitate knowledge creation, knowledge
transfer, connections and networks that will live beyond the lifetime
of this project.
These include fifteen in-depth qualitative interviews, stakeholder
interviews and workshops with migrant women and key target groups to
present the findings and be centrally involved in the co-creation of
strategies and policy recommendations.
The process will support skills development within the group and
develop their understanding of engaging with policy in relation to
issues that impact this cohort.
OUTPUT
The outputs will include a project report, contribution to policy
briefs; support the development of a manual created by the migrant
women?s group for migrant women; a good practice guide for civil
society and relevant government agencies. The editing and proofing
work is the responsibility of the researcher and will be print ready.
This report should be written in clear and accessible language. LWL
will organise design and print.
REQUIREMENTS:
* Significant social research experience, particularly in areas that
relate to gender, rural or migrant women and the associated policy
environment.
* Experience of research administration and report writing
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
* Excellent written communication and presentation skills
* Excellent planning, organisation and time management skills
* Significant knowledge and appropriate experience of using
qualitative and/or mixed-method approaches to social research,
particularly using case study methods, semi-structured interviews and
focus groups
* Excellent and demonstrable knowledge of relevant computer
software, including, for example, MS Office, and qualitative data
analysis.
* Strong teamwork, flexibility, high level of initiative and ability
to meet deadlines
* Working knowledge of legal and ethical requirements regarding data
protection, management and confidentiality.
MANAGEMENT
The project will be managed by a steering group which includes broad
expertise and representation from Longford Women?s Link, Maynooth
University, University of Galway and the National Women?s Council.
The researcher will be required to meet with the steering group and be
available for the launch
TIMEFRAME:
* Jan-Feb **Apply on the website** - Review of existing research on
migrant women in rural areas & arrangement of interviews and focus
groups
* Feb **Apply on the website** - Interviews with migrant women
(**Apply on the website** interviews) and focus groups
* Feb-March **Apply on the website** - Interviews with key
stakeholders - particularly those providing services to migrant women
and migrant women's representative organisations (**Apply on the
website** interviews)
* April **Apply on the website** - Transcription of interviews &
focus groups (separate budget for transcription included)
* April-May **Apply on the website** - Analysis of data &
report/paper writing
* June **Apply on the website** - Dissemination of results and final
project event
PROJECT BUDGET
A separate budget is available for translation and transcription of
focus groups and interviews. There is also a budget available for
support and participation costs.
The total budget for the Project is ?**APPLY ON THE
WEBSITE**,**APPLY ON THE WEBSITE** INCLUSIVE OF VAT and all expenses.
TENDER REQUIREMENTS
* A statement or narrative demonstrating understanding of the
research aim and goals.
* A demonstrated understanding and track record in the research area
* A demonstrated understanding and awareness of the requirements of
the project
* An outline of skills, qualifications, and experience in the area.
* A work plan identifying the approaches and methodologies to be
used in carrying out the research demonstrating the scope of the
research.
* Demonstration of the arrangements for effective communication with
designated personnel so as to ensure that the objectives of the
project are being achieved, that the project does not overrun on time
or cost and that any other problems that arise can be resolved
PRESENTATION OF COSTS
* Set out any issues which may impact on the cost
* All costs must be inclusive of VAT and expenses
* Demonstrate value for money
* Breakdown of costs showing the number of days required to complete
the task, the number of days each person, if there is more than one
person involved, will be employed on the task, the cost per day.
* The fee quoted should include travel and subsistence costs
* A list of recent clients who may be contracted for references in
relation to this tender.
* Confirmation of ability to meet the timeframe of the project.
CONDITIONS OF TENDER
a) LWL reserves the right not to award a contract in the event that no
proposal is deemed to be suitable.
b) LWL requires that researchers will treat all information provided
pursuant to this Invitation to tender in strict confidence.
c) Information supplied by tenderers will be treated as contractually
binding. However, LWL reserves the right to seek clarification of any
such information.
d) All material gathered and all outputs arising out of the proposed
contract will remain the sole property of LWL. Tenderers must agree to
this condition in their proposals. All information and knowledge
acquired in the course of the research will be treated as confidential
and should not be divulged to any unauthorized person or used for any
purpose whatsoever without the prior approval of NWC. NWC will ensure
that the final report gives due credit to the consultants for research
and Toolkit, textual and editorial work undertaken in its preparation.
Any subsequent use of the material shall also give due credit.
e) It will be a condition for the award of a contract that the
successful contractor (and agent, where appropriate) will be promptly
required to produce a Tax Clearance Certificate from the Irish Revenue
Commissioners. In addition, contractors must retain records of tax
reference numbers for any sub-contractors, whose payments exceed
?5,**Apply on the website** including VAT. All payments under the
contract will be conditional on the contractors being in valid
possession of valid certificates at all times.
f) Tenders that are delivered late will not be considered.
g) Any conflicts of interest involving a contractor (or contractors in
the event of a group or consortium bid) must be fully disclosed to
NWC, particularly where there is a conflict of interest in relation to
any recommendations or proposals put forward by the tenderer.
h) LWL will not be liable for any costs incurred in the preparation of
the tender.
i) Payment for all services covered by this Invitation to tender will
be on foot of appropriate invoices. Invoicing arrangements will be
agreed with the successful supplier(s), subject to the terms of the
Prompt Payment of Accounts Act (**Apply on the website** of **Apply on
the website**).
j) Payment of all services covered by this invitation to tender will
be on the basis of the agreed contract price, completion of agreed
stages of the work plan and upon the submission of the appropriate
invoices.
LWL will own the completed research and will retain copyright. The
research findings will be used by LWL and the associated researchers
named above.
LWL will retain the right to publish as deemed appropriate.
EVALUATION OF TENDERS
Tenders will be evaluated initially with reference to the following
qualification criteria:
a. Completeness of tender documentation
b. Stated ability of tenderer to meet the requirements of the
Invitation to Tender
Only those tenders, who meet both of these qualifying criteria, will
be eligible for inclusion in the award process.
The contract will be awarded from the qualifying tenders on the basis
of the most economically advantageous tender applying the following
award criteria, not necessarily in this order:
* Understanding of the project
* Cost effectiveness
* Relevant experience of the designated personnel
* Timeframe for completion
Tenderers are advised that they may be required to make a formal
presentation of their proposal.
THE PROPOSALS SHOULD BE EMAILED TO **APPLY ON THE WEBSITE** AND MARKED
?IHREC RESEARCH TENDER?
TO ARRIVE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY JANUARY **APPLY ON THE WEBSITE**TH AT
5PM
_ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED TO LWL IN RESPONSE TO THIS REQUEST WILL BE
TREATED IN STRICTEST CONFIDENCE_
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Others
