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Media and Institutional PR Expert to provide technical support to Human Rights Institutions (HRIs) to promote human rights, freedoms and lawful interest of vulnerable groups in Albania

Tirana

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Tirana
  • Grade: Consultancy - National Consultant - Locally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Human Rights
    • Democratic Governance
    • Communication and Public Information
    • External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
    • Peace and Development
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

Governance reforms are at the heart of the European Union (EU) accession process and have been prioritized as key to addressing Albania’s socio-economic challenges. Major investments have therefore been made by the Government of Albania (GoA) in reforming the public administration and judiciary, and in efforts to reduce corruption, strengthen the rule of law, and rationalize relations between central and sub-national state bodies. Delivery of quality and inclusive public services, including at local level, is one of the many important interventions the GoA is intensively working on.

The adoption of a set of constitutional amendments paved the way for comprehensive and thorough justice reform in Albania which represents a key requirement for EU accession. Moreover, a set of organic laws, identified by the Albanian legislator as priority for the implementation of justice reform, were adopted. Organic laws that regulated service provision to citizens, including free legal aid law, were reviewed.  A comprehensive Free Legal Aid (FLA) law was developed with the technical support of UNDP in partnership with EURALIUS project, which entered into force in mid-2018 and requires adequate implementation by responsible bodies. The law provides for the establishment of a new department, within the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), to organize and oversee a broadened set of primary and secondary FLA providers, including a new branch of the civil service and major involvement of NGO providers and the Bar membership. The new structure will need substantial assistance in its setting up, inter alia, a solid regulatory scheme and a quality control programme.

The challenge for the Albanian Government is momentous and will require significant outside support to succeed. This is, in part, because the current FLA system is barely functional. According to a 2017 comprehensive Access to Justice Survey by UNDP-Albania, almost half of the population has had legal problems in the last five years and nearly three-quarters of Albanians believe the national justice system does not protect their rights adequately. The FLA scheme covers only a fraction of the needs of low-income and other disadvantaged groups. In addition, three key factors – low levels of legal literacy, dubious attitudes on what is just, and a lack of trust in the justice system – contribute to a fragile framework for access to justice in Albania.

On the positive side, the Government is committed to effectively implement the recent improved FLA Law as per the commitments articulated in the Justice Inter-Sector Strategy.

MoJ with UNDP support drafted and finalized a complete set of by-laws as per the FLA law requirements, adopted by Council of Ministers and MoJ. Two other by-laws are expected to be approved during 2020. As per the approved Prime minister’s Order on the structure and organogram of the FLA Unit/Directorate at the MoJ, the latter has started setting up the new structure and started job recruitment procedures for 25 staff.

On the other hand, to strengthen people’s access to justice collaboration with independent Human Rights’ Institutions (HRIs) is essential in supporting the development of the free legal aid system and promoting legal awareness and empowerment. Such efforts will require the combined efforts of the judiciary, the MoJ, the network of certified lawyers, Bar Association, related ministries, Commissioner for Protection against Discrimination, the People’s Advocate and local civil society and grass root organizations.

In the frame of EFLAS project implemented by UNDP in close partnership with MoJ and three NGOs providing FLA services in Lezha, Durres, Fier, Peshkopi and Shkodra judicial districts, HRIs will be supported in reaching out to vulnerable individuals in remote and rural areas to increase awareness on HR, gender equality, non-discrimination and legal knowledge on how to address injustice.

Considering the highly demanded FLA services from the most marginalized citizens and building upon the results of A2J project implemented by UNDP Albania in close collaboration with the MoJ and all relevant stakeholders, support provided in the frame of the EFLAS project will be essential to move to the next stage of consolidating the pilot FLA centres and the implementation of the new free legal system.

Duties and Responsibilities

EFLAS and A2J Project will need the assistance of a media and public relations consultant to implement specific deliverables most notably to increase reach out of Peoples’ Advocate (PA) and Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination (CPD) to vulnerable groups, especially in remote and rural areas. In addition, the consultant shall advise PA on how to increase visibility of online Application and PA’s measure to protect HR more accessible by citizens, civil society and media. The consultant shall also advise UNDP EFLAS Project Management Team on appropriate promotional and awareness materials and interventions to increase visibility of Project results and interventions as well as widely disseminate equality and non-discrimination messages regarding free legal aid and justice services in target areas. 

More specifically the Consultant will carry out the following tasks:

  • Develop informative materials as well as media stories to highlight PA and CPD’s role in HR protection and promotion.
  • Support PA and CPD to increase the capacities of the staff on appropriate promotional and awareness materials and interventions to increase visibility of PA activities with respect to protecting and promoting human rights;
  • Review the official website as well as promotional and awareness materials of the PA and CPD and provide professional advice and take action to improve them with a view to make that information more comprehensive and more accessible by citizens, civil society and media;
  • Develop an analytical report highlighting complaints typology and proportion to PA online application by the public, CSOs, etc. to defend human rights and particularly gender-equality, improvement in the quality of reporting (if any) as well as problems and gaps in the PA’s approach to reach out the public.
  • Support PA and CPD in increasing outreach to vulnerable groups, such as women and girls’ victims of gender-based violence, domestic violence, Roma and Egyptian community members, LGBTI, persons with disability, etc., in remote areas;
  • Provide professional advice and input in the organisation of public awareness events, appearances organised with UNDP assistance, with a view to challenge gender stereotypes, promote women’s and men’s equal role in the family and society, as well as combat gender-based violence and access to justice of vulnerable groups. 
  • Other tasks related to the project as requested.

The list of final deliverables:

  • A monitoring analysis report of the PA online Application use by the public developed;
  • A strategy developed to promote the online Application to increase access of public to PA and its services to strengthen HR promotion and respect;
  • Media stories and other PR materials developed to reach out different interest groups developed for the UNDP initiatives, PA and CPD as requested and as agreed with the Project staff.
  • Contributions in written and visual form to informative and public awareness events on free legal aid, access to justice, gender equality, gender-based discrimination and violence organised with UNDP assistance.
  • Delivery of training sessions on PA and CPD staff capacity building on visibility and PR.
  • A strategy developed for public address of the PA and CPD in defending human rights, freedoms and lawful interests of individuals, especially from the human rights, non-discrimination and gender equality perspective of vulnerable members of the society;
  • PA and CPD’s web information more accessible and user-friendly for citizens, civil society and media.
  • A final report (in English) highlighting the consultant’s work, challenges faced, lessons learned and recommendations for future similar interventions.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

  • Very good computer skills and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.
  • Creative writing skills
  • Very good knowledge of design programs
  • Analytical skills, initiative, sound judgment, results-oriented and efficiency in a multi-tasking environment
  • Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking attitude, ability to work in multi-cultural environment
  • Ability to work under pressure in complex situations
  • Ability to work in an independent manner, set priorities and organize the workflow efficiently
  • Willingness to travel around the country to coordinate, attend and monitor project activities
  • Fluency in Albanian and English
  • High motivation, accuracy and creativity
  • Excellent communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

The expert is expected to have the following qualifications to complete the task successfully:

Academic qualification/Education

  • University degree in journalism, marketing or public relations.
  • Strong knowledge and understanding of the principles of equality, in particular gender equality and non-discrimination. Education, training on work experience on this is a must.

Work experience:

  • Minimum 7 years of professional experience working particularly on public and media relations.
  • Proven experience in providing technical support to government and/or HRIs on public and media relations;
  • Excellent knowledge of the institutional and political landscape in Albania, in particular sound knowledge of justice and administrative system.
  • Sound experience working with a wide range of stakeholders including government institutions and civil society organizations, focused mainly on the rule of law area;
  • Prior experience with UN or international organizations devoted in the field of rule of law, is an asset;

 

Evaluation Procedure

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

  • Criteria A: Compliant educational background - max points: 20
  • Criteria B: Demonstrated knowledge and experience as per the respective ToRs - max points: 25
  • Criteria C: Experience in working on media and institutional PR and in particular related to the human rights and justice sector - max points: 25

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points.

 

Application Procedure

The application should contain:

  • Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
  • Latest personal Curriculum Vitae (CV) including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, including past experience from similar projects or completed and signed UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SC) and Individual Contracts (IC) – Blank form Download here.
  • Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability-please fill in the attached form...  www.un.org.al/sites/default/files/IC_Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx
  • Financial Proposal in ALL - specifying a total lump sum in Albanian Lekhttp://www.un.org.al/doc/Financial%20Offer%20template.doc (The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable -qualitative and quantitative- deliverables . Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount-including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).- Please note that with regard to travel component you may provide an average estimated travel cost for one circuit with and without accommodation.
  • Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport. 

* Kindly note that Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal are two separate documents and should both be part of your application. 

How to Submit the Application:

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

  • Merge your CV or P11, Financial Proposal Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
  • Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
  • Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”
  • Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
  • You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Due to a large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
This vacancy is now closed.
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