Background

The Law no. 80/2015 "On higher education and scientific research in institutions of higher education in the Republic of Albania" was approved in 2015. It is the baseline of a reform that aims to increase the education quality as per the European Higher Education Area standards, to provide equal opportunities, without discrimination, and support to vulnerable people, free competition among higher education institutions, academic personnel and students. It intends to provide opportunities to everyone, based on meritocracy and support for strategic priorities for the development of the country through scientific research. The objectives of reform include the quality improvement in two directions, teaching and scientific research. This reform provides, inter alia, the methods of financing higher education and increases institutional autonomy of institutions of higher education, both in financial and academic perspective. For the law to be properly functional, it needs to be accompanied by a series of bylaws to be approved as Decisions of the Council of Ministers, upon the proposal of the Ministry of Education and Sport, and Instructions of the minister responsible for education.

The work in support of the implementation of higher education reform – as outlined in the project document signed between UNDP and MoES have a dual character. Not only it focuses on completing the legal framework and ensuring that any lessons from other European countries that have gone through this reform is considered. Bylaws will consider the establishment of institutions/agencies that will start to function under the new law on higher education as well as academic organization and standards. All this work will be preceded by a thorough stock taking and needs assessment that will lead to the articulation of appropriate legal actions and outputs. At the same time, adequate attention will be paid to feedback mechanisms and consultations that will be carried out in several levels: (i) consultations with the MoES; (ii) consultations with interested institutions; (iii) consultations with students; (iv) conferences and workshops.

The basis of the reform was the concept that public education is a public good; also, it aimed at improvements of standards in both teaching and research. As outlined by the higher education law, the reform is going to be implemented through a series of institutions, which will regulate all different aspects of the higher education system, and ensure its efficient roll out. Tracking students’ careers is one point of the HE reform, which leaves more autonomy to the Universities and at the same time strengthens the coordination role of the Ministry of Education and Sports.

The Albanian Academic Network (RASH) is the National Research and Education Network, established in 2007. RASH aims to improve higher education quality and upgrade the organization of academic research. Its mission is to offer modern services over the network for public universities and research institutions. The network itself has been built so to be easily expandable, allowing new entities to be connected in the future. RASH has recently joined GÉANT Association, the pan-European backbone connecting Europe’s national research and education networking organizations (NREN). The RASH constitutes a strategic element for the Higher Education in Albania and so for the Ministry of Education and Sports and the reform’s implementation. The capacity of developing Information Technology applications and services serves as a link between the academic world, the sphere of research and the world of Public Administration.

Duties and Responsibilities

An international consultant will be tasked with providing capacity support to RASH for defining a medium-term financial and technical sustainability report.

The purpose of the consultant’s work will be:

  1. Define RASH objectives for the future;
  2. Define the economic and organizational model RASH will aim at. A preliminary study on costs and revenues will be the basis of this task. The study will include an assessment of infrastructures’ equipment; a description of new products that will be added to the products’ list; an assessment of operational organization and control management, division of human resources in the different units. The process of reaching the envisioned model will require progressive steps; the consultant will identify and describe each one of them.
  3. Design the structure of the IT system linking primary school to university, which will follow the formal education path of each student. The system will constitute a Registry of the Student, recoding for each one of them formal education titles achieved (primary school license, high school diploma, bachelor degree, master degree, PhD) as well as all certified skills, formal or non-formal (lifelong learning).

A preliminary visit in Tirana (three days) to assess needs and collect data will constitute part of the assignment. The consultant will work from remote and the built model will be presented and discussed during a second and final mission in Tirana (two days). Applicants are encouraged to define in the proposal the audience they envisage participating in the final presentation, as well as the methodology that will be adopted (e.g. roundtable, validation workshop, other).

RASH will ensure close collaboration and guidance all along the assignment. All activities will be planned and organized conjunctly by the consultant and RASH. 

Deliverables

The expected deliverables for this individual consultancy will be as follows:

  • A programmatic document on medium-term horizon, a “Charter of objectives” for RASH;
  • A roadmap document, including the organizational model planned for RASH; an assessment of current financial, technical and organizational state of the network; description, step by step, of organizational developments foreseen; 
  • A document designing the architecture of the Registry of the Student IT system, based on successful examples from European countries.

Competencies

Core Competencies

  • Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
  • Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgement;
  • Self-development, initiative-taking;
  • Act as a team player and facilitate team work;
  • Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
  • Creating synergies through self-control;
  • Managing conflict;
  • Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
  • Informed and transparent decision-making.

Functional Competencies

  • Strong communication skills (written, spoken, composing, presentation);
  • Substantive knowledge of the different software systems’ supply chains;
  • Prior experience in developing IT systems for Education and Research;
  • Awareness of the Albanian University system, of another European University system, and of a European university education model adopted in Albania;
  • Knowledge of the software systems and services used in the school education sector to bridge this with the University system;
  • Knowledge of the Education Ministry’s IT systems employed in the supervision of universities, education quality and data Collection;
  • Significant knowledge of consortiums in the university area and research sectors;
  • Political and cultural sensitivity and commitment to UNDP’s development objectives in the country.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications

  • Master degree in Engineering, Computer Sciences or Economics

Work Experience

  • Minimum 15 years of relevant professional experience in the field of IT;
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in managerial positions in IT/technical areas with technical/economic management tasks on:
    • Multiyear business plan definition
    • Annual and multiyear budget forecast allocation
    • Sharing cost Models
    • Steering departments composed of at least 50 resources with large dedicated budget, defining results to be achieved and setting periodic reports on progresses and actual gaps
    • Managing software systems and IT services’ vendor departments
    • Steering complex IT big value projects
    • Experience in international projects;
  • Prior solid experience in management of technical departments focused on software systems and IT services’ supply to the universities is highly desirable.

Language

  • Full working knowledge of English is essential.

 

Evaluation Procedure

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 whose offer:

  • Is deemed technically responsive / compliant / acceptable (only technically responsive applications / candidates will be considered for the financial evaluation)
  • And has obtained the highest combined technical and financial scores.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max points: 70

Criteria A: Relevant work experience and practical familiarity with IT system development and big IT projects management – max points: 40

Criteria B: Educational background– max points: 15

Criteria C: Workplan and brief methodology on how the consultant intends to carry out this assignment – max points: 15

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max points: 30

 

Application Procedure

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 (if applicable). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
  • Completed and signed UN Personal History Form (P11) for Individual Contracts (IC) – Blank form Download here.
  • Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability - Blank form: http://www.un.org.al/editor-files/file/PSU_%20ICLA.doc.
  • Financial Proposal - specifying a total lump sum amount (working days, travel, per diems, and any other possible costs) for the tasks specified in this announcement. 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 service, etc.). All envisaged international travel costs should be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel .http://www.un.org.al/editor-files/file/Financial%20Offer%20template.doc.
  • Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport

* Kindly note that Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal are two separate documents and should both be part of your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

How to Submit the Application:

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

  • Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs);
  • Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs), Financial Proposal Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
  • Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
  • Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”
  • Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
  • You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

Due to a 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. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.