The Position:

The National Consultant will directly report to the UNFPA Advocacy & Communication Analyst. UNFPA will provide reporting templates, while reporting dates will be included in the respective contract.

Daily communication for the conduction of this assignment will be with the joint UN Project Coordinator.
 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

Over the past years, the Western Balkan region has been affected by fluctuating geopolitical dynamics, marked by continued aspirations for EU integration alongside persistent regional tensions. Youth in the region face challenges of limited opportunities, suffer from transgenerational trauma, gender-based violence is increasingly expanding to the cybersphere, and traditional societal norms still present significant barriers. Media freedom remains a critical issue, with concerns about press freedom, media ownership transparency, and the safety of journalists. The increase in divisive narratives and rhetoric within and across communities, countries/territories, taking place on the internet, particularly on social media, as well as in public debate, political rallies, sporting events, and in everyday social interaction, have the potential to aggravate regional dynamics, mistrust and grievances. With the region witnessing high numbers of youth emigration, young people, particularly those who remain in the region, continue to experience legacies of the past. To adhere, youth reported hate speech on- or off-line as the most common form of violence or discrimination.

All this divisive rhetoric and narratives across the region has been met with important but nonetheless limited regional programmatic action. As such UN / UNFPA are implementing “Youth 4 Inclusion Equality and Trust” regional initiative in five countries and territories of Western Balkan region, Albania, Serbia, Kosovo1 , Bosnia and Hercegovina and North Macedonia, financially supported by UN Peace Building funds. The focus of this project is divisive narratives and their impact on social cohesion regionally as well as to address the hate speech and divisive narratives in the WB region. In Albania, UNFPA and UNDP coordinate closely to implement the activities at country level. During 2022-2024 the project has created momentum by bringing youth into decision-making processes, leading to positive policy and legislative changes for youth in the region. During 2025-2026, the project will maintain and further expand these results through increasing alignment with the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas at all levels. This proposed initiative will expand on previous efforts by building in country and territory-specific activities and lessons learned and fostering increased regional cohesion This project introduces and embeds a strong gender dimension across outputs to directly address an important root cause behind the spread and persistence of divisive narratives in the region. Under output 2 there is the project makes provision to bring YPS and WPS agendas to local level and increase capacities of municipal staff in charge of youth plans and youth engagement to understand the YPS and integrate it into all local policies and plans, thus ensuring institutionalization, replicability and sustainability beyond the project.

You would be responsible for:

With this background in mind, UNFPA Albania is looking for a national consultant who will support Municipality of Elbasan to develop its municipal youth plan, by incorporating the five pillars of UN Youth Peace and Security Agenda (YPS Agenda), and translate the principles, components and guidance provided in the UN YPS Agenda and its related resolutions into strategic outcomes, outputs, activities and indicators to the best extend possible, by considering the youth needs in their community context, and the Municipality priorities for youth issues. The consultant shall also consider aligning the plan with evolving national priorities on youth issues and EU youth strategy. The final product of the consultant is the Municipal Youth Plan, which incorporates YPS Agenda and is costed, ready for approval by the Municipal Council in Elbasan. The consultant will receive feedback on the draft/s of this plan, by UNFPA and UNDP Albania project staff, Municipality of Elbasan personnel and the National Agency for Youth. 

In close coordination with UNFPA and UNDP Albania, and in close cooperation with the Municipality of Elbasan staff, the national consultant, will complete the below tasks: 

1. Conceptualise the methodology for the development of the municipal youth plan; 
2. Consult and agree methodology with the Municipality of Elbasan personnel, UNFPA and UNDP project staff; 
3. Conduct the desk review of relevant documents provided by UNFPA & UNDP and Municipality of Elbasan; 
4. Conduct focus groups and interviews with different groups of stakeholders (list of stakeholders will be provided by the UN and Municipality of Elbasan); 
5. Circulate to the Municipality of Elbasan, UNFPA & UNDP project staff, and National Agency for Youth, for comments and suggestions the first draft of the plan which incorporates YPS agenda and the related resolutions.
6. Reflect the suggestions and comments received by Municipality, National Youth Agency, and UN project staff in the draft document. 
7. Submit the final document to Municipality of Elbasan and UNFPA & UNDP project staff.

Total of 10 working days between the period of November- December 2025.

At least 2 travels in Elbasan Municipality will be required.

In addition to your application and cover letter, you need to submit: 

• Proof of similar consultancies to this assignment;
• Proof of working experience related to YPS topics;
• Previous experience working with local or central government entities focused on young people;

Links of deliverables, products, or references from previous contractors, or employers will be considered as proofs for the above.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Master’s degree in social sciences, political sciences, law, or any other related thematic areas.
 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least 5 years of professional experience in youth policy analysis/research/development and in costing the implementation of these policies. 
• At least 5 years of professional experience in providing support to different institutions, agencies or CSOs in implementation of YPS agenda in Albania or in the Western Balkan region. 
• Good knowledge of EU accession requirements and EU priorities for youth, and how to translate them in Municipal youth policies. 
• Experience in reports writing and analysis. 
• Experience of working with central and local level institutions, and youth CSOs or youth groups.

Languages: 

English and Albanian language, at professional level proficiency is required
 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

Exemplifying integrity, 

Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 

Embracing cultural diversity, 

Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

Achieving results,

Being accountable,

Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,

Thinking analytically and strategically,

Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

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Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

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Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.