Background

In the broader framework of the joint United Nations’ initiative on social inclusion in Albania, social exclusion is defined as the process whereby certain individuals and groups are pushed to the edge of society and prevented from fully participating in it by virtue of their poverty, lack of access to basic services and opportunities, lack of capabilities, and/or as a result of discrimination. This distances them from job, income and education opportunities as well as from social and community networks and activities.

Albania experienced remarkable economic growth in the past decade. Reforms have been launched in all sectors of the economy as well as in basic services such as education, health and increasingly for social care, insurance and other protection systems. Nevertheless, government structures cannot respond adequately to the needs of marginalized and vulnerable groups due to limited financial and human resources as well as inefficient institutional capacities. Groups at particular risk (people living with HIVAIDS, drug users, prison populations, women survivors of violence and victims of trafficking) as well as children at risk, Roma and Egyptian communities and people with disabilities face multiple barriers to social inclusion.
 
Currently, Albania is preparing new policy documents on Social Inclusion and Social Protection for 2014-2020. These policy documents are an integral part of the National Strategy for Development and Integration (NSDI) 2013-2020 and are responsive to the EU2020 perspective of “Increased Social Inclusion through Development of Labor Market and Social Welfare,” ensuring coherence with the European strategic planning frame in line with the new financial planning period of EU Assistance (IPA 2014-2020).

With respect to vulnerable groups, such policies would articulate the group-specific dimensions and implementation measures necessary to ensure that the strategy is not “blind” to the group specific characteristics.  Furthermore, systems of coordination and evidence based policy response mechanism need to be further established between the central and de-concentrated units of not only the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth (MOSWY) but also of other participating line ministries. Finally, the full accountabilities of government structures cannot be ensured unless further efforts are made at supporting oversight and monitoring structures and strengthening civic engagement and social demand for quality services.
The overall governing structure for social inclusion in Albania is the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Social Inclusion which convenes representatives of line ministries. The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Social Inclusion is headed by the Minister of Social Welfare and Youth. MOSWY is responsible for overall coordination and monitoring of social inclusion policies. As in countries, at similar stages of transition, human resources, budgets, and institutional structures required for the necessary vertical and horizontal integration and coordination of policy responses requires further development. Experience to date indicates that the technical backstopping to the ministerial committee has been short of supporting evidence based policy and decision making.

United Nations Support to Social Inclusion in Albania Programme seeks to support the development of capacities of Albanian institutions at central and local levels for advancing the national social inclusion agenda with a view to ensure that government policies and programmes are consistent and coherent in achieving the maximum possible effect for the social inclusion of people at risk; and, to enhance civil society and citizens’ participation as rights holders in national social inclusion processes.
 
Objective of the assignment

UNDP, in the frame of the “United Nations Support to Social Inclusion in Albania” project, is inviting interested international consultant(s) to apply for the development of a common methodology aimed at identifying the diversity and complexity of profiles of vulnerable and marginalized groups, project, is inviting interested international consultant(s) to apply for the development of a common methodology aimed at identifying the diversity and complexity of profiles of vulnerable and marginalized groups, and shed light on the type of participation barriers that excluded groups face and on processes that lead to inclusion/exclusion.

The knowledge generation support is identified as a main component under this UN Programme emphasizing the need to enhance the capacity of responsible institutions, in particular of MOSWY, for evidence based and improved social inclusion policies.  The proposed interventions will utilize existing and new data to further the social inclusion agenda by providing analysis for exclusion dynamics. The interventions will help establish the means by which ‘evidence’ is gathered and translated into policy- making as well as identify the “set of tools” that will be used in policy monitoring.

Recognizing that disadvantaged groups are not homogeneous, but have rather distinct needs that ought to be addressed, one element of best practice is tailoring all public services to address specific needs. Towards this end, the programme will highlight the significance of strengthening the evidence base at all levels by collecting, analyzing and using disaggregated data of marginalized categories.
 
Thus, within the structure of the UNSSIA team an international consultant will be hired to develop a common methodology in establishing social exclusion profiles of “target groups at particular risk of exclusion”, their access to safety nets and support mechanisms; availability and quality of services (or their lack) and information of what the needs/expectations are; coping mechanism; participation in economic, cultural, political world of work. 

This will be done by using quantitative and qualitative data collected and analyzed from all existing available key information sources such as Population and Housing Census, Agricultural Census, Living Standards Measurement Survey (LSMS), Labour Force Surveys (LFS), Survey of Economic Enterprises and from all administrative sources.

The suggested target groups at particular risk are Roma, Vulnerable Women, Persons with Disabilities, Persons living with HIV, Victims of Trafficking, Drug Users, and Prison Populations, but the identification of the vulnerable and marginalized groups should be further explored by data collection.

The methodology to be developed will provide the framework for data collection for all UN agencies and will build on prior and on-going UN initiatives on social inclusion.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will be in charge of:
  • Indicating key concepts related to “social exclusion profiles”;
  • designing a comprehensive methodology for establishing the social exclusion profiles of at risk populations in Albania;
  • developing all the tools necessary for the implementation, including appropriate/adequate samplings (if implied);
  • instructing how to fine-tune the methodology for responding to the specificities of various target groups;
  • developing major tasks and deliverables of the social exclusion profiles research team;
  • finalization of the methodology instruments;
  • final submission of completed methodology incorporating reviewers' comments.
A series of meetings should also be held with key stakeholders such as line ministries, or other institutions that have a vested interest. Previous programs that have dealt with social exclusion profiles of “target groups at particular risk of exclusion“need to be identified and analyzed in terms of their success and limitations.

The consultant shall submit:
  • The methodology for establishing social exclusion profile in Albania;
  • The set of instruments for exploring both qualitative and quantitative data (such as sampling, questionnaire, explanatory note, tabulations, analysis tips);
  • The outline of terms of reference for the team to conduct the research based on the proposed methodology.
Time-lines/Schedule

The work is anticipated to be completed within 10 working days over a period of two months from the contract signature date. The Consultants shall prepare within 7 days from the contract signature a work plan as well as draft outline for the assignment.

The Work Plan shall take the form of a detailed description of the steps to be followed. This plan will indicate the sequencing and staging of tasks, key decision points, the expected completion date for each task and the interrelationship between the completion of the tasks and the preparation of the outputs.

Competencies

Core competencies and values:
  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
  • Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Display cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional competencies
  • Thorough understanding of human rights, and social inclusion and welfare systems;
  • Good understanding of Albanian key strategic documents guiding the social inclusion of the most at risk populations;
  • Displays disability, gender, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Proven excellent analytical and communication skills;
  • Excellent inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking attitude;
  • Capacity to deliver as per deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Education/Academic Qualification:
  • Postgraduate degree in economics, social sciences, law or other related fields.
Work Experience:
  • Minimum 10 years work experience in designing and implementing research tools and methodologies;
  • Experience in data collection, analysis and presentation;
  • Experience in providing international expertise on development issues;
  • Experience with UN Agencies or other international organizations would be appreciated.
  • Significant experience in research and data management in social inclusion and development issues;
Language requirements:
  • Fluency in written and spoken English
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:
  • Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
  • 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: Expertise in designing and implementing research tools and methodologies specifically in the social inclusion field – max points: 35;
  • Criteria B: Educational Background– max points: 25;
  • Criteria C: Proficient analytical and writing skills – max points: 10;
  • 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 and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work). 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.undp.org.al/index.php?page=bus_center/vacancies; 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
UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that would take into account both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their financial proposals. The contract will be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores. UNDP retains the right to contact references directly.  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.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Qualified individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.