UN Women:National Senior Legal Consultant in Support of Gender Equality, GRB and Social Inclusion Programmes, Tirane, Albania, Consultant Contract/retainer

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; empowerment of women; and 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.

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 Albania^[1]:

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 ke thematic areas of focus in line with the Global Strategic Plan 2026–2029:^[2] 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 the EU Acquis Communautaire. 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.

The Government of Albania has made national and international commitments to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in many different socio-economic aspects. Several international conventions and platforms, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the UN Beijing Platform for Action, demonstrate Albania’s commitment to the realization of women’s rights and the achievement of gender equality. In addition, the newly adopted Law No. 64/2025 “On Gender Equality” in Albania sets clear and binding commitments for advancing gender equality at all levels.

Over the past years, UN Women has provided support to national and local stakeholders in strengthening democratic governance and advancing women’s rights through initiatives aimed at mainstreaming gender in policy planning and budgeting. Gender Responsive Planning and Budgeting (GRB) has been identified as important tool for advancing gender equality in key national documents as in accordance with existing Albanian national policy documents on social inclusion and gender equality. In this framework, Albania has made important steps towards the institutionalization of gender responsive budgeting at central and local level. In addition, as part of the implementation of its new Strategic Note, UN Women will continue support the Government of Albania to align its national legal and policy framework with international human rights standards on gender equality, as well as facilitating networking and exchanges of good practices and advocate for women’s rights in all areas of life. Several ongoing initiatives support strengthening national policies and legislation, improving institutional capacities to implement international commitments, and promoting the production of knowledge and information on the status of gender equality in the country.

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) is one of the key partners of UN Women towards common efforts of improving overall government capacities to design, implement and monitor gender-responsive social protection and inclusion polices and services for vulnerable women and sanctioning a proactive approach  of government institutions to plan, budget, monitor, track expenditures, and leverage resources for GEWE in the country as guided also by the respective normative framework. 

In this context, the UN Women Albania Country Office seeks to engage a National Consultant to support the implementation of activities related to gender equality, social inclusion, and gender-responsive planning and budgeting across its programme portfolio. The consultant will provide expert legal, policy, and technical support, including legislative alignment, compliance with national and international frameworks, and institutional capacity strengthening. A key focus will be supporting the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) in fulfilling its mandate and reporting commitments on gender equality and social protection, as well as advising on gender-related policy reforms. This includes addressing intersectional vulnerabilities through the PRISMA network under the Leave No One Behind (LNB) framework. The consultant will also work closely with key institutional partners, including the Albanian State Audit Institution (ALSAI), civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, to strengthen gender-responsive policy, planning, budgeting, and accountability systems, and to advance the broader national gender equality agenda.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

Under the overall supervision of the UN Women Albania Head of Programmes, and in close coordination with respective UN Women Project Managers, as well as in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other relevant national institutions, the National Consultant will provide legal, policy, and technical assistance on gender equality, gender-responsive planning and budgeting, and social inclusion and protection. This includes support to MoHSW in fulfilling its mandate and reporting commitments, as well as advising on gender-related policy reforms and legislative alignment. Each assignment under the retainer contract will be guided by a specific task order clearly defining the scope of work, deliverables, timeframe, and expected results.

• Support to the implementation of the Gender Equality Law (GEL) and institutional capacity strengthening
• Support the completion of secondary legislation under Law No. 64/2025 “On Gender Equality”, including identification of provisions requiring bylaws, technical drafting, and ensuring alignment with national and international frameworks.
• Provide legal, policy, and technical assistance for the effective implementation of the GEL, including advising on gender-related policy reforms and institutional responsibilities.
• Strengthen the institutional capacities of MoHSP and other relevant institutions to fulfil new mandates introduced by the GEL, including coordination, implementation, and reporting functions.
• Provide targeted support on gender-responsive planning and budgeting ensuring integration of gender priorities in planning, budgeting, and monitoring processes.
• Support the integration of gender equality in social inclusion and social protection policies, with attention to addressing intersectional vulnerabilities.
• Support the application and institutionalization of gender impact assessments (GIA) in policy and legislative processes.
• Contribute to strengthening gender equality mechanisms and institutional frameworks through targeted technical assistance.
• Support capacity-building efforts through ASPA and other relevant institutions, including development of tools, guidelines, and training programmes.

• Support and advise MoHSW to implement joint workplan with UN Women for “Leave No One Behind 3” UN Joint Program through:
• Provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) to support the systematic integration of a gender perspective into the development, revision, and implementation of social inclusion–related legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks, ensuring alignment with gender equality principles, Leave No One Behind (LNOB) commitments, and gender‑responsive budgeting approaches.
• Support MoHSW in the review and validation of existing social policy guidelines and provide technical advice on the application of gender markers or other gender‑sensitive criteria within relevant funding, financing, and budgeting mechanisms, including those supporting social protection and social care services.
• Provide technical assistance to civil society organization networks, including PRISMA, to strengthen advocacy capacities on gender‑responsive budgeting, participatory policymaking, and social inclusion, and to facilitate structured and evidence‑based dialogue with MoHSW, line ministries, municipalities, and other relevant public stakeholders. 
• Provide technical expertise and support to advance the institutionalization of gender‑responsive participatory budgeting processes, including support to municipalities to integrate gender analysis into local planning and budget formulation, and support to civil society organizations (CSOs) to strengthen monitoring mechanisms that track how budget decisions translate into improved access to quality services for women and girls, particularly those from marginalized groups.
• Contribute with technical expertise to support inclusive and gender‑responsive social care and social protection reform efforts, including through support to participatory consultations and policy dialogue processes.
• Provide technical support to MoHSW on inter-institutional group on Gender Statistics to strengthen the availability, quality, and use of sex‑disaggregated and intersectional data for gender‑sensitive planning, budgeting, monitoring, and accountability in social protection and social care policies.

• Support and advise the Albanian State Audit Institution (ALSAI) to strengthen Gender‑Responsive Budgeting
• Support work with the Albanian Supreme Audit Institution (ALSAI) by providing technical expertise to integrate gender equality and gender‑responsive auditing principles into ALSAI’s ongoing and planned audit initiatives.
• Provide technical assistance and advisory support to ALSAI to strengthen the integration of gender perspectives into audit reports, methodologies, tools, and processes, in close collaboration with ALSAI technical teams, and in alignment with international auditing standards and national gender equality commitments.
• Support ALSAI through targeted capacity‑building efforts, technical guidance, and practical tools to strengthen gender‑responsive public finance oversight and accountability.

• Other duties and responsibilities include
• Draft substantive inputs for work progress reports and other programme‑related reporting across relevant thematic and programmatic areas, in line with the Terms of Reference.
• Conduct research and support the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data related to social inclusion, gender equality, and gender‑responsive budgeting in Albania.
• Prepare policy and legal reviews and analyses related to required legal, regulatory, and policy changes within the scope of the programme.
• Prepare concise policy briefs, technical notes, presentations, and other knowledge products on programme results, outputs, and impact, as required.
• Participate in and contribute to meetings (online and in‑person), as requested by UN Women and MoHSW, as well as relevant programme‑related events.
• Provide technical inputs to and support the organization of programme events where MoHSW is convening or contributing.
• Support UN Women Albania in preparing inputs and reporting to international and regional processes, including treaty bodies, EU annual progress reports, and UN Women project documents.
• Support the UN Women Albania Country Office in reviewing and providing inputs related to social inclusion, gender equality, and GRB to reports, publications, and other knowledge products developed by the office or its partners.
• Undertake any other tasks relevant to the scope of this assignment, as may be agreed jointly by UN Women Albania and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Note:

• Technical inputs and other on-demand reports on specific initiatives when requested by the MoHSW 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 MoHSW and UN Women through the duration of the contract.
• The MoHSW and UN Women will provide the Consultant with background materials related to the assignment.
• The consultant is expected to work using her/his own computer.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy. 

Duration and remuneration:

The duration of the contract will be for up to 240 working days within the contract period. 

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:

• 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, social inclusion and gender responsive budgeting.
• Excellent writing skills in English and Albanian.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong initiative-taking.
• Focuses on impact and results for the partner.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Education and Certification:

1. Advanced university degree in law or human rights, development studies, gender studies or similar discipline. 

2. A first-level university degree in law or human rights in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience in the areas of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of initiatives related to legal, social policy development, social inclusion, and gender‑responsive policy planning and budgeting at national and/or local level.
• Proven experience in working with national and international legal and policy frameworks related to gender equality and ending violence against women (EVAW), including policy review, legal analysis, or advisory work.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering training, coaching, and mentoring for public administration officials and other stakeholders involved in policy development, implementation, monitoring, and accountability processes.
• Previous experience in collaborating and coordinating with central and local government institutions, oversight bodies, civil society organizations, academia, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Prior experience working with, or familiarity with the UN system or other international or development organizations will be considered an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Albanian is required.

Note: This is a retainer contract and therefore there is no guarantee by UN Women of minimum number of days the consultant will be engaged for. The contract will not exceed the total number of working days as stated above. If additional days are required from the consultant, this will be done through a separate contract extension to the parent contract.

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.