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Research on Supporting economically inactive persons with disabilities on to the labour market

Deadline 31st May. EASPD is the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities representing over 17,000 social service providers and organisations across Europe and the disability sector. EASPD is a not-for-profit organisation, which main purpose is promoting equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities through effective and high-quality service systems.

EASPD is the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities representing over 17,000 social service providers and organisations across Europe and the disability sector. EASPD is a not-for-profit organisation, which main purpose is promoting equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities through effective and high-quality service systems.

Tender specification

EASPD is looking for a Researcher/Research team to carry out a study on “Supporting economically inactive persons with disabilities on to the labour market.”

Background

About 14.2 million persons with serious illness or disability (aged 15 to 64) were economically inactive in the European Union (Eurostat, 2016), meaning that they stood outside the labour market, being neither employed nor unemployed. Exclusion from the active labour force has various negative implications for persons with disabilities. To name a few:

  • Inactive population is not included in unemployment statistics, leading to an overestimation of the employment rate for persons with disabilities.
  • Inactive population is not targeted by employment support measures.
  • Inactive population experience high risk of poverty or social exclusion. 

The situation of young individuals with disabilities should also be addressed by the desk study. The aim of the desk study is to develop actions/initiatives that can be included in the package of measures the EU will present to improve labour market outcomes of persons with disabilities as part of the new EU Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Main elements of work

The study should address the following questions:

  • What is the state of play on economically inactive persons with disabilities in Europe? What is the role of service providers in Europe according to the different forms of disability?
  • What leads to the variety of data in the various European countries? Which group of people / type and severity of disabilities are meant by the term “persons with disabilities inactive in the labour market” in the various European?
  • What are the support needs of economically inactive persons with disabilities?
  • What are the main barriers in their access to the labour market?
  • What is the role of service providers in supporting inactive persons with disabilities on to the labour market?
  • How can existing and future EU initiatives (specifically the Youth Employment Initiative) address this issue?

The research is expected to be done through analysis of available statistical data in order to build a clear picture of the state of play as well as analysis of policy documents and desktop research & interviews with relevant stakeholders.

The study should cover a minimum of 6 European countries, preferably belonging to different welfare regimes, respecting a geographical balance and at least 1 of those countries should not be an  EU Member State. The researchers may suggest specific countries based on the pertinence and representativity of the case and on the availability of data. However, a final decision on the countries should be taken in collaboration with EASPD.

The Researcher/Research team is expected to deliver:
1.     A report containing the findings of the study, including figures and analysis of the trends as well as policy recommendations.
2.     An executive summary of the report (2-3 pages max.).

Deadlines

Deadline for application: 31/05/2021
Response to application: 15/06/2021
Selected applicants are expected to take on the assignment as soon as possible.
The deliverables are expected to be finalised by 30/11/2021

Expertise required

The researcher(s) will be expected to demonstrate:
-        Proven experience in coordinating international research projects and collaborative work;
-        Solid academic and/or professional background with regards to the social service sectors;
-        Experience in data collection, analysis and presentation;
-        Wide network of contacts and entry-points for collecting data at national level in EU countries; the selected candidate should ensure the processing of national data in local language(s)
-        Experience of writing accessible reports for an NGO and/or EU/national organisation readership;
-        Excellent command of English (written and oral)
-        An operational approach to the integration of good management principles, including correct personal data management in line with the requirements of the GDPR.
-        Only candidates residing in the  EU are eligible for participating in the tender.

Selection and award criteria

The applicant(s) should submit the following documents until 31/05/2021; 23:59 CET:
-        A motivation letter describing their expertise and explaining why they are the right candidate(-s) for the assignment (not more than 1 page).
-        A technical proposal explaining how they plan to conduct the research, including a review of the existing scientific literature, a proposed methodology, a work plan, resources needed, budget, etc. The technical proposal can include suggestions for the publication of the final report in academic journals and other scientific publications, to be further discussed with EASPD.
-        CV, including the list of published articles, reports, studies if relevant.
Only selected candidates will be contacted.

Content of the bids 

The tenderer will ensure that their bid clearly identifies how they meet the selection criteria. It would also be useful to see examples of previous work demonstrating their ability to write and present in English to a primarily NGO audience.

Payments and standard contract

Payments will be made on receipt of the first draft of the report and the final report with the executive summary, 40% and 60% of the lump sum respectively.
Only validated deliverables will be accepted and fully compensated.
The Contract will be drawn up between EASPD and the contractor.

Price

The estimated price is max. EUR 10.000, all taxes included.
The contract will be awarded to the tenderer whose offer represents the best value for money, taking into account the quality of submitted document and individual expertise. The contract will only be awarded to a tenderer who clearly proves that they have knowledge, experience and expertise which match at least 70% of the selection criteria.

Contact Details

Please send bids to Fabrizio De Angelis, Policy Officer, European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD): fabrizio.deangelis@easpd.eu

Data Privacy Statement      

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