Advocacy Expert

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

SOS Children’s Village Albania is a private nongovernmental and non-profit organization, which makes every attempt to offer a permanent home to the children who have lost their parents or for several reasons have no possibility to live with them. The SOS Children’s Village also strongly supports the children at risk of losing their families, and the families in need through implementation of different projects aiming at the further development of their capacities.

The SOS Children’s Village is starting a new project titled “Project: Right to a Family II – Improving the availability, accessibility and quality of foster care and community-based services in Albania, Armenia, Belarus, North Macedonia and Ukraine, funded by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The‚ Right to a Family II‘ project is an ambitious international initiative implemented across five countries, dedicated to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, caring family environment. The project strengthens family-based care systems by improving the quality, availability, and accessibility of foster care and community-based services. Through contributing to legal and operational frameworks reforming, developing innovative methodologies, and building the capacity of professionals and institutions, the initiative drives lasting, systemic change. It also raises public awareness, supports the development of local services, and fosters cross-country collaboration to exchange best practices and inspire policy improvements. Joining this project means contributing to a meaningful mission; creating stronger, more supportive communities where every child can thrive.

Duration of the Project:           September 1, 2025 - April 30, 2029

Duration of the engagement:    January 1, 2026– March 2028(27 month)

Type on engagement :              Part-time

In the framework of implementing “Right to a Family II” Project, SOS Children’s Villages Albania is looking for a suitable person in the position of Advocacy Expert

Location: SOS Children Villages, Tirana (with travel options to Shkodra, Korce and Vlore)

The Advocacy Expert will play a key role in advancing national advocacy and legal reform efforts in Albania, supporting the improvement of the alternative care and foster care legal framework to align with international standards. This includes coordinating advocacy efforts, maintaining stakeholder relationships, and facilitating the achievement of the project’s objectives. This role requires close collaboration with national and local government institutions, NGOs, national experts of SOS Albania, service providers, and the project’s team, ensuring compliance with donor requirements as well as requirement of SOS Children’s Villages, Albania.

Requirements for the position:

• Advanced university degree in Law, Social Policy, Social Work, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in advocacy, policy development, or legal reform, preferably in child protection or social services.
• Proven experience working with government institutions and policy processes in Albania.
• Strong understanding of the Albanian legal and institutional framework for child protection and foster care.

• Knowledge of international standards for child protection and alternative care (UNCRC, Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children)
• Experience in drafting legal documents, policy briefs, and advocacy materials.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• Fluency in Albanian and English (spoken and written).

• Ability to work independently, plan and manage multiple tasks, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

• Driving license, active driver.

Main responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate advocacy activities to strengthen foster care and alternative care systems.
• Develop and implement advocacy strategies to reach project objectives and influence policies, standards, and practices on foster care.
• Support the preparation of policy briefs, position papers, and advocacy materials for government and relevant project stakeholders.
• Support the review, drafting, and revision of laws, regulations, and policies related to alternative care and foster care.
• Ensure alignment of national policies and practices with international standards and best practices.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, including ministries, local municipalities, regional structures, NGOs, partners, and other relevant institutions.
• Facilitate consultations, working groups, and policy dialogues with government authorities and civil society partners.
• Ensure national advocacy activities are aligned with SOS Albania objectives, regional project objectives and donor requirements.
• Prepare timely and high-quality progress reports based on donor requirements and SOS Children’s Villages Albania standards, including documentation of achievements, lessons learned, and recommendations.
• Participate in national/regional knowledge exchange and capacity-building activities.

• Support the project manager in maintaining open the social dialogue and enhancing the sustainability of advocacy efforts.

In the framework of Safeguarding

SOS Children’s Villages Albania is committed to upholding and promoting its core values, beliefs, and high ethical standards at all levels. We expect all employees to respect these standards and contribute to maintaining a safe and responsible work environment. As part of the recruitment process, reference checks will be conducted to ensure compliance with these expectations. This initiative is intended to prevent applications from unsuitable candidates.

• Has the responsibility to protect children from all forms of abuse, abandonment, manipulation, violence and discrimination.
• Has the responsibility to report any suspicions, concerns, allegations or incidents regarding the safety of children immediately without delay.
• Ensures confidentiality and sharing of information as needed.
• He / she is expected to promote and support a culture of respect, dignity, trust and accountability that deters violations in line with PSHEA document.
• Ensures responsible use and protection of organizational assets in line with the Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Guidelines and the Financial Regulations of SOS Children’s Villages.

If you are interested in the above-described position, send until 30.11.2025  with the subject line: “Application – Advocacy Expert (Right to a Family II Project)  to e-mail address hr@soskd.org.al the:

• CV
• Application letter (max. 1 page)
• Reference

Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted