International Consultant for the development of the United Nations Cooperation Framework (UNCF) for Albania 2027-2031

Result of ServiceOBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY Under the guidance of the UN Resident Coordination , and overall supervision of the Head of the RCO, the selected consultant will be responsible for preparation, implementation and administration of the assignment, which includes but is not limited to: ­- Provide technical expertise for the formulation of the detailed methodology that will guide the development of the new Cooperation Framework; ­- Conduct consultations with UN staff and partners (government, development partners, international institutions, civil society, academia, think thanks, media, adolescents/youth, private sector, other); ­- In collaboration with the RC, UNCT, RCO, develop the Cooperation Framework document, which includes the narrative and the theory of change (outcomes and outputs), ensuring the design of the Cooperation Framework reflects and supports Albania’s EU integration trajectory, including linkages with relevant EU policies, accession priorities, and alignment with the EU negotiation cluster structure where applicable. SCOPE OF WORK Throughout the process, the consultant will rely on the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator and the UNCT for support and advice. The RCO will facilitate contacts with UNCT when necessary. Consultations throughout the process will be encouraged to ensure identification of appropriate priorities. The selected consultant will be responsible for preparation, implementation and administration of the assignment, which includes but is not limited to: ­- Desk review and development of Inception Report with a detailed, technically sound methodology for completing the assignment and a work plan based on the existing UNCF Roadmap approved by the UNCT; ­- Regular communication and coordination with the RC, UN RCO, UNCT, and Outcome Result Groups, including conduct of discussions and facilitations on the as-needed basis; - Develop and implement the methodology for eliciting inputs of the UNCT to identify and formulate the strategic priorities that should guide the CF; distilling, aggregating and analyzing the inputs. ­- Facilitate Strategic Prioritization and Validation processes (preliminary and final) – in consultation with UN, all partners (government, development partners, international institutions, civil society, academia, think thanks, media, adolescents/youth, private sector) - to identify strategic priorities and theory of change (outcomes/outputs) to invest collective efforts, capacities, and resources. ­- Provision of quality assurance of the process and inputs provided by the RC/UNCT, Outcome Groups, including identification of gaps and areas for improvement against the corporate guidelines; ­- Formulation of CF 2027-2031 in line with the CF Guidance and UNCT/Partners strategic inputs; ­- Integration of all comments (RC/UNCT, PSG, Outcome Groups; Government of Albania, other stakeholders) in various stages; ­- In line with the UNCF guidance, prepare methodology for the UNCT configuration exercise and implement it. ­- Development of a presentation of the Cooperation Framework or other visualization products; ­- Submit the final UNCF document that is accepted and approved by the RC and JEC. The document should include, but not be limited to, the following sections and/or updates as may be communicated by UN DCO: Joint Statement and Signature Page Executive Summary Chapter 1: Country Progress Towards the 2030 Agenda Chapter 2: UN Development system support to the 2030 Agenda 2.1. From CA to Cooperation Framework Priorities 2.2. Theory of change for the Cooperation Framework Priorities 2.3. Cooperation Framework Outcomes and Partnerships Chapter 3: Cooperation Framework Implementation Plan 3.1. Cooperation Framework Governance 3.2. Cooperation Framework Management Structure 3.3. Resourcing the Cooperation Framework 3.4 Derivation of UN entity country programming instruments from the CF 3.5. Joint Workplans 3.6. Business Operations Strategy in support of the Cooperation Framework Chapter 4: CA update, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan 4.1. Updates of the UN country analysis 4.2. Monitoring implementation of joint work plans 4.3 Annual performance review and Country Results Reporting 4.4. Evaluation plan Annexes ­Ensure the design of the Cooperation Framework reflects and supports Albania’s EU integration trajectory, including linkages with relevant EU policies, accession priorities, and alignment with the EU negotiation cluster structure where applicable. The UN RC Office and all agencies, using available support and resources from Regional Offices and HQ as relevant, will make available all necessary documents for review in the context of this exercise. METHODOLOGY The approach of the assignment shall be participatory and inclusive, ensuring full participation and ownership from the UNCT and national stakeholders. The assignment will be initiated through a desk-review of the existing and relevant UN guidelines, timelines and outlines for the Cooperation Framework process and required products, the UNSDCF 2022-2026 Independent Evaluation, the UNCT Albania Country Analysis 2025, and the concept note/project document of the UN support to accelerating EU accession and SDGs. The initial phase will include remote consultations with the RC/UNCT and key selected partners on the process and the proposed methodology itself but also on the initial inputs and analysis produced by the consultant by the time of the start of the assignment. The engagement of the consultant will continue with initial consolidation of 0-draft of set of priorities and outcomes, to continue with design and validation of the entire Cooperation Framework document based on the comments and feedback stemming from the validation sessions as well as the Peer Support Group (PSG) review process. The methodology should ensure the integration of Albania’s EU accession aspirations and frameworks, including a mapping of synergies between SDG targets and EU acquis alignment, with a focus on where the UN system can add value in supporting Albania’s accession process. In terms of the structure, the 2027-2031 Cooperation Framework document will follow the standardized outline as provided in the approved guidelines for preparation of the Cooperation Frameworks and companion pieces. The final draft 2027-2031 Cooperation Framework is expected to be submitted to the Government of Albania for the formal review and endorsement process in Q1 2026, with the official signing planned for Q3 2026. DELIVERABLES & TIMING The assignment will be for up to 60 working days from 19 October 2025 to 31 August 2026 with two in country missions to be held tentatively in November 2025 and January 2026. Please read the full terms of reference in the link below: https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Falbania.un.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2025-08%2FToR%2520International%2520Consultant%2520-%2520Albania%2520UNCF%2520Design%25202027-2031%2520Final.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK BUDGET: The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days). Preferred Currency of Offer: United States Dollars (US$). The Consultant payment shall be made in four instalments of: • 20% upon submission of the final (UNCT agreed) Inception Report; • 20% upon submission of the finalized first solid draft of the CF Theory of Change and Results Framework 2027-2031 following the preliminary strategic prioritization exercises with UNCT and Government; • 20% upon submission of the final (UNCT agreed) Configuration document; • 40% upon submission of the final 2027-2031 Cooperation Framework document, including integration of final comments resulting from RC, UNCT, JEC and PSG review process. Work LocationTirana, Albania Expected duration5 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesGeneral Assembly resolution A/RES/72/279 designated the United Nations Development Assistance Framework as “the most important instrument for the planning and implementation of United Nations development activities in each country, in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. Renamed the United Nations Cooperation Framework (hereinafter CF or UNCF), it forms the centerpiece of UN reform and represents the collective response of the UN to help countries address national priorities and challenges in achieving the 2030 Agenda. The UN Country Team (UNCT) in Albania is in the penultimate year of the implementation of the current Government of Albania – United Nations Cooperation Framework 2022-2026 and has already launched the process of preparing a new CF for the period 2027-2031. The UNCT is accountable for designing a high-quality CF in accordance with the UNSDCF Internal Guidance (3 June 2019) and its Consolidated Annexes (24 May 2019) , the complementary Cooperation Framework Companion Package (May 2020) and the UNCT Albania Roadmap, which outlines all the components of the process as well as the timetable for their implementation. By adopting an integrated and multidimensional programming approach—in line with the “five P’s” of the 2030 Agenda (people, prosperity, planet, peace and partnerships) —the Cooperation Framework will identify how working on and advancing one SDG can maximize synergies and positive impacts and manages potential trade-offs. As the central transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda, CF guiding principles as per existing UNSDG guidance i.e. leave no one behind, human rights based approach, gender equality and the empowerment of women, resilience, sustainability, accountability, will be used as the rights-based framework that represents the unequivocal commitment of all United Nations Member States. The formulation of the 2027–2031 Cooperation Framework will also take into account Albania’s strategic objective of European Union accession, including the priorities and reforms outlined in the EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Agreement, the European Commission’s annual country reports, the EU negotiation clusters, and the Growth Plan/National Reform Agenda. Special attention will be given to aligning UN development interventions with the EU acquis communautaire, particularly where the UN can provide normative guidance and technical support to accelerate convergence with EU standards. Grounded in the UN development system's policy expertise, its comparative advantages, normative agenda, and ability to leverage, influence and unlock a broad range of resources for development, the CF is expected to reflect: ­ - A transformational shift in vision, strategy and implementation for the UN in line with the UN80 reform; ­ - The expectations national stakeholders have of the UN Development System's contribution to national development; ­ - Identification of the UN System's and its partners' contribution to accelerating progress towards the 2030 Agenda, including opportunities for partnership with development partners; ­ - The financial and non-financial commitments of the UN System and partners in the wider context of the financing required to realize the SDGs in the country. Accordingly, the process of preparation of the next Cooperation Framework is preceded by the conduct of the Independent Evaluation of the current CF 2022-2026 and the preparation of the Country Assessment, whose overall objective is to inform the next CF’s formulation process and provide an analytical baseline. The process to develop the CF 2027-2031 for Albania will be supported and facilitated by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator (RCO) in close coordination with resident and non-resident members of the UNCT, and in consultation with the Joint Executive Committee (JEC), as well as relevant Albanian and international partners. The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office is recruiting an international consultant to facilitate the design and formulation of the Cooperation Framework 2027-2031 for Albania. The consultant is expected to take into account the global guidelines for CF formulation as well as the results of the above-mentioned analyses and products in his/her work. In 2026Q1, the CF 2027-2031 is expected to be submitted to the Albanian Council of Ministers for the formal review and endorsement, which would provide the basis for joint UN programmatic implementation as of 2027. Qualifications/special skillsAt least a master's degree in a relevant field (international development, economics, social sciences or a related field) is required. A PHD in a relevant field (international development, economics, social sciences or a related field) would be desired. A minimum of 10 years of professional experience specifically in the area of international development initiatives in working with development organizations is required. Extensive knowledge of and experience in systems thinking and applying, qualitative and quantitative analytical methods is required. Ability to identify beneficiaries’ needs, and to match them with appropriate solutions, demonstrated in at least 3 initiatives. Knowledge of UN role, UN reform process and UN programming at the country level, particularly strategic programming; Familiarity with the 2030 Agenda and SDG related processes is required. Technical competence in undertaking complex analysis which involve use of mixed methods is required. Excellent writing and analytical formulation skills with demonstrated experience in preparing strategic and programming documents or similar analytical documents are required. Please provide examples of at least 2 engagements of similar nature. Strong understanding of the development and political context and working experience in the closer region is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required for this post. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.