Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, the UN Women leads and coordinates the United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world.

Albania has made important improvements in advancing the normative and policy framework for gender equality in recent years. Yet inequalities still exist, and currently, capacities, processes and procedures for EU-aligned and consistent gender mainstreaming are not in place, adding to the complexity of the EU accession process and posing a significant challenge to absorbing the EU Gender Equality acquis.^[1] In parallel, the country faces well-documented challenges in implementing gender equality legislation and policy, including the most recent CEDAW Concluding Observations for Albania (2023).^[2] Poverty is reportedly the highest in the Western Balkans^[3], increasingly jeopardizing the livelihoods of a significant share of the population. Women and girls are particularly impacted due to structural discrimination and the intersection of poverty, marginalization, and vulnerability. The economic situation of women residing in rural and disadvantaged areas is further challenged by the impact of climate change.

Prohibition of gender-based discrimination is one of the principles of the Albanian Constitution. International treaties – including those in the area of gender equality (e.g., CEDAW^[4], Istanbul Convention^[5]) – ratified by the Parliament are part of the national legal system and have priority over internal legislation that is not compatible with their provisions.^[6] The specific legal and policy framework for gender equality, the institutional mechanisms, political participation, and non-discrimination on the basis of gender include: the Law on Gender Equality in Society (LGE), the Law on Anti-Discrimination^[7], and the National Strategy on Gender Equality and its Action Plan (2021-2030)^[8]. Equality legislation has contributed to some progress, primarily in women’s representation in decision-making.^[9] Beyond women’s representation, weak implementation of gender legislation and policy and insufficient gender mainstreaming significantly impact on the country’s development outcomes, including limited alignment between laws and policies in key thematic areas including GBV with international standards. For example, the most recent CEDAW Committee Concluding Observations (2023) request the Government of Albania to prioritize the revisions of the Criminal Code to align it with the definitions of rape in the Istanbul Convention, which was adopted by Albania in 2011. Gender inequalities remain prominent in all spheres of public and private life, with women and girls representing the numerically largest systemically disadvantaged group, and disproportional negative effects on women’s socio-economic situation and their well-being.

To address these challenges, UN Women Albania is implementing the second phase of the intervention “EU for Gender Equality” funded by the European Union. The project aims to ensure that Albanian institutions more consistently apply gender responsive governance to strengthen equality and non-discrimination, promote women’s empowerment and human rights in line with the EU Gender Equality acquis.

About the Position and/or Portfolio

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Programmes and in day-to-day coordination with the National Programme Officer/Analyst and Research and Data Analyst, the Project Management Specialist is responsible for managing the project, including relationships with national partners and stakeholders, donor, the monitoring and reporting the activities, the finances and personnel of the portfolio. Further, the Project Management Specialist works in close collaboration with Head of Programmes (NOC) and the rest of the programme and operations team to ensure successful implementation of UN Women programme implementation.

Key Functions and Accountabilities

Manage and lead overall implementation of the implementation of the EU for Gender Equality II project

• Manage the overall Project Portfolio work plan development and implementation according to UN Women Strategic Note and the project document;
• Design, conceptualize and manage work-plans, periodic narrative progress reports and expenditures status reports to the Project Steering Committee, CF Results Groups and UN Women;
• Lead and manage systems for project planning, implementation and monitoring, in collaboration with partners;
• Ensure project record keeping, maintaining documents on relevant project activities, filing of project related files communications by the project team as well as issues, and risks.

Manage relations with national partners and other stakeholders engaged in the project

• Manage relationships with national partners to support implementation and expansion of the Project Portfolio, raise potential problems and provide solutions;
• Provide guidance to partners on establishment of performance indicators, and monitoring achievement of results;
• Identify capacity building needs and support partners through technical assistance, mentoring, training, cross-partner learning, and capacity development initiatives.

Manage and lead the monitoring and reporting on the Project/Portfolio 

• Coordinate the process of gathering and compiling all information necessary for monitoring and reporting on project from the planning to the evaluation stages;
• Monitor the implementation of activities and the expenditure of funds by partners; conduct regular monitoring visits;
• Write annual and bi-annual reports; review and coordinate the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports;
• Provide inputs from project component activities and results to Country Office joint UN reporting.

Manage financial resources and supervise staff

• Supervise and manage a team of professional and administrative staff, including the Technical Project Analyst, review performance and mentor/ coach staff;
• Coordinate development and preparation of financial reporting of the Project components including budgeting and budget revisions, and expenditure tracking and reporting;
• Oversee and monitor the allocation and disbursement of funds to participating partners.

Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies

• Provide technical support to the development of partnerships and resource mobilization strategies;
• Identify potential programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UN Women, country needs and donors’ priorities and develop the relevant partnerships.

Advocate and facilitate knowledge building and management and communication

• Ensure documentation of the project implementation process and products produced are in accordance with UN Women guidelines;
• Contribute to the exchange of information and knowledge products internally and externally of the project;
• Lead major advocacy campaigns, events, trainings, workshops and knowledge products.

Other support

• Provide programmatic and technical support to UN Women in Albania as deemed necessary.
• Draft concept notes and follow-up on resource mobilization efforts at the country level in coordination with the National Programme Officer/Head of programmes and the Country Representative.
• Contribute to Country Office annual work planning and budgeting processes.
• Support CO’s efforts in building partnerships at the country level and coordinating with the relevant stakeholders as deemed necessary.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The incumbent leads a team of 3, which includes 3 direct reports (2 SB4 and 1 SB3 as well as local and international consultants.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

• Strong programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
• Strong knowledge of Results Based Management
• Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them
• Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong networking skills with ability to interact with government and non-government partners and build strong relationships with clients
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
• Knowledge of EU standards and directives, including the EU gender equality aquis
• Experience in gender mainstreaming in public policies and programmes would be an advantage
• Prior experience in public administration and EU Integration-IPA processes will be considered an asset
• Prior experience in the Western Balkans will be considered an asset

Recruitment Qualifications

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in European Studies, public administration, law, human rights, gender equality, management, social sciences or other related areas is required.
• A project/programme management certification would be an added advantage.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in progressively responsible experience in programme management, including programme design, programme coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building is required.
• Experience in working in a gender related area is required, including gender related EU directives and policies is required.
• Experience in gender mainstreaming, EU integration and IPA processes is desirable.
• Experience in setting priorities, budgets, work plans, participating in programme development and programme writing is required.
• Experience in leading teams effectively is desirable.
• Experience working in countries under the process of EU accession is desirable.
• Previous experience working with international organizations, or the UN system is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel 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.)

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements