Background

Albania’s progress in recent years in respecting and promoting gender equality is highlighted in a series of international commitments as well as domestic legal and policy development and implementation. With UN assistance the Government of Albania revised and approved National Strategy on Gender Equality and against Gender-Based and Domestic Violence (2011-2015).
Addressing and reducing gender based violence, particularly domestic violence, is one of the strategic priorities of this Strategy. Under this priority, the Government of Albania Plan of Action contains specific activities aimed at involving men and boys in combating gender-based violence.
To support Albania’s international commitments and national priorities to ensure international human rights standards, promoting gender equality and combating gender-based violence, UNFPA, UNDP and UN Women, in coordination with Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities and in implementation of Government of Albania - United Nations Programme of Cooperation 2012-2016, will develop a plan and support activities for involvement of men and boys in combating gender-based violence.
 
Although UN agencies have supported many awareness activities against violence against women in the past, some more focus on men and boys is necessary to make real progress in changing societal attitude towards domestic violence and ultimately in reducing prevalence and severity of the phenomenon. Awareness activities primarily targeting women, although important to increase their knowledge of their rights and available remedies against violence may also have the potential to backfire, if not balanced with activities targeting men and boys. While women are empowered to claim their rights, respect for their dignity, demand a voice in family decisions and become more independent, this may be perceived as a threat to traditional division of roles and stereotyped position of men and women in the family. This, in turn, may result in escalation of intensity and severity of domestic violence, with a view to “teach women a lesson and put them at their proper place”. At the same time, if advocacy against domestic violence is primarily done by women, men tend to disregard and pay little attention to their messages. In a patriarchal context, the same messages, if conveyed by male figures, particularly ones that are role models for others, are more likely to reach male audiences.

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall objective of the assignment is to provide assistance to the Government and the UN in designing a comprehensive Plan on Men and Boys involvement against gender based violence to be jointly implemented with UN agencies and national partners in Albania. In order to better address this issue and engage men and boys as allies in promoting gender equality and combating gender-based violence, UNFPA and UNDP will hire an international consultant to support and work closely with a national consultant (to be hired by UN Women) and in close consultations with local partners to develop a plan with concrete steps with a view to better involve and make men and boys partners in combating GBV, to engage them in awareness raising activities and to increase their capacities in advocating for gender equality, women’s rights and eradication of gender-based and domestic violence.
Specifically, the international consultant will be tasked with the following:
  • Liaise with the local consultant and UN agencies in Albania to develop a consultancy plan with specific tasks and division of labour between the two consultants, pointing out the specific timeline. This consultancy plan will indicate the time and purpose of the field missions (up to two) of the international consultant to Albania.
  • Develop tools (questionnaires, checklists) for identifying potential local partners and for an assessment of the situation in the country related to GBV and male involvement;
  • Conduct a desk review of documents regarding men and boys’ involvement, particularly highlighting international best practices and a reflection on how these could be implemented in Albania.
  • Organise, together with the local expert, consultations with UN, Government and other local partners that have the potential to work on men and boys engagement in combating violence against women and domestic violence. These consultations may serve two purposes: a) gather input for the National Plan; and b) raise awareness of opinion-shapers, human rights activists, and decision-makers on the importance of combating gender stereotypes, inequalities, discrimination and violence and particularly on the necessity of men and boys’ engagement in this quest.
  • Finalise a National Plan for Men and Boys’ Engagement against GBV and DV, containing an analysis of the country’s situation, potential application of international best practices, main strategic directions for UN and GoA interventions on the men and boys’ engagement, suggested shorter and longer term actions, appropriate timelines and potential partners, as well as illustrative, creative tools and means to reach a male audience.
  • Train a group of NGO activists and other men and boys willing to engage in combating violence against women, on strategies and techniques to advocate against GBV and DV and in support of women’s rights for different types of audiences. UN agencies will then continue to rely on this group for further implementation of the National Plan for Men and Boys’ Engagement against GBV and DV.    
  • Upon finalization of the consultancy, prepare a final consultancy report, highlighting work performed, timesheet, challenges faced, lessons learned and recommendations for future similar interventions.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:
  • Strong commitment and contribution in advancement of women’s rights and achievement of gender equality;
  • Deep understanding of patriarchy and the beliefs that keep this system alive as well as strong knowledge of the philosophy, practices and ways to transform this society into one that considers gender equality as paramount.
  • Experience working with the UN is an asset;
  • Strong writing and communication skills in English;
  • Excellent research, analytical, writing and presentation skills;
  • Integrity, professionalism, sound judgment;
  • Culturally sensitiveness;
  • Critical thinking;
  • Creativeness.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:
  • Master’s or higher education degree in social sciences, preferably gender studies, communications or similar.
Experience:
  • At least 7 years of professional experience in training, policy/programme development, research or civil society; activism on gender equality, gender-based violence, women’s rights and non-discrimination;
  • Previous experience in men and boys’ engagement in combatting gender based violence;
  • Previous experience in professional publications;
  • International experience in policy advice, capacity development, coaching and mentoring;
  • Good knowledge and understanding of the United Nations System and particularly the role and mandate of UNDP and UNFPA is desired.
Language skills:
  • Fluency in English (main working language);
  • Knowledge of other UN languages is considered an asset.
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 will be considered for the Financial Evaluation. 
Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points:
Criteria A: Relevant education background – max points: 10
Criteria B: Relevant work experience, capacity development, policy advice, advocacy, research, publications etc. on human rights, equality or GBV – max points: 15
Criteria C: Previous experience with men and boys engagement – max points: 10
Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 15 points

Application procedures
Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:
  • A brief presentation explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position, to be entered in the first part of "Resume and Motivation" (max 1000 characters)
  • Your word format resume in the following box, under"Resume and Motivation".
  • Completed Personal History form - blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc)
  • 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, financial proposal and cover letter, if applicable, 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. Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director.Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://europeandcis.undp.org/home/jobs
Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply. Due to large number of aplications we receive, only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.