National Consultant - Support to the Preparation of Albania's 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 193 member states and operates in various fields including human rights, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable development. The UN's mission is to foster international cooperation to address global challenges and improve the lives of people worldwide. The organization has numerous specialized agencies and programs that work in different sectors, including the UN Development Programme (UNDP), which focuses on sustainable development and poverty reduction.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the Government of Albania in preparing a high-quality, evidence-based, inclusive, and nationally owned Voluntary National Review (VNR) for 202

• This position involves coordinating the national VNR process, facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations, 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 UN Country Team, to ensure that the VNR reflects the views and contributions of all relevant parties. The consultant will also be responsible for drafting the VNR report and Main Messages, ensuring alignment with UN guidelines and the specific theme of the 2026 High-level Political Forum (HLPF). The overall objective is to ensure that the VNR serves as a strategic tool for policy dialogue, budgeting, and monitoring in Albania, while emphasizing the principle of Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) and a human rights-based approach.

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

• Reviewing existing documentation related to the 2018 VNR and other relevant national strategies and policies.
• Supporting the development of a VNR Roadmap that outlines governance, coordination arrangements, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations at national and local levels, ensuring the participation of marginalized and vulnerable groups.
• Analyzing data trends and gaps related to the SDGs, with a focus on gender-disaggregated data.
• Drafting the VNR report and Main Messages, incorporating feedback from various stakeholders.
• Proposing follow-up measures to ensure the VNR is utilized effectively in national policy-making processes.
• Contributing to communication and outreach efforts related to the VNR, including preparing materials for the HLPF presentation.

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, sustainable development, or related fields is required. Experience in public policy analysis, SDG implementation, gender analysis, and facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations is essential. Candidates should demonstrate a strong ability to draft complex analytical documents and have experience working with government, civil society, and international organizations.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as economics, public policy, development studies, political science, statistics, environmental policy, or EU studies. This advanced education is crucial for understanding the complexities of sustainable development and the implementation of the SDGs.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in areas such as program and project management, data analysis, and sustainable development. Candidates should have extensive experience in public policy analysis, SDG implementation, and gender mainstreaming approaches. Experience in preparing national development strategies, major policy reports, or VNRs is highly desirable, as is familiarity with EU accession-related policies and programming. Proven experience in facilitating consultations and working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Albanian is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency in French is considered an asset, as it may enhance communication with international partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The duration of the assignment is from early February until the completion of the agreed deliverables, tentatively up to the end of 202

• The consultant is expected to work up to 55 working days over 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, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process.