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, and 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 Social Inclusion Department of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth. 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:

1.Participatory local planning through preparation of community development plans and implementation of small scale infrastructure projects in areas inhabited by Roma and Egyptian communities;

2. Strengthening Roma and Egyptian civil society capacity to combat discrimination and improve their successful participation in financial support schemes.

 3. Job and entrepreneurship promotion for R&E Communities through provision of vocational training and assistance to businesses run by Roma and Egyptian people.

 4. Support the implementation and monitoring of the Roma Decade Action Plan by strengthening capacities of the Social Inclusion Directorate at MoSWY and facilitating access of Roma and Egyptian communities to the Office of Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination.

 5. 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Upgrade the existing monitoring and reporting system ( RomAlb system) based on the framework of the new 2015-2020 Action Plan for Integration of Roma and Egyptian Communities

The existing www.RomAlb.org monitoring and reporting system previously piloted to monitor the implementation of the Roma Decade Action Plan will be adjusted as per the new indicators of the newly developed Action Plan for Integration of Roma and Egyptian Communities 2015-2020.  The monitoring and reporting system will be upgraded in close consultation with inter-ministerial committee, the body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Action Plan, MoSWY, line ministries, as well as regional councils and other local authorities. The reporting system will contain among others, an upgraded results framework, including a performance targeting and performance Monitoring Plan (PMP), as well as a structured data collection and analysis system, allowing for comparing inputs against indicator targets. All these elements will be entered into an electronic system which will be managed by the Social Inclusion Department at MoSWY. Data from both central and local institutions will be entered regularly in the system and the latter will generate relevant charts and reports.  The RomAlb system is an integral part of the Action Plan for Integration of Roma and Egyptian communities and will be utilized by Social Inclusion Department at MoSWY and their counterparts in line ministries for preparing the progress report on the implementation of the anticipated measures.

Tasks:

  • Prepare the work plan with the proposed activities necessary to achieve the required results related to preparation of the new web-based data collection system, provision of assistance to local and central authorities;
  • Prepare upgraded results framework and Indicators Reference Sheets as per indicators of the new Action Plan for Integration of Roma and Egyptian communities, including a performance targeting and monitoring plan, as well as a structured data collection and analysis system, allowing for comparing inputs against indicator targets;
  • Liaison with IT expert for upgrading the RomAlb web-based data collection system capable of collecting data efficiently from local units and line ministries; processing the data and generate reports and indicators; as well as disseminating timely, relevant and accurate information to all interested parties. The system upgrade shall include proper arrangements for access control, data entering from various users, data quality check, as well as for preparation of template reports and reflect any input received during previous piloting phase;
  • Provide assistance to relevant public authorities at both central and local level for introducing and operating the newly upgraded RomAlb web-based reporting and monitoring system;
  • Organize and deliver  8 consultative workshop  with some 150 responsible officials at local level and line ministries, identified as users of the electronic system;
  • Introduce the newly upgraded and operationalized system   to inter-ministerial committee and Focal Points for Roma in ministries (1 workshop);
  • Assist central and local authorities to enter data into the established web-based system as per the requirements of the indicators.

Outputs/deliverables:

  • Methodology for 8 consultative workshops  on the RomAlb data collection and reporting system, with central and local authorities;
  • Performance Monitoring Plan including Indicators Reference Sheets for all new Action Plan for Roma and Egyptian communities indicators which should be  linked with the RomAlb web-based data collection system. The latter jointly designed with IT expert with proper arrangements for access control, data entering from various users, data quality check as well as for preparation of template reports, with detailed instructions on how to be operated by local and central government partners;
  • Training modules and sessions delivered for 8 workshops on the newly upgraded system to be organized with central and local government partners, documented in one comprehensive training report.
  • Newly upgraded and operationalized system reflecting comments and input received by local and central authorities;
  • Final report on the tasks performed based on the work plan, accompanied with copies of all above mentioned outputs;

Competencies

  • Ability to work collaboratively with other staff  members of the 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.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Client orientation: consider all those to whom services are provided to be ‘clients’ and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view.
  • Strong ability to develop databases to be used for reporting and monitoring purposes.
  • Excellent IT skills in creating database with socio-economic data to be utilized for monitoring the National Action Plan.
  • Proven training skills on data management, and the monitoring and reporting system in relation to public authorities.

 Academic Qualifications/Education:

  • Advanced degree in Computer Science, Informatics, IT, data analysis and management or related fields;

 Experience:

  • At least 10 years of experience in Developing Databases, for private and public sectors Experience of work in vulnerable groups, particularly in Roma / Egyptians.
  • Previous experience/familiarity with UNDP and / or other UN agencies is an asset.

 Language skills:

  • Full working knowledge of English and Albanian.

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 IT skills in developing databases to be used for reporting and monitoring purposes) – 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 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

 *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.