Antecedentes

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 face multiple barriers to social inclusion.

Government of 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 (UNSSIA) 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. The programme adopts a mainstreaming approach of Roma issues throughout all its components. 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. UNSSIA Programme will provide a stronger evidential basis for future reforms and a framework for longitudinal and comparative monitoring of progress on social inclusion.

In this context, UNDP is looking for the services of senior international consultants to conduct an Analysis on Roma population in Albania based primarily on the 2011 Population and Housing Census, Living Standards Measurement Survey (LSMS), and Labour Force Surveys (LFS).

Purpose of the assignment

In Albania the living and economic conditions of Roma are particularly deplorable. They are clearly the most excluded segments of society. Roma appear to be systematically excluded from social housing schemes, economic benefits and most other social services. Recognizing that roma population have distinct needs that ought to be addressed, the USSIA programme highlight the use of disaggregated data for analysis, planning, budgeting, outreach, and monitoring is established as one of the prerequisites for their social inclusion.

To this end, UNDP/UNSSIA programme intends to conduct an in-depth analysis on the situation of Roma population in Albania by using all existing available key information sources such as the 2011 Population and Housing Census, Living Standards Measurement Survey (LSMS), and Labour Force Surveys (LFS). The work will be carried out in close cooperation with Albanian Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) which will provide access to unit record and raw data to carry out the necessary manipulations and analyses of data. Preparation of the dataset, cleaning and processing will be carried out by a local expert, under the guidance and support of the international consultant.

The ultimate goal of this undertaking is to provide scientific evidence that can inform policy makers to design policies and programs that respond to the needs and priorities of the Roma community. In the long run, these efforts will combat poverty, inequality and social exclusion; they will promote equal opportunities and enhance the well-being of the Roma community.

Deberes y responsabilidades

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 perform the following tasks:

• Become familiar with Census 2011 on Population and Housing in Albania results and other related studies including the LSMS and LFS findings on roma community in Albania;
• Develop a detailed work plan and related timeline for the study, in consultation with a local expert hired for this purpose, INSTAT and UNDP. Agree on outline, schedule of work, completion of draft, review and final submission of the study;
• Draft the detailed methodology to conduct the analysis;
• Analyze 2011 Census, LSMS and LFS data on roma population with a view to provide information on the situation of roma people in Albania and how they differ from the rest of the population.

The international consultant (and the local expert) will work closely with INSTAT and make use of their data archive for:

• Demographic aspects of roma population in Albania;
• Economic and social characteristics of roma population;
• Family and living conditions of roma population;
• Concentration of Roma communities in various localities;
• Migratory movements of Roma population (nature and direction).

All data should be disaggregated by (a) sex, (b) age, (c) place of residence, (d) marital status, (e) birth, (f) death, (g) education, (h) economic activity, (i) employment status, (j) industry, (k) occupation, and (l) type and size of household and any other relevant dimensions of difference where appropriate.

• Present the draft report and the final version of the study, including incorporation of reviewers' comments as necessary;
• Participate in virtual dialogue and meetings with INSTAT and other team members and stakeholders/reviewers, as appropriate.

Deliverables:

• Inception report including the initial outline of the analysis and the suggested work plan and timeline. The Work Plan shall take the form of a detailed description of the steps to be followed in the study process. 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 project deliverables. The inception report shall be delivered to the UNDP and INSTAT for review and approval of the Work Plan prior to commencing work;
• The detailed methodology to conduct the analysis;
• The Draft report for general circulation and review by INSTAT and UNDP on analysis results and conclusions on Roma population in Albania, (containing all tables/boxes, sets of tabulations and cross tabulations used/created as annex);
• The final report in English on data analysis on Roma population in Albania incorporating reviewers' comments.

Timeframe:

The expected duration of the assignment is maximum 20 days over a period of 3 months from the contract signature date. The inception report shall be submitted within three weeks from the contract signature. Within this timeframe the consultant is expected to conduct two missions in Tirana not to exceed 6 days total.

Competencias

Core competencies:

• 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:

• Full understanding of international standards on data collection, processing and analysis;
• Strong knowledge and understanding of policy issues related to roma population;
• Good understanding of international documents on minorities, especially roma population;
• Survey design, data collection, data elaboration and data analysis skills;
• Strong inter-personal and communication (oral and written) skills;
• Efficiency in a multi-tasking and multi-cultural environment;
• Ability to work and adapt to a dynamic working environment, judgment, results-orientation; and
• Ability to perform under pressure.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• Advanced postgraduate degree in actuarial science, math, statistics, economics, business and finance or closely related field of studies.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in Census data collection, processing and analysis;
• Experience in providing expertise to governments on statistical data analysis;
• Relevant experience with UN Agencies or other international organizations will be an added advantage;
• Relevant experience in Albania will be an added advantage.

Language:

• Full working knowledge of English, including excellent report writing and presentation skills in 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: Professional Experience including research skills – max points: 35;
• Criteria B: Educational Background– max points: 15;
• Criteria C: Writing and presentation skills in English – 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. 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* - The financial proposal shall include the total lump sum and a breakdown of this lump sum amount(consultancy daily rate expressed in USD, travel cost, 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 estimate based on man-days, 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 in USD. 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.