Background

Albania has made important progress in establishing relevant institutional and policy frameworks for achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, in line with international, regional, and national gender equality standards and obligations. Despite significant efforts, the legislative framework has gaps, institutional response mechanism face challenges to improve and strengthen inter-institutional co-operation in preventing and handling violence against women (VAW) cases. Therefore, to ensure an effective response, it is critical to mobilize government, civil society, and people in local communities to act in unison to fulfill national and international commitments to prevent and eliminate VAW.

On this long road to end VAW, the United Nations (UN) has supported Albania for the past 14 years. In line with current challenges Albania needs to address in ending GB-VAW, and Output 2.5 of the UN’s Programme of Cooperation for Sustainable Development (PoCSD) with the Government of Albania (GoA), the UN Joint Programme (JP) (three years programme) aims to produce these output level results: (1) a strengthened normative and accountability framework related to GB-VAW; (2) improved institutional practices, services and coordination for survivors of GB-VAW; and (3) to challenge 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.

Equal participation of women and men is at the heart of modern democracy in many countries. In addition to right to vote, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) defines the rights of women and men to “participate in the formulation of government policy and the implementation thereof and to hold public office and perform all public functions at all levels of government”. More women than ever before are participating in politics worldwide. More than 10 500 women served as national parliamentarians in 2017, accounting for over 23% of total parliamentarians worldwide.[1] Despite gains in women’s political activity, women remain significantly under-represented in politics worldwide and continue to face multiple challenges in taking up positions in political and public life.

Albanian Electoral Code legislative changes in 2008 have a direct impact in women’s participation and decision making. A significant development in the number of women Members of Parliament (MPs) was possible upon the introductory of 30% quota. This was followed with improvements to the Electoral Code in 2015[2] which allowed that out of 2046 lists submitted to the Central Election Commission in 2015, only 215 (or 10.51%) started with the name of a woman candidate. in the local elections of 2015. These amendments to the Electoral Code significantly improve the gender political representation and women participation in policy and decision-making processes. Currently, women, members of Parliament (MPs) are 41 out of the total of 140 MPs which makes 29,3%, and 43.61% are women councilors[3] in municipal councils across the country.

Although many factors constrain women’s political participation, perhaps most alarming is the per­ceived increase in violence against women (VAW) targeting women in political life. The growing presence of women in politics is viewed by some as being at odds with women’s traditional gender roles, constituting a threat to traditional power relations and the status quo. Almost universally, the increase in women’s political representation has been accompanied by a rise in violence against women in politics (VAWP). Violence against women in politics is a serious problem that discourages women from participating in political processes, constitutes a fundamental violation of their human dignity, undermines democracy and is an obstacle to the strengthening of egalitarian and non-discriminatory societies. Political violence can emerge in many contexts, but it has unique and adverse impacts on women during an electoral period. Political tensions and fierce competition during elections can create vulnerabilities for women’s political participation, which in many cases is already disadvantaged compared to men and can result in women’s exclusion from the process. Tactics such as physical assault, intimidation and psychological abuse affect both men and women, but have differential gender impacts on each, and some gender-based forms of violence are specific to women.

Safeguarding the ethical standards by political parties, their leaders, elected representatives, and candidates, is crucial for guaranteeing the integrity of Albanian democracy, not only in the electoral arena but more broadly within the wider political and social processes. To address the current challenges posed in the context of the electoral campaign in Albania, the No Hate Alliance[4], in cooperation with the Central Election Commission initiated a consultative process with the electoral subjects to establish for the first time a "Code of Conduct for the Political Parties". The Code of Conduct provides for the best European standards in the field, in accordance with the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)[5] recommendations. It establishes clear rules of conduct for Political Parties, competing entities and their supporters in relation to their participation in the electoral process that should ensure the implementation of the highest democratic standards. The establishment of this code is crucial and a very important tool in driving the ethical conduct, specifically hate speech used in traditional and social media, during the election period and beyond.

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are drivers of development progress. Specifically shaping and building resilient, representative, responsive, and democratic institutions based on gender equality and respect for human rights are central to UNDP’s mandate to promote gender responsive and equally inclusive governance institutions. To promote women’s leadership and participation of women in political and decision-making processes, UNDP has worked with a range of stakeholders including women leaders, parliamentarians, civil society organizations, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and conducted studies on the role and challenges that elected women as members of municipal and communal councils have in local decision-making and impact of the gender quota on women’s substantive decision-making power in the local councils.  Concrete partnerships are established with both People’s Advocate (PA) and the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination (CPD) in their mission and role to influence policy change based on accurate and timely data and protection of human rights for all women and men across all walks of life.

To help unlock different forms of violence against women and girls in politics in Albania, UNDP will conduct a study on the dimensions of Violence Against Women in Politics (VAWP) in Albania.

[1] Preventing Violence against Women in Elections, UN Women/ UNDP, 2017. https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2017/11/preventing-violence-against-women-in-elections#view

[2] The Electoral Code of the Republic of Albania (Approved by Law no. 10 019, dated 29 December 2008, amended by Law no. 74/2012, dated 19 July 2012 and Law no. 31/2015, dated 2 April 2015). http://cec.org.al/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/KODI-ZGJEDHOR-2015-Teksti.pdf

[3] http://cec.org.al/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2019-Tabela-Permbledhese-Final-1.pdf.

[4] The ‘No Hate Alliance’ is composed of: People’s Advocate; the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination; the Audio-visual Media Authority and the Albanian Media Council

[5] Published from European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) Council of Europe - 2016 https://rm.coe.int/ecri-general-policy-recommendation-no-15-on-combating-hate-speech-alba/16809eb58e

Duties and Responsibilities

VAWP is a global concern and falls between the gap of gender-based violence and political violence. In an election environment, women face additional hurdles to report. This in turn has a direct impact on the availability of administrative data particularly VAWP data. Types of VAWP varies from psychological, sexual, physical, and more recently cyber acts of violence. Physical violence, sexual harassment, sexist remarks, verbal abuse, and threats of reprisal are used as tools to intimidate, humiliate, and put an end to a women’s political career. The study will document experiences of women in politics, focusing on assessing obstacles, to women’s political participation, including the experience of violence, magnitude, form of violence, risk and protective factors, help seeking behaviors and consequences on their health, political participation, and leadership.

The study will focus on women active in political parties and the ones that have succeeded as elected for public office at both national and local levels and will be guided by existing definitions of violence against women (VAW) and VAWP. The study will be based on quantitative and qualitative data that will be collected through methods such as surveys, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and storytelling.

UNDP will seek to create a research team with a lead researcher and an assistant researcher. The lead researcher will be specifically tasked with the following:

1. In consultation with the assistant researcher, UNDP team, PA and CPD, develop the methodology – design, sampling, methods, and instruments.
2. Pretest research tools, reflect changes, and make the necessary adjustments.
3. Advise, coach and partner with the assistant researcher to collect data on women politicians, for instance women in political parties across all wings, women holding specific positions at national and local government (ex-parliamentarians, mayors, deputy mayors, council members etc).
4. Develop data collection tools such as questionnaire, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and storytelling.
5. Develop the protocol for data collection and ethical issues.  
6. Prepare a sample design for interviewees with particular care to ensure a sample that is representative of the number of women in politics, but also considering their various characteristics: e.g., age group, type and size of local government unit, political party they represent, number of mandates as council members etc.
7. Collect data in collaboration with the research assistant.
8. Analyze and interpret data collected through questionaries, interviews, focus groups, and storytelling.   
9. Develop a research report that – besides presenting results from the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data – includes cases of VAWP based on women in politics life stories.
10. Prepare a policy brief that presents findings and lists specific steps that should be undertaken to tackle VAWP in the context of Albania.
11. Present and discuss the main findings of the research with a group of stakeholders with interest in women’s participation in political life and decision-making processes.
12. Develop recommendations that will help UNDP and Albanian national partners in their efforts in conducting similar surveys in the years to come.

The list of final deliverables:

• Research methodology and research tools drafted and finalized.
• A research report and a policy brief drafted and finalised.
• Power point presentations.
• A presentation of findings and recommendations prepared for a public event with a range of relevant stakeholders.
• A final consultancy report (in English) highlighting the expert’s work, outputs, achievements, lessons learned and the proceeding of the consultations, including recommendations for future similar interventions.  

Competencies

• Analytical skills, initiative, sound judgment, results-oriented and efficiency in a multi-tasking environment
• Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking attitude, ability to work in multi-cultural environment and ability to get people engaged and willing to open and speak out.
• Ability to work under pressure in complex situations.
• Ability to work in an independent manner, set priorities and organize the workflow efficiently.
• Willingness to travel around the country.
• Full working knowledge of English, including excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Fluency in Albanian
• Very good computer skills and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.

Required Skills and Experience

The selected candidate should have the following qualifications:

Academic Qualifications/Education:

• University degree preferably in development-related disciplines.
• A PhD in the field of political sciences, social and or gender studies is highly preferred.  

Experience:

• At least 10 years of practicing and or/ academic experience in gender equality, participatory democracy, local governance, women in policy and decision-making, social statistics, and research.
• Prior experience in developing survey methodology and indicators, in preparing questionaries and analysing quantitative data.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience on issues of gender equality, women participation in decision making, public perceptions and attitudes towards gender equality.
• Previous experience in professional publications.
• Strong commitment and contribution in advancement of women’s rights and achievement of gender equality.
• Good knowledge and understanding of United Nations System and particularly the role and mandate of UNDP is desired.

Language skills:

• Working knowledge of English and fluency in Albanian

5. EVALUATION OF APPLICANTS

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

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

• Criteria A: Specific education development-related disciplines as mentioned under “Qualifications” section – max points: 20
• Criteria B: Work experience – max points: 20
• Criteria C: Previous experience with similar evaluation or analysis exercises – max points: 30

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

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-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*- specifying a total lump sum in Albanian Lek for the tasks specified in this announcement. The attached template may be used - Download Here (kindy use Firefox browser) 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.