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 centre of all its efforts, the UN Women leads and coordinates the United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world.
The Government of Albania has made national and international commitments to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women. 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.
Over the past 7 years, UN Women has provided support to national and local stakeholders in strengthening democratic governance and advancing women’s rights through initiatives aimed at mainstreaming gender in policy planning and budgeting. Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) has been identified as important tool for advancing gender equality in key national documents as in accordance with existing Albanian national policy documents on social inclusion and gender equality. In this framework, Albania has made important steps towards the institutionalization of gender responsive budgeting at central and local level. In the frame of the Regional Project on ‘Promoting Gender Responsive Polices in SEE’ financed by Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and Swiss Development Agency (SDC) and with technical expertise of UN Women, as well as 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 to advance gender equality and ensure that women’s needs are incorporated in policies and related budgets.
Gender equality is now a core principle in the Law on the Organic Budget (2016) and in support of this initiative, the Ministry of Finance and Economy has issued several instructions guiding the application of GRB and providing requirements for gender-sensitive reporting. In addition, GRB has been included as a legal requirement to the Local Government Financial Management cycle. The inclusion of the Gender Responsive Budgeting in the Medium-Term Budget Program as well as the legal changes in the field of Public Financial Management at local level, provide greater responsibilities and challenges for public entities in effectively managing gender-based policies, by devoting the budget resources to achieve them.
In order to provide information to public civil servants in charge of budgeting, gender focal points and other stakeholders on updates related to the institutional and legal changes on latest developments in the country as well as provide knowledge on application of GRB in practice and use of statistics for planning and budgeting purposes Ministry of Finance and Economy has requested UN Women’s support for the preparation of two guidelines and one Manual respecitvely on 1) Public financial management in Albania: Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks at the central Level and intefration of GRB; 2) Local Finance Law in Albania: Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks at the Local level and integration of GRB; 3) Manual on Gender responsive budgeting in Albania and case studies.
On this purpose, in the framework of “Promoting Gender Responsive Policies in the South East Europe” project financed by Austrian Development Agency (ADA) UN Women is seeking to recruit a Local National Consultant who will work closely with UN Women and the representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economy to develop the following:
- Contibutin to one chapter of the Giudeline (1) on Public financial management in Albania: Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks at the central level and integration of GRB, by focusing on gender responsive budgeting in the central MTBP;
- Contributin to one chapter of the Guideline (2) on Local Finance Law in Albania: Medium Team Expenditure Frameworks at the Local level and integration of GRB, by focusing on gender responsive budgeting in the local MTBP;
- Drafting the Manual (3) on gender responsive budgeting in Albania and case studies;
The sections related to use Statistics will be crosscutting and prepared by UN Women consultant currently contracted by UN Women. In performing the assignment, the consultant will closely collaborate with UN Women team and Ministry of Finance and Economy.
Duties and Responsibilities
Working under the overall guidance of the Regional GRB Project Manager, and direct supervision of the Program Manager of National Planning and Budgeting at UN Women Albania, the consultant will be responsible for the drafting and delivery of the following:
- Prepare a work-plan and methodology in consultation with Ministry of Finance and Economy and UN Women Project Manager on the steps to be taken for the finalization of the two guidelines and one manual;
- Review all existing relevant legislation, policies, studies and reports with a view to provide up to date information on the Public Finance Management system in Albania and GRB integration, legally and institutionally wise;
- Conduct a series of consultation meetings with relevant departments of MoFE, MoHSP, UN Women group of experts and team involved in the process;
- Contribute to one chapter of the Guideline (1) on Public financial management in Albania: Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks at the central Level and integration of GRB, by focusing on gender responsive budgeting in the central MTB. The Guideline should include the following information:
- Public financial management in Albania: Medium Term Expenditure Framework
Permanent instructions for the Budget Programming and Monitoring of the Ministry of Finance and Economy - AFMIS (Albanian Financial Management Integrated System), IPSIS-(Integrated Planning Systems Information System) and Hierarchy of Planning: gender tracking tools
- A dedicated chapter on Gender Responsive Budgeting and its application in the MTBP (central)
Use of Statistics will be a cross-cutting issue.
- Contribute to one chapter the Guideline (2) on Local Finance Law in Albania: Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks at the Local level and integration of GRB, by focusing on gender responsive budgeting in the local MTBP; The Guideline should include the following information:
- Local Finance Law in Albania: Medium TErm Expenditure Frameworks
- Permanent instructions for the Budget Programming and Monitoring of the Minister of
Finance and Economy
- A dedicated chapter on Gender Responsive Budgeting and its application in the MTBP (local)
- Use of Statistics will be a cross-cutting issue
- Drafting the Manual (3) on Gender responsive budgeting in Albania and case studies;
Main chapters of the guide will include:
- Overview of Gender Responsive Budgeting in Albania (legal and intuitional framework)- State of play
- Use of statistics and indicators;
- How to do Gender Equality Analysis; How to analyze existing objectives and indicators; How to formulate better objectives and indicators, including appropriate financial means; Follow up and evaluation of performance, including the actual distribution of means between women and men; How to start all over again.
- Case Studies;
Expected deliverables:
- A consultancy work plan that includes timeline and a proposed outline and methodology for the consultancy (to be consulted with and approved by UN Women and MoFE representatives).
- Final revised guidelines (in Albanian language) on 1) Public financial management in Albania: Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks at the central Level and integration of GRB ; 2) Local Finance Law in Albania: Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks at the Local level and integration of GRB
- Final Manual on Gender responsive budgeting in Albania and case studies; (in Albanian laguage)
- Final consultancy report in English.
- Duration and remuneration:
The duration of the contract will be up to 20 working days within March 2019. The payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of all tasks and deliverables in the assignment, and submission and approval by UN Women.
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:
- GRB: Strong expertise in the application of gender responsive budgeting methodologies and gender mainstreaming;
- Policy and budget cycle: knowledge and expertise on policy development and budgetary processes, as well as budget analysis and budget advocacy from the perspective of civil servants;
- Proven ability to work within limited time constraints in the preparation of high-quality documents;
- Ability to work in a team, develop synergies and establish effective working relations with various counterparts;
- Solid analytical, writing and communication skills in both Albanian and English;
Required Skills and Experience
Academic requirements:
- Advanced Degree in economics, finance, development studies, and/or gender studies or similar.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience;
- In-depth knowledge of the policy development and budgeting processes;
- Experience in gender responsive budgeting methodologies and gender mainstreaming;
- Experience on writing of reports, manuals and guidelines for public administration use;
- Demonstrated interest and/or experience in gender work.
Language Requirements: Excellent written and oral English and Albanian communication skills are required.
Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:
- Financial Proposal specifying the total fee in Albanian Lek for the tasks (20 days).
- 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).
- 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 within the deadline.
- 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.
- Completed and signed UN Women Personal History Form (P11). Can be downloaded at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
- Financial Proposal specifying the total all-inclusive lumpsum in Albanian Lek with a breakdown of costs as per the assignment.
- Copies of or Link to reports; manuals and guidelines
Evaluation of Applicants:
Candidates who will be shortlisted will be invited for an interview and will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications, interview 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.
Applications will be assessed according to the following Technical Criteria:
- Advanced Degree in economics, development studies, and/or gender studies or similar (max 10 points);
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience (max 10 points);
- GRB: Strong expertise in the application of gender responsive budgeting methodologies and gender mainstreaming (max 15 points);
- Policy and budget cycle: knowledge and expertise on policy development and budgetary processes, as well as budget analysis and budget advocacy from the perspective of civil servants (max 15 points);
- Experience on writing of reports; manuals and guidelines (max 10 points);
- Demonstrated interest and/or experience in gender work (max 10 points);
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.
Important Notes:
- Applications without the financial offer will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.
- The selected candidate should submit a Statement of Good Health. In addition, he/she should take the mandatory learning security course prior to commencement of assignment – details will follow with the selected candidate.