National consultant to support the People’s Advocate of Albania in establishing a Femicide Watch

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 centre of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

UN Women Albania is implementing its  (SN) 2022-2026, which aims to ensure that “All Women and girls enjoy and exercise their human rights in a gender equal society and meaningfully contribute to Albania’s sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development and EU integration”. To achieve such result, UN Women will focus on three outcomes, which mirror verbatim the areas of focus of the United Nations Albania:

1. Increased and more equitable investment in people to remove barriers and create opportunities for those at risk of exclusion.
2. Innovative and integrated policy solutions that accelerate sustainable, productive and inclusive development.
3. Gender-responsive governance that strengthens equality and non-discrimination.

In Albania, UN Women provides technical assistance to national partners (governmental and non-governmental institutions) on the improvement and implementation of national commitments to women’s rights and gender equality in many areas, including the fight against gender-based violence. Currently, a UN Joint Programme “Ending Violence against Women”, Phase II, 2023-2025 (UNJP on EVAW II), funded by Government of Sweden is being implemented by UN Women, UNDP, and UNFPA in partnership with the Albanian Government. This Programme follows Phase I of the UNJP on EVAW, implemented from 2019 to 2022 and  it is in line with Outcome 4: Gender Responsive Governance of the Albania- (CF). UNJP on EVAW II aims at ensuring that: (i) women and girls enjoy more effective preventive measures against violence; (ii) all women survivors and those at risk are better protected from all forms of violence and have equitable access to services; and (iii) responsible institutions and actors implement national policies and legislation on VAW in a more comprehensive, inclusive and coordinated way in Albania.   

Femicide, or the gender related killing of women, as the most extreme manifestation of violence against women, continues to plague societies around the world. Globally, in 2021, around 45,000 women and girls were killed by their intimate partners or other family members. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by homicidal violence in the private sphere, namely 56% of all female homicides are committed by intimate partners or other family members.(1) In Albania, since 2020, 28 women have been killed by an intimate partner or family member. (2)

In the framework of the Regional “Implementing Norms, Changing Minds” programme, UN Women with the support of the EU, a first of its kind regional report shed light on femicide in three countries, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro with the aim to support the establishment of national and a regional femicide watch to collect data as a tool to better understand the phenomenon and contribute towards prevention. The report found several gaps in the legal framework, its implementation and data collection, noting the need to appoint an institution responsible for reporting and monitoring cases of femicide. Until now, such cases have been reported in the general framework of statistics of the relevant bodies: the police, the prosecutor’s office, the judicial bodies, as well as the Ministry of Justice. It is necessary that, in addition to statistical reporting, a public institution engages in reporting and monitoring cases of femicide to ensure a better approach to prevention and compliance by the competent state bodies. It is imperative that a femicide watch be established under an independent institution of public administration.(3)

Preventing and eliminating femicide or gender related killings of women and girls as with all forms of violence against women and girls is a key priority of UN Women. Over the last decade UN Women has provided thought leadership to the conceptualization of femicide, in strengthening data collection efforts as well as in leading important processes to strengthen investigations and address the high levels of impunity, through the development of a Model Protocol to guide investigations and prosecutions (together with the OHCHR), as well as subsequent legal, policy reforms and capacity-building.(4) As such, UN Women Albania is working closely with the Ombudsperson’s Office to enable statistical data collection in line with the UN statistical framework for measuring gender-related killings of women and girls. The ombudsperson’s office is committed to establishing a femicide watch and conduct in-depth analysis of cases of femicide in Albania. 
These efforts are in line with UN Joint Programme EVAWIA II, outcome 1 “Government institutions at central and local levels and CSOs service providers have increased capacities to prevent and respond to all forms of violence and exploitation against women and children, with focus on vulnerable groups and multidisciplinary, specialized services for the rehabilitation of children suffering sexual abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, and mental health challenges”. These efforts are directly aligned with and contribute to the implementation of the  and the  especially 

The intervention will aim to target all women and girl’s survivors of violence in Albania, with a focus on women and girls experiencing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination including LBTI women, women with disabilities and Roma and Egyptian women. The programe will also work with men and boys as key agents of change when it comes to promoting gender equality, as well as civil society organizations and national institutions. 

In light of this, UN Women is seeking a national consultant to support the People’s Advocate in Albania to track and analyze cases of femicide based on an established methodology. Specifically, under the Joint Programme Output 1.1: CSOs and NHRIs promote accountability of service providers, including in the justice system and have increased capacities to influence the GEWE agenda, UN Women in close collaboration with People’s Advocate will be responsible for the data collection and analysis on femicide in Albania in an effort to systematize data, understand root causes, identify gaps and contribute to prevention of VAWG. 

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Duties and Responsibilities

The national consultant will be recruited by UN Women and will be based at People’s Advocate Office. Under the overall management by the UN Women Project Manager for EVAWIA Phase II  and direct day-to-day supervision of the People’s Advocate ,the consultant is expected to contribute to the following areas/tasks: 

Methodology: 

• Develop the methodology for data collection based on the UN Statistical framework and best international practices, which will guide the data collection process, in collaboration with the gender equality and human rights expert. 
• In collaboration with the PA, develop a database to register cases of femicide based on the UN Statistical Framework as the guiding document. 

Data collection: 

• Track cases of femicide starting from 2021 and input information in the database developed. This will entail keeping track of media reports, official documentation related to the femicide case and record keeping. 
• Monitor court proceedings for the identified cases of femicide. Create detailed documentation of each case that will serve for the in-depth analysis. 
• Conduct interviews, when possible and respecting the right to privacy, with survivors, families of victims, perpetrators to create a profile of survivor and perpetrator, understand root causes and characteristics of each case in order to systematize during the research phase. 

Data analysis- Aggregated findings from each femicide case based on: 

a. Statistical information obtained by the state police on cases of femicide;

b. Statistical information on the investigation and prosecution of femicide by the Prosecutor’s Office and courts;

c. Case materials to identify motifs, root causes, gaps in institutional response;

d. Information, when relevant, from local government authorities (referral mechanisms): 

• Analyzing each judgment. If gender motive of the crime is identified, or if the crime motive is suspicious, case materials are requested; 
• Analyzing of case materials and preparing a report with gaps, challenges and recommendations.
• Identify stories to be featured in communications material. 

Support to the gender equality and human rights expert to prepare yearly femicide reports based on the analysis of identified cases, which should contain: 

1. Identification of gaps in victim protection mechanisms; 
2. Recommendations to relevant institutions to improve response to VAWG based on findings from case review;
3. Recommendations on gaps in the legal and policy framework necessary for tackling femicide. 

Expected deliverables:

• Data Collection Methodology and tools (protocols) and Database to register cases of femicide; 
• Monthly progress reports to UN Women Albania and People’s Advocate; 
• Regular and yearly analyses on Femicide in Albania;
• Briefs, summary reports and meeting minutes;
• Draft stories/materials used for communication/visibility; 
• At the end of the consultancy submit a final consultancy report (in English) describing their involvement in the exercise, progress with the task, problems encountered while carrying out the consultancy and recommendations for future similar interventions.

Note:

• Technical inputs and other on-demand reports on specific initiatives when requested by the People’s Advocate will be reviewed and agreed with UN Women for quality assurance;
• Quality of relationships with partners is central to success and will be assessed by the People’s Advocate and UN Women through the duration of the contract.
• The People’s Advocate and UN Women will provide the Consultant with background materials related to the assignment.
• The consultant is expected to work using her/his own computer.

Duration:

The duration of the initial contract will be up to 20 working days per month for the period 1 December 2023 through 30 November 2024. 

Competencies

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

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

Functional Competencies:

• Proven research, analytical and drafting skills,
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with various public and non-public stakeholders including in the areas of human rights, gender equality, social inclusion;
• Excellent writing skills in English and Albanian;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Strong initiative-taking;
• Focuses on impact and results for the partner;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience:

Academic Qualifications/Education

• Advanced university degree in law, human rights, social sciences, development studies, gender studies or similar discipline;

Work Experience

• At least 5 years of professional experience working on human rights with a focus on access to justice, legal protection and with an emphasis on violence against women and girls;
• Prior experience in conducting legal analysis/research, data collection and monitoring on human rights and  women’s rights in Albania;
• Previous experience with the International Standards and the Albanian civil and criminal legislation related to violence against women;
• Previous experience with international and/or national human rights mechanisms/institutions would be considered an advantage. 

Language requirement

• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Albanian.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

• Financial Proposal specifying a monthly lumpsum in ALL (Albanian Leke) for the tasks specified above. Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services 
• Payment will be made as per the payment schedule in the contract upon (i) satisfactory completion of tasks; (ii) provision of deliverables specified in the ToRs; (iii) submission of and approval by UN Women of final draft; and (iv) submission of the certification of payment.

Recommended Presentation of Offer:

Qualified and interested candidates are required to apply online: 

• A Letter of Confirmation of Interest including a brief description explaining why the individual considers her/himself as the most suitable for the assignment.
• Completed and signed UN Women Personal History Form (P11) that can be downloaded at link: . 
• Financial Proposal specifying a monthly lumpsum in ALL (Albanian Leke) for the tasks specified in this assignment, following the instructions under the above section on Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments.

NOTE: APPLICATIONS WITHOUT THE FINANCIAL OFFER WILL BE TREATED AS INCOMPLETE AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT.

Evaluation of applicants:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. Contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Technical Evaluation –70 points:

• Advanced university degree in law, human rights, social sciences, development studies, gender studies or similar discipline (10 points);
• At least 5 years of professional experience working on human rights with a focus on access to justice, legal protection and with an emphasis on violence against women and girls (15 points);
• Prior experience in conducting legal analysis/research, data collection and monitoring on human rights and women’s rights in Albania (15 points);
• Previous experience with International Standards and the Albanian civil and criminal legislation related to violence against women (20 points);
• Previous experience with international and/or national human rights mechanisms/institutions would be considered an advantage (10 points). 

Financial Evaluation – 30 points

• Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.
• The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion. The calculation formula applied is as follow:

p = 30 (µ/z); where: p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated; µ = price of the lowest priced proposal; z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

How to Submit the Application: To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Download and complete the UN Women Personal History Form (P11) 
• Merge your UN Women Personal History Form (P11), the Financial Proposal, 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.

Notes: 

• UN Women retains the right to contact references directly. Due to the large numbers of applications, we receive, we can inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process. 
• The consultancy post is open to local (Albanian) individuals or foreign individuals with valid temporary or permanent residence in Albania.
• Applications without the financial offer will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment. 
• The individual consultants should take the mandatory learning security course prior to commencement of assignment– details will follow before the issuance of contract. 

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.