National Consultant for Voluntary National Review (VNR) 2026

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations (UN), which is an international organization founded in 194

• The UN aims to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among countries. It has a mission to foster international cooperation in solving global issues, including sustainable development, human rights, and humanitarian assistance. The UN operates in numerous countries worldwide, with a significant presence in Albania, where it collaborates with the government and various stakeholders to implement development goals and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant for the Voluntary National Review (VNR) 2026 will play a crucial role in supporting the Government of Albania in preparing a comprehensive and high-quality VNR. This position involves coordinating the VNR process, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and conducting analytical work to assess progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, and the private sector, to ensure that the VNR reflects a wide range of perspectives and is aligned with national priorities and international commitments. The consultant will also be responsible for drafting the VNR report, which will highlight Albania's progress, challenges, and transformative actions needed to achieve the SDGs, particularly focusing on the principle of Leaving No One Behind (LNOB).

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key tasks, including:

• Reviewing existing documentation related to the 2018 VNR and other relevant national strategies.
• Supporting the development of a VNR Roadmap that outlines governance, coordination, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations at national and local levels to gather inputs for the VNR.
• Analyzing data and indicators related to the SDGs, identifying trends, gaps, and structural issues.
• Drafting the VNR report and Main Messages, ensuring they are evidence-based and aligned with UN guidelines.
• Proposing follow-up measures for the VNR's domestic use in policy dialogue and budgeting.
• Contributing to communication and outreach efforts to promote the VNR findings.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a recognized advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in fields such as economics, public policy, development studies, political science, statistics, environmental policy, or EU studies. Additionally, at least 7 years of professional experience in program and project management, data analysis, or sustainable development is required. Experience in public policy analysis, SDG implementation, gender analysis, and facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations is essential. Familiarity with Albania's governance and policy context, particularly regarding EU integration processes, is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in relevant fields such as economics, public policy, development studies, political science, statistics, environmental policy, or EU studies. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of sustainable development and policy-making processes.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in areas related to program and project management, data analysis, and sustainable development. Extensive experience in public policy analysis, SDG implementation, and gender mainstreaming is preferred. Demonstrated experience in facilitating consultations and working with diverse stakeholders, including government, civil society, and the private sector, is also required.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Albanian is mandatory for this position, as these are the working languages of the UN in Albania. Proficiency in French is considered an asset, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Notes:
The assignment is expected to commence in early February 2026 and continue until the completion of the agreed deliverables, tentatively up to the end of 202

• The consultant will work for up to 55 working days during this period, with a combination of in-person and remote work as agreed with SASPAC and UN Albania. The financial offer should be submitted in United States Dollars (US$). It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.