Background

Under its regional project “Advancing Implementation of UN SCR on Women, Peace and Security in Western Balkans (2011- 2013)”, funded by the government of Norway, UN Women Sub-regional Office in Bratislava has been providing support to national stakeholders in Southeastern Europe in advancing implementation of country commitments towards implementation of the UNSCR 1325. It is the first SCR adopted back in 2000 linking women’s experiences of conflict to peace building and security, and asserts women’s leadership role in conflict resolution, peace and recovery. In order to accelerate the implementation of SCR 1325 a series of follow up Resolutions on women, peace and security have been passed in recent years by the Security Council.
 
Albania has been continuously committed to building and achieving peace and stability in the Balkans.  In 2011, governmental institutions in Albania responsible for the implementation of UN SCR on women, peace and security ((The Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (MOLSAEO), Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the Albanian State Police (ASP) as part of the Ministry of Interior (MoI)) expressed the need for UN Women technical assistance to implement UN SCR1325. The mapping assessment conducted in the autumn of 2011, with the support of the UN Women regional project Advancing the Implementation of UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in Western Balkans, concluded that although Albania has an ambitious policy reform agenda for the medium term, challenges remain that must be addressed in order for the nation to further develop in line with international and EU integration standards. Subsequently, the Albanian governmental institutions responsible for UNSCR 1325 implementation have expressed the need for further technical expertise and assistance of UN Women. 
 
In the framework of the GoA and UN Programme of Cooperation (2012-2016) and the regional project in support to implementation of the UN SCR1325, UN Women in Albania has planned several actions in response to the national partners’ requests as well as the mapping assessment’s recommendations to be implemented during 2012 and 2013.
 
UNSCR 1325 is important not only for recognising the disproportionate and gender-specific impact of conflict on women but also for highlighting the undervalued role of women in the area of security. Specifically, it calls for the ‘increased representation of women at all decision-making levels: in the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict’ (Article1). Increasing female representation within Albanian State Police and especially in decision-making remains one of the main focus activities for the accomplishment of the diversity strategic objective. The introduction and implementation of the temporary special measures to increase women’s participation in the Police and in particular at the recruitment phase, would need to be accompanied by a special policy on harassment at the workplace in general and sexual harassment in particular especially in view of the increasing number of females joining the police as a result of the special measures.
The development and implementation of such policy would contribute towards a safer working environment for women in police and as a result will improve retention and career advancement within the police forces.
 
To respond to the identified need of the Albanian State Police (responsible for the security of the citizens in the country and committed to mainstreaming gender and advancing gender equality in its structures and activity), UN Women will provide technical assistance to develop an internal policy document and related protocol/s against harassment including sexual harassment for a safe working environment within Albanian State Police. Therefore UN Women is seeking to recruit an international consultant who will work in coordination with a national expert to and in close cooperation with the assigned representatives from the Albanian State Police.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:
 
Under the direct supervision of Un women National Programme Coordinator and in close collaboration with the Albanian State Police Diversity specialist, the international consultant with the support of the national consultant will be responsible to develop an internal policy for ASP on harassment at the work place and provide the necessary modules and information materials needed to familiarize the ASP staff as to ensure the proper adherence and implementation. More specifically the international consultant will be tasked with:
 
Tasks and responsibilities:
  • Undertake a situational analysis of the current policy environment to enhance understanding of the dynamics on harassment/safe working environment within ASP;
  • Review all existing relevant policies, procedures and protocols with a view to identify gaps and shortcomings as well as opportunities for improvement; 
  • Conduct consultative meetings with all key actors/stakeholders on how to best develop a policy that would be implementable and effective in serving its purpose of preventing sexual harassment at the work place and guaranteeing a safe working environment for women in police;
  • Formulate the policy document on sexual harassment/safe working environment within ASP and produce a draft;
  • Develop a specific curriculum addressing the issue of “Harassment at the Workplace” to be used for trainings with all police staff;
  • Design and prepare drafts of relevant procedures/protocols to be followed in line with the drafted policy;
  • Validate the draft policy and procedures/protocols document with key actors/stakeholders.
  • Finalize all draft documents and submit to ASP in English and Albanian.
Deliverables:
  • A consultancy work plan that includes timeline and a proposed outline and methodology for conducting the policy development process (to be consulted with and approved by UN Women and ASP representatives), due by 26th October, 2012
  • Draft policy document on sexual harassment/safe working environment within ASP, due by 6th November, 2012
  • Draft procedures/protocol document in accordance with the policy document on sexual harassment/safe working environment within ASP, due by 15th November, 2012
  • Recommendations to ASP on how to make the policy known within the organization and make it accessible to all employees, due by 21st November, 2012
  • Final report on the completed assignment, due by 30th November, 2012
Methodology:
 
The consultant will be expected to develop a work plan and methodology for the training based on desk review, interviews me key staff from ACP and decision-makers, interviews and focus groups with women and men in the police.
Final methodology to be agreed with UN Women and ASP upon start of the consultancy

Competencies

  • Dedication to UN values and ethical standards;
  • Demonstrates professional competence and efficiency in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Display cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability. 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • University degree in law, human resources or related discipline.
Experience:
  • At least 5 years of relevant work experience, particularly in the area of human resources, public administration, preferably in the security sector; Substantive knowledge of women’s human rights and sexual harassment/safe working environment issues;
  • Excellent analytical skills and experience in conducting policy-drafting processes;
  • Previous experience with UN Women and/or other international organizations in conducting relevant work is an asset;
  • Previous experience with Albanian State Police is an asset.
Language Skills:
  • Fluency in English (spoken and written).
Evaluation of Applicants:
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
 
Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
 
Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:
  • Criteria  Education: max 10 points
  • Criteria Work experience in the field of human resources, diversity and non-discrimination preferably in the security sector: max 25 points
  • Criteria Knowledge of women’s human rights and sexual harassment/safe working environment issues: max 15 points
  • Criteria Analytical skills and Competence in conducting policy-designing processes: max 10 points
  • Criteria Previous experience with UN Women and/or other international organizations in conducting relevant work: max 10 points
Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points
 
Application Procedures:
 
Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:
  • Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (if applicable). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
  • Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees
    (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.unifem.sk/uploads/doc/p11.doc; please upload the P11 instead of your CV).
  • Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days, travel, per diems and any other possible costs).
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials
*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...).