National legal consultant to support the role of the Parliament in addressing Violence Against Women in Albania

Contract

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

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, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

Albanian has made important steps in the area of gender equality and end of violence against women. The country is party to key human rights treaties, including the including the Convention for the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). In terms of the national legislation, the first Law on Domestic Violence was approved in 2006 and has been later amended to better align it with the relevant international standards, including the EU gender equality acquis. In 2008, the Law on Gender Equality came into effect and included the establishment of the national gender machinery. Amendments to the Criminal Code were significant steps to criminalising some forms of violence against women within the scope of the Istanbul Convention. At the policy level, the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2021-2030 (NSGE) includes a specific objective (Strategic Goal III) on “Reducing all forms of harmful practices, gender-based violence, and domestic violence”. Other goals of the NSGE are i) Fulfillment of economic and social rights of women, young women, girls, and men, young men and boys in the society and the empowerment of women, young women, and girls in all their diversity, aiming at an improvement and sustainability of environmental (green) economy and their equal participation in the digitalization process; ii) Ensuring the equal participation, representation, and leadership rights of women and men, young women and men, girls, and boys in all their diversity in political and public decision-making at the local level; and iii) Application of gender mainstreaming as the main tool of achieving gender equality and gender justice in society.

In Albania, 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, including CEDAW and the t Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention). Currently, a United Nations Joint Programme “Ending Violence Against Women in Albania Phase II” (EVAWIA Phase II) supports 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, and it is funded by Sida. 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) 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 3.2 “State and non-state institutions and actors (CSOs, donors, UN Agencies, public oversight bodies and members of the referral mechanisms) at national and local level have improved coordination in addressing VAW”, aims to, inter alia, support the Albanian Parliament in exercising an increased monitoring role in fighting all forms of violence against women. The Albanian Parliament is one of the key partners of UN Women towards the common efforts to ensure women empowerment and elimination of gender-based discrimination. In addition to its legislative mandate, the Parliament has increased its oversight role on gender equality and end of violence against women. On December 4th, 2017, the Parliament passed the resolution “On Condemnation of Violence Against Women and Girls and increase of Effectiveness of Prevention Legal Mechanisms”, which calls on the central and local government as well as the judiciary to undertake a number of urgent measures to address violence against women. Through this resolution, the Parliament established the parlimentory sub-committe on " Gender Equality and Prevention of Violence againsts Women" (under the Parliamentary Commission on Labour, Social Affairs and Health). In addition, an Alliance of Women Members of Parliament (MPs) was established in 2013 as a voluntary group that aims to further the cause of women’s empowerment in the Parliament and at various Government levels. Through a signed Declaration, the main objectives of the Alliance are: to work in the areas of increasing women representation at both national and local level; eradicate violence against women; women economic empowerment; and increasing women participation in cultural, public, artistic and scientific life in the country. Since its establishment, the Alliance has been engaged in actions and activities addressing the areas of focus of the Declaration. Nevertheless, for the Alliance to be acting more effectively, consistent support is needed to support its coordination, focus of work and specific products to be developed based on the Alliance’s priorities.

In this context, UN Women will be recruiting a national consultant to assist the Women Alliance of MPs, working in coordination with relevant parliamentary committees and sub-committees, in addressing violence against women, including by providing expertise to the members of the Women Alliance. These efforts will contribute to the UN Joint Programme “Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Albania, Phase II”, output 3.2 “State and non-state institutions and actors (CSOs, donors, UN Agencies, public oversight bodies and members of the referral mechanisms) at national and local level have improved coordination in addressing VAW”.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the UN Women Project Manager for UN Joint Programme on EVAW and in close collaboration with the co-chairs of the Alliance of Women MPs, 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 the Alliance of Women MPs.
• Provide support to the Alliance of Women MPs implementing its main priorities in the area of gender equality and ending violence against women and develop/update Action Plan/Work Plan, in accordance with the international, regional and national commitments on gender equality and in support of the implementation of the Albanian’s Parliament resolution on ending violence against women and the resolution on SDGs.
• Identify opportunities for follow up to the CEDAW concluding observations to the 5th state report by Albania, including as regards the role of Parliament in promoting the full implementation of provisions under the Convention.
• Plan and coordinate the women MPs’ joint visits and participation in meetings and events related to gender equality and gender-based violence.
• Support and facilitate relationships and cooperation with various partners, including civil society, international organizations and other partners working on ending violence against women.
• Support and coordinate capacity development initiatives on the topic of gender-based violence upon request of the Alliance of Women MPs, in coordination with the Parliamentary Institute and other partners including possible exchange visits.
• Provide technical support on the implementation of the resolution and annual workplan and activities pertaining to the topic of ending violence against women, including periodic communication with central and local government.
• Support the organization of activities, hearing sessions, meetings as relevant to the topic of ending violence against women.
• Support communications efforts, including capturing key results achieved, develop presentations, briefs, talking points, as relevant to the issue of ending violence against women.
• Support the preparation of the annual report of the Alliance of Women MPs.

Deliverables:

• Prepare a consultancy workplan (in Albanian) to be agreed with UN Women and the Alliance of Women MPs.
• Monthly workplans for the consultancy agreed and discussed with the co-chairs of the Alliance of Women MPs and cleared by UN Women;
• Documents drafted to support the activities of the Alliance and of the sub-committee (upon its re-establishment), in accordance with the workplan, including draft letters, reports, communication with various stakeholders, minutes of meetings, visibility documents;
• Draft/updated Work Plan/Action Plan developed in consultations with the members of the Alliance;
• Monthly consultancy report to be submitted to UN Women.

Note:

• Technical inputs and other on-demand reports on specific initiatives when requested by the Alliance will be reviewed and agreed with UN Women for quality assurance;
• Quality of relationships with partners is central to success and will be assessed by the chair of the sub-committee and UN Women throughout the duration of the contract.
• UN Women and the the co-chairs of the Alliance of Women MPs will provide the Consultant with background materials related to the assignment
• The consultant is expected to work using her/his own computer.

Duty Station, Duration and Remuneration

The national expert will be engaged for a total of up to 60 working days during the period of December 2023- December 2024. The national legal expert will be based in Tirana and frequent presence at the premises of the Parliament will be required based on the agreed workplan. Payment will be made as per the payment schedule in the contract upon (i) satisfactory completion of tasks; (ii) UN Women approval of deliverables specified in the ToRs, and (iii) submission of the respective timesheet and certification of payment.

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:

• Proven research, analytical and drafting skills,
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with various public and non-public stakeholders including in the areas of gender equality and violence against women;
• Excellent writing skills in English and Albanian;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Strong initiative-taker;
• Focuses on impact and results for the partner;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in human rights, law, social sciences, development studies, gender studies or similar discipline

Work Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant legal professional experience in the areas of gender equality and development, women’s empowerment, gender-based violence, human rights;
• Specific experience related to the international (CEDAW, Istanbul Convention) and national legal framework and policies related to women’s rights and gender-based violence;
• Experience in working and cooperating with central and local government, Parliament and other central bodies/partners international organizations.
• Previous experience with UN and/or other international organizations would be an advantage.

Language requirement:

Fluency in Albanian and English

Recommended Presentation of Offer****:

The application should contain the following documents in English language:

• 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
• 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.
• 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.

NOTE: APPLICATIONS WITHOUT THE FINANCIAL OFFER WILL BE TREATED AS INCOMPLETE AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT.

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:

• Advanced degree in human rights, law, social sciences, development studies, gender studies or similar discipline (max. 10 points).
• At least 5 years of relevant legal professional experience in the areas of gender equality and development, women’s empowerment, gender-based violence, human rights (20 points).
• Specific experience related to the international (CEDAW, Istanbul Convention) and national legal framework and policies related to women’s rights and gender-based violence (20 points).
• Experience in working and cooperating with central and local government, Parliament and other central bodies/partners (15 points).
• Previous experience with UN and/or other international organizations would be an advantage (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)- P11 form.
• Merge your UN Women Personal History Form (P11), the Financial Proposal, 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.

Notes:

• 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.

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.)