Project Specialist-In Motion

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.

On 26 November 2019 a 6.4 magnitude quake struck just before 4 a.m., 34 km northwest of Tirana, Albania’s capital. Consequently, 51 people were killed, and government sources indicate about 2,000 injured. There are reports of severe damage to social infrastructure, and several buildings have collapsed in Thumane and Durres, the two towns highly affected by the earthquake and the numerous daily aftershocks since then, with several people trapped inside in the immediate aftermath. The affected areas concern mainly Durrës Prefecture and part of Lezha and Tirana prefectures. The ten municipalities affected include Durres, Vore, Shijak, Kruje, Lezha, Mirdite, Kurbin, Kavaja, Kamza, and Tirana. According to government sources, about 13,000 inhabitants have been displaced, of which about 60% are accommodated in tents and 30% in hotels. Hundreds of commercial and non-commercial buildings have experienced serious damage and much more suffered damage.

On 6th December, the Government of Albania requested support from the European Union, the United Nations, and the World Bank to undertake a full and comprehensive Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) to identify the damage, losses, and recovery needs arising from the earthquake. The tripartite partners provided financial and technical support to conduct the assessment in addition to the resources the government made available. The PDNA undertaken by the European Union, the United Nations, the World Bank and the Government of Albania appealed for € 1.08 billion from the international community, at a donor’s conference, organized on the 17^th of February 2020, in Brussels, to rebuild houses, schools, businesses and other vital infrastructure. That amount will also fund an upgrade in the country’s disaster preparedness.

A virtual Joint Executive Committee (JEC) meeting was held on 16 July 2020 to confirm that allocation of funds to UN agencies and the UN resident Coordinator Office (UN RCO) from the contributions of the Government of Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and United Kingdom to the Albania SDG Acceleration Fund in support of the Government of Albania post-earthquake recovery efforts. The contribution will be used to implement initiative in accordance with areas identified in the PDNA, discussions with the pledging Member States and the UN Earthquake Recovery indicative support programmes prepared in February 2020.

As part of the recovery process, UNDP has proposed to support the Government of Albania through the Economic Recovery and Resilience Programme, which will focus on four main components:

1. Enhanced recovery process and performance of the micro and small enterprises through the UNDP’s “In Motion Programme”.
2. Strengthened value chains in selected economic sector of the Albanian economy, to mitigate the interruptions caused by the earthquake.
3. Evidence-based technical support provided to the relevant institutions, by utilizing innovative tools for producing various economic analysis.
4. Reskilling and upskilling programmes offered to jobseekers and recently laid-off workforce to respond to the needs of the affected private sector companies.

The “In Motion” – Project Specialist will be responsible for the coordination, management, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the “In Motion Methodology” component of the Economic Recovery and Resilience Programme. He/ She will also coordinate, manage, and support in leading a team of experts and private sector development consultants involved in the implementation of the project component. The In Motion” – Project Specialist Project Specialist Project Specialist will work under the supervision of the Programme Coordinator. The main duties and responsibilities of the Coordinator include the following:

• Manage the tools of the “In Motion Methodology” proficiently, according to the directives and means made available.
• Inform regularly and obtain the approval of the Programme Coordinator, to whom he/she will report directly.
• Support in undertaking of a business’s survey per geographical area through collection of information from existing studies and bilateral meetings with business owners.
• Coordinate, organize and implement the training course about the certification and accreditation of national consultants within the “In Motion Methodology” component and assign each consultant to the relevant companies for consulting and following up.
• Coordinate the necessary activities for the utilization of available resources in the country and contribute to strengthening of the program.
• Coordinate business consultants who will be responsible for providing technical and business support for the economic units benefiting from the Program.
• Carry out activities to promote the participation of companies, organizations, and state institutions in the “In Motion Methodology” programme.
• Coordinate the necessary activities to generate knowledge about In Motion Methodology.
• Ensure the proper use of the administration system that allows to manage the information on time and the forms of the contributors to the programme.
• Assist with collaboration with other Programs on a national and local level that allow maximizing the In Motion Program’s results.
• Collaborate in the development and application of a constant methodology for impact evaluation of the programme.
• Contribute in the systematizing of the project results, monitoring and evaluation.
• Support UNDP in the transfer and assimilation of the In Motion methodology by institutions, national and local governments that demonstrate interest in implementing the In Motion Program. 
• Draft progress and ad-hoc reports as and when required.

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:

• Understanding of the national regulations related to Micro and Small and Medium Enterprises.
• Ability to conduct planning, results-based management and reporting.
• Strong communication skills (written, spoken, composing, presentation).
• Ability to generate contact networks in the Albanian private sector.
• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding the position.
• Knowledge of the work of public institutions and cooperation with international organizations.
• Performance and results oriented towards the client, change, leadership, organizational effectiveness and strategic ability.

Academic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in economic sciences, social sciences, marketing, business management, or any other related field.  

Work Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in working with the private sector, such as, advising and training in MSMEs, associations, vertical and related linkages, business plans, innovation and entrepreneurship and quality management processes.
• Previous of experience as coordinator or sub-coordinator of programme development.
• Excellent communication, planning and strategic programming skills.
• Database management knowledge.
• Management of Microsoft Office software.
• Ability to work in difficult conditions and under stress.
• Availability to travel to other locations outside of Tirana.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information in a professional manner.

Language

• Full working knowledge of English and Albanian is essential.