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For every child, a Champion! 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
The deinstitutionalization reform in Albania represents a significant milestone in building a fair, inclusive, and person-centered social care system. Since 2018, Albania has taken progressive steps toward closing large-scale residential institutions and developing alternative community-based services such as family-based care, transitional shelters, and professional foster care. A national strategic framework1 has been adopted, focusing on the development of community services, strengthening the role of local authorities, and increasing the capacity of the social workforce.
However, the process still faces considerable challenges, including insufficient financial resources, a lack of trained professionals, and a fragmented social support system. The European Commission’s 2024 Progress Report acknowledges the progress made but underlines the need to accelerate implementation and ensure sustainable support for vulnerable groups. Within the Reform Agenda approved by the European Commission in October 2024, Albania has committed to advancing deinstitutionalization as a core element of its EU accession preparations. By 2027, the country is expected to establish a functional network of inclusive, community-based social services, ensuring that every child and person in need can grow and thrive in a family-like and supportive environment, rather than in isolated institutions.
In this context, the engagement of a National Consultant to support the development of a National Action Plan for the transformation of Residential Care Institutions (RCIs) for children into community-based services in Albania represents a critical step forward. The consultancy aims to deliver a comprehensive, evidence-based, and actionable National Action Plan that will guide the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, as well as local-level institutions, in implementing the transformation process. The Action Plan will clearly define institutional responsibilities, timelines, budgetary requirements, and monitoring mechanisms—ensuring a coordinated, sustainable, and rights-based approach to deinstitutionalization at all levels of governance. The focus will be on public RCIs located in Shkodra, Tirana, Durrës, and Saranda, as well as Development Centers in Tirana, Berat, Durrës, Vlorë, and Shkodër.

Scope of work:
The National Consultant will provide technical support for the development of the National Action Plan for advancing the transformation process of RCIs into community-based services. This consultancy will play a central role in guiding the implementation and advancing of deinstitutionalization efforts at the national and local levels. A critical component of this assignment is the development of a comprehensive assessment methodology, which will inform the National Action Plan and be applied to all public residential care institutions that still host children including those with disabilities. The consultant will work in close cooperation with the MoHSP and SSS.
As part of the consultancy, the consultant(s) will:

a. Design a tailored assessment methodology
This methodology will:
- Assess the structure and roles of staff in RCIs, including alignment with child protection standards and readiness to support family- and community-based care.
- Include an individual review of each child’s profile, duration of stay, developmental needs, health and education status, psychosocial well-being, and their potential for reintegration with biological or extended family, foster care, or supported independent living. Particular attention will be paid to children with disabilities or complex needs. Quantitative data will be collected on the number of children by age group, length of stay (including averages and outliers), and reasons for placement.
- Conduct outreach and assessments of families of origin or extended families of children in RCIs, in cooperation with municipal Child Protection Units. These assessments will aim to identify social, economic, and protection-related barriers to family reunification and will inform the development of individualized family support plans. Active engagement with municipalities is essential to evaluate the availability of support mechanisms and the local service infrastructure.
- Build on existing mappings of services available within the Municipalities were the RCIs are located and in the surrounding communities—including health, education, psychosocial, and specialized child and family support services (e.g., Child and Family Support Hubs). This information will be used to identify service gaps and inform the necessary investments to support the transition from institutional to family- and community-based care.
- Both qualitative and quantitative data will be collected. This includes:
   * Case-level data on each child and their care history
   * Institutional-level data on staffing, services, and infrastructure

- The assessment findings will be compiled into a detailed report, which will include:
   * Statistical overview of the current child population in RCIs
   * Human resource capacity assessment
   * Mapping of services and identified gaps
   * Key challenges and opportunities
   * Action-oriented recommendations for transformation

b. Support the development of the National Plan of Action to advance the transformation of Residential Care Institutions (RCIs) into community-based alternatives.
This Plan will:
   * Define clear objectives, timelines, and the roles and responsibilities of relevant institutions
   * Include cost estimates and outline strategies for resource mobilization
   * Describe service models and establish minimum standards for quality alternative care
   * Set out coordination and accountability mechanisms between national and local stakeholders
   * Integrate a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and measure impact

The Plan of Action will serve as a strategic roadmap for the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and local institutions, ensuring a sustainable, child-centered, and rights-based transition from institutional care to community- and family-based services across Albania. The format and structure of the Plan will be agreed upon in consultation with the UNICEF technical team and the Ministry.

Deliverables/Work Assignments Overview (Tasks)/Delivery deadline

Deliverable 1 - Inception Report with:
• Annotated methodology
• Stakeholder map
• Work plan and timeline

Tasks:
- Conduct a comprehensive review of national policies, legal frameworks, existing protocols, and models related to the transition of institutions from providing residential care to delivering family- and community-based services
- Develop a detailed work plan, including the proposed methodology and data collection tools

Number of working days - Within 10 working days of contract start; 8 working days

Deliverable 2: Assessment Methodology Package including:
• Human Resource Audit Tool
• Child & Family Assessment Tool
• Community Service Mapping Tool)

Tasks:
- Design tools and templates for assessing human resources, child profiles, family situations, and institutional capacity
- Develop criteria and indicators for mapping services and assessing potential reintegration
- Align tools with deinstitutionalization standards and child rights principles
- Finalize methodology in consultation with the MHSP and SSS

Number of working days - Within 20 working days of contract start; 7 working days

Deliverable 3: Stakeholder Mapping Report Minutes from 4–6 consultation meetings

Tasks:
- Map relevant actors involved in the care and protection of children (judiciary, municipalities, social services, CSOs)
- Organize and conduct consultation meetings with key stakeholders at central and local levels (Tirana, Durrës, Shkodër, Sarandë, etc.)
- Engage local CPUs to collect field-level insights on services, reintegration practices, and gaps

Number of working days - 6 working days

Deliverable 4: Assessment Report including:
• Child data dashboard
• HR analysis
• Service gap analysis
• Reintegration readiness profiles

Tasks:
- Analyzed collected qualitative and quantitative data on children in care, family status, institutional capacity, and community services
- Identify common gaps, system inefficiencies, and service shortages
- Summarize findings by institution and region. Identify patterns, gaps, and best practices in the application of guardianship.

Number of working days - 12 working days

Deliverable 5: Draft National Plan of Action including:
• Timeline, actors, budget
• M&E Framework
• Policy alignment summary

Tasks:
- Draft the National Plan of Action (NPA) for the transformation of RCIs
- Define strategic objectives, phased activities, and implementation timeline
- Ensure alignment with Social Protection Strategy 2024 – 2030, Law on Child Rights and Protection, UN Guidelines on Alternative Care

Number of working days - 14 working days

Deliverable 6: Final Report Package including:
• Final Action Plan
• Presentation deck

Tasks:
- Revise the Plan of Action based on stakeholder feedback
- Develop a policy brief and summary for public use
- Prepare presentation for validation meeting or national consultation
- Submit final documentation

Number of working days - 6 working days

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:
- Advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in Social Work, Social Policy, Psychology, Human/Child Rights, Public Policy, Sociology, or a related field relevant to social care and child protection.
- At least 10 years of progressive professional experience in the field of child protection, social protection, or social care reform, with a focus on deinstitutionalization, family- and community-based care, or related systems transformation.
- Proven experience in conducting policy analysis, developing national action plans, and advising on public sector reforms, preferably in the areas of residential care transformation or alternative care systems.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the Albanian social protection and child protection systems, including the roles of national and local institutions, existing service models, and relevant legal and policy frameworks.
- Solid understanding of EU and international standards and practices, UNICEF policies related to deinstitutionalization and the development of inclusive community-based services.
- Experience in facilitating consultations and engaging with multiple stakeholders, including government authorities, civil society, and service providers.
- Strong skills in data collection, analysis, and reporting, with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable policy recommendations.

Additional Assets:
- Prior experience working with or for UN agencies, the European Commission, or other international organizations in the area of social protection/ inclusion, human rights, child rights.
- Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation frameworks related to social services/ protection/ child protection and child rights sector reforms.
- Excellent writing and communication skills in Albanian and English.

What to submit:
1. Letter of interest, summarising the educational background, the working experience that is relevant to the assignment.,
2. Proposed methodology for the assignment (2-3 pages max),
3. Updated Resume clearly indicating relevant experience to the ToR
4. Financial proposal

The financial proposal shall be submitted in local currency (LEK), and must include the consultancy fee, travel cost, communication costs and all other individual expenses or applicable costs. The financial proposal must be broken down per deliverable.

If any question related to the tasks and deliverables for this assignment, please contact ethemeli@unicef.org

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. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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.