Team Of Consultants To Develop The Catalogue Of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PA) Plants In The Dibra Region, Consultant Contract, Tirane Albania Tirana, Albania Posting Date05/25/2026 BE THE FIRST TO APPLY

Organizational Context

UN Women Albania, as part of the UN system, works to eliminate discrimination against women and girls and achieve gender equality. The country office implements a Strategic Note (2022-2026) focused on women's human rights, socio-economic development, and gender-responsive governance. The role supports initiatives for women's economic empowerment in the medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) sector, particularly in the Dibër region.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to address critical gaps in the MAPs sector in Albania's Dibër region, where women collectors face challenges due to limited information on safe and sustainable practices. The initiative will identify, inventory, and assess Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid (PA)-containing plant species. The ultimate goal is to develop a practical, accessible guide for women collectors and local stakeholders, improving their knowledge of potentially toxic plants, promoting safer collection, and enhancing compliance with market and food safety regulations. This will contribute to strengthening women's economic empowerment within this value chain and ensuring their livelihoods are not jeopardized by health or environmental risks.

Responsibilities

The Team of Consultants will provide specialized technical expertise to develop a catalogue of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid (PA)-containing plants in Albania's Dibër region. Key responsibilities include proposing a methodology for identification, inventory, and assessment, combining desk research and field data collection applicable to non-technical users. This involves conducting a comprehensive literature review, identifying priority field survey areas, and carrying out field identification, inventory, and photographic documentation of PA-containing species. The team will analyze findings, systematize data by habitat and altitude, and develop a visually accessible catalogue with practical plant profiles. They will also prepare guidance materials on risks and management, provide technical input for capacity-building sessions for women collectors, and ensure alignment with ongoing UN Women projects.

Work Experience

The Lead Consultant requires at least 13 years of experience in relevant fields and 5 years specifically in the MAPs sector, with proven experience in plant identification, documentation, and preparing knowledge products. Demonstrated expertise in food safety or toxic compounds is necessary. Experience with rural communities, gender sensitivity, and delivering capacity building is an asset. The Support Consultant needs at least 7 years of experience in the MAPs sector, with field survey and data collection experience, and experience contributing to technical outputs and working with rural communities.

Skills

Plant identification and classification, Field survey and data collection, Technical writing and reporting, Knowledge product development (catalogues, guides), Risk assessment (food safety, environmental), Stakeholder engagement, Capacity building and training delivery, Gender sensitivity, Understanding of value chains and market requirements.

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