UNDP Jobs - 66821- Social Inclusion Specialist, UN Support to Social

Social Inclusion Specialist, UN Support to Social Inclusion in Albania Programme (UNSSIA)

Location :

Tirana with travels to Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Berat, Gjirokaster, Vlore, Korce, Lezhe, Shkoder, Kukes (up 4 travels per month), ALBANIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2016

Application Deadline :

20-Jun-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

120 days over a period of 6 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

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. Groups at particular risk (people living with HIVAIDS, drug users, prison populations, women survivors of violence and victims of trafficking) as well as children at risk, Roma and Egyptian communities and people with disabilities face multiple barriers to social inclusion.

Albania adopted recently new policy documents on Social Inclusion and Social Protection 2015-2020. These policy documents are an integral part of the National Strategy for Development and Integration (NSDI) 2015-2020 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 articulate the group-specific dimensions and implementation measures necessary to ensure that the strategy is not “blind” to the group specific characteristics. In this context, the articulation of group specific implementation measures are of critical importance for Roma and Egyptian communities as well as Persons with Disabilities, in no small part due to EU accession related commitments.

MoSWY is responsible for overall coordination and monitoring of the social inclusion policies across sectors. The UN Support to Social Inclusion in Albania (UNSSIA) follows from the Government of Albania – United Nations Programme of Cooperation 2012-2016 (GoA - UN PoC 2012-2016). The goal of the SSIP is to support effective elaboration and implementation of the Government of Albania's new Strategies for Social Inclusion and Social Protection. Main emphasis is placed on building capacities of institutions at central and local levels, and enhancing civil society and citizens’ participation as rights holders in national social inclusion processes. International development partners have had key roles in supporting the implementation of social inclusion policies. UN agencies in Albania have been active in diverse range of projects and programs supporting social inclusion of vulnerable groups.

The UNSSIA interventions aim at: generating knowledge for evidence-based social inclusion policies; strengthening policy management capacities of MoSWY, line ministries and de-concentrated units to implement the Social Inclusion and Protection Strategy; enhancing implementation capacities of regional and local governance mechanisms to implement inclusive policies; and supporting marginalized groups to demand and exercise their rights to equal access to services. The Programme pays special attention to the support for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and adopts a mainstreaming approach of Roma issues throughout its components.

In order to facilitate implementation of programme activities, a national expert will be hired as social inclusion specialist.

Purpose of the assignment

Within the structure of the UNSSIA, UNDP will be recruiting a national consultant/ Social inclusion specialist. The Social inclusion specialist is a member of the UNSSIA programme team, reporting directly to the UNDP National Programme Manager for UNSSIA. The Social inclusion specialist develops effective working relationships with the programme counterparts and coordinates with the UNDP programme team and the concerned key partners of the UNSSIA Programme including the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth (MSWY), Ministry of Urban Development (MUD), and other central and local level stakeholders in all areas of work.

Role

The Social inclusion focal point is: (1) a specialist able to advise the staff of MSWY and other line-ministries on implementation of programme activities; (2) able to find effective but pragmatic solutions to issues encountered by the Programme; (3) a team player able to implement complex tasks jointly with others; and (4) a relationship administrator ensuring that a cooperative and energetic programme environment is maintained.

The Social inclusion specialist ensures that the UNSSIA Programme Manager is properly briefed on technical issues related to program interventions, and that the implementation of work is duly and timely carried out.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under the direct supervision of UNDP National Programme Manager for UNSSIA and the overall guidance and supervision of the UNDP Programme Specialist (Economic and Social Inclusion Cluster), and in close collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, the social inclusion specialist will:

Facilitate the organization and execution of Programme activities as specified in the Programme Document and Programme Implementation Plans;
Support the Programme Manager in preparing relevant technical documents related to the recruitment and/or procurement processes, in cooperation with Programme’s Administrative and Finance Assistant;
Work closely with contracted consultants and/or organizations, provide technical guidance and resources to them, as well as monitor their activities with a view to ensure quality outputs;
Ensure effective dissemination of and access to information on programme activities and results among the key programme stakeholders;
Provide input to narrative reports highlighting the process, major outcomes and lessons learned from the interventions undertaken within the reported period;
Prepare promotional materials to increase visibility of the Programme achievements and UNDP contribution in promoting social inclusion;
Interact with the government counterparts in the framework of this Programme, particularly with representatives of Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth and Ministry of Urban Development;
Coordinate, attend and monitor Programme activities;
Other tasks as assigned by the Programme Manager;

Deliverables

The Social inclusion specialist shall prepare:

quarterly reports highlighting the consultant’s work, outputs of facilitated/coordinated activities, lessons learned, pictures of activities organized;steps taken to achieve the outputs, barriers encountered, lessons learned and recommendations for future interventions;
Production of information materials/briefs/insights for UNSSIA programme components as guided by Project manager
Had hoc reports for all activities under his/her responsibility;
A final report highlighting overall progress and steps taken to achieve the outputs, barriers encountered and lessons learned.

Timeframe

The expected duration of the assignment is for 6 months, July - December 2016.

Competencies

Core competencies and 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;
Display cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability;

Functional competencies:

In-depth knowledge of human rights and social inclusion issues;
Enthusiasm and self-discipline: Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and significant workload;
Team work: Proven ability to work in a collaborative manner to meet project goals, maintaining effective relationships in multidisciplinary teams and cultivating a culture of information and knowledge sharing;
Interpersonal skills: Ability to communicate easily and well with staff at all levels and also with external counterpartsl;
Strong results orientation: Maintain focus on results; overcome obstacles and challenges, evaluate and take responsibility for achieving results;
Planning and organizing skills: ability to plan activities/projects well in advance; ability to monitor performance against deadlines and milestones;
Strong communication skills and ability to write technical documents;

Required Skills and Experience

Education/Academic qualification:

Master degree in Social sciences, Public policies, Public administration, or closely related field of studies.

Work experience:

A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the area of human rights, social inclusion, vulnerable groups, and public sector reforms or similar;

Proven experience in project implementation, and promoting best practice.

Language requirements:

Full working knowledge of English, including excellent report writing and presentation skills in Albanian and 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: Expertise in the area of human rights, social inclusion, and public sector reforms or similar – max points: 30

Criteria B: Experience in project implementation – max points: 30

Criteria C: Excellent spoken and written of Albanian and English – max points: 10

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 SC and ICs; (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. ; please upload the P11 instead of your CV ;
Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability-please fill in the attached form...
Financial Proposal* - The financial proposal shall include the total lump sum and a breakdown of this lump sum amount (consultancy daily rate expressed in ALL, 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 ALL. 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.

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.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Qualified individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.