International consultant on assessing and recommending options on the permeability of the education system in Albania

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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

In Albania, youth face pressing employment challenges, including high unemployment rates, inactivity, and
long-term unemployment. The unemployment rate for those aged 15-29 was 22.5% in 2022, which is double
the rate of the general working age population, with a substantial gender employment gap of 16%. Informality
in employment remains a stern challenge, with an estimated official rate of 30% of workers engaged in
informal employment sectors. Three out of four unemployed young people are classified as long-term
unemployed, with risks of skills erosion and labor market exclusion.
Educational challenges also persist. In 2022-23, 95,845 pupils were enrolled in upper secondary education,
marking a decrease of 7.4%, compared to the previous school year. 82.5% of these were enrolled in
gymnasium and socio-cultural schools and 17.5% in VET schools. This proportion has remained almost at the
same level during the last three years.1 Recent trends in VET education show a decrease in enrolment (from
20,981 students in 2017-2018 to 16,811 in 2022-2023). Compared with other Western Balkans countries,
Albania has the lower participation rate VET, while also girls’ participation in VET remains low.
In addition, limited economic opportunities are driving out-migration that can lead to skills shortages (INSTAT,
LFS 2022). The rate of youth Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) in Albania was 25.2% in 2022
(INSTAT, LFS 2022), more than double the EU-27 average of 11.7%. Of these, 41.8% are classified as
unemployed, while others are discouraged workers, engaged in domestic responsibilities, or are inactive due
to other reasons (INSTAT, LFS 2022). A mere fraction of this population, less than 10%, is registered with the
National Agency for Employment and Skills (NAES). (NAES Administrative data 2022).
In alignment with the commitments of Western Balkan countries to ensure sustainable labor market inclusion
of young individuals aged 15-29, Albania has prepared and approved the Youth Guarantee Implementation
Plan (YGIP) 2023-2024. YGIP aims to harmonize Albania’s youth employment policy framework to the
principles of the Youth Guarantee, as envisioned in the European Council Recommendation on A Bridge to
Jobs – Reinforcing the Youth Guarantee (2020). This includes ensuring universal accessibility for all 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 approved YGIP is the result of collaborative efforts from multiple stakeholders, aiming to enact robust and sustainable partnerships throughout the Youth Guarantee’s implementation process.
The “EU for Youth” (EU4Youth) action is designed jointly by UNDP and UNICEF in Albania, in full compliance
with the approved national YGIP 2023-2024, and in consultation with main stakeholders at the national,
regional, and local level, as well as, with youth in Shkoder and Vlore. EU for Youth project aims to: increase
the institutional capacities for the implementation of the Youth Guarantee (YG) Implementation Plan; pilot
action for vulnerable Youth NEET for a good quality offer of employment or further education/training within
4 months of leaving formal education and/or registering as unemployed implemented; dedicated and
systemic support to apprenticeship and traineeship in green economy sectors having high potential in Albania
(with a focus on girls inclusion ); mechanisms and systems for the Youth Guarantee (YG) Implementation Plan
established/enhanced. The action’s goal and outcomes align closely with the sectorial strategy, the National
Employment and Skills Strategy 2023-2030 (NESS 2030), which aims at quality jobs and lifelong learning for
all; the National Youth Strategy (NYS) 2022-2029, which aims to ensure equal rights and opportunities,
support and engagement for vulnerable youth; it also aligns closely with the National Strategy of Social
Protection 2024-2030 recognizing the importance of providing a comprehensive support system for
individuals at risk, aiming to enhance their prospects for sustainable social integration; with the National
Education Strategy 2021-2026, especially in the efforts on establishing a smooth school-to-work transition
for pupils enrolled in pre-university education (especially for girls leaving in remote areas) and advancing
government efforts in improved permeability in the education system supported through UNICEF technical
assistance. In the framework of the project EU4Youth, UNICEF and UNDP Albana aim to assess the current
state of the permeability in the education system in Albania, allowing learners to move freely between
different educational pathways and levels. The analysis will be able to identify bottlenecks in adaptability
recognizing prior learning, accommodating diverse needs, identify gaps and propose policy options to define
the availability of different program types (by incentivizing girls especially in STEM and in stereotyped
professions) and the ability of the system to ensure long-life learning and ability to transition between
programs.

Scope of work:

A permeable system equips individuals (both girls and boys) with relevant skills, enhancing their employability
and adaptability in a changing job market. To that end, the permeability assessment will aim at
recommendations which look at the permeability of the education system not as a standalone solution rather
as complementor for high-quality programs and supportive policies for all boys and girls.
The international consultant will conduct a policy assessment and propose options to enhance the flexibility
and permeability of the education system in Albania, including both general as well as vocational education.
The primary goal is to identify bottlenecks, reduce barriers, and provide recommendations to minimize
obstacles for learners transitioning between educational levels (e.g., secondary to higher education) or
systems (e.g., school to vocational training, adult learning, and recognition of prior learning). The ultimate
objective is to achieve improved employability outcomes for both boys and girls enhancing agender
transformative aspects in employability.
The international consultant will assess the education system (general as well as vocational education),
working closely with a national expert on the VET system, by analyzing the gender aspects as well.
The team of consultants is expected to coordinate closely and delineate their specific responsibilities. The
specific tasks assigned to each consultant should be clearly outlined and detailed in the inception report,
which will be submitted as part of the deliverables.

Main tasks:

– Assess the current education system: Assess the current education system by examining existing
strategies and frameworks (such as the National Youth Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2029, National
Strategy of Employment and Skills 2023-2030, the Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan 2023-2024,
lifelong learning competencies, national qualification framework etc.). Assess their implementation in
legislation, institutional set-up and resources, focusing on identifying barriers and opportunities for
enhancing system permeability and flexibility.
– Evaluate learning pathways: Assess the opportunities for transitioning between and across formal
education programs in lower and upper secondary education, including VET, accredited alternative
secondary education programs, and higher education by analyzing gender nuances as well. Identify
obstacles that impede these transitions and propose solutions to improve flexibility and permeability of
the education system.
– Prior Learning: Review the current debates on establishing systems and mechanisms for the provision,
recognition, validation and accreditation of prior learning, existence of quality standards and quality
assurance mechanisms.
– Gather youth perspectives on existing barriers: Collect and analyze the views and perceptions of young
people regarding the barriers they face in accessing education and employment opportunities by
analyzing the gender aspects. Use these insights to identify specific areas where the education system’s
flexibility and permeability can be enhanced to better meet the needs of the youth.
– Benchmark against international best practices: Provide an overview of successful models of education
system permeability from other countries. Identify best practices and lessons learned that can be adapted
to the Albanian context to enhance the flexibility and permeability of the system.
– Develop recommendations for system improvement: Formulate and provide detailed recommendations
aimed at improving the flexibility and permeability of the system. Focus on reducing barriers, facilitating
smoother transitions between education levels and systems, and ultimately enhancing employability
outcomes for learners with a focus on girls.
As such the policy assessment, that will be drafted in close cooperation with the national consultant, is
expected to provide a pathway for improved social inclusion by promoting equal access, accommodating
diverse learners (e.g., adults, migrants, differently abled) and reducing educational disparities especially for
girls.

Specific tasks and deliverables of the consultant are:

Deliverable 1: (from country of residence)
– Draft and deliver an inception report, detailing:
a) The proposed methodology, workplan and timeline.
b) Initial findings from the desk research and initial consultation meetings with stakeholders.
The inception report should be finalized after incorporating feedback from UNICEF and the EU4Youth team.

Tasks:
In close cooperation with the national expert on the VET system, conduct:
– A desk review of all relevant documents on the permeability and flexibility of the Albanian general and vocational education system.
– Organize 2 (or more if needed) online calls with UNICEF, EU4Youth team, MoES, MECI and/or NAES to explore and discuss the desk review and the Albanian
context regarding the permeability and flexibility (with gender lenses) of the education system.
– Draft and finalize the inception report, based on feedback from UNICEF and the EU4Youth team.

Delivery deadline – November 19th, 2024 (from residence); planned 7 working days

Deliverable 2: (from country of residence)
– Develop a draft report on the permeability and flexibility of the education system, including international best practices and lessons learned. Share it for feedback with UNICEF, EU4Youth and relevant
stakeholders.

Tasks:
In close cooperation with the national expert on the VET system, conduct:
– Draft and finalize research instruments (focus group and in-depth interviews guides), after comments from UNICEF and EU4Youth team.
– Consultation meetings with UNICEF, MoES, MECI, NAES, NAVETQ, ASCAP, general and vocational education system providers (public and private), job seekers, students, and other relevant actors.
– Conduct 6 in-depth interviews and focus group discussions based on the developed methodology and workplan.
– Organize 4 focus group discussions with young people (both boys and girls) in the three pilot municipalities; based on the profile defined in the proposed methodology.
– Draft the initial report with findings and recommendations on the permeability and flexibility of the education system in Albania and share it with UNICEF, the EU4Youth team and stakeholders for feedback.

Delivery deadline – December 20th, 2024 (in Albania residence); planned 10 working days

Deliverable 3: (from country of residence)
– Submit the final report including findings and recommendations on how to achieve a more permeable and flexible education system.

Tasks:
In close cooperation with the national expert on the VET system:
– Incorporate feedback from UNICEF, EU4Youth and stakeholders on the draft report on the permeability and flexibility of the education system in Albania and share the final report with UNICEF and partners.

Delivery deadline – January 24th, 2025 (from residence); planned 6 working days

Deliverable 4: (from country of residence)
– Present findings and recommendations in a workshop with relevant stakeholders.

Tasks:
– Prepare a summary presentation and present findings and recommendations in a workshop with relevant stakeholders.

Delivery deadline – February 07th, 2025 (from residence); planned 1 working days

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

• Advanced university degree in Education, Social Sciences, or other relevant science.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in education policy development, multiple pathways, ensuring transition from education to work, education permeability research and policy development.
• Hands-on experience in developing education policies and implementation practice on the general education system and TVET/skills quality assurance, qualification/competencies/standards, curriculum development/review, qualification framework.
• Previous working experience in working with UN and in Albania will be an advantage.
• Excellent inter-personal and written communication skills in English language.
• Strong skills in program evaluation and data-driven decision making.
• Experience in promoting inclusive education practices.
• Excellent communication, report writing, and stakeholder engagement skills.

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. 

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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.