UN Albania Seeks International Consultant To Design 2027–2031 Cooperation Framework: Apply!

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The United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Albania has announced an exciting consultancy opportunity for highly qualified international experts to contribute to the design and formulation of the United Nations Cooperation Framework (UNCF) for 2027–2031. This consultancy is a pivotal assignment, aimed at shaping the strategic direction of the UN’s development engagement with Albania, aligning with both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the country’s aspirations for European Union (EU) accession.

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Table of Contents

The Importance of the UN Cooperation Framework

The United Nations Cooperation Framework (UNCF), formerly known as the United Nations Development Assistance Framework, is the central planning and implementation tool for UN development activities at the country level. It represents the UN’s collective commitment to supporting national priorities, accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and ensuring no one is left behind.

In Albania, the current UNCF (2022–2026) is nearing completion. The process for the next framework (2027–2031) has been launched, and the consultant will play a leading role in ensuring it is evidence-based, participatory, and aligned with both UN global mandates and Albania’s EU integration trajectory.

Objectives of the Consultancy

Under the guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator and supervision of the Head of the RCO, the consultant will:

Provide technical expertise in formulating the methodology for developing the new framework.
Conduct inclusive consultations with a broad range of stakeholders—including government institutions, civil society, academia, media, youth, private sector, international partners, and UN agencies.
Draft the full Cooperation Framework document, including its narrative, outcomes, outputs, and theory of change.
Ensure the framework reflects Albania’s EU accession process, aligning UN development efforts with relevant EU policies and negotiation clusters.
Facilitate validation sessions with stakeholders, guaranteeing ownership and accountability at every stage.

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Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for:

Preparing an Inception Report, outlining the methodology and work plan based on the UNCT-approved roadmap.
Coordinating closely with the UN Country Team (UNCT), Resident Coordinator, and national stakeholders.
Developing processes for eliciting strategic priorities and formulating the theory of change.
Providing quality assurance, ensuring all inputs align with corporate guidelines and global best practices.
Producing the final UNCF 2027–2031 document, complete with sections on governance, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, partnerships, and financing.
Designing presentations and visualizations of the Cooperation Framework for broader communication.

The approach will be participatory and inclusive, ensuring broad stakeholder engagement and national ownership. Particular attention will be paid to gender equality, human rights, sustainability, resilience, and accountability—principles central to the 2030 Agenda.

Deliverables and Timeline

The consultancy will span approximately 60 working days from October 2025 to August 2026, including two in-country missions (tentatively scheduled for November 2025 and January 2026).

Key deliverables include:

Inception Report with detailed methodology.
Draft of the Theory of Change and Results Framework (2027–2031).
Finalized Configuration Document for UNCT arrangements.
Submission of the final Cooperation Framework document, incorporating all feedback from the UNCT, Government of Albania, and the Peer Support Group (PSG).

The final document will be submitted to the Government of Albania for formal review in Q1 2026, with the official signing planned for Q3 2026.

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Qualifications Required

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Advanced degree (Master’s minimum; PhD preferred) in international development, economics, social sciences, or related fields.
At least 10 years of professional experience in international development, working with development organizations and applying mixed qualitative and quantitative methods.
Proven expertise in strategic programming, systems thinking, and complex analysis.
Strong familiarity with the UN reform process, SDG programming, and the 2030 Agenda.
Experience working in the regional development and political context, ideally within the Balkans or Europe.
Demonstrated ability to produce strategic, analytical documents, with examples of at least two similar high-level engagements.
Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with proven experience leading multi-stakeholder processes.
Fluency in English (required); knowledge of French is desirable.

Budget and Payment Terms

The consultancy will follow a lump sum contract, paid in four installments linked to deliverables:

20% upon submission of the Inception Report.
20% upon delivery of the draft Theory of Change and Results Framework.
20% upon finalization of the Configuration Document.
40% upon submission and acceptance of the final UNCF 2027–2031.

Why This Role Matters

This consultancy represents more than just a technical assignment. The UNCF will shape how the United Nations partners with Albania to achieve the SDGs, advance EU accession, and promote inclusive, sustainable development. The consultant’s expertise will help ensure the framework is forward-looking, ambitious, and grounded in evidence.

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Application Process

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply before the deadline of 30 August 2025.

Interested candidates should prepare a strong application package, including their CV, cover letter, and financial proposal. Applications must be submitted via the UN Careers portal.

👉 If you are an experienced development professional with expertise in strategic planning and UN programming, this consultancy offers a unique opportunity to contribute to Albania’s future development and EU integration. Apply now through the official UN Careers website.