Background
“EU for Gender Equality in Albania: Implementation of the EU Gender Equality acquis” (“EU4GE”) is a UN Joint Programme developed jointly by UN Women and UNFPA and funded by the European Union through the UN Albania SDG Acceleration Fund. This 2-year intervention reflects the EU commitment on gender equality as a principle underpinning its external relations within the framework of Albania’s accession to the EU and with a focus on the negotiation process. With the overall aim of enhancing transposition of the EU Gender Equality acquis and achieving gender equality outcomes in line with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 5), it focuses on strengthening gender and socially-responsive governance outcomes at central and local levels, in line with international human rights norms and standards such as CEDAW, the Istanbul Convention, and the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review. Specific emphasis is placed on supporting the Government of Albania in responding to the significant and gender-specific socio-economic challenges which result from the measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. In doing so, the action adheres to the principles of international guidance on gender-responsive recovery.
The UNJP has two generic objectives. At central level, it will provide expert support for the integration of gender perspectives into sector dialogue, policy revisions, recovery programmes, and ongoing reforms. At local government unit/service provision level, it will strengthen capacities to translate national gender equality goals to the local level by specifically supporting measures that increase resilience. Among numerous concerning effects, the COVID-19-induced crisis has amplified women’s precarious status on the labor market, women’s and girls’ exposure to violence, and made visible the challenges to reaching out and providing essential services to populations in rural and under-served areas. Therefore, complementing ongoing UN-supported programmes on preventing violence against women and girls, the proposed action will follow up on previous work on promoting and adopting the European Charter for Equality of women and men in local life. The intervention will support selected Local Government Units (LGUs) in updating/revising their local Gender Action Plan, thereby translating SDGs, the EU Gender Equality acquis, and international and national commitments on gender equality and women’s rights into concrete action at local level. The Action foresees to provide advice and guidance for LGU planning and costing, with specific focus on strengthening equal opportunities for women and men, girls and boys, women’s economic resilience, and on supporting services that are particularly important for women notably for those facing the greatest risk of being marginalized, excluded, and left behind. The programme objectives will be achieved by increasing long term capacities of operating structures and local government institutions to mainstream gender equality at across municipal responsibilities and sectors. Some self-government government units - financially and technically supported by donors - have proceeded with implementing national obligations on gender equality by establishing Gender Equality/Domestic Violence Units or Officers, and by gradually addressing gender equality concerns in local planning. So far, a few municipalities in Albania have formally confirmed their commitment to gender equality by signing up to the European Charter for Equality of women and men in local life. Positive practice in engaging in gender and socially responsive local governance is emerging. In line with European guidance, municipalities are now required to engage in respective follow-up, and existing practice and elements of gender-responsive planning need to be synthesised and integrated into routine implementation.
The main stakeholders and partners for this activity are: Local Government Units (LGUS) - including but not limited to the Gender Equality Officer function, Child Protection Unit, staff in charge of social issues, and the Referral Mechanism for Domestic Violence); the Municipal Council; citizens and local civil society; the Ministry of Interior/Local Self-Government Support Agency; and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection/Equal Opportunities Department.
The scope of this assignment is to provide technical assistance and guidance to municipalities for operating in line with the articles of the European Charter for Equality of women and men in local life, thereby localizing national gender policy and laying the ground for alignment with EU GAP III at LGU level. In order to technically support this process, UN Women will be recruiting a National Senior Gender Mainstreaming & Local Governance expert. Based on work undertaken by municipalities so far, the consultant will coach LGU and facilitate the preparation, updating and costing of Local Gender Action Plans, in line with CEMR regulations, guidance on gender- and socially responsive COVID-19 recovery, and EU standards.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Programme Specialist/Head of Programme Unit, and the direct supervision of the UN Women EU4GE Project Manager, the senior national expert is responsible for performing the below key functions:
- Undertake a brief scan/review of the current state of the Charter among municipalities in Albania;
- In line with the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) Guidance on the Charter implementation process, facilitate the synthesizing of gender-responsive elements and activities, alignment with the European Charter, and drafting the individual Local Gender Action Plan for 5 Municipalities (to be identified as per requirements outlined in the project document)including structuring, prioritisation, responsibilities, indicators, budget, timeline, and partners;
- Review and undertake quality control of the final Local Gender Action Plans;
- Provide technical support, guidance and advice to municipal staff for introducing, applying and promoting gender-responsive governance tools and methods in partner municipalities;
- Engage in coaching and mentoring of Gender Equality Officers (GEOs) on gender mainstreaming and on outreach to administrative units;
- Provide input and advice for peer-to-peer networking and exchange in partner municipalities in Albania and in the region, including for identification of relevant collaboration;
- Contribute to preparing communication materials on core gender and local governance issues; and to making them available to the local administration and the wider public;
- Facilitate timely follow-up on procedural steps related to the Charter;
- Present main elements, insights and recommendations resulting from the assignment in events with LGUs, the UN Joint Programme (UNJP), relevant stakeholders, and Development & Integration Partners;
- Support knowledge building efforts;
- Prepare contributions and inputs for integration into relevant sections of strategic national planning and policy documents;
- Support coordination with related UNJP activities and emerging synergies;
- Provide brief monthly updates on work progress;
- Summarise engagement in a final report covering all the above (in English);
- Any other tasks and responsibilities as assigned.
Main Expected Outputs and Deliverables
- Plan of engagement in municipalities- Workplan to be completed by 17th May 2021
- Brief scan/review of current state of EU Charter adoption and implementation. -Overview list of Charter LGUs to be completed by 17th of May
- Provide technical expertise, advice and guidance to municipal staff to synthesize ongoing and planned gender-responsive elements and activities in line with CEMR guidance, and align them with the European Charter
- Support municipal staff in drafting/updating the individual Local Gender Action Plan in line with CEMR guidance, including structuring, prioritisation, responsibilities, indicators, budget, timeline, and partners; coach LGUs’ follow-up with official CEMR/Charter procedures. Draft Gender Action Plans (fice LGUs) to be completed by 30th of November 2021
- Review and undertake quality control of final Local Action Plans.- Final Gender Action Plans (five LGUs)to be completed by 26th February 2022
- Present main elements, insights and recommendations resulting from the assignment in an official events with relevant stakeholders and Development & Integration Partners. – (on demand) Interim and final presentations to be completed by 31st March 2022.
- Prepare contributions to relevant sections of strategic national documents.- (on demand)
- Final consultancy report.- Input for national strategies policy documents and final report to be submitted by the 29th April 2022
Installments:
First Installment -17 May 2021 upon submission of deliverables 1 and 2 (estimated 5 working/days)
Second Installment-30 November 2021 upon submission of deliverables 3 and 4 (estimated 30 working/days)
Third Installment -31 March 2022 upon completion of deliverables 5 and 6 (estimated 8 working days)
Fourth installment -29 April 2022 upon submission of deliverables 7 and 8 (estimated 7 working days)
Duration and remuneration:
The duration of the contract will be for an initial period of 12-months starting from May 2021, (with the possibility of extension) with an estimated 50 (fifty) working days. The payment will be made in installments as detailed above and upon satisfactory completion of tasks and deliverables, submission of timesheet and monthly report and approval by UN Women.
Competencies
Core Values:
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity
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 Competencies:
- Proven networking skills, demonstrating ability to build strategic partnerships by maintaining a network of contacts for collaboration and information sharing, and by being up-to-date on partnership-related issues;
- Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with team members;
- Strong negotiating skills;
- Strong skills in developing detailed gender-responsive work plans, with budgets and indicators for monitoring development results;
- Ability to produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making;
- Ability to support strategic networks and partnerships with local actors and partners to promote partnership and build alliances to advance organizational interests and competencies;
- Ability to advocate and provide policy and technical advice;
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both oral and written);
- Strong organizational and time management skills;
- Strong analytical skills and team building skills;
- Ability to handle conflict and sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner; and
- Capacity to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines.
Behavioural Competencies:
- Strong initiative-taker;
- Focuses on impact and results;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and with a positive, constructive, problem-solving attitude.
Required Skills and Experience
Education/Academic requirements:
- Master’s degree in Human Rights, Social Sciences, Gender, Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration or related fields is required.
Work Experience:
- Minimum of ten years of national or international development experience with particular emphasis on providing technical expertise on, and inputs for, gender mainstreaming into national policies and governance; gender responsive budgeting; and gender-sensitive planning, programming, and monitoring.
- Minimum of seven years of providing hands-on technical guidance, coaching and capacity development to municipalities in Albania/Western Balkans on applying tools and methods for integrating gender equality, women’s rights and women’s empowerment into governance/local administration.
- Proven evidence of advanced expertise, specific use, and concrete application of the European Charter for Equality of women and men in local life in assignments with local governments and international actors.
- Experience in working with the programmes and projects funded by UN, EU and other similar international organizations is an asset.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Albanian is required.
Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:
- Financial Proposal specifying the monthly fee in Albanian Lek for the tasks specified above.
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). Travel will occur upon approval by UN Women and travel cost for missions will be covered by UN Women.
- 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 by UN Women; and (iv) submission of the certification of payment.
Recommended Presentation of Offer:
Qualified and interested candidates are asked to submit their application no later than 4 May 2021:
- A Letter of Confirmation of Interest 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: UN Women Personal History Form (P11)
- Financial Proposal specifying the total lumpsum in Albanian Lek for the tasks specified in this assignment.
- Note: The application will be considered incomplete if it does not include the Financial Proposal.
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 points:
- Master’s degree in Human Rights, Social Sciences, Gender, Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration or related fields is required. (max 10 points)
- Minimum of ten years of national and international development experience with particular emphasis on providing technical expertise on, and inputs for, gender mainstreaming into national policies and governance; gender responsive budgeting; and gender-sensitive planning, programming, and monitoring. (max 20 points)
- Minimum of seven years of providing hands-on technical guidance, coaching and capacity development to municipalities in Albania/Western Balkans on applying tools and methods for integrating gender equality, women’s rights and women’s empowerment into governance/local administration. (max 20 points)
- Proven evidence of advanced expertise, specific use, and concrete application of the European Charter for Equality of women and men in local life in assignments with local governments and international actors. (max 15 points)
- Experience in working with the programmes and projects funded by UN, EU and other similar international organizations is an asset. (max 5 points)
Financial Evaluation – 30 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.
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)- UN Women Personal History Form (P11) or at http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
- Merge your UN Women Personal History Form (P11), the Financial Proposal, and the Letter of Confirmation of Interest 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.