National consultant to support UNICEF Albania and MoES in the Mid Term Review of the current National Education Strategy 2021-2026

Hiring a national consultant to support UNICEF Albania and the Ministry of Education and Sports in the Mid Term Review of the current National Education Strategy 2021-2026

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, Quality Education 

Over the past two decades, UNICEF Albania has been a steadfast partner to the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES), offering support in the preparation and implementation of various educational strategies. Currently, UNICEF continues to assist MOES in implementing the comprehensive 2021-2026 National Education Strategy (NES) which envisions an education system in Albania grounded in principles of equality and lifelong learning, aimed at providing quality education to all individuals. Such education not only enhances personal well-being but also strengthens democracy and facilitates the country’s integration into the European Union.

After two years and a half from the kickoff of the current strategy, the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) intends to undertake a Mid-Term Review (MTR) aimed at assessing the challenges and advancements in implementing the strategy. The primary objective of this review is to evaluate the progress, achievements, and shortcomings regarding the core policy objectives outlined in the National Education Strategy (NES) as well as identify new areas which respond to emerging trends for Albania and beyond linked to the education sector.

Recognizing the need for a robust, transparent, and sector-relevant MTR process, MOES has solicited the support and technical expertise of UNICEF. The appointed national consultant will collaborate closely with the international consultant and MOES and utilize the monitoring documents crafted by the Ministry to ensure comprehensive and informed evaluations.

UNICEF will support MOES with technical assistance and support throughout the MTR process of the current NES. The consultancy’s overarching goal is to support the international consultant for an exhaustive review of the NES, leveraging empirical methodologies and statistical evidence wherever feasible. The main objectives of the MTR include:

• Facilitating MOES in conducting a comprehensive assessment of the progress, achievements, and shortcomings within specific realms of NES implementation by reviewing challenges and advancements in strategy execution.
• Identifying emerging areas not encompassed within the strategy’s purview and ensuring their seamless integration into the revised strategy objectives

How can you make a difference? 

The national consultant will work under the supervision of the Education Specialist in UNICEF and in close collaboration with the international consultant and will prepare and submit the deliverables as below:

Deliverable 1: (a) A report with the revision of all the Albanian Education documents such as laws, bylaws, DCM, guidelines, studies, progress reports, financing flows and other developed by the MOES will be prepared. The report will be shared with the MOES, UNICEF and the international consultant (Main studies, progress reports, financing flows and other documents will be provided from UNICEF and MOES); (b) Summary report on education sector mid-term review developed and handed over to the international consultant.

Specific tasks for Deliverable 1:

• Prepare a desk review of the documents on the Albanian Education context and make summaries and share them with the international consultant.
• Organize 2 (or more if needed) online calls with the international consultant, UNICEF and MoES and discuss on the desk review and the Albanian context as well follow up with the other emergent issues from the calls
• Revise the methodology of the sector mid-term review of the current National Education Strategy prepared by the international consultant

Timeline for Deliverable 1: to be submitted by end of June 2024 (10 working days)

Deliverable 2: (a) Assessment methodology developed by the international consultant, validated for the context; (b) Stakeholders from MOES and other education structures engaged, and feedback documented and used as per methodology. (c)  Revision and comments provided to the initial draft of the Mid-Term Review prepared by the international consultant and shared with UNICEF

Specific tasks for Deliverable 3 – Revise the final report of the MTR of NES and share the final document with UNICEF.

Timeline for Deliverable 3: to be submitted by end of September 2024, (5 working days)

Deliverable 4: (a) Stakeholders engaged and meeting notes/ suggestions included as per methodology and processed by the National Consultant. (b) Presentation is facilitated for the main stakeholders (PPP drafted and sessions facilitated in collaboration with the international expert); (c) Technical and organizational support provided for the development of the national education partner’s meeting

Specific tasks for Deliverable 4:

• Support the International consultant to prepare PPPs and summaries for presentation to MOES, development partners, civil society and other actors (in advance of the mission)
• Assist and support the organization and technical support for the partners meeting in education coordination

Timeline for Deliverable 4: October – November 2024 (for 15 working days) 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• Advanced university degree in Education, Social Sciences, finance or relevant
• At least 10 years’ experience in education policy development and governance, strategic planning and analysis of education sector
• Demonstrable previous working experience in monitoring and evaluation.
• Previous experience in education sector review/development in Albania would be an advantage.
• Proven ability to coordinate a team in a collegial style under tight timelines.
• Proven ability to build consensus among a broad range of stakeholders including development partners and government both from within and outside the sector.
• Excellent inter-personal and written communication skills in English language, computer literate and effective advocacy skills.
• Experience in development of financial costing and scenarios for the education sector would be considered an asset

What to submit:

1. Letter of interest, summarizing the educational background, the working experience that is relevant to the assignment, and the specific role the candidate will play.

2. Proposed methodological approach as for deliverables set forth

3. Updated CV

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles 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. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.