Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women's rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

The Government of Albania has made national and international commitments to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in many different areas of life. Several international conventions and platforms, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the UN Beijing Platform for Action, demonstrate Albania’s commitment to the realization of women’s rights and the achievement of gender equality.

Women’s participation in the social and economic development of Albania remains a challenge not only for the Government, but also for women and society. Poverty in Albania increased in the aftermath of the global financial crisis with the proportion of the population in poverty rising from 12.4% in 2008 to 14.3% in 2012. Rural poverty increased from 14.6% in 2008 to 15.3% in 2012, while urban poverty increased from 10.1% to 13.6%. Opportunities for vulnerable women to integrate in social and economic sphere are lacking and require strong state support.

Issues related to social inclusion are closely related to Albania’s longer-term economic and social development goals. National policies such as the National Social Protection Strategy, Social Inclusion Policy Document and National Strategy for Gender Equality 2016-2020 reinforce Government attention and priority on women’s and other vulnerable categories social and economic integration. Social innovation through Social Enterprises development is at the heart of such interventions.

The development of social enterprises is still at an early stage. The adoption of the law on social enterprises in June 2016 marked a step forward on setting the legal arrangements and mechanisms for the establishment and functioning of the social enterprises, which nowadays is regulated by law. Preliminary assessments in Albania show that there are in-country capacities that could establish up to 500 social enterprises, able to employ, youth, women and disadvantaged people. UN Women has supported Ministry of Health and Social Protection to create an enabling environment for the development of Social Enterprises as a growing sector and agents for positive change defined by their social missions. Social and economic reintegration of vulnerable categories, including women and girls is the final purpose. However, given the recent policy changes and legal framework development on social enterprises the Government should be closely supported to promote and pilot social enterprises at a well-developed stage and operational environment.

In addition, considering the high unemployment rates among young population, social enterprises are a solution to youth unemployment by incentivizing their start-up initiative especially in non-traditional and innovative areas such as promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency and recycling industry, which are at the same time key thematic priorities for the country.

In the framework of the ‘Leave No One Behind” (LNB) Project, a UN Joint Programme funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by four UN Agencies UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, and UN WOMEN, in partnership with the Albanian Government, UN Women will closely work with Ministry of Health and Social Protection on advancing social re-integration of vulnerable women and girls, and promotion of social enterprises at a well-developed stage and operational environment.

In light of the above, UN Women in Albania needs a specialist to engage the with Ministry of Health and Social Protection and to pilot social enterprise models in at least three target municipalities (Tirana, Korça, Shkodra). Work includes 1): Capacity building of responsible local institutions, stakeholders and civil society in the three target municipalities on the benefits of social enterprises and green economy) and 2) provide a detailed interventions plan in the shape of project document on Social Enterprises and Green Economy in Albania.

Objectiv:

The main goal of this assignment is to support capacities of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and three target municipalities to pilot social enterprises and based on inputs from this process draft a project document on Social Enterprises and Green Economy in Albania.

Duties and Responsibilities

Component I: Capacity building of respnsibl local institutions, stakeholders and civil society in the three target municipalities on the benefits of social enterprises and green economy.

• Desk work and consultation meetings (including mission trips to three target municipalities) for the preparation of work plan and methodology in close coordination with MoHSP, UN Women and designated staff from the three target municipalisties;
• Draft the capacity building plan, with detailed modules of trainings for responsible local institutions, public officials, stakeholders and civil society on the benefits of social enterprises and green economy and provide a series of trainings to responsible local institutions, stakeholders and civil society in the three target municipalities. Trainings should include: high officials from municipal staff (including gender focal persons) representatives of local NGOs interested in registering as social enterprises, officials from MoHSP and other local key stakeholders;
• Prepare a final report (in English) on the activities conducted including:

• Recommendations and lessons learned;
• Monitoring impact of engagement and activities on three target municipalities;

Component II: Provide a detailed interventions plan in the shape of project document on Social Enterprises and Green Economy in Albania

• Desk work and consultation meetings (including mission trips to three target municipalities) for the outline of the program in close coordination with MoHSP, UN Women and designated staff from the three target municipalities;
• Field work to the 3 localities to explore and identify potential CSOs that can function as social enterprises, with a focus on women, youth and green economy;
• Analysis of identified potential social enterprises with a clear business profile;
• Propose Interventions strategy on Social Enterprises and Green Economy in the three target municipalities;
• Draft the final Project document as per UN Women standard formats of Joint Programs.

Deliverables and Timeline:

Plan and methodology developed - 1st Week of June

Capacity building plan, with detailed modules of trainings for responsible local institutions, public officials, stakeholders and civil society - 20 June 2018

A series of two-day-trainings conducted in three target municipalities - 30 July 2018

A final report on the activities conducted under Component I - 5 August 2018

Outline of the program document on SE in close coordination with MoHSP, UN Women and designated staff from the three target municipalities - 10 August 2018

Final Project document as per UN Women standard formats of Joint Programs - 25 August 2018

Exact dates to be confirmed upon signing of contract

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues

• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-employment-values-and-competencies-definitions-en.pdf

Functional Competencies:

• Possesses the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
• Possesses the ability to work independently;
• Good knowledge of gender equality and women's rights issues; women’s economic empowerment;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Good understanding and practice of capacity development;
• Ability to analyze, review and explain to different audience’s relevant legal documents, including national laws and policies/programmes, reports about government services, infrastructure, institutional mechanisms and relevant information particularly on social rights issues, women’s rights, and social enterprises;
• Strong project writing and report writing skills;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet required deadlines;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced degree in law, sociology, gender studies, political science, human rights, development studies, and/or other related areas relevant for the assignment;

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years, experience and strong background in developing adult learning cycle and participatory methods, provision of trainings and awareness raising activities;
• Know-how of social enterprises and related practices;
• Experience in formulating/writing program documents, research reports, etc.;
• Knowledge of Europe and the Region would be considered an asset;

Language requirements:

Fluency in English (written and oral).

Note: Since the individual will be travelling outside the country of his/her residence, he/she should submit from a recognized physician a Statement of Good Health certifying that the individual is in good health and is fit to travel. In addition, he/she should take the mandatory learning security course prior to commencement of travel – details will follow before the commencement of the work.

Application procedure:

The following documents should be submitted as part of the application:

• P11 with past experience in similar assignments; can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment, a signed copy should be submitted.
• Financial Proposal (Specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this Terms of Reference). The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (daily rate and number of anticipated working days, any other possible costs);
• An example of documents written by the candidate relevant to the requirements of this TOR.(ex: training modules; Project document development )

Evaluation of applications:

UN Women applies a fair and transparent selection process. Applicants will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications/skills and their financial proposal. Contract will be awarded to the junior specialist whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

•  Responsive to and compliant with the ToR; and

•  Having received the highest score out of below combined technical and financial criteria.

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

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

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

* Technical Criteria weight – 70%

* Financial Criteria weight – 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Technical criteria: Weight 70%   Max. Points 70

• Advanced degree in law, sociology, gender studies, political science, human rights, development studies, and/or other related areas relevant for the assignment; 10 Points
• Minimum of 7 years, experience and strong background in developing adult learning cycle and participatory methods, provision of trainings and awareness raising activities; 25 Points
• Know-how of social enterprises and related practices;  10 Points
• Experience in formulating/writing program documents, research reports, etc.; 15 Points
• Knowledge of Europe and the Region would be considered an asset; 10 Points

Financial Criteria: Weight 30% Max. Points 30

 How to Submit the Application: 

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• All online applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from UN Women Personal History Form (P11)  or http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment   
• Merge all the required documents above (P-11, aggregated financial offer and Evaluation report sample) 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
• Please enter the CV or Resume in the Resume Section of the online application format
• click 'Submit Application;'
• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (indicated above);
• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.
• Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the financial offer will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

UN Women retains the right to contact references directly. Due to the large numbers of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.