National Consultant to support the periodic reporting of Albania to the Committee on the Rights of Child

National Consultant to support the Periodic Reporting of Albania to the Committee on the Rights of Child

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Background

In 1991, the Government of Albania ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)[i], marking a significant initial step towards enhancing the promotion and protection of child rights in the country. CRC enshrines a serious of universally accepted human rights for children, incorporating the full spectrum of human rights- civil, political, economic, social and cultural - and provides for the full development of the potential of the individual child in an atmosphere of freedom, dignity and justice. With the CRC's ratification, the Government of Albania is obliged to develop and undertake policies and actions in the best interest of the child, and is hold, as well, accountable before the international community for the 'progress made in the enjoyment of the rights set forth in CRC[ii]. In 2012, the Committee on the Rights of the Child issued the concluding observations/recommendations for Albania[iii], after considering the combined second to fourth periodic reports submitted by the Government of Albania.

Furthermore, in 2008, the Government of Albania ratified the two Optional Protocols to the CRC: 'On Child Involvement in Armed Conflicts' (OPAC) and 'On Child Trafficking, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (OPSC). In 2012, the Committee on the Rights of the Child released separate concluding observations reports on the progress of their implementation[iv].

Counted as the first among the States in international arena, Albania ratified the 3^rd Optional Protocol to the CRC on Communication Procedures in 2014. Consequently, the Governmental of Albania is committed towards the full spectrum of the international child rights treaties/obligations. 

In carrying out its coordinating role, the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in Albania started in 2017 the preparatory work for the reporting to the Committee on the Rights of the Child on the CRC and its Optional Protocols (namely, OPAC and OPSC). An inter-ministerial working group has been established, as per the guidelines issued by the Order of Prime- Minister[v]. The working group is co-chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health and Social Protection/State Agency for Child Rights and Protection. Due to the recent re-configuration of the Governments structure, the working groups composition/membership is, currently, being revamped.

The Secretariat of the Committee on the Rights of the Child has confirmed to the Government of Albania September 2018, as the deadline for submitting the CRC/OPAC/OPSC Periodic Report (hereafter, Report). UNICEF in Albania has been requested to support the inter-ministerial working group along the process of Report preparation. 

Objectives, Purpose and Expected Results

UNICEF in Albania commits to supporting the Government of Albanian in the preparation of the Periodic Report to the Committee of the Rights of the Child, recognizing that this process is an opportunity for a broad and participatory review of the measures taken so far to harmonize national laws and policies with the CRC; it sets the stage for later implementation of the Concluding Observations and Recommendations; it creates awareness and understanding of the CRC among a wide range of stakeholders, including children; and foremost, it provides an opportunity to respond to any shortcomings revealed by the analysis of the Report between the submission of the Report and the Committee's review of it (approx.. 2 years).

UNICEF in Albania intends to engage, both, an International Consultant and 2 National Consultants (one senior and one junior) to support the inter-ministerial working group in the process of Report preparation, including its consultation. The process of the consultancies' solicitation will be taking place simultaneously. 

The objective of this consultancy (National Consultant) is to:

1. Prepare and organize the CRC reporting workshop;
2. Support drafting of the Report;
3. Conduct the consultation of the Report with stakeholders at central and local level, including children.

Description of the assignment

The National Consultant will closely collaborate with the UNICEF team in Albania, the CRC Reporting inter-ministerial group, and the International Consultant.

The National Consultant will be responsible for the following, but not exclusive list of tasks:

• Review relevant reports/documents, to get familiar with the previous conclusions, observations and recommendation in regards to CRC, OPAC and OPSC. The review will also include the initial feedback assembled so far by the inter-ministerial group from various governmental institutions.
• Map out the stakeholders and resources relevant for the Report.
• Provide support for the organization of the two-day workshop on CRC reporting.
• Support the drafting of the consultation road map and Report preparation plan.
• Pre-populate the structure of the report with the preliminary information from different reports made available by the inter-ministerial working group, and identify missing information/resources.
• Prepare, conduct the consultation activities.
• Provide feedback to the different drafts of the Report.
• Contribute to the drafting of the Report's Annex on Statistics.
• Follow up the process of assembling necessary information for the Report, along the process.

Key deliverables and time frame

Deliverables 1 - Consolidated list of inputs for the Consultation Plan and Drafts of the Report  

Tasks:

• Desk review;
• Assist the organization of the two-day workshop on CRC reporting;
• Support the drafting of the consultation road map and Report preparation plan.
• Pre-populate the structure of the report with the preliminary information from different reports made available by the inter-ministerial working group, and identify missing information/resources.
• Prepare, conduct the consultation activities.
• Provide feedback to the different drafts of the Report.
• Consolidate the drafting of the Report's Annex on Statistics.
• Follow up the process of assembling necessary information for the Report, along the process.

 Time duration: April - October 2018 Estimated working days: 40

Reporting requirements and penalty for insufficient performance

All materials will be developed and submitted by the in the English language. The Consultant will report primarily to the UNICEF Albania Child Rights Monitoring Officer. The second line of reporting will be the International Consultant. The National Consultant will supervise the Junior National Consultant. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines (specifications will be defined in the Contract).

Administrative arrangements

The exact dates for starting and ending the contract will be negotiated with the individual when awarded the contract.

• Starting period: the indicative starting date for the assignment will be end of March 2018.
• Foreseen end of contract will be October 2018.

Office space, IT solutions, communication costs, etc. are the responsibility of the National Consultant.

Qualifications requirements

Qualifications or specialized knowledge/experience required

• Advanced university degree in Humanitarian, Social Sciences, Languages Law, Education, and/or other relevant field;   
• Experience in human rights area/child rights;
• Previous experience on similar reporting processes;
• Understanding of statistical data/indicators.
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English;
• Analytical and conceptual ability to synthesize large amount of information (quantitative and qualitative);
• Experience in trainings and consultations.

What to submit

The applicants must submit to the UNICEF Albania office for review:

• Letter of Interest specifying the relevant experience with similar type of assignments, the commitment in terms of time availability; and a brief outline of how the Consultant envisions the process;
• Updated Curriculum Vitae, with two reference contacts from latest work conducted;
• 2 Samples of similar reports (web-links if possible) undertaken as lead consultant in the past 3-5 years;
• Financial proposal indicating the daily fee in US$. Fee will not include taxes, which remain the responsibility of the contractor.

Submission of applications 

Please consult UNICEF Albania website at www.unicef.org/albania/jobs.html or UN Albania website at www.un.org.al/employment-and-procurement, to download the detailed TOR and other documents or requirements related to this announcement. There is also a link that will direct you at UNICEF e-Recruitment System to submit your application.

Only applications submitted online will be considered.