Background
In June 2006, the Government of Albania (GoA) signed the “Stabilisation and Association Agreement” (SAA) with the EU. The SAA creates a framework of cooperation between the GOA and the EU and lays out a number of provisions and reforms which need to be met to advance this partnership. Understanding of how issues of gender equality are dealt with under the SAA requires further analysis. However, it is clear that any state with aspirations to join the EU must be willing to comply with and ensures its legislation incorporates the principles of non-discrimination laid out in the EU Treaty, the subsequent EU laws and policies and the acquis communautaire. The Government of Albania is, in partnership with international organizations, working to ensure that legal frameworks are in place which aligns with the EU’s stipulations vis a vis gender equality.
Since 2003, and with the signing of the SAA, a number of significant achievements have been made by the GoA to move towards a more pro-active implementation of the standards and norms laid out by the CEDAW, Beijing Platform for Action, and EU laws and policies. In 2006, the GOA adopted the country’s first legislation on Domestic Violence and in 2008, finalised the related sub-legislation to ensure the Law’s full implementation at the national and local level. In a joint UNIFEM-UNFPA-UNDP initiative in 2006/07, the GOA adopted the National Strategy on Gender Equality and Domestic Violence (NSGE-DV), the first of its kind in the country. In July 2008, with support from the UN, the Parliament adopted the law “On Gender Equality in Society (GEL)”. The GEL contains many measures which gender equality activists have been advocating for over the past decade, such as special measures to promote and protect women’s participation in the work force, in public administration, in decision-making and in politics – including a 30% quota for appointed and elected positions – a quota which has subsequently been incorporated into the Electoral Code.
As outlined in the CEDAW Concluding Comments, and as repeatedly stressed by gender equality advocates in government and in civil society, there is a need to work more closely with the Judiciary, court officers and jurists so as to better support the Courts’ on-going efforts in enforcing the above national and international obligations vis a vis gender equality. Advocacy is needed to encourage the Courts to respect the new obligations. This work seems all the more relevant given recent changes to the Albanian legal framework listed above and the Government’s increased focus on the implementation of international obligations, including the CEDAW.
In this context, and under the UN Joint Programme on Gender Equality (2008 -2010), UNIFEM Albania, with the support of the Government of Spain through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation and the One UN Coherence Fund, has established a partnership with the School of Magistrates to increase understanding and knowledge of Courts and jurists about the Government’s national commitments to gender equality, including international commitments under CEDAW; and about Courts’ experiences in EU countries in implementing EU laws and policies pertaining to gender equality.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of Work
In partnership with the School of Magistrates, UNIFEM Albania will contract two international experts or an Institution in carrying out a Training of Trainers for the Academic staff and trainers of the School of Magistrates on the following two areas:
- Gender Equality in the area of Labour Rights and Social Protection; and
- Gender Equality in the area of Family Law.
Tasks and Responsibilities of the International Experts or Institution
Under the overall supervision of the UNIFEM Country Programme Manager, and the direct supervision of the National Programme Coordinator for the UN Joint Programme on Gender Equality, the international experts/institution will work in coordination with the School of Magistrates to carry out this consultancy. The experts or institution will be responsible for the following:
- Based on the existing materials produced from the review of the School of Magistrates’ curriculum, work as a team to prepare a draft TOT agenda for the School of Magistrates’ academic staff on the above topics;
- Finalise the training agenda using feedback and comments from SoM and UNIFEM;
- Prepare necessary training modules, materials and presentations for the TOT including training skills transfer;
- Deliver a 2 to 3 day TOT in Albania using the Reference Guide, Syllabus Review and the training materials developed;
- Based on the results of the TOT, prepare and submit a report to UNIFEM and SoM, as per an agreed upon schedule;
In the case of individual applications, the individual candidates selected must be willing to work within a two person team in carrying out the above deliverables.
Competencies
Core values
- Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
- Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Core competencies
- Communication: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different audiences.
- Client orientation: 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.
Required Skills and Experience
The experts or Individuals applying on behalf of an Institution must have:
- Advanced degree in law; area of expertise in family law, social protection and labor law;
- Demonstrated expertise in the area of judicial procedure and legal analysis;
- Demonstrated expertise in gender equality and human rights and of international norms and standards in this regards;
- Demonstrated expertise on EU law and policies, including knowledge and experience within the European Court of Justice and European Court of Human Rights, particularly as it pertains to gender equality;
- Minimum 8 to 10 years of working experience in the field of law and/or other areas of jurisprudence (former working experience as a judge is an advantage);
- Skills and demonstrated experience in preparing and conducting Training of Trainers and applying of adult learning methodologies and facilitation skills;
- Previous experience in training the judiciary and lecturers in the field of law;
- Knowledge of Albanian legal practice is considered an asset;
- Knowledge on the SAA processes and approximation of national legislation to aquis communautaire;
Duration and remuneration
UNIFEM will fund the costs of the consultancy work and travel. UNIFEM will provide technical guidance in the preparation of the training course. The duration of the consultancy will be from June to July 2010 with an approximate of 7-10 working days including 1 trip to Albania during the contract period. A lump sum payment will be made upon completion of all tasks and submission of deliverables
Application procedure
Qualified and interested candidates are requested to apply through this site. The application should contain:
Filled P11 form, which can be downloaded at: http://www.unifem.sk/uploads/doc/P11.doc
Please note that the omission to submit P.11 form may result in exclusion of the application from selection process.
Individuals applying on behalf of an Institution should clearly state in the Name/Title of Application or Cover Letter.
UNIFEM applies fair and transparent selection process that takes into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Shortlisted candidates will be requested to submit their financial offers.
Due to large number of applicants, UNIFEM regrets that it is unable to inform the unsuccessful candidates about the outcome or status of the recruitment process.
Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply.