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This consultancy will contribute to the EU for Youth 2024-2026 (EU4Youth), an EU funded project implemented by UNDP and UNICEF in Albania that aims to provide technical assistance to support the pilot implementation of the Youth Guarantee Scheme in Albania. It is a strategic response to the pressing challenges faced by the country’s youth, particularly those aged 15-29, in accessing sustainable employment opportunities. EU for Youth aims to harmonize Albania’s youth employment policies with European Council recommendations on Youth Guarantee, ensuring universal accessibility for young individuals not in education, employment, or training (NEETs) under 30, policy coherence and coordination – built on diverse partnerships – to “guarantee” a quality offer within four months, on-going monitoring, and effective utilization of both domestic and other financial resources.

The EU for Youth strategically aligns with national strategies, including the National Strategy for Development and European Integration 2022-2030, the National Employment and Skills Strategy 2030, the National Youth Strategy 2022-2029, and others, creating synergies for effective implementation.

“EU for Youth” project (2024-2026) expected impact is to improve the employability of young boys and girls not in employment, education, or training through the implementation of YG scheme in Albania. The three outcomes and eight outputs are cross-communicating, i.e., are designed to ensure internal coherence and maximize collaboration and learning between the measures, that in the end they add value and contribute to the achievement of the expected impact.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall guidance of UNICEF Education specialist and in close cooperation with the National Coordinator and UNDP Programme Specialists, national authorities, and the respective institutions, the International Youth Guarantee Expert will support to propose a model for the Youth Guarantee phases which are yet to be activated, namely mapping and outreach. The international expert will also be supported by a team of national experts, including an expert on youth engagement, an expert on labor market and an expert on labour market and education statics; as well as three local coordinators who are working in each pilot municipality, positioned within the regional directorates of the National Agency for Employment and Skills (NAES).

The international consultant, together with three other local consultants, will provide technical guidance and support the delivery of the following activities:

1. Provide technical support to INSTAT to design and integrate a self-sustained statistical module within the Labour Force Survey (LFS), aligning with the EU Guidelines and EU LFS explanatory notes that mandate enhanced data collection on the transition from school to work, gender and vulnerability aspects included.

2.  Provide technical support to NAES and NYA for developing an operational model that guides the establishment and functioning of Local Partners Networks, closely considering gender and vulnerability aspects. This operational model will feature an integrated case management system led by NAES and will standardize service delivery protocols, referrals, and monitoring mechanisms for tracking both outreach actions taken, and outcomes achieved. Formulate a capacity development programme and training of trainer (ToTs) for NAES (utilizing the trainers trained by SREPVET project) and NYA to improve the operational framework of Local Partners Network and the realization of shared objectives at a local level. Provide insight to the communication campaign strategies of YG as well as the implementation of the grants at local level supporting the pre and post placement.

3. Define function and duties of each of the governance structures, i.e., the National Coordinator and the Inter-institutional group, the Executive Coordination (NAES) and the Technical Working Group (TWG). Facilitate regular meetings and provide technical assistance during the meetings, as well as address any problem that may arise during preparations for the YG scheme, including support to MoSYC, MoES and MoHSP, closely considering gender and vulnerability aspects.

Deliverables, specific activities and timeline for completion of each deliverable including the total number of working days are clearly mentioned below:

Deliverable 1: A list of recommendations on the activity plan and strategies for implementation for EU for youth action document provided and discussed with the project team.

Specific activities:  Conduct a desk review of the situation and development of NEETS in Albania, main strategies, and Youth guarantee developments as well as EU4youth project, provide a comparison versus benchmarks from EU examples implementing YG and provide recommendations for the work plan and strategies of the YG pilot project considering gender and vulnerability aspects.

Timeline for deliverable 1: May 2024 – 10 working days.

Deliverable 2: a) Technical inputs provided to INSTAT on the module on school to work transition as part of the Labor Force Survey b) NEET profile report supported with technical inputs and reviews.

Specific activities: Provide technical assistance to improve of availability of regular and comprehensive information on NEET in Albania (mapping).

– Provide technical support to INSTAT to design and integrate a self-sustained statistical module within the Labour Force Survey (LFS), aligning with the EU Guidelines and EU LFS explanatory notes that mandate enhanced data collection on the transition from school to work (gender and vulnerability aspects considered)

– Provide technical support to INSTAT to design and integrate a self-sustained statistical module within the Labour Force Survey (LFS), aligning with the EU Guidelines and EU LFS explanatory notes that mandate enhanced data collection on the transition from school to work (gender and vulnerability aspects considered).

– Support the preparation of the NEET profile at the national and regional level, together with the national team of experts

Timeline for Deliverable 2: September 2024 for (a) and December 2024 for (b) – 15 working days in total

Deliverable 3: a) A finalized outreach model adapted to the Albanian context, complete with all necessary instruments for implementation; b) A comprehensive report detailing the roles and responsibilities of the Local Partners Network and national agencies in the outreach process; c) Training delivered to central and local level stakeholders in monitoring the mapping and outreach phase of the YG and its links to the preparation and offer phase; d) Develop a concept note on the youth guarantee main directions and audiences to be targeted for the communication campaign.

Specific activities: Support the development of a model for Local Partners Networks (outreach and preparation)

– Develop and implement tools to map available resources in the selected municipalities, including services, programs, organizations, and other forms of support, considering gender and vulnerability aspects. Conduct an analysis of the current resource landscape to identify gaps and opportunities for the Youth Guarantee implementation.

–  Design and develop a context-specific outreach model that includes mechanisms for identification, contact, and engagement of NEET youth (gender and vulnerability highlighted), along with individual support strategies, needs assessment, and referral to the Youth Guarantee registration portal. Develop progression indicators to track and monitor outreach activities, ensuring alignment with existing Youth Guarantee preparation and offer indicators. Design monitoring protocols for mapping and outreach efforts, including referral mechanisms to YG preparation and offer.

– Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the Local Partners Network and national agencies in carrying out outreach activities (targeting gender/ vulnerability aspects etc.) and monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

– Facilitate a workshop with relevant stakeholders to discuss and agree on the model(s) proposed (including gender/ vulnerability aspects).

– Assist in the development of operational guidelines to standardize the functioning of the Local Partners Network, emphasizing consistent service delivery towards NEETs (gender/ vulnerability) and quality control.

– Train NAES and NYA and the members of the Local Partner’s network in the three municipalities. (Activity facilitated through UNICEF/ UNDP in terms of logistics etc)

– Provide guidance on the communication strategy to be developed for the YG as part of the project and main directions it should take to include gender, vulnerability aspects while targeting NEETs.

Timeline for Deliverable 3: July 2024 for (a); September 2024 for (b); October-November 2024 for (c) and June 2024 for (d) – 25 working days in total.

Deliverable 4: a) Operational procedures developed for the functioning of the YG coordination mechanisms at the central and local level. b) Policy briefs and recommendations to improve the YG implementation in Albania and integrate the model of mapping and outreach to the already developed model of preparation and offer

Specific activities: Capacitate and strengthen the Youth Guarantee governance structures.

– Fine-tune functions and duties and document the roles and responsibilities of the YG governance structures, i.e., the National Coordinator, the inter-institutional group, the executive coordination, the technical working group, and the Local partner’s Networks.

– Provide technical support during the meetings for each national monitoring structures of the YG.

– Identify policy gaps and barriers hindering the successful implementation of the Youth Guarantee and make recommendations for policy reforms and adjustments based on international experience and evidence

Timeline for Deliverable 4: June 2024 for (a) and Dec 2024-Jan 2025 for (b) – 10 working days in total

Deliverable 5: A detailed concept and how to guide for grants covering pre and post placement etc designed and discussed with the partners.

Specific activities: Support the design of the youth guarantee partnership on the grounds through provision of grants for social partners

Timeline for deliverable 5: Feb-March 2025 – 15 working days

During the duration of the consultancy from April 2024 to end March 2025, the consultant will have to organize three missions/travels to Albania.

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

• Master’s degree in political or social science, development, law, economics, or a closely related field. Bachelor´s degree in a related field with 2 years of qualifying experience might be accepted in lieu of master’s degree.
• University degree in political or social science, development, law, economics, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 10 years of general professional experience in employment/labor market, and specific experience of at least, 3 years in direct Youth Guarantee initiatives implementation and design.
• Experience as key expert in an EU funded project/contact in the field of employment/labor market, youth engagement for skillset building.
• Proven experience in policy formulation, research, strong analytical and excellent drafting skills in English.
• Experience in   complex policy dialogue building among multiple actors.
• Experience in data management, statistics, M&E systems etc

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 in the work towards the deliverables and tasks in the ToR
2. Updated Resume
3. Financial proposal in USD (lumpsum fee including daily fee and travel cost (3 missions/trips to Albania and three daily local trips (Tirana city; from Tirana to Vlore; from Tirana to Shkoder).The financial proposal must be broken down per deliverable. The lumpsum in USD will be taxes inclusive.
4. Methodology describing the work towards the deliverables and tasks in the ToR.

If any question related to the TOR for the consultancy, please contact Elvana Pernaska at epernaska@unicef.org

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.