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. Vulnerable groups, including 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. 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.
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.
Support for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will have a special focus in the programme. While the policy level work will target mainstreaming disability issues in the common policies, legislation and programmes, capacity support interventions will address a wide range of government and non-government partners at national and local level to be able to carry out the country’s commitment towards more inclusive policies for people with disabilities.
Objective of the assignment
Albania ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in December 2012. The CRPD is a legally binding international human rights convention that has automatically become part of Albanian law after ratification.
CRPD clarifies the obligations on State parties to promote, protect and ensure the rights of persons with disabilities (including civil, cultural, economic, political and social human rights); establish national frameworks for monitoring and implementing the CRPD; consult with persons with disabilities through their representative organizations when developing and enacting legislation and policies implementing the CRPD and in respect of all policy matters affecting the lives of persons with disabilities.
In the meanwhile, the issues of disability constitute a serious development challenge in Albania that requires urgent response. Persons with disabilities are not yet fully included in Albanian society, whether in political, social or economic life. Inclusive employment, education and services are still scarce in the country. Challenges also remain in ensuring accessibility not only of buildings and public spaces but also of transport and technology.
UNSSIA programme’s support to the Government of Albania with regard to the CRPD will mainly consist in assisting the responsible institutions to adopt policies and legislation to promote the human rights of persons with disabilities; mainstream the rights of persons with disabilities in all policies and programmes; ensure that the public and private sectors respect the rights of persons with disabilities; ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities; promote training on the rights of the CRPD to professionals and staff who work with persons with disabilities; consult with and involve persons with disabilities in developing and implementing legislation and policies and in decision-making processes that concern them.
The core part of such support revolves around technical assistance obtained through national and international consultancies, often required to conduct desk reviews, undertake research studies and build capacities of national and local relevant stakeholders.
To ensure a large and qualified pool of experts in disability-related issues, UNDP/UNSSIA envisages to organize a Training of Trainers (TOT) for a number of professionals from different backgrounds (such as law, social sciences, economy, statistics, administration, civil engineering, etc.), to equip them with knowledge on the CRPD content, skills and abilities on its implementation in various spheres of life combined with training and facilitation techniques.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the UNDP Programme Analyst for Social Inclusion, and the direct supervision of the National Programme Manager for the UNSSIA Programme, the international consultant will be responsible for the following:
- Become familiar with the Albanian legal, policy and institutional framework related to the disability issues
- Assist UNDP/UNSSIA team with establishing eligibility criteria for those who will be invited to apply because interested to be trainers/experts on disability-related issues;
- Screen, jointly with UNDP/UNSSIA team, the submitted applications based on the review of candidates’ CVs and the agreed eligibility criteria;
- Design the training curricula and manual for the group of selected trainer/expert candidates. The training shall aim for both training & facilitation techniques and key aspects of the CRPD, with a special focus on the social model approach of disability, accessibility, the concept of independent living, supported decision making, new ways of assessing persons with disabilities, assistance and personal assistants, inclusive education, inclusive employment, family life, accessible & inclusive human rights and monitoring;
- Design the training outline and agenda and identify the accessibility-related requirements regarding the training delivery;
- Conduct 5-day training for the group of various professionals by demonstrating flexibility and adaptability to the needs and requests of participants;
- Prepare an assignment report underlining the overall objectives and methodology and a summary of the training outcomes and lessons learned with conclusions and recommendations for training follow-up.
Deliverables:
- Inception report including the initial outline of the training curricula for potential disability trainers/experts and the suggested work plan and timeline;
- A document proposing the eligibility criteria for applicants interested to become trainers/experts on disability issues;
- The training curricula, manual, outline and agenda for potential disability trainers of various background;
- Conduct of 5-day training for potential trainers/experts on disability issues;
- An assignment report.
All outputs will be agreed with and approved by UNDP/UNSSIA team.
Time-lines/Schedule
The work is expected to be completed within 27 working days over a period of 3 months from the contract signature date. The inception report shall be submitted within two weeks from the contract signature.
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 disability issues, human rights, social inclusion and international development
- Good understanding of Albanian key documents on persons with disabilities;
- Proven excellent analytical, communication, public speaking and presentation skills;
- Creativity skills;
- Excellent inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking attitude;
- Capacity to deliver as per deadlines;
- Displays disability, gender, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Postgraduate degree in social sciences, law or other related fields.
Work Experience:
- Minimum ten years experience in designing and implementing policies and programmes with relevance to disability issues;
- Significant experience in designing and conducting training for various stakeholders;
- Experience in providing expertise to governments on promoting disability rights;
- Relevant experience with UN Agencies or other international organizations would be appreciated;
- Relevant experience in Albania would be highly appreciated.
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 training programmes with relevance to disability issues – max points: 30;
- Criteria B: Educational background– max points: 15;
- Criteria C: Analytical, communication, public speaking and presentation skills – max points: 25;
- 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 "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
- Filled P11 form for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs) - blank form Download 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).
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.