UNICEF Albania is seeking a National Social Protection Expert to support the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) in the development and finalization of the new Law on Social Care Services and its supporting regulatory framework. Working under the guidance and overall coordination of UNICEF and MoHSW, and in close collaboration with the National Legal Consultant, the expert will provide specialized technical expertise to ensure that the proposed sublegal framework is coherent, evidence-based, practical, and responsive to Albania’s evolving social care needs and implementation requirements.
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, the right to National Social Protection
How can you make a difference?
Purpose and Scope of Consultancy
UNICEF Albania is seeking a National Social Protection Expert to support the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) in the development and finalization of the new Law on Social Care Services and its supporting regulatory framework.
Working under the guidance and overall coordination of UNICEF and MoHSW, and in close collaboration with the National Legal Consultant, the expert will provide specialized technical expertise to ensure that the proposed sublegal framework is coherent, evidence-based, practical, and responsive to Albania’s evolving social care needs and implementation requirements.
Main activities will include:
- Provide technical input to the development and review of the 24 sublegal acts required under the new Law on Social Care Services.
- Review draft legal and regulatory provisions from a social protection and social services perspective to ensure their technical soundness, coherence, and practical implementation at national and local levels.
- Conduct the costing of the Law on Social Care Services and contribute to the budgetary aspects of the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA).
- Assess the potential institutional, operational, financial, and social protection implications of the proposed legal and regulatory provisions and provide recommendations for their effective and sustainable implementation.
- Facilitate and support stakeholder consultations, validation processes, and the finalization of the sublegal framework.
- Work closely with UNICEF, MoHSW, the National Legal Consultant, and relevant stakeholders throughout the assignment.
If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: 
Albania external TOR.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...
- Minimum requirements:
Education: Master’s in social work, Social Policy, Human Rights, Public Policy, Economy, Sociology, or a related field relevant to social care and social protection.
Work Experience:
At least 10 years of progressive professional experience in the field of social protection or social care reform, with a focus on social services and care at the local or national level. Proven experience in conducting policy analysis, developing national strategies or action plans, monitoring reports, analysis, and advising public sector reforms. Demonstrated knowledge of the Albanian social protection system, including the roles of national and local institutions, existing service models, and relevant legal and policy frameworks.
Language Requirements:
Excellent writing and communication skills in Albanian and English.
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
Solid understanding of EU and international standards and practices related to social care. Experience in facilitating consultations and engaging with multiple stakeholders, including government authorities, civil society, and service providers.
Desirables:
Prior experience working with or for UN agencies, or other international organizations.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):
- An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
- Cover letter
- A detailed technical proposal (only add if it is indicated in the TOR)
- Financial proposal
Financial proposal template.xlsx
Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates’ willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel.
Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.