Are you interested in exploring how URCS can improve the support for society actors – such as war veterans – by mapping out the main challenges and opportunities in Ukraine? Then you might be the consultant we are looking for!
Background
Ukraine faces an unprecedented challenge in reintegrating a rapidly growing veteran population. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the number of veterans has surged to over 1.2 million and is projected to reach up to five million by the war’s end. Reintegration is not only essential for the well-being of these individuals but also a fundamental requirement for national stability, economic recovery, and social cohesion.
In addition, veterans and their families face bureaucratic barriers when attempting to access government benefits and services. Complex administrative procedures often delay much-needed financial aid, healthcare, and employment support. Veterans are a particularly vulnerable group, requiring a trust-building process with service providers and close coordination with state institutions. Families of veterans and fallen soldiers, including widows and children, require targeted interventions to help them manage the long-term consequences of war.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to guide URCS in defining its strategic and operational role in supporting veterans, their families, and the communities to which they return. As Ukraine faces an unprecedented scale of reintegration needs, URCS seeks to better understand how it can position itself—both within the national systems and services and in relation to national and international non-government and civil society actors and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement —to offer complementary, relevant, and principled support.
Specifically, the study aims to map existing actors, services, and gaps in veteran-related programming at the community, regional and national level identifying where URCS can complement existing efforts. It will also define possible niches, roles, and approaches for URCS engagement, both within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and in collaboration with external stakeholders.
Core program areas of veteran support
Ukraine’s national strategy for supporting veterans is structured around several key program areas. These include social protection benefits, such as monthly and annual financial payments, subsidies for housing and utilities, pension entitlements, and various tax exemptions. These benefits aim to provide financial security and stability to veterans and their families.
A major focus is also placed on rehabilitation and adaptation, which includes access to mental health services, vocational training, and the provision of prosthetics and other assistive devices. These services are essential to help veterans recover from the physical and psychological impacts of war and reintegrate into civilian life.
While the Ukrainian government has launched multiple initiatives to support veterans, the sheer scale of the issue demands a broader response involving a diverse range of organizations. The coordination among different ministries presents certain challenges that require a complementary and streamlined approach.
Target groups
The primary target groups for the study consist of veterans, their families and caregivers, and communities that receive veterans. The secondary target groups include key institutions and service providers to veterans and their families, URCS NC, URCS regional organizations and local branches who work with veterans.
For the purpose of this study, veterans will be defined as in the national legislation of Ukraine:
- A war veteran is a person who participated in the defense of the Motherland or in hostilities on the territory of other states. War veterans include participants in hostilities, persons with disabilities as a result of war, and war participants (Article 4 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Status of War Veterans, Guarantees of Their Social Protection”).
Duration of consultancy
Duration: August 2025 – October 2025 (tentative).
Approximately 40 working days, with approximately 15 days in the field.
Geographical scope of consultancy
In Ukraine (comprising 24 Oblasts and Kyiv city), the consultant has the flexibility to suggest an appropriate sampling approach for location selection based on the response and programmatic volume and intensity outline in discussions.
Methodology
The consultant is expected to develop, consult and finalize the methodology to be used for delivering on the objectives of the positioning study with support from URCS. The consultant should utilize the following, but not limited to, methods for data collection and analysis:
- Desk review relying on secondary data such as existing national strategies, assessments, studies, reports and quantitative data sets. This desk review will include documents provided by the URCS, but the consultant should also conduct an independent search for documents to cover any information gaps.
- Stakeholder mapping and analysis including roles, responsibilities, areas of coverage and potential gaps.
- Key informant interviews (KIIs) with government institutions, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Partners (Partners National Societies, National Societies, IFRC, ICRC), civil society, local leaders, national authorities at district level, thematic experts and staff members from other organizations with relevant expertise.
- Survey/questionnaire and consultations with URCS regional organizations and local branches.
- Selected interviews, group interviews, community meetings with veterans/affected family members/community members in agreement between the consultant and URCS.
- In-person/hybrid presentation and feedback session of main findings.
Deliverables & Schedule
The assignment will take about 40 working days including preparation, data collection, data analysis and production/submission of deliverables, with a tentative end of assignment scheduled in mid-October 2025. The deliverables should be in both Ukrainian and English.
Skills & Qualifications
- A minimum of a master’s degree in social sciences, public policy, development studies, humanitarian affair or a related field.
- A minimum of 5 years’ extensive experience in carrying out comprehensive research studies, needs assessments, evaluations, or similar assignments.
- Good understanding of programming, disability, and gender inclusion.
- Proven experience in participatory and results-based M&E knowledge and practical experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods including survey design, stakeholder mapping, key informant interviews, and thematic analysis.
- High level of professionalism and the ability to work independently and in high-pressure situations under tight deadlines.
- Experience working on issues related to veteran support, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), disability inclusion, social reintegration, or community resilience is highly desirable.
- Strong interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills. Fluency in written and spoken Ukrainian and familiarity with local cultural dynamics and institutional setup is a must.
- The lead consultant must have strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings, draw practical conclusions, present findings clearly, formulate practical, evidence-based recommendations and to prepare well-written reports and presentations in a timely manner.
- For firms: must be legally registered to operate in Ukraine and have a verifiable track record of delivering similar assignments.
- Availability during the specified period (August–October 2025) to carry out the assignment and complete all deliverables on time.
Application procedures
For any specific questions regarding the consultancy, please write to Senior P-MEAL delegate Mathew Vicknair at mavic@rodekors.dk
Your application and CV should be uploaded at DRC web page Career I Røde Kors. Applications made by email will not be accepted. The deadline for applications is the 4th of August at 12 pm. Interviews are expected to take place immediately thereafter.
Application materials should be submitted in English, and should include:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover letter clearly summarizing your experience as it pertains to this evaluation, daily consultancy fees inclusive of rate for the national consultant (as relevant), and three professional references.
- Applicants will be required to provide a 2-4-page approach paper with review methodology and two samples of previous written reports most similar to that described in this ToR.
- Financial proposal: It is expected that the consultant submit an indicative financial bid for the human resources involved (with daily rates) including the full cost of interpretation costs (if needed), as well as any other associated costs.
For further information see the full text: Terms of Reference.
Application materials are non-returnable, and we thank you in advance for understanding that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next step in the application process. Please take note that incomplete applications will be rejected.
We look forward to hearing from you!
How to apply
Apply through the following page: Positioning Study