National consultant with expertise in law and gender equality to support the Ministry of Health and Social Protection in preparing the monitoring report for the Council of Europe Convention

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

The Council of Europe (CoE) Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention, is the first legally binding instrument in Europe creating a comprehensive legal framework to prevent and combat violence against women (VAW) and domestic violence at the international level. It defines and criminalizes various forms of violence against women (including forced marriage, female genital mutilation, stalking, physical and psychological violence and sexual violence), and it establishes a comprehensive framework of legal and policy measures for preventing such violence. As of February 2023, 26 countries have ratified the Convention. Albania, having ratified the Convention on 4 February 2013, was the second country that signed it after Türkiye.

UN Women and other UN agencies in Albania supported advocacy for the ratification of the Convention: in 2011 during the Albania chairmanship of the CoE the Government committed to sign and ratify the Istanbul Convention and launched the commitment during the national conference on Domestic Violence which aimed to introduce the Convention to the Albanian authorities and public. UN Women subsequently provided support do develop the first monitoring report for the Convention in 2016, and is currently implementing various projects that aim to support increased alignment and implementation of the provisions of the Convention in the country, notably the regional programme “Implementing Norms, Changing Minds”, funded by the European Commission, and the UN Joint Programme “Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Albania, Phase II” (UN JP EVAWIA Phase II), funded by Sida.

The UN JP EVAWIA Phase II is structured around three key pillars of the Istanbul Convention: Prevention, Protection and Integrated Policy Advice. Through the project, 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. The project is being implemented by UN Women, UNDP, and UNFPA in partnership with the Albanian Government. This Programme follows Phase I of the UNJP on EVAW, implemented from 2019 to 2022 and it is in line with Outcome 4: Gender Responsive Governance of the Albania-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (CF). The intervention aims at ensuring that: (i) women and girls enjoy more effective preventive measures against violence; (ii) all women survivors and those at risk are better protected from all forms of violence and have equitable access to services; and (iii) responsible institutions and actors implement national policies and legislation on VAW in a more comprehensive, inclusive and coordinated way in Albania. Project output 3.1 “State institutions improve the legal framework and policies on VAW so that they are comprehensive of prevention and protection measures for victims of all forms of violence and line with international standards and commitments”, aims to, inter alia, support partners to better align national policies to international standards and conduct regular monitoring of implementation of international conventions.

GREVIO is the independent expert body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) by the Parties (as per Article 66 of the Convention). In February 2023, GREVIO launched its second evaluation procedure. State Parties are required to submit to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, based on a questionnaire prepared by GREVIO, a report on legislative and other measures giving effect to the provisions of the Convention, for consideration by GREVIO, followed by evaluation procedures determined by GREVIO.

The Albanian government is due to present its report based on the GREVIO questionnaire in June 2023. To this end, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MOHSP) will lead the report preparation and engage in consultations with key institutions and partners. To support the reporting process, UN Women will be recruiting a national consultant to assist MOHSP on the preparation of the report, as part of the implementation of the UN Joint Programme “Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Albania, Phase II”, output 3.1, “State institutions improve the legal framework and policies on VAW so that they are comprehensive of prevention and protection measures for victims of all forms of violence and line with international standards and commitments”.

[1] https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list?module=signatures-by-treaty&treatynum=210

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women Head of Programmes and close cooperation with the General Director of Social Inclusion and Gender Equality at the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the, the national consultant will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Prepare a consultancy workplan (in Albanian) to be agreed with UN Women and MOHSP ;
• Desk review of existing data and reports prepared by the government, independent institutions, international organisations and CSOs on violence against women and domestic violence in Albania;
• Coordinate written inputs from relevant institutions in response to the monitoring questionnaire;
• Conduct follow-up interviews with key informants in government institutions as well as with relevant civil society organisations and service providers for survivors of domestic violence, as needed;
• Review, analyse and summarise the written information to be provided by state institutions as well as independent institutions;
• Prepare the draft report in Albanian for review by MOHSP;
• Conduct consultative meetings with key stakeholders (to be agreed with MOHSP), including the UN Agencies in Albania);
• Prepare the final report based on comments and feedback from the consultations and MOHSP (in Albanian);
• Prepare presentations needed for the round tables/consultations as part of the preparation and finalization of the report;
• Submit a consultancy report and time-sheet (in English) on the overall work conducted.

Deliverables:

• Workplan for carrying out the work (agreed with UN Women and MOHSP) (1 working day) - by 10th March 2023;
• Minutes of meetings with stakeholders and consultative sessions (6 working days) - by 4th April 2023;
• 1st draft report in Albanian (15 working days) – by 28th April 2023;
• Final report in Albanian (5 working days) – by 31st May 2023;
• Presentations prepared and used during meetings and consultations (1 working day) – by 9th June 2023
• Review the English translation of the report (1 working day)- by 12th June 2023
• Final consultancy report in English (1 working day) –by 16th June 2023.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• 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/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

Functional Competencies:

• In-depth knowledge of gender equality, non-discrimination and women’s rights;
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear reports with in-depth analysis and strategic recommendations in English and Albanian in the relevant fields;
• Excellent writing, presentation/public speaking skills;
• IT literacy

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Law, Human Rights, Gender Equality, International Development

Work Experience:

• At least 10 years of experience as a legal, human rights expert in the areas of gender equality, gender-based violence, gender discrimination at the national and international level
• Experience of preparing/writing legal analyses, research reports and assessments related to human rights, Experience in engaging with international human rights treaty bodies with a focus on women’s rights and gender equality.
• Experience in engaging with international human rights treaty bodies with a focus on women’s rights and gender equality
• Experience with the United Nations or similar international organisations would be an asset.

Language requirement:

• Fluency in Albanian and English

Duty Station, Duration and Remuneration

The national expert will be engaged for a total of 30 working days during the period of March 6th – June 16th, 2023. The national expert will be based in Tirana and frequent presence at the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MOHSP) premises will be required based as per the agreed workplan for completing the report. Payment will be made as per the payment schedule in the contract upon (i) satisfactory completion of tasks; (ii) UN Women and MOHSP approval of deliverables specified in the ToRs, and (iii) submission of the respective timesheet and certification of payment.

Recommended Presentation of Offer :

The application should contain the following documents in English language:

1. Cover letter to include a brief overview in English (unedited text) about which of your previous experiences makes you the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the 'Resume and Motivation' section of the electronic application
2. Completed and signed UN Women Personal History Form (P11) including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees. The form can be downloaded from UN Women Personal History Form (P11). Evidence of written legal analyses, research reports and assessments related to human rights, gender equality and ending violence against women produced by you or links to these documents.
3. Financial proposal, indicating the total lump sum in Albanian Lek (ALL) a total lump sum amount in ALL Albanian Lek for the tasks specified in this announcement. 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

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 Law, Human Rights, Gender Equality, International Development;(max 10 points);
• At least 10 years of experience as a legal, human rights expert in the areas of gender equality, gender-based violence, gender discrimination at the national and international level; (25 points);
• Experience of preparing/writing legal analyses, research reports and assessments related to human rights, gender equality and ending violence against women; (15 points)
• Experience in engaging with international human rights treaty bodies with a focus on women’s rights and gender equality (15 points);
• Previous experience or familiarity with the UN system or other international organizations would be an asset (max 5 point)

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.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)