Background

Although the Government of Albania has been successfully implementing important political, social and economic reforms, Roma and Egyptian face direct and indirect barriers in accessing public services, stemming from an eligibility criterion they cannot comply with, lack of information or understanding of administrative procedures, as well as stigma and frequent discriminatory attitude from the majority population. Long-term exclusion has affected the living conditions of Roma and Egyptians, treatment by the majority population and relationship with government institutions. Studies show that the level of poverty amongst Roma is twice as high as the majority population. Regardless of their recognition as minority, Roma are both marginalized and socially excluded communities.

The Economic and Social Empowerment for Roma and Egyptians- a booster for social inclusion (ESERE) project is funded by the European Union and aims to further improve the social inclusion of most vulnerable communities consisting of Roma and Egyptians in Albania residing in the regions of Tirana, Durrës, Shkodra and Berat. Further on, the project’s purpose is to promote the economic and social empowerment of Roma and Egyptian communities in Albania by standardizing an innovative and integrated new approach at the policy and programming level and to provide integrated social inclusion models at local level.

This will be achieved by facilitating the horizontal and vertical communication and cooperation of different stakeholders, including the target groups, at the national and local level, and implementing innovative tools, new models in flagship initiatives for increasing employment and vocational training opportunities, improving access to basic social services, strengthening institutional capacity, and establishing supportive mechanisms for those who live under severe circumstances. In the long term, this aims to elevate Roma and Egyptian families’ poverty and support their sustainable inclusion in the Albanian society and labour market.

The project is composed based on four (4) project objectives formalized in four (4) work packages, introduced below.

Objective 1 – Increased employment and skills development opportunities accessed by Roma and Egyptian women and men reduce the employment gap between R&E communities and the majority of the population.

Objective 2 – Community Led Local Development (CLLD) for R&E inclusion at the local level through integrated, inclusive and sustainable development.

Objective 3 – Procedures, models, tools and guidelines established and made operational based on the Integrated Approach and a Behavioural Change Model to support better access of Roma and Egyptian communities to basic equitable, inclusive and decentralized services and to foster a tolerant and inclusive society in Albania.

Objective 4 – The National Action Plan for Roma and Egyptian Integration in the Republic of Albania, 2015-2020, supported for implementation, monitoring and evaluation at the national, regional and local level.

All of the above will be supported by a comprehensive communication and visibility strategic plan. The methodology selected is based on hands-on support to active participation in community development activities and businesses required and selected by the beneficiaries. Through this methodology it has been calculated that the impact will be stronger and the interest of different stakeholders higher and more sustainable in the long term.

Scope of the assignment

The ESERE Project is seeking to assist Roma and Egyptians, residing in the municipalities of Tirana, Durres, Shkodra and Berat, who are either entrepreneurs, potential entrepreneurs, job seekers, handicrafts or artisans, to enhance their self-employment skills. Business ideas, start up or strengthening of an existing business of highly motivated and talented Roma and Egyptians will be supported. In addition, the project will support the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth and municipalities of Tirana, Durres, Shkodra and Berat to design a Specific Programme to support individual collectors of recycling materials to exercise the recycling activity according to standardized regulations and respecting human rights.

To this end, the project is seeking to collaborate with one individual expert to train and coach proactive individuals from Roma and Egyptian community that demonstrate an overall suitability and motivation to self generate income, self employ and enterprise set up. The expert will support the development of and assess businesses and income generation activities in the project sites in Tirana, Durres, Shkoder and Berat.  

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Project Manager and Employment Coordinator and in close consultation with a second expert, the Expert on Income Generation and Business Development for Roma and Egyptian communities will be responsible for supporting the development of self-employment and new business ideas among Roma and Egyptians in the project sites of Tirana, Durres, Shkoder and Berat.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Identify and preselect at least 40 Roma and Egyptian trainees and potential entrepreneurs who could be potential beneficiaries of entrepreneurship support, are proactive individuals that demonstrate an overall suitability and motivation to self generate income, as well as Roma and Egyptians with an informal business activity.
  • Provide training to identified Roma and Egyptians on starting up a new business, entrepreneurship skills, exploring income generation options, businesses planning and management as well as on business registration for existing informal activities.
  • Provide orientation and coaching in the development of new business ideas as well as growth of business ideas into at least 40 business plans, in cooperation with the second expert.
  • Provide coaching and guidance in respect of the implementation of at least 40 business plans, 10 in each project site of Tirana, Durres, Shkoder and Berat, in cooperation with the second expert.
  • Coach and support at least 40 potential businesses to get registered, follow the financial and taxation regulations.
  • Any other assistance as relevant to promoting self-employment among Roma and Egyptians.  

Expected deliverables:

  • Inception report including (i) methodology and detailed work plan with the proposed activities necessary to train, identify and incubate potential business ideas among Roma and Egyptian in the project sites; (ii) training programme in respect of business development of new start-up and existing informal activities;
  • Training curriculum on business development and entrepreneurship skills in respect of new start-ups and existing informal activities, in cooperation with the second expert;
  • At least 80 Roma and Egyptian trained on business development and entrepreneurship skills in respect of new start-ups and existing informal activities, in cooperation with the second expert;
  • At least 40 new business ideas or existing business activities, materialised into business plan outlines, drafted by Roma and Egyptians with the support and coaching;
  • At least 40 business plan outlines are diligently selected by the consultants and supported in the framework of ESERE Project in respect of setting up the business and/or developing formal activities;
  • 40 businesses established officially/ strengthened by following the financial and taxation regulations.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Core Competencies:

  • Communication - Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.
  • Planning & Organizing – Develops clear goals in line with agreed strategies, identifies priorities, foresees risks and makes allowances accordingly.
  • Organizational Awareness - Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
  • Teamwork - Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
  • Accountability – Takes ownership of all responsibilities and delivers outputs in accordance with agreed time, cost and quality standards.

Functional competencies:

  • Solid expertise in entrepreneurship and specifically on self-employment.
  • Comprehensive understanding of the social inclusion of Roma / Egyptians and particularly of the dynamics of the Roma/Egyptian income generation activities in the municipalities of Tirana, Durres, Shkodra and Berat.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with other staff members of the ESERE Project and in a multicultural work environment.
  • 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, by applying a non-judgmental attitude.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to pose questions, listen, evaluate and capture opinions, suggestions and comments, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different stakeholders

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master degree in economy, social sciences, with good knowledge on self-employment and entrepreneurship.

Work experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years professional experience in the business development sector.
  • Proven experience in training and coaching for self-employment and entrepreneurship;
  • Proven experience and familiarity with UNDP or other UN agencies is an asset;

Language requirement:

  • Fluency in written and spoken both Albanian and English.

 

Evaluation of applicants:

Applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies specified above. UNDP applies the ‘Best value for money’ approach - the final selection will be based on the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) Responsive, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Individual consultant will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

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

Criteria A: Compliant educational background– max points: 20

Criteria B: Professional experience in the area of business development and income generation - max points: 30

Criteria C: Relevant work experience for the economic empowerment of vulnerable communities: max points: 20

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. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.

  • Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability-please fill in the attached form...attached form...
  • Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, please upload the P11 instead of your CV. Download here.
  • Financial Proposal in ALL* - specifying a total lump sum in Albanian Lek  for the tasks specified in this announcement.  The attached template may be used - http://www.un.org.al/editor-files/file/Financial%20Offer%20template.doc. Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant during the contract period (e.g. fee and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services)

*Kindly note that Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal are two separate documents and should be both part of your application.

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 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.