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.

UN Women maintains a large presence throughout Europe and Central Asia region, covering 14 countries, with programme presences including a country office in Albania. The adoption of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention), and the fact that countries have to harmonize national legislation with the EU’s acquis as part of the accession process, has created an opportunity to step up UN Women’s Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECA RO) capacity to bring a regional perspective to human rights-based programming in relation to regional and international agreements, and the European Union (EU) normative frameworks for accession countries related to gender equality discrimination, and more particularly, on ending violence against women in Western Balkans and Turkey.

UN Women in Albania is working closely with the Government and Civil Society Organizations to address all forms of violence against women, including sexual violence and harassment. One of the main priorities is to ensure that national policies and legislation be improved and implemented in compliance with Albania’s international human rights commitments and obligations. UN Women focuses also on challenging harmful gender stereotypes and discrimination, which are among the key root causes of violence against women. In close collaboration with civil society organizations, UN Women regularly undertakes awareness-raising and outreach initiatives. In addition, UN Women in Albania is working to reach a shared understanding on the range of services and responses required for the provision of services essential to women and girls subjected to violence and reaching out some of the most disadvantaged groups of women. They include Roma and Egyptian women, women with disabilities, or women from the LGBTI community. The focus is to advocate for the removal of barriers that these women face in accessing available services.

“Implementing norms, changing minds” is a UN Women regional programme, which aims to support a reduction in discrimination and violence against women and girls in Turkey and six Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia), anchored in the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Istanbul Convention, and also in alignment with European Union accession standards.  The programme supports the development of an enabling legislative and policy environment on eliminating violence against women and all forms of discrimination; promotes favorable social norms and attitudes to prevent gender discrimination and violence against women; and pursues empowering women and girls (including those from disadvantaged groups) who have experienced discrimination or violence to advocate for and use available, accessible, and quality services. The programme will channel its interventions through and for women’s organizations, with an emphasis on those working with women from disadvantaged groups.

Within this context, the UN Women office in Albania is seeking a Technical Project Analyst, who will be responsible for the implementation of the UN Women programme "Implementing Norms, Changing Minds" under the overall supervision of the National Programme Officer/Head of Programmes based in Tirana, Albania and in close collaboration with the Regional Programme Manager. The Technical Coordinator will liaise with government officials, civil society organizations, donors, and other UN Agencies for ensuring successful UN Women programme implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

1.  Programme Implementation and Technical Support
2. Results based monitoring and evaluation, knowledge building and communications
3.  Finance and Administration
4. Other support

Description of Functions:

1.            Project Implementation

• Ensure timely and adequate implementation of activities according to the programme activity plan;
• Prepare a detailed work plan and performance monitoring plan to implement proposed activities in Albania in coordination with the Regional Programme Manager, and ensure links with UN Women’s commitment under UNDAF/UN Framework” Programme of Cooperation for Sustainable Development (PoCSD 2017-2021)” and UN Women Strategic Plan; 
• Design, oversee, and coordinate the implementation of relevant programme activities with implementing partners, UN Women staff in Albania, and local and regional programme team;
• Closely coordinate with the European Delegation (EU DEL) for the implementation of the programme activities, including communication and visibility initiatives, the selection of implementing partners, and ensuring synergies with EU portfolio in the country, as well as communication flow for the smooth running of the programme;
• Maintain close communication with UN agencies, national authorities, development actors, civil society organizations and other key stakeholders (EU Delegation, Council of Europe, OSCE, etc) working on ending violence against women;
• Provide overall supervision of the work of implementing partners and external consultants to ensure the production of the expected outputs.
• Ensure proper identification of and follow up with civil society groups, national institutions and consultants who will be involved in the implementation of activities under the relevant programme outcome areas;
• Provide technical support and expert advice to implementing partners and key stakeholders on specific issues related to the programme scope;
• Assume responsibility for the smooth functioning of all operational activities related to project implementation;
• Hold consultations with the programme partners and other stakeholders in order to ensure timely information about the programme implementation;
• Organize and run effective Technical Coordination Group meetings and ensure communication flow among membership;
• Ensure timely implementation of all programme activities and monitor the proper use of funds according to signed agreements and work plans;
• Prepare complete documentation necessary for signing Project Cooperation Agreements (PCAs) with implementing partners, and contracts with individual and other service providers; and
• Provides support to implementing partners to manage activities

2.            Results based monitoring and evaluation, knowledge building and communications

• The technical coordinator in each country is responsible for monitoring and reporting at the country level, as well as for timely submission of quality progress reports and agreed-upon monitoring deliverables;
• Regularly review planned activities, and make necessary modifications/ratifications when needed in response to any emerging circumstances;
• Draft programme progress reports and provide inputs to programme related products, including updates;
• Provide evidence-based advocacy inputs to inform UN Women and the programme’s advocacy efforts, as well as its communications and partnership strategies in ending violence against women;
• Takes the lead in implementing the programme communications and visibility plan at country level, as well as the programme advocacy related activities; and
• Support the implementation of the UN Secretary General’s campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women as well as HeForShe campaign in Albania.

3.            Finance and Administration

• Manage the activities’ financial resources in accordance with UN Women rules and regulations;
• Manage programme files and support information collection and dissemination;
• Support the Regional Programme Manager with translation, as needed;
• Support Office Finance and Admin assistance on programme procurement/procedures related to the programme (Collecting of Offers, preparation of Travel Authorization, Travel Claims, and related logistics); and
• Contribute to the development of technical documents for projects, including those needed to initiate and generate momentum, such as project proposals, and clear action plans for each programme activity; prepare terms of reference, project cooperation agreements with civil society organizations, and letters of agreement with government and non-governmental partners;

4.            Other support

• Provide programmatic and technical support to UN Women in Albania on ending violence against women area as deemed necessary.
• Foster partnerships with development partners, UN Agencies, government institutions, private sector, academia, media and civil society, etc., on ending violence against women to enhance collaboration, resource mobilization and policy agenda setting;
• Draft concept notes and follow-up on resource mobilization efforts at the country level in coordination with the National Programme Officer/Head of programmes and the Country Representative;
• Report on a regular basis to the National Programme Officer/Head of programmes and UN Women Regional Programme Manager in order to ensure coordination, linkages, and synergies between all areas of work carried out by UN Women’s Albania Country Office;
• Contribute to annual work planning and budgeting processes of the Regional Programme and the UN Women Country Office in Albania;
• Support building partnerships at the country level, and in collaboration with the UN Women Albania Country Office, coordinate with the relevant stakeholders as deemed necessary;
• Contribute to UN Women Quarterly Monitoring and Annual reporting on EVAW Impact Area; and
• Provide programmatic and technical support to UN Women in Albania as deemed necessary 

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the success of the programme at country and regional level. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation, programming, monitoring and reporting of activities, progress and achievements, as well as creation of strategic partnerships.

Competencies

Core Values/ Guiding Principles

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity

Core competencies:

• Ethics and Values
• Organizational Awareness
• Development and Innovation
• Work in teams
• Communicating and Information Sharing
• Self-management and Emotional Intelligence
• Conflict Management
• Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing
• Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making

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

• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring of development projects and activities;
• Ability to lead results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to formulate and manage budgets;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skill;
• Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, internet, etc.;
• Mature judgment combined with a proactive, resourceful and energetic approach to problem solving;

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

• Master’ Degree or equivalent in Gender Studies, Human Rights, Social Work, International Development, and Management, Public Administration, political, social sciences or related field is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in International Development, and Management, Public Administration, political, social sciences or related field is accepted.

Experience:

• Bachelor's Level Degree - 6-year(s) experience, Master's Level Degree – 4 year(s) of working experience in coordinating, programming and reporting; previous experience the development or/and humanitarian sector, particularly on gender equality and violence against women;  
• Prior work experience with UN is highly desirable;
• Proven track record and experience in reporting and communicating results, and developing programme and project planning documents;
• Proven experience or understanding of issues of gender equality and violence against women; and
• Understanding of Albania normative framework, government and non-government working on gender equality in Albania.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Albanian both verbal and written, is required

Application Procedure:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online within deadline 3 April 2019. Applications should contain:

• Cover letter stating your interest in and qualifications for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the online application.
• Completed and signed UN Personal History Form - http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment

Please make sure you have provided all requested documents.

How to Submit the Application:

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

• Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11);

• Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) 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
• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system

Special consideration  

As this position is under Service Contract modality, only citizens of Albania and those holding valid working permit in Albania will be considered for the vacancy.

UN Women 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.