UN Women: International senior gender mainstreaming and EU integration adviser/s, Tirane, Albania, Consultancy Contract

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 currently implementing its Strategic Note (SN) 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”. To achieve such result, UN Women will focus on three outcomes, which mirror verbatim the areas of focus of the United Nations Albania¹: 

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. 

Across its interventions, UN Women Albania will address key thematic areas of focus in line with the UN Women Strategic Plan 2026–2029[1]: ending violence against women; women’s economic empowerment; gender-responsive budgeting; gender responsive governance; as well as promoting cross-cutting principles including the principle of Leaving No One Behind, and engagement of new and emerging partners such as the private sector to advance gender equality in the country. This approach aims to support the Government of Albania to implement its commitments on human rights and gender equality, in line with its National Strategy on gender Equality (NSGE) 2021-2030 and its Action Plan, and the EU Acquis. All interventions undertaken by the Country Office aim to address structural causes of gender inequality, addressing discriminatory practices and reach women and girls who are at greatest risk of being left behind.  Albania has entered a fast-track process in the EU integration pathway, which results in accelerated reforms across policy sectors to align all frameworks with EU standards. A specific Growth plan has been developed by the Government which aims to deepen and accelerate EU related reforms and economic integration, in line with the EU policy framework. Cornerstones of such frameworks are the principles of rule of law, anti-corruption, fight against organized crimes, and fundamental rights. The plan should contribute towards Albania meeting the EU accession criteria, as it will increase the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, and take on the obligations of membership, and increase its capacity to effectively implement the rules, standards and policies of the EU acquis.

UN Women is currently under implementation of the programme “EU4Gender Equality II- Gender Equality Facility in Albania”, supported by the European Union in Albania. The programme builds on the results and lessons learned from the UN Joint Programme  EU for Gender Equality in Albania: Implementation of the EU Gender Equality acquis” (“EU4GE”) 2021-2023 and already funded by the European Union, programme. The intervention was developed as per the UN Women Gender Equality Facility (GEF) approach, initially designed and piloted in Albania in close cooperation with EU Delegation and Austria during 2015-2016 and then expanded to the Western Balkans countries with already past and ongoing GEF programming funded by EU and/or member states. The Gender Equality Facility is a unique initiative specifically designed by UN Women to support EU candidate and in negotiation status countries in adopting existing EU legislation and directives on GE. It was designed for replication and local customization, but requires extensive technical expertise on EU laws, rules, resolutions, declarations, regulations, directives, and treaties on one hand and on the other, in-depth knowledge on GEWE within the national context.  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), the EU4GE II – Gender Equality Facility in Albania aims to support national partners to align national policies and frameworks with international and European standards, taking into account the rapid development and progress in EU accession negotiation. 

In this context, UN Women Albania is seeking to recruit a Senior International Gender Adviser/s to support various components of the implementation of the EU4GE II – Gender Equality Facility in Albania project, specifically project output 1 “Government of Albania has increased capacities to align sector reforms, strategies, programmes and plans with the EU Gender Equality acquis and consistently reflect gender responsiveness in line with global norms and standards on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”, output 2 “Local government units have increased capacities to apply gender mainstreaming to policies and plans and implement gender responsive actions in accordance with their mandate”, and output 4 “Government of Albania has increased capacities to apply gender mainstreaming throughout Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) programming. The International consultant/s will work in coordination with relevant international and national experts that maybe engaged to contribute to specific aspects of the project, under the overall leadership and guidance of the UN Women Representative, and direct collaboration with the International Project Manager for the intervention and the National Programme Officer/Head of Programme. The international consultant/s is/are also expected to provide technical guidance and support, strategic advice and gender mainstreaming expertise across all components of the project, based on the UN Women Gender Equality Facility approach implemented in Albania and the Western Balkans.

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

Gender mainstreaming technical support for the implementation of the EU4GE Phase II – Gender Equality Facility in Albania project:

• Provide expert advice on priority activities and actions to be taken during the project inception phase and first year of implementation, supporting the UN Women team in adjusting the project workplan based on recent developments in the country (accession fast track country, growth plan, other recent strategies and policies) This will include support and advice on the functional assessment and diagnostic of sector governance structure, including advising on the development of diagnostic reports and related recommendations  on their alignment them with relevant policy updates and EU standards; and advise on the development of a gender sensitive EU approximation review of key legislation and policy in selected sectors and EU windows. 
• Provide advice on the development of a methodology and contribute to the functional assessment of sector governance structures vis a vis EU requirement, including providing advice on the specific tools that will be used for the diagnostic and how the governance gaps will be addressed. 
• Provide guidance and advice on the selection of key legislation and policy documents that can be reviewed as part of the project and support the gender sensitive review of key Albanian legislation and its approximation with EU standards, proposing key recommendations.  
• Provide expertise and capacity support to key partners such as Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and (State Agency of Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination) SASPAC, and other partners, on gender mainstreaming and EU accession negotiations and procedures
• Provide guidance to local government units and strengthen their capacities to mainstream gender into policies and plans and implement gender-responsive actions in accordance with their mandates.
• Provide guidance and high-level technical advice on the development (research, analysis and drafting) of gender mainstreaming guidance notes
• Advice and provide support for the preparation of gender specific analysis which could feed into IPA III priority areas and other EU financial instruments
• Facilitate and contribute to stakeholder engagement efforts with key project partners including PMO, SASPAC, Ministry of Health and Social Protection to name a few.
• Support participation and presentation in strategic events of relevant government participants include PMO, National Gender Mechanism/GEOs, EU Integration Coordinators, SASPAC, National IPA Coordination Office (NIPAC) and IPA structure representatives, ministerial staff, and similar, in high level strategic events in-country and/on abroad.
• Support policy dialogue on Gender Equality and EU Integration, ensuring effective communication of EU GAP III and CLIP priorities and other upcoming EU strategic policies to strategic counterparts, including the Donor Technical Secretariat, EU Member States, IIWGs, and IPMGs.

Consultant’s Workplace 

This is a home-based consultancy for a total of up to 100 working days. With travel to the country as needed (at least 4 travels)
 

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:

• Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize straightforward and clear content from a range of complex background documents. 
• Ability to produce knowledge and information materials tailored to the specific target-audience and fine-tuned to the purpose and country context. 
• Ability to complete complex assignments in a timely manner and delivery quality results. 
• Excellent writing skills in English. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both oral and written). 
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with team members.
• Ability to handle conflict and sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.
• Capacity to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines.
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly.
• Good monitoring and evaluation skills to assess the impact of deliverables as per workplan.

Education and Certification:

• Advanced academic degree (minimum Master’s or equivalent) in Gender/Women’s Studies, Development Studies, European Studies, Social Studies, Public Policy or related fields. 

Experience:

• At least 15 years of relevant professional experience and engagement in designing, providing technical support and/or managing gender mainstreaming/GEWE programmes with international organizations.
• A minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in implementing international and EU gender equality policy in processes of European Integration and IPA programming as well as engaging with the relevant international instruments, and mechanisms.
• Experience in working with, and building and maintaining strategic partnerships with governments, donors, and civil society organizations internationally and at country level.
• Previous experience in undertaking research and analyses of gender inequalities and the status of women in EU (pre)accession countries, preferably the Western Balkans would be an advantage.

Languages:

• Fluency in English, both spoken and written, 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.