Rural Watch - Announcement date 15 July 2018

Job Title: 
Assessment Expert
Sector: 
Public Participation
Time Frame: 
3 months
Location: 
Rural areas in Albania
Language: 
Albanian, English
Appointments: 
Local Development, CSOs needs and opportunities’ assessment for 7-8 National EEI hotspots in Albania
Deadline for Expression of Interest: 
15 May 2018
Starting Date: 
31 May 2018
Background: 
In order to develop Albanian rural areas in a sustainable way the opinion of local people should be heard and their interests and rights taken into consideration. With the increasing pressure and intensity of economic development in these areas (e.g. mining, hydropower plants) more than ever there is a need of a strong civil society on the ground which is able to keep competent public authorities and businesses accountable to environmental, health and safety standards and regulations. 
The project aims to address some of the most pressing issues of the rural development in Albania related to the quality of life and keeping the standards for clean and safe environment. Overall objectives include:
  • Improved environmental performances of energy and extractive industries in Albanian rural areas;
  • Increased transparency and accountability of public authorities and businesses related to extractive and energy industry (EEI) in rural areas 
  • Rural communities (women and men) more informed and empowered to monitor and control energy and extractive industry in rural areas
The specific objective: Strengthened civil society role in promoting monitoring standards and ensure the sustainable use of the natural resources from extractive and energy industry in rural areas.
The project implementation will last 24 months: April 2018 – March 2020. The action builds up on the good practices in rural development showcased by the Bulgarian experience for transparency and accountability of extractive and energy industry (EEI) in raising public awareness, access to information and justice, and public engagement through innovative media channels.
 
Project will start with analysis of CSOs capacities in using legal and media means for monitoring and controlling of EEI.  The target location of 5 EEI hotspots will be selected based on the following criteria: 
  1. Desktop  Analyses  - Bases on the desktop analyses of the environmental hotspots in rural areas on energy and extraction industry;
  2. Expert recommendations - Based on the recommendation of the project expert group; 
  3. Signals/requests from CSOs - Based on the open call from CSOs and local groups which will be an integral part of the Rural Watch Communication Platform.
 
Geographic scope
7-8 extractive and energy industry (EEI) hotspots in Albania to be selected during the desk top stage of analyses.
 
Description of the assignment
2 experts shall be hired to conduct:
An in-depth analysis of CSOs, needs and opportunities for monitoring and controlling of EEI using legal and media means will be carried out. Analyses will focus on national and local levels and target the CSOs and local communities in the rural areas. 
 
The analysis will:
  • conduct an Desktop Analyses on the status and trends in the development of CSOs and the civil society at large in Albania, with a special focus on in rural areas where energy and extraction industry is present ;
  • based on the available information propose 7-8 regions with environmental problems caused by the EEA and do institutional mapping of CSOs in these regions ;
  • conduct an in-depth analysis of CSOs, needs and opportunities for monitoring and controlling of EEI using legal and media means in those identified (EEI) hotspots; 
  • suggest project intervention in the targeted areas addressing the needs identified for the CSOs and local communities in the rural areas;
  • identify on-going projects, initiatives and active CSOs and networks with interest and focus on sustainable rural development, including examples, if any, of successful cooperation between EEI and CSOs and local communities.
 
The range of CSOs subject to analysis will be from purely environmental CSOs, to those focusing on rural development, cultural heritage, tourism, clean food, sustainable agriculture.
With the result of the assessment project will develop 3 training programmes: one for the CSO activists identified in each of the targeted areas, one for the public interest lawyers and another one for the journalists based on the Bulgarian experience with the Extractive and Energy Industry Watch.  
 
Expected outcomes
  • Desktop Analyses Report on the status and trends in the development of CSOs and the civil society at large in Albania, with a special focus on of the environmental hotspots in rural areas where energy and extraction industry is present
  • Proposed 7-8 regions with extractive and energy industry (EEI) hotspots and prepared institutional mapping in these regions ;
  • List of at least 20 local CSOs linked to the proposed regions and their capacity building mapping to address EEA challenges at the local level. 
  • Recommendations for the project intervention in the proposed regions addressing the needs identified for the CSOs and local communities in these rural areas.
 
Required Skills, Competencies and Experience
The analysis will be conducted by two experts with excellent knowledge and understanding of the status and trends in the development of CSOs and the civil society at large in Albania. In addition, they could possess knowledge and understanding of the status and trends of the environmental CSOs.
 
Key skills and competencies:
  • Excellent knowledge and understanding of the status and trends in the development of CSOs and the civil society at large in Albania. Authored reports and publications on the subject is an asset.
  • Understanding of Local Development issues, Environmental problems and human impact;
  • Good research and analysing skills. Ability to collect and analyse field data;
  • Proven communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective communication with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender balance;
  • A pro-active approach to problem-solving;
  • Writing skills; Ability to produce analytical reports/assessments in written.
 
Minimum requirements:
  • Higher education (degree in social sciences, and/or environmental management or similar is an asset);
  • Previous experience in capacity assessment projects related to civil society development; 
  • Work experience in the EU-funded projects;
  • Computer literacy, specifically in MS Office; 
  • Fluency in English language (written and spoken).
 
Execution of the service
Assignment is foreseen for a maximum of 6 WDs over a period of 3 months