Background

The LNB second phase programme goal is: “Vulnerable persons and groups have improved access to gender responsive public services that support their social rights, social inclusion and well-being, and are empowered to have a voice in public policy decision-making affecting their lives, and to hold decision-makers accountable for policy implementation”. To achieve this, the programme pursues three objectives:

• to empower beneficiaries in need of measures for their social protection to access and to contribute themselves to their social inclusion;
• to capacitate municipalities/ regions and service providers to provide services and to promote social inclusion;
• to capacitate state authorities in the further development and implementation of policies relevant for social inclusion and to further operationalize/ develop social inclusion funding mechanisms, including scaling up of the Social Fund.

The Leave No One Behind Joint Programme (second phase) will be implemented through the Delivering as One (DaO) mechanism, within the Government of Albania-UN   Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026, with the joint participation of four UN agencies of UNDP, UNICEF, UNWOMEN and UNFPA and in close partnership with relevant governmental bodies at central and local level. The programme is funded by SDC, and the funds are allocated through the SDG Acceleration Fund.

The program will started on 1 August 2021 and will be implemented for a period of 4 years, up to 31 July 2025

Duties and Responsibilities

At present, the links between NE and active labor market policies remain week though the majority of employment promotion programs target recipients of economic assistance (NE). Often unemployed jobseekers in the cash assistance scheme refuse to participate in the employment promotion schemes because they are either informally employed or fear to lose the chance to re-enter the NE scheme once / if they become again unemployed. According to the "National Exit Program for Beneficiaries of Economic Assistance", the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Ministry of Finance and Economy are responsible for drafting policies for the integration into the labor market of economic aid recipients. They are responsible for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of measures on a periodic basis and reporting on the fulfillment of objectives.

The aim of the Exit Program for Beneficiaries of Economic Assistance is to transform the existing NE scheme into a transition scheme for NE beneficiaries’ employment and/or inclusion in the Active Labour Market Measures (ALMP) based on innovative models and international experience. The exit from the NE scheme and the integration of employable NE beneficiaries in the labor market will be done through an inter-institutional mechanism which is the Individual Action Plan (PIV). PIV represents a simple decision-making chain which guarantees the provision of services and benefits according to the needs of individuals that is in the process of transition from NE to employment. The overall purpose of this ToR is to engage two experts to assist the MHSP in conducting the analysis of the profiles of economic assistance beneficiaries, who are active labor force, and to come up with standard individual plans as anticipated in the Exit Program.

The Consultant(s)  are expected to:

• Get familiar with the National Exit Program for Beneficiaries of Economic Assistance, National Social Protection Strategy, and Law no. 57/2019 "On social assistance in the Republic of Albania"
• Get familiar with the profile of working age NE beneficiaries and analyze their employment potentials.
• Develop individual plans for members of working age NE beneficiaries according to the typology of the profile.
• Provide recommendations on how to activate employment programs which help NE beneficiaries to overcome the constraints and obstacles they encounter in the process of reintegration, employment, and participation in the labor market.

1.Expected deliverables and timeline

All deliverables of consultants will be validated/certified by MoHSP deputy minister and UNDP Specialist. Upon completion of the assignment the Consultants shall submit brief technical report describing undertaken activities and deliverables under these Terms of Reference

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

? Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;

? Commitment to UNDP’s vision, mission, and strategic goals;

? Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

? Treats all people fairly without favoritism;

? Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment

Functional competencies:

? Proven experience in the implementation of ALMP and NE law and relevant regulatory framework including data collection required;

? Experience in maintaining tools and strategies for data collection, analysis and production of reports;

? Previous experience/familiarity with UNDP or other UN agencies is desirable;

? Strong interpersonal and communication skills;

? Ability to work independently and as part of a team;

? Full working knowledge of English and Albanian;

? Self-motivated and able to recommend options for resolution of issues;

Required Skills and Experience

Under the overall guidance of UNDP Programme Specialist and in close cooperation with the deputy minister MoHSP, the Consultant(s) will develop the document with recommendations on how to activate employment programs for NE beneficiaries.

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in social policy, public policy, politics, environmental economics, development studies business administration, political science, international relations or related field is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in governance, public and local issues with a specific focus on social protection and inclusion and employment.
• Proven knowledge and experience in the implementation of ALMP and NE law and relevant regulatory framework.
• Proven knowledge and good understanding of Employment Promotion / social inclusion / social protection programming or related policies and programmes.
• Experience in monitoring/evaluating capacity development for government institutions for Social Protection programmes or projects is preferable.

Language Requirements

Excellent English and Albanian communication skills.

Evaluation Procedure

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that would take into account 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: 70

• Criteria A: Relevant work experience – max points: 35
• Criteria B: Experience working with UN agencies on related assignments – max points: 20
• Criteria C: Educational background – max points: 15

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

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. 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 & Detailed Financial Proposal - 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 ALL*- Specify a Total Lump Sum in Albanian Lek for the tasks specified in this announcement. The attached template may be used - Download Here (kindly use Firefox browser) Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall consider 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. 

*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); In the P11 Form make sure to include Email Addresses of the Persons who are willing to provide References on your past experience in working with them.
• 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.