Background

Albania has seen an intensive urbanization process during the last two decades of transition. Massive movements of population from remote and peripheral mountainous areas towards the western coast and central Albania resulted in increased population density and concentration of economic activities in the recipient areas, urbanization, and significant relocation of the workforce, economic resources and investments.

In addition, Albania’s growth story since the transition has been impressive. Cumulative growth since 1990 is among the highest of all transition economies. Yet the country remains one of the poorest in Europe. An attempt at addressing inequalities took place in 2004 with the data coming from the then Population and Housing Census of 2001. It is the most comprehensive approach to linking poverty and inequality with education, health, dwelling and living conditions by particularly paying attention to urban – rural divide. Poverty in Albania increased to 14.3 percent in 2012 reversing a declining trend noted during the past decade. A comprehensive analysis of the impact of the economic slowdown in Albania and its impact on inequalities is still missing.

Several reports have been produced in the past touching upon issues of poverty and MDGs (NHDR 2005), Regional Disparities 2010, State Functionality (NHDR 2015), vulnerability assessments and Living Standard and Measurement Survey (2009). In addition, a 2014 document based on Census 2011 data showed that demographic, economic and social indicators have changed throughout the years, increasing the inequality between different regions. The 2014 analysis pays special attention to living and dwelling conditions and somehow fails to tackle inequalities. The report recognizes that special attention should be given to population movements and the increased population living in urban areas.

In view of the new territorial division of the country where municipalities are far bigger and have absorbed communes and villages the intra-municipal living conditions and inequalities become an interesting topic to be investigated as they also encompass they go beyond the traditional urban-rural differences. This investigation can result into information that will guide efforts in providing access to better municipal services and development opportunities. Special consideration can be given to areas and falling behind the national and municipal standards since they may create pockets of poverty, or poverty traps in both monetary and non-monetary terms.

The urban reality in greater Tirana displays a complex picture of the transition process, bringing together the national attraction for better opportunities coupled with problems of extreme poverty, unemployment, internal migration and inadequate access to basic public services. The complex picture cuts across many dimensions – jobs and income generation, access to services, housing market and taxation, social protection with certain implications for municipal policy making.  Above all this is characterized by a veil of informality that that depending on the availability of data is worth looking into.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP has supported the government’s territorial and administrative reform. In addition the work the CO has been conducting in support of vulnerable groups and in particular of Roma, young people and women provide a good anchor to articulate a principled, comprehensive and contemporary take on inequalities. These approaches and experiences will converge into the case of the municipality of Tirana and accompanied by a wealth of existing data will provide a snapshot of social and economic features with emphasis on inequalities in greater Tirana that has absorbed several large areas such as Farka, Kashar – among the most populated centers in the country. 

Indeed, at a time of increasing global awareness on inequalities, there is no debate about inequalities in Albania apart from sporadic media reporting on issues of severe poverty. Therefore, in support of UNDP’s Regional Human Development Report of UNDP on the theme of inequalities a study will be produced to serve as Albania’s contribution to the regional analysis.

Scope of work

In close cooperation with the municipality of Tirana, the scope of the analysis will build around the typical dimensions of local development economic and social aspects of development. It will cover the demographic features of the population, land use; economic development of Tirana’s new municipal units and their competitiveness; social inclusion (especially poverty – if possible to be articulated to the administrative unit level); a map of public institutions and social infrastructure as well as access to services. The structure of the report will have four main chapters as follows:

1. Demographics, social fabric and household characteristics

2. Social exclusion including education, poverty housing and transport

3. Sources of income, employment and economic enterprises

4. Mapping of municipal services, financial status and priority investments

Particular attention will be dedicated to environmental situation in the new units. Their social and economic status is closely related not only to population distribution but also to other geographical regional features, such as altitude and topography of terrain, land use, forests and rivers. Depending on the available data, this can be done either in the form of a separate chapter or integrated in the proposed outline.

Each of the chapters will be articulated based on a set of indicators based on the latest statistical information available at INSTAT as well as administrative data where relevant. A wealth of analysis and information is also available from the research leading up to the territorial and administrative reform (functional areas). In addition, the study will contain an annex with concise data briefs for each municipal units produced and presented in a visually friendly manner with an extract of data and indicators from the list at the end of this document.

Recognizing the fact that data at the level that will be researched are rather limited, the analysis will try to focus not only on the current situation, but also on the changes and trends. Therefore in all cases when data was available longer time-series can be used. The analysis will be accompanied by an appropriate combination of tables, diagrams and maps. The analysis can also be built around the national average. If possible, a special composite indicator can also be articulated to provide an overview of inequalities within Tirana.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

UNDP Albania is looking for an international expert to conduct this assignment. The expert is expected to ensure technical coordination with INSTAT and the municipality of Tirana. More concretely, the assignment will consist of these deliverables:

• Review existing publications and available data as per the indicative list with the intention to articulate an approach for measuring inequalities in Tirana

• A draft outline of the report based on the given structure above and available data from the list below

• Consultations, data collection, analysis and report writing

• Final study presented to UNDP – containing a concise executive summary, as well as annexed data

The expert will be responsible for the production of the analysis through coordination and consultations with the involved institutions. The expert will also undertake data collection and processing as per these terms of references making use of INSTAT’s databases as well as other sources of existing statistical and administrative data. The work will be done mainly from home but 1 mission (5 working days) is expected to take place in coordination with UNDP.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;

Functional Competencies 

•  Demonstrable ability to maintain effective communications with different stakeholders;

• Good presentation and reporting skills;

• Have effective interpersonal skills and ability to work in complex, multi-stake-holder projects;

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree in economics and/or statistics and demonstrated professional experience in the specific technical areas of the project

Work Experience

• Good knowledge of local development issues

• At least 15 years of experience with track record in similar assignments;

• Analytical thinking and proven track record in data collection and analysis;

• Good inter-personal and communication (oral and written) skills;

• Full working knowledge of English, including excellent report writing and presentation skills in English.

Time frame

The assignment will be done through 25 working days until the end of September 2016.

Evaluation of applicants

Applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies specified above.

Technical Criteria – 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points

• Relevance of education in the relevant fields – 15 points;

• Relevance of specific professional experience in the relevant fields - max. 35 points;

• Record of experiences in analytical/research work and proven track record in data collection and analysis – max. 15 points;

• Familiarity with UNDP mandate and/or approach relevant to the area; experience working with other international organizations or in public sector; experience with public policy or capacity development – max. 5 points;

  Financial Criteria – 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points

  UNDP applies the ‘Best value for money’ approach - the final selection will be based on the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

 Application Procedure

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. Incomplete submission can be a ground for disqualification. 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;
• Completed Personal History Form (P11 form) for Individual Contracts (ICs) including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.al.undp.org/content/albania/en/home/operations/jobs.html . Please upload the P11 instead of your CV;

• Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availibility-please fill in the  attached form...

• Financial Proposal - lump sum amount in USD (including the breakdown of consultancy daily fee; travel /per diems or other possible costs related to the assignment if any).  Please attach the Financial Proposal with your P11 form in one file document as only one upload is allowed in the site.

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 Individual Contracts (ICs) - Download here
• Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs), Financial Proposal cover letter and Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availibility  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.

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.