Background

“Improving Municipal Social Protection Service Delivery” (IMSPSD) UN joint programme focuses on catalyzing a step-change in the quantity and quality of delivery at local (municipal) level of integrated social care, as part of an effective integrated social protection system.  It builds upon the vast experience of the UN in addressing social inclusion, protection and the needs of the most vulnerable groups including Roma, refugees and migrants, persons with disabilities, vulnerable children, elderly, rural women, and women at risk of Gender Based Violence. Its duration is during Jan 2020- Jan 2022.

The programme supports the implementation of the newly shaped vision of the social sector in Albania, in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the country’s aspirations towards European Union (EU) integration. The programme avails of technical expertise and know-how of UN agencies aiming at allowing for greater impact and outreach by focusing on the municipal level and its linkage to the national level.

The programme’s goal – contribute to support Albanian Government translate the policy intent into proper local actions so that men, women, girls and boys living in poverty, or vulnerable situation have access to integrated, quality social care services- supports the vision of an overall inclusive Albania. The joint programme supports Albania’s progress in view of achieving SDGs - being directly related to social protection/inclusion - especially SDGs 1-5 (no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, 10 (reduced inequalities), and 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).

In order to achieve the goal, the programme focuses on the following outcome: “All women, men, girls and boys, especially those from marginalized and vulnerable groups, are exercising their entitlements to equitable quality services, in line with human rights; and more effective and efficient investments in human and financial resources are being made at central and local levels to ensure social inclusion and cohesion.”

The “Improving Municipal Social Protection Service Delivery” programme is implemented through the modalities of the Delivering as One (DaO) mechanism, under the Programme of Cooperation for Sustainable Development 2017-2021, with the joint participation of UN agencies, including UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women, UNFPA, UNHCR, WHO and ILO, and in close partnership with relevant governmental bodies at the central and local levels.  UNDP is the lead UN agency for the overall implementation and coordination of the Programme.  Joint Programme Outputs include:

1. Integrated social care services, institutional arrangements and coordination mechanisms functional with clear roles and responsibilities at local level in 6 municipalities.
2. Municipal and national institutional capacities strengthened through training and mentoring for the development of social care plans and accessing the Social Fund.
3. Innovative models of integrated social care services piloted, including established local linkages between health and social protection services.
4. Vulnerable communities (disaggregated by gender, ethnicity, disability etc.) are empowered to actively participate in decision making and make institutions accountable.
5. Financing options for extending social protection coverage and benefits developed and assessed at the national and municipality levels.
6. Joint Programme Managed.

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Expert for preparation of a white paper on integrated social care and health services in Albania will work under the direct supervision of the Joint Programme Manager to perform the tasks described below. 

In close coordination with Ministry of Health and Social Protection in Albania develop a white paper for integrated social care and health services. The white paper on integrated social care and health services in Albania will be used by municipal officials, social workers, and primary health care providers and it will:

1. Set out a legislative proposal and build on collaborations we have seen locally to shape a system that’s better able to serve people in a fast-changing context;
2. Define integrated social and health care (linkage);
3. Outline steps to support professional who works to meet people’s health and care needs, by proposing innovative ways of working together;
4. Explore joined-up policy/ practical responses to support target populations (e.g. elderly, persons with disabilities, Roma and Egyptians etc.);
5.  Develop joint local regulatory frameworks that are flexible, enabling specificities and social innovation and change at the local level;
6.  Outline common systems for monitoring implementation and outcomes across the two sectors, including indicators;
7. Propose better use of existing resources to ensure that vulnerable populations have adequate care and support.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Duration of the Work

The duration of this assignment is for 15 person-days during June 2021.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Innovation Ability to make new and useful ideas work
• Leadership Ability to persuade others to follow
• People Management Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
• Communication Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
• Delivery Ability to get things done

Functional Competencies

• Familiarity with the administrative, social and economic context of the country
• Analytical, communication and presentation skills
• Strong report writing and editing in English
• In-depth knowledge on social development issues
• In- depth knowledge on integrated services
• Attitude and approach Positive, constructive attitude and consistently approaches work with energy
• Computer proficiency MS Office

Required Skills and Experience

Recruitment Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social studies or related field (i.e., social work, psychology, public health, business, economics, and public policy) is required.
• Minimum 7 years’ of progressively responsible, professional-level experience related to integrated services, social care reforms, social programme/project development, implementation and assessment, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Hands on experience on integrated programmes/ projects with linkages between health and social care, preferable within UN system is an advantage.
• Fluency in English is required.

Evaluation Procedure

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that would consider both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their financial proposals. The contract will be awarded to the candidate whose offer:

• Is deemed technically responsive / compliant / acceptable (only technically responsive applications / candidates will be considered for the financial evaluation)
• And has obtained the highest combined technical and financial scores.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max points: 700

Criteria A: Professional-level experience related to integrated services, social care reforms, social programme/project development, implementation and assessment, monitoring, and evaluation – max points: 350

Criteria B: Relevance of prior working experience on integrated programmes/ projects with linkages between health and social care, preferable within UN system.

– max points: 200

Criteria C: Educational background– max points: 150

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max points: 300

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (490 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (700 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Contract Award

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNDP.

Payment modality

• Payment to the Individual Contractor will be made based on the actual number of days worked, deliverables accepted and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the project manager.

Application Procedure 

Interested applicants are advised to carefully study all sections of this ToRs and ensure that they meet the general requirements as well as specific qualifications described. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials. 

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 & Financial Proposal Form - please fill in the attached form. Download Here (kindly use FireFox Browser)
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, please upload the P11 instead of your CV. Download Here (kindly use FireFox Browser)

• Financial Proposal in USD*- specifying a Total Lump Sum in the United States Dollar for the tasks specified in this announcement. 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). 

• Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport. 
• Technical proposal – specifying the methodology which the consultant will employ to conduct this assignment.

*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.