Deadline for ApplicationsOctober 27, 2025
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeCONS Local
Target Start Date2025-11-01
Terms of ReferenceLocation: Tirana, Albania
Type of Contract: Local Consultancy (Individual Contract)
Duration of contract: 40 days in a timeframe of 3 months
Tentative starting date: 1 November 2025
Title: Consultancy on social planning drafting (national level) to raise the capacities of the local municipality of Korca and Gjirokastra on how to establish and budget the social plans and on the job training.
1. Overview
The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was created in 1950, during the aftermath of the Second World War, to help millions of Europeans who had fled or lost their homes. Our primary purpose at UNHCR is to safeguard the rights and well-being of people who have been forced to flee. Together with partners and communities, we work to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country. We also strive to secure lasting solutions. For over 70 years, UNHCR has helped millions of people to restart their lives. They include refugees, returnees, stateless people, the internally displaced, and asylum-seekers. Our protection, shelter, health, and education have been crucial, healing broken pasts and building brighter futures. The agency is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Improving livelihoods and economic inclusion is a key component of achieving protection and solution outcomes: while allowing persons of concern to provide for themselves and their families, building resilience, and avoiding aid-dependency and negative coping mechanisms, they are enabled to contribute to their host economies and can prepare for their future whether it be a return home or integration in their country of asylum or in a third country.
2. Project relevance
This consultancy will be developed under the EU4Migration project, which aims to support Albania in establishing effective, efficient, and EU-aligned border and migration management systems in line with the EU accession framework, especially Chapters 23 and 24. A key focus of the project is the implementation of the National Strategy on Migration (2024โ2030) and its Action Plan (2024โ2026), both of which align with Albaniaโs EU integration objectives. The consultancy contributes to the broader goal of strengthening migration governance to address current challenges and harness the positive impact of migration on development. Particular attention is given to the rights and needs of asylum seekers and persons with specific needs, ensuring that human rights standards and legal guarantees are respected and upheld throughout the migration process, in line with international and EU norms.
The consultancy is highly relevant in the current socio-political context, particularly for Albaniaโs southern municipalities, which serve as entry points for transit and are aiming to become settlement areas for refugees and asylum seekers.
The consultancy supports the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees, which emphasizes the role of local authorities in fostering inclusion and resilience. It contributes to Albaniaโs obligations under international human rights and refugee protection frameworks, including the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1967 Geneva Protocol, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
Municipalities are at the frontline of refugee reception and integration. Revising their social plans ensures that local governance structures are inclusive, responsive, and resilient.
By integrating the needs of asylum-seekers and refugees โ including vulnerable groups such as foreign unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) - into municipal social plans, the project ensures equitable access to housing, education, healthcare, employment, and social protection. It also helps municipalities align their services with inclusive economic development strategies, enabling refugees to contribute to and benefit
from local economies.
3. Purpose of the consultancy
The consultancy aims to:
โข Support Municipalities to assess their human and resource capacities to implement inclusive social services for refugees and asylum seekers.
โข Identify and address gaps in the current plan related to the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers.
โข Propose the recommendations for the revision of municipal plans and actions to ensure the effective integration of refugees and asylum seekers in it.
โข Propose mechanisms to implement, monitor, financial support and evaluating of the municipal social plan and its intended outcomes.
โข To support the alignment of municipal social plans with overarching goals and directives outlined with the relevant National Strategies.
4. Scope of work
Under the supervision of the designated UNHCR Protection Team Staff and in cooperation with UNHCR Field Staff, the consultant will:
โข Conduct a comprehensive analysis and review of the current municipal social plans, including the relevant regulatory framework.
โข Engage in consultations with key stakeholders, including municipal officials, UNHCR staff and supported Partners operating in Korca and Gjirokastra regions, refugees, and asylum seekers.
โข Identify successful inclusion models from other municipalities in the country and/or from EU best practices.
โข Provides recommendations for municipal social plan that includes specific provisions for the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers.
โข Develop an implementation framework outlining timelines, responsibilities, and required resources.
โข Support the integration of dedicated financial allocations into the annual municipal budgets, ensuring their formal approval by the respective municipal councils.
โข Providing a mapping of potential donors to support the municipal social plan.
โข Propose indicators for monitoring and evaluating the impact of the revised plan.
Expected Timetable
This consultancy duration is 40 working days and is expected to last up to 3 (Three) months and be implemented between the period of 1 November 2025 and 31 December 2025.
5. Supervision/Reporting line
The consultant will report directly to the Senior Protection Associate and the Project Coordinator.
6. Consultancy Deliverables
โข Inception Report: Outlining methodology, work plan.
โข Draft Report: Presenting preliminary analyses and recommendations for stakeholder feedback.
โข Final Report: Provide proposed amendments and solutions, detailed recommendations, including template by-law language for municipal consideration and implementation strategies.
โข Conduct a capacity-building needs assessment for relevant municipal staff in each municipality
โข Develop a practical tool/Matrix that helps assess and plan how each municipality can maintain inclusive practises including local funding mechanism and institutional anchoring, responsible municipality entity and monitoring tools.
โข Presentation: Summarising key findings and recommendations to UNHCR and relevant stakeholders.
7. ToRs Amendment
UNHCR and the consultant may amend certain parts of the present Terms of Reference (ToRs) to ensure deliverables that better align with the context. The final report will reflect the amendments agreed upon. The amendments must be signed by both parties at the beginning of the consultancy.
8. Proposed Timeframe
1 November 2025 - 31 December 2025
9. Payment milestones (Based on section 6. Consultancy Deliverables)
30% of the amount will be paid upon receipt of the inception report.
20% of the amount will be paid upon receipt of the draft report.
50% of the amount will be paid upon receipt of the final report.
Total amount allocated for the consultancy is EUR 10,000.
10. Qualifications
Academic Background
โข University degree in social and economic sciences, public policy, or a related field.
Professional Experience
โข Minimum 5 years of experience working in social and economic analysis, legislative review, and the development of social policies. This includes proven work on social and economic inclusion and protection initiatives for marginalised and underserved groups, such as asylum seekers and refugees.
Required skills:
โข Proven experience in social planning and policy development.
โข Knowledge of issues related to social and economic inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers.
โข Strong analytical and communication skills.
โข Experience in stakeholder engagement and participatory approaches.
โข Excellent knowledge of the national and international legal framework on social issues.
โข Experience in analysing training needs, developing and implementing in-person and online individual and group training and coaching sessions for local government and/or civil society stakeholders.
Desirable skills:
โข Previous professional experience working with or in collaboration with international organizations, UN agencies, or development cooperation agencies, especially in multi-stakeholder or donor-funded projects.
โข Prior engagement with municipal authorities or local governance structures in Albania or similar contexts, particularly in the design or implementation of inclusive social service programs.
Languages
โข Fluency in English; proficiency in Albanian required.
11. Pre-selected candidates
UNHCR Albania will pre-select between 3 to 5 candidates. Interested candidates should present the following:
โข 2 References from previous collaborators
โข Detailed proposal with the budget and the work-plan for this consultancy (make sure to include breakdown of the consultancy costs).
Eligibility:
Applicants must be nationals of Albania OR in the possession of a valid residency and work permit OR have the right to reside and work in Albania.
Applications:
All applications must be submitted online in Workday. Email applications will not be accepted. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behavior and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal.
Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector Generalโs Office (IGO) at inspector@unhcr.org or through the online complain form at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages English
,Albanian
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Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
RemoteNo