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.

UN Women Albania is implementing its Strategic Note 2022–2026, which aims to ensure that all women and girls enjoy and exercise their human rights in a gender-equal society and meaningfully contribute to Albania’s sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development and EU integration. This vision is pursued through three outcome areas aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework:

1. Increased and more equitable investment in people to remove barriers and create opportunities for those at risk of exclusion.
2. Innovative and integrated policy solutions that accelerate sustainable, productive and inclusive development. 
3. Gender-responsive governance that strengthens equality and non-discrimination.

 Within this framework, UN Women is implementing the programme “EU4Gender Equality II – Gender Equality Facility in Albania,” funded by the European Union. Building on the first phase (2021–2023), the programme supports Albania in aligning its national frameworks with the EU Gender Equality acquis, thereby contributing to both the country’s EU accession agenda and its commitments under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Strengthening production, availability, and use of gender statistics is a cornerstone of this effort, as reliable data are essential for evidence-based policymaking, EU monitoring, and accountability.

A central component of this work is the preparation and implementation of Albania’s second national Time Use Survey (TUS) in 2026, conducted 16 years after the first survey in 2010. The TUS is included as a priority activity in Albania’s Multi-Annual Programme on Official Statistics 2022–2026, which defines the official statistical operations to be carried out in the country. Its implementation is further supported by the Memorandum of Understanding signed between UN Women and INSTAT in 2024 on strengthening gender statistics, which provides the broader cooperation framework for advancing the production and use of gender statistics in Albania.

The survey will be designed in full compliance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1700[1], the Harmonised European Time Use Survey (HETUS 2018) Guidelines[2], and the forthcoming HETUS Data Delivery Guidelines (2025)[3].

It will generate internationally comparable data on how women and men allocate their time between paid and unpaid activities. Such data are critical for monitoring SDG indicator 5.4.1 on unpaid domestic and care work and will directly contribute to the Gender Equality Index (time domain) produced by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). They will also strengthen Albania’s capacity to meet its EU accession reporting obligations in the field of social statistics and gender equality.

International expertise is required to provide technical support for designing and conducting the survey. This includes the design and adaptation of survey instruments (household, individual, and diary questionnaires), preparation of interviewer instructions and training materials, development of coding and validation protocols, and guidance on data processing and quality assurance in line with Eurostat requirements. The consultant will also support the capacity building of INSTAT’s implementation team to carry out the survey. 

In this context, UN Women Albania seeks to engage an International Consultant on Time Use Survey Methodology to provide hands-on technical assistance to INSTAT and ensure that Albania’s 2026 TUS is fully aligned with Eurostat methodology and best international practices and standards.

1. Objective

To provide technical assistance to INSTAT in preparing the methodology and tools for conducting the national Time Use Survey in full alignment with Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 and Eurostat’s HETUS standards, while building the institutional capacity of INSTAT staff to develop the survey design, training materials, and coding protocols.

1. Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will support INSTAT in the following areas:

Survey Instruments and Documentation

• Provide methodological guidance on data collection methodology and sampling design, including recommendations on sample size, stratification, and weighting methodology.
• Provide guidance on survey methodology and data collection tools customization (household Questionnaire, individual Questionnaire, Diary) according to HETUS 2018 standards.
• Provide guidance on data collection instructions and enumerators’ manuals to ensure standardized data collection.
• Support developing training materials for enumerators/supervisors covering topics related to interview techniques, diary collection protocols, coding of activities, among others.

Training & Capacity Development

• Support the user-producer dialogue to identify national priorities and data needs.
• Conduct at least one training workshop for INSTAT staff on survey methodology and Eurostat compliance.
• Provide guidance for training sessions for enumerators and coders, including quality control and error detection.

Coding and Data Processing

• Develop coding lists and protocols for diary activities, in line with HETUS 2018 Activity Coding List (ACL), including practical guidance on setting up a coding index (i.e., a list with the expressions found in the diaries and the activity codes that have been assigned to them), to ensure a harmonized coding process.

Finalization of Methodology

• Recommendations on finalization of survey methodology package based on pilot survey results, ensuring full alignment with Eurostat standards.

• Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel 

This is a home-based consultancy. As part of this assignment, there will be a maximum of up to three trips to Tirana, Albania.

Inputs from UN Women

Throughout the assignment, UN Women will provide:

• Access to background and resource materials, including relevant international and EU documentation. 
• Technical inputs when reviewing key methodological documents, survey instruments, coding manuals, and training materials.
• Coordination support to facilitate collaboration with national stakeholders where required.
• Logistical and communications support for missions to INSTAT, including the organization of training sessions, workshops, and meetings.
• Workspace and technical facilities for the consultant during missions in Tirana, to allow joint work with INSTAT staff.

Reporting Requirements

• The International Consultant is expected to work in a hybrid modality, combining home-based tasks with in-country presence at INSTAT for key activities, including training of INSTAT staff and methodology finalization. In addition, the consultant may deliver hands-on online sessions as required or deemed necessary to provide timely technical support to INSTAT staff. She/he will be working in close collaboration with the UN Women Albania Gender Research and Data Analyst and the Regional Gender Statistics Specialist. 
• Consultancy deliverables should be submitted in electronic version in English, with a detailed description of the tasks performed in line with the ToR.
• The International Consultant will submit Mission Reports for each mission in Albania.
• All methodological notes, survey questionnaires, manuals, training materials, and coding guides developed/revised by the consultant should be annexed to the reports, serving as justification for payment.
• A final consolidated report will summarize all activities, highlight key methodological decisions, and provide recommendations for the 2026 TUS implementation.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• 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 Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with various public stakeholders in the data and statistics area
• Excellent writing skills in English
• Strong survey design and implementation skills
• Strong analytical skills, including for survey data analysis and data interpretation
• Ability to implement activities in a timely and efficient manner

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree in either economy, statistics or related fields. 
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in the design and implementation of quantitative household surveys at national and/or regional level. 
• Experience in designing and implementing Time Use Surveys in line with EUROSTAT methodology.
• Proven track record of producing high-quality data-focused research publications, preferably in the area of gender equality and/or time use statistics.
• Previous experience with the UN system or other international organizations would be an advantage.

Languages:

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

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.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.