Contract Duration - 12.5 Months
Working arrangement - Remote work, Education Section, Tirana, Albania
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
UNICEF has established a partnership with the Central Finance and Contracting Unit (CFCU) and has initiated the implementation of the project “Building Skills, Shaping Futures – on the path to EU integration.”
This 18-month intervention, financed by the European Union (EU), aims to build and institutionalize a comprehensive Life Skills and Career Guidance model in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
The purpose of this assignment is critical to the design and development of a robust, evidence-based Career Guidance Model for the Albanian education system. The National Consultant will closely collaborate with the International Consultant on Life Skills on the design and contextualization of the model under the programme “Life Skills improved through their Integration in Upper Secondary Education Curricula and Careers Guidance introduced in the School System” (hereafter referred to as the “Life Skills and Career Guidance programme”).
The consultant will ensure that the model is tailored to the Albanian context. This includes contextualizing key components, implementation modalities, institutional roles, and sustainability mechanisms to support the effective integration of Life Skills moded into the education system, ultimately contributing to improved school-to-work transition outcomes for young people. The National Life Skills consultant is also expected to closely coordinate with the International Expert working on the Life Skills model, designing the Training of Trainers (ToT), co-deliver the training and follow up. The National Consultant is expected to closely work and create synergies with the work conducted in parallel by another team of Experts working on Career Guidance in the framework of this project.
If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: 
TMC0002495 External ToR 2.pdf
Education
Masters degree. The position requires background formation in Education, Life Skills, Psychology, Human Development, Sociology, or related fields, with demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing career guidance systems, education programmes, and school-to-work transition frameworks in Albania.
Work experience
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in working with life skills programs, education systems development, or related fields, including demonstrated experience in working with life skills models, frameworks, or programmes at national or system level in Albania. Proven experience in designing and/or implementing Life Skills models or programmes within the Albanian education systems (formal/ non-formal), along with background in working with education institutions in Albania.
• demonstrated work experience in policy analysis, education reform, and system strengthening, as well as experience in conducting qualitative research, including interviews, focus groups, stakeholder consultations, facilitating of trainings etc.
• demonstrated work experience in developing analytical reports, policy briefs, and education frameworks.
• Experience working with international organizations, such as UN agencies or EU-funded programmes, is considered an asset.
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills
• Strong knowledge of Life Skills programs, models, and best practices, especially in EU contexts
• Solid understanding of the education system in Albania, and school-to-work transition pathways based on EU experiences
• Very good analytical and research skills, including policy and systems analysis
• Strong facilitation, training and stakeholder engagement skills
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
Language Requirements
- High level of English written and spoken
Desirables
• Experience in designing national-level frameworks or models in education or Life Skills
• Previous experience working on EU-funded or UNICEF programmes
• Experience integrating equity and inclusion approaches (e.g., gender, vulnerable groups) into programme design
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
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.
Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):
- An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
- Cover letter
- A separate financial proposal Financial proposal.docx
- Technical proposal requirement:
- Methodology proposed
- Example of similar work conducted previously
Remarks:
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.