Historique

The central ambition of the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development to ‘leave no one behind’ will never be fulfilled if Gender-Based Violence against Women (GB-VAW) does not end. Exposure to various forms of violence and living in fear prevents half of society from fully realizing their own potential, undermines their wellbeing and dignity, and reduces their contribution to society. Therefore, the prevention and elimination of all forms of GB-VAW is the ultimate responsibility of all society. While institutions have the obligation to prevent, bring perpetrators to justice and to protect and empower survivors, individual citizens have the obligation to recognize and report incidents of violence. However, the global persistence of VAW&DV means that this responsibility is not being met. Thus, explicit and proactive efforts are needed to address GB-VAW as a means to lower discriminatory barriers women and girls face - a central concept of the 2030 Agenda.

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 centre 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.

Albania has made important steps in the area of gender equality and end of violence against women. The country is party to key human rights treaties, including the including the Convention for the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).  The efforts to improve the legal framework on GE, DV&VAW as well as to harmonize it with the international requirements continue to be at the center of attention to GoA. So, the first law against DV, approved in 2006 (Law no.9669 dated 18.12.2006 “For measures against violence in family relations”) is continuously being improved (last improvement was with law 47/2018). Based on the philosophy of this law, the piloted multi-sectorial response to address DV was transformed in 2011 in an obligatory Coordinated Referral Mechanism to be established in each municipality. While as per gender equality, in addition to the specific law on gender equality of 2008, and the dedicated aims and objectives in the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2016-2020 (the third one of this type, the first one covered the 2007-2010 period), there are undertaken also specific steps of signing the European Charter for Equality of women and men in local life from different municipalities which have also prepared and approved the Local Gender Equality Action Plans 2018-2020 (with particular support of UN Women)

At the policy level, from 2011 to 2015, the Government of Albania implemented the “National Strategy on Gender Equality and Reduction of Gender based Violence 2011-2015”. In 2016, the third National Strategy and Action Plan on Gender Equality 2016-2020” (NSGE 2016-2020) was adopted. The four strategic goals of the NSGE 2016-2020 are: (i) economic empowerment of women and men; (ii) effective and equal participation of women in public and political decision-making processes; (iii) reduction of gender-based and domestic violence; and (iv) strengthening of the coordinating and monitoring role of the National Mechanism on Gender Equality.

In Albania, UN Women provides technical assistance to national partners (governmental and non-governmental institutions) on the implementation of existing international and national commitments to women’s rights and gender equality, including CEDAW and Istanbul Convention. Currently, a UN Joint Programme “Ending Violence against Women” funded by Government of Sweden is being implemented by UNDP, UN Women and UNFPA in partnership with Albanian Government. The Joint Programme is in line with Output 2.5 of the UN’s Programme of Cooperation for Sustainable Development (PoCSD) with the Government of Albania (GoA) and aims at: strengthening the normative and accountability framework related to GB-VAW; improving institutional practices, services and coordination for survivors of GB-VAW; and challenging norms pertaining to GB-VAW at the state, community and individual levels. These results aim at bringing institutional and behavioral change in preventing and responding to GB-VAW, thereby contributing to freeing women and girls from all forms of GB-VAW and from the threat of such violence.

In addition, over the past 7 years, UN Women has provided support to national and local stakeholders in advancing women’s rights through initiatives aimed at mainstreaming gender in policy planning and budgeting. Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) has been identified as an important tool for advancing gender equality and reducing violence against women. Planning and budgeting for services accessible to women survivors of gender-based violence can accelerate rehabilitation and reintegration of women survivors of violence and break the circle of violence. Both GREVIO’s 2017 report, and CEDAW’s Concluding Observations of 2016 against which the country reports periodically, have repeatedly raised concerns on the need to allocate budgets that adequately address service provision for survivors of violence.

In this framework, Albania has made important steps towards the institutionalization of gender responsive budgeting at central and local level. In accordance with GoA’s priorities stated in the national and local plans and strategies, UN Women has been supporting government efforts -at central and local level- in using GRB as a tool that ensures that women’s needs are incorporated in policies and related budgets.

Gender equality is now a core principle in the Organic Budget Law (2016) and a mandatory legal requirement also in the Local Government Financial Management cycle. The approval of law no. 68/2017 "On Local Government Finances”, paved the way for the effective inclusion of GRB in all the phases of local financial management cycle. This provides greater responsibilities and challenges for public entities in effectively managing gender-based policies, by devoting the budget resources to achieve them.

Especially at the local level, there is still a gap between the presented services and staffs who provide the support and the required skills, standard as well as availability, accessibility and effectiveness of specialist services related  to education, health, justice, security, social welfare and to prevent and respond effectively to GB-VAW. Municipalities need support in their efforts against GB-EVAW with funds, human resources and coordination.

In this framework, UN Women is requesting the services of a National Gender consultant who in cooperation with a Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) consultant will provide technical support to 5 target municipalities, namely, Durres, Korça, Tirana, Elbasan Lezhe to effectively apply Gender Responsive Budgeting framework and tools to analyze, plan and bring about budgetary decisions which respond to needs of the survivors of DV & VAW.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Under the overall supervision of the UN Women Albania EVAW Project Manager and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and target municipalities the consultant will be responsible for: 

• Provide technical support to 5 targeted municipalities to conduct a mapping of the existing DV and VAW services in these Municipalities and identify gaps to respond to the main priorities in the area of gender equality and ending violence against women in their territories.
• Prepare specific analyses on the implementation of DV&VAW as well as on GE from the municipality including  an analysis of the implementation of the Gender Action Plans in the four municipalities that has adopted the European Charter on the objectives focused on DV (where applicable).
• In cooperation with the National Consultant to assist municipalities to apply gender responsive planning and budgeting to respond to social protection and social inclusion services for women and girls -prepare knowledge products/guidelines on the use of GRB tools in order for local policies and budget to better respond to DV&VAW with specific examples/cases and best practices. Knowledge products should consist of the following: 1) Manual for LGUs on how to apply GRB with focus on services related to DV&VAW; 2) Modules of trainings for application of GRB at the local level with focus on GB-VAW- targeting a) Members of the Municipal Council and b) Municipality public officials and respective Social Service in the Municipality and State Social Services at Regional Level. C) members of both Leading Committee and Multidisciplinary Technical Team of Coordinated Referral Mechanisms

• Organize and conduct in collaboration with a GRB/PMF consultant, training and coaching sessions for municipality public officials, members of Municipal Council and members of both Leading Committee and Multidisciplinary Technical Team of CRM on how to use GRB tools and methods to analyze policies and budgets which respond to DV-VAW and use of gender data at the local level related to DV &VAW.
• Present and consult with relevant stakeholders the findings of the analyses conducted
• Support Municipalities to prepare costed proposals to be considered by the Municipal budget, including application for the social fund or other funds in relation to identified DV & VAW services.  

Expected Deliverables:

• Monthly workplans and reports for the consultancy agreed and discussed with UN Women and focal points in each municipality;
• Gender policy analyses reports for each municipality with a focus on DV and VAW;
•  Manual for LGUs on how to apply GRB with focus on services needed for to GB-VAW;
• Training Modules for the application of GRB at the local level with focus on GB-VAW;
• Outline and methodology of trainings to be organized for municipality’ public officials and Members of Municipal Council;
• Drafts and final versions of Gender budget analyses of the 5 target municipal services including Coordinated Referral Mechanisms
• Evidence/minutes of meetings, focus groups and organized meetings for the purpose of this assignment 

Compétences

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:  https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Functional Competences

• Excellent analytical and research skills
• Strong interpersonal and good communication abilities
• Excellent writing skills both in Albanian and in English;
• Excellent presentation skills;
• Proven ability to work within limited time constraints in the preparation of high quality documents;
• Ability to organize work efficiently and deal with multiple tasks;

Qualifications et expériences requises

Required Skills and Experience:

Qualifications/Education

Master's degree in human rights, social sciences, gender studies, development studies or similar discipline

Work Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in the areas of gender equality, women’s empowerment, gender-based violence, human rights, institutional relations and development;
• Experience in the functioning of the coordinated referral mechanism on domestic violence and gender mainstreaming;
• Experience in writing reports, manuals and guidelines for public administration use; Experience working with the local government administration including training and  coaching, mentoring and coordinating with different stakeholders;
• Previous experience with UN and/or other international organizations is an asset.

Language requirement

• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Albanian, including gender and policy terminology;

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

Financial proposal specifying the daily fee in Albanian Lek.

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 and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services). The candidate should indicate the cost for one travel to the target municipalities Payment will be made as per the payment schedule in the contract upon (i) satisfactory completion of tasks; (ii) provision of deliverables specified in the ToRs; (iii) submission of and approval of final draft; and (iv) submission of the respective invoice.

Recommended Presentation of Offer:

Qualified and interested candidates are asked to submit their application no later than 18 March 2020.

• A Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability including a brief description explaining why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
• UN Women Personal History form (P11) including past experience in similar assignment. Can be downloaded at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
• List of reports with links or at least two reports produced,
• Financial Proposal specifying the daily fee in Albanian Lek for the tasks specified in this assignment and the cost for one travel to the target municipalities

Evaluation of applicants:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. Contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and Having received the highest score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Technical evaluation – 70%

Applications will be assessed according to the following Technical Criteria:                      

• Master’s degree in human rights, social sciences, development studies, gender studies or similar discipline; (10 points)
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in the areas of gender equality, women’s empowerment, gender-based violence, human rights, institutional relations and development; (20 points)
• Experience on the functioning of the coordinated referral mechanism on domestic violence and gender mainstreaming; (15 points)
• Experience in writing reports, manuals and guidelines for public administration use; (10 points)
• Experience working with the local government administration and coaching, mentoring and coordinating with different stakeholders; (10 points)
• Previous experience with UN and/or other international organizations is an asset (5 points)

Financial evaluation – 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion. The calculation formula applied is as follow:

p = 30 (µ/z); where: p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated; µ = price of the lowest priced proposal; z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

How to Submit the Application: To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Download and complete the UN Women Personal History Form (P11)- http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
• Merge your UN Women Personal History Form (P11), the Financial Proposal, Cover Letter and the list of links or copies of any paperwork on social protection and /or capacity building designing 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.

Notes:

• 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.
• The consultancy post is open to local (Albanian) individuals or foreign individuals with valid temporary or permanent residence in Albania.
• Applications without the financial offer will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.
• The individual consultants should take the mandatory learning security course prior to commencement of assignment– details will follow before the issuance of contract.