Background

Although the Government of Albania has been successfully implementing important political, social and economic reforms and the percentage of Albanians living below the poverty line fell from 25, 4% in 2002 to 18, 5% in 2005, Roma and Egyptian (R&E) minority have been all but excluded from the benefits of economic expansion. Regardless of their recognition as minority, Roma and Egyptians are both marginalized and socially excluded communities. A 2011 UNDP Needs Assessment Study shows that 90% of R%E do not have regular working contracts and do not pay social insurance, 42% of Roma and 24% of Egyptians do not possess health cards, 40.3 % Roma and 12.7 % Egyptians are illiterate while 45 % of Roma and 38% of Egyptians live in extremely poor housing conditions.
Supporting the Social Inclusion of Roma and Egyptian Communities ( SSIREC) project that is funded through a contribution agreement with European Commission aims to further improve the social inclusion of most vulnerable communities consisting of Roma and Egyptians in Albania, with focus in the regions of Berat, Korça, and Vlora. This will be achieved through the improvement of living conditions of R&E communities through Community Upgrading Projects (CUP), capacity building activities aimed to Roma & Egyptian CSOs, support measures targeting Roma & Egyptian entrepreneurs, and assistance to the Roma Technical Secretariat of the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. All of the above will be supported by a comprehensive communication and visibility strategic plan. The methodology selected is based on hands-on support to active participation in community activities and businesses required and selected by the beneficiaries.
The results of the project affecting the target group, are expected to be the following:
  • Participatory local planning through preparation of community development plans and implementation of small scale infrastructure projects in areas inhabited by Roma and Egyptian communities;
  • Strengthening Roma and Egyptian civil society capacity to combat discrimination and improve their successful participation in financial support schemes.
  • Job and entrepreneurship promotion for R&E Communities through provision of vocational training and assistance to businesses run by Roma and Egyptian people.
  • Support the implementation and monitoring of the Roma Decade Action Plan by strengthening capacities of the Technical Secretariat for Roma at MoLSAEO and facilitating access of Roma and Egyptian communities to the Office of Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination.
  • Raise awareness of R&E community members about policies, strategies and instruments for their social inclusion as well as advocate and promote their acceptance and integration in the mainstream society.
Purpose of the needs assessment of Roma and Egyptian individuals on Employment and Entrepreneurship:
SSIREC Project, through this activity aims to obtain a clear and all-encompassing view of the economic and business environment surrounding the Roma and Egyptian communities, identify the main Roma and Egyptian business actors, their profile and the kind of support needed to them. This assessment will be based on two pillars of income generation: the employment and business activity. Both need to be analysed as a main vector towards social inclusion.
An assessment methodology is to be constructed and data is to be collected by liaising with main stakeholders such as employers, businesses, individuals, VET schools, local government, Chamber of Commerce etc. The gathered date should be reflected in the final document and provide a clear view of the employment and entrepreneurship reality as well as highlight the main sectors where Roma and Egyptian communities and businesses are active, the constraints they face in their work, recommend ways to overcome them as well as propose innovative methods to tackle the employment and entrepreneurship issues. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the SSIREC Project Manager, the qualified consultant will be responsible for conducting a needs assessment of vocational trainings and entrepreneurship needs and opportunities for Roma and Egyptian communities in the regions of Korca, Berat and Vlora, with the view of identifying effective and sustainable approaches for increasing employability and entrepreneurship initiatives of Roma and Egyptian individuals/businesses. The assessment will provide a detailed view of the main sectors where Roma/Egyptian communities are active, the constrains they face in their work and suggest ways how to overcome them..The assessment will also provide concrete implementation recommendations to supporting and coaching the R/E businesses and to promoting employment by taking into account the best local professional expertise of the VET and job promotion service providers.
In specific terms, the qualified consultant is responsible for the following:
Prepare the assessment methodology and the work plan with the proposed activities necessary to successfully conduct a needs assessment of Roma and Egyptian individuals on Employment and Entrepreneurship in the regions of Korca, Berat and Vlora. This methodology and work plan will be consulted with the Project Manager of SSIREC Project;
  • Review all existing sources, related to the employment situation of Roma and Egyptian community members. i.e. surveys, studies, reports, National Action Plan on Roma, as well as relevant legal framework for setting up & running a business, the relevant policies , and the community mobility;
  • Collect information on the existing programmes related to promotion of employment provided by MOLSAEO and related access level of the target group, entrepreneurship and vocational trainings, implemented by other partner organization as well as those previously implemented by UNDP;
  • Collect data through face to face interviews and focus groups with central and local authorities in three regions, staff of SSIREC, Roma and Egyptian community members, as well as provide a profile of the institutions/ agencies / companies which may potentially employ and or offer VET to Roma and Egyptian individuals;
  • Analyze the above with regards to European Union accession policies as related to the Employment, Social Policies and Human Resource Development”;
  • Analyze the information and data collected and prepare the draft assessment report;
  • Present the assessment report to UNDP/SSIREC Project Manager and incorporate therein relevant comments provided;
Outputs/deliverables:
  • Development of the methodology for conducting a needs assessment of Roma and Egyptian individuals on Employment and Entrepreneurship in the regions of Korca, Berat and Vlora;
  • Develop a well-structured questionnaire for main stakeholders;
  • Draft assessment report presented for comments at UNDP within 1.5 months from the date of commencement;
  • Final assessment report with relevant analysis and recommendations finalized, reflecting comments provided

Competencies

  • Ability to work collaboratively with other staff members of the SSIREC Project.
  • Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with national partners and pro-activeness in identifying of beneficiaries and partners’ needs, and matching them to appropriate solutions.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to pose questions, listen, evaluate and capture opinions, suggestions and comments, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different stakeholders.
  • Good understanding of social inclusion of Roma / Egyptians and overall development issues in Albania.
  • An understanding of the needs of different client groups by applying a non-judgmental attitude.
  • Former expertise in needs assessment & monitoring & evaluation methodology will be an asset

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:
  • Masters degree in social science, human rights, development studies, or equivalent.
Experience:
  • At least seven years of relevant professional work experience, particularly in programmes for vulnerable groups.
  • Previous experience/familiarity with UNDP and / or other UN agencies is an asset. 
Language requirements:
  • Excellent working knowledge of English and Albanian.
Other qualifications:
  • Strong ability to design and implement trainings on community development plans in the regions of Korca, Berat and Vlora.
  • Excellent research skills.
  • Proven training skills on promoting partnership abilities in implementing joint small community projects.
  • Client oriented: consider all those to whom services are provided to be ‘clients’ and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view.
  • Knowledge of EU financial assistance to Albania will be an asset.
Evaluation of Applicants
Individual consultant 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 points: 70
  • Criteria A: Professional Experience including research skills – max points: 35
  • Criteria B: Educational Background– max points: 15
  • Criteria C: Trainings skills in data management – max points: 20
Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max points: 30
 
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.  Please paste the letter into the first section "Resume and Motivation" of the electronic application. *Please, state briefly the reasons why you think you are an outstanding candidate for this job (maximum 1000 characters)
  • A brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work. Please type or paste the brief methodology (not the resume as indicated in the application) in the second section of "Resume and Motivation" of the electronic application.
  • Completed Personal History form for SCs and ICs- blank form to be Downloaded here  . 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).
    • Please, merge your completed Personal History form and financial proposal into a single file and upload when you click ‘Submit Application’
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...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. 
Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.
Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.