UN Women: Team of Consultants to develop the Catalogue of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PA) Plants in the Dibra Region, Consultant Contract, Tirane Albania

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women's rights at the center of all its efforts, the UN Women leads and coordinates the United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. 

UN Women Albania is currently implementing its Strategic Note (SN) 2022-2026 which aims to ensure that “All women and girls enjoy and exercise their human rights in a gender equal society and meaningfully contribute to Albania’s sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development and EU integration”. To achieve such result, UN Women is focused on three outcomes, which mirror verbatim the areas of focus of the United Nations Albania¹: 

1. Increased and more equitable investment in people to remove barriers and create opportunities for those at risk of exclusion. 
2. Innovative and integrated policy solutions that accelerate sustainable, productive, and inclusive development. 
3. Gender-responsive governance that strengthens equality and non-discrimination. 

Across its interventions, UN Women Albania addresses key thematic areas of focus in line with the Global Strategic Plan 2026–2029[1]: ending violence against women; women’s economic empowerment; gender-responsive budgeting; gender responsive governance; as well as promoting cross-cutting principles including the principle of Leaving No One Behind, and engagement of new and emerging partners such as the private sector to advance gender equality in the country. This approach aims to support the Government of Albania to implement its commitments on human rights and gender equality, in line with its National Strategy on Gender Equality (NSGE) 2021-2030, and the EU Acquis on Gender Equality. All interventions undertaken by the Country Office aim to address structural causes of gender inequality, addressing discriminatory practices and reach women and girls, in all their diversity, who are at greatest risk of being left behind.  

Within this framework, UN Women Albania supports gender‑responsive and inclusive value chains that enhance women’s access to income, resources, information, and markets, particularly in rural areas where women’s economic activities remain largely informal and undervalued. The medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) sector represents one such high‑potential value chain.

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) represent an important source of income for rural communities in Northern Albania, including in mountainous areas such as the Dibër region. Albania has a long tradition in the production and export of MAPs, supported by high biodiversity and a predominance of wild‑grown species. In Dibër, specific climatic and terrestrial conditions have resulted in rich spontaneous flora, with more than 100 MAP species belonging to around 30 plant families, most of which grow naturally at altitudes between 1,000 and 2,000 meters above sea level. Around 500 rural families in the region are engaged in MAP‑related activities, primarily through wild collection.

According to the Gender Sensitive Value Chain Analysis (GSVCAs) conducted by UN Women in 2025, the spontaneous collection of MAPs in Dibër heavily relies on women’s labour. Women are predominantly engaged in harvesting and drying processes, while simultaneously carrying responsibility for unpaid care and household work. As a result, women involved in wild collection, often far from their homes and during extended hours, experience a significant double burden. Despite their central role, women remain concentrated in informal segments of the value chain, with limited access to information, markets, and decision‑making, and limited control over income.

UN Women is currently supporting women’s economic empowerment in the MAPs sector in Dibër through the project “Empower Women for Rural Development in Northern Albania”, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through AICS Tirana. Through close engagement with women collectors, local stakeholders, and value chain actors, the project has identified a critical gap affecting women’s ability to benefit safely and sustainably from MAPs collection: limited access to reliable and practical information about which MAP species can be safely collected and sold, which species are under threat, appropriate practices for drying and packaging, and up‑to‑date market requirements and prices.

At the same time, the MAPs sector faces increasing pressure from stricter European Union food safety and sustainability regulations, particularly regarding allergens and toxic substances. One growing concern relates to pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA)—naturally occurring toxic compounds found in certain plant species that can contaminate herbal products, honey, milk, and animal feed, posing risks to human and animal health. Due to its high biodiversity, mountainous terrain, and diverse natural habitats, the Dibër region is likely to host a significant number of PA containing plant species. However, limited identification and awareness of such species increase the risk of unsafe collection practices, market rejection, and environmental harm, with disproportionate consequences for women who depend on wild MAPs collection for income.

To address these interconnected challenges, UN Women Albania has secured support from UN Women HQ under the Women’s Economic Empowerment Innovation Grants 2026 to implement an initiative that aims to identify, inventory, and assess PA‑containing plant species in the Dibër region according to natural habitats, vegetation types, and altitude ranges, and to prepare a practical and accessible guide to support their recognition and management by women MAPs collectors, and local stakeholders. The intervention will contribute to improving women’s access to information on MAPs, promoting safer and more sustainable collection practices, and strengthening compliance with market and food safety requirements and ultimately women’s economic empowerment in this value chain. 

The innovation builds on and complements the ongoing “Empower Women for Rural Development in Northern Albania” project, ensuring sustainability through institutional anchoring, use of existing partnerships with local stakeholders including the municipality of Diber and local CSOs, and direct engagement with women MAPs collectors. Within this context, UN Women Albania seeks to recruit a Team of Consultants to provide specialized technical expertise to carry out the identification, documentation, and assessment of PA‑containing plants in the Dibër region and to contribute to the development of practical guidance materials for local communities. 

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

Under the overall supervision of the Project Management Specialist, and in close coordination with the Technical Project Analyst, the Team of Consultants will provide specialized technical expertise to support the implementation of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Innovation Grant “Catalogue of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PA) Plants in the Dibra Region, Albania.”

The consultancy requires a solid understanding of UN Women’s mandate on women’s economic empowerment, gender‑responsive value chains, and the specific risks faced by rural women engaged in informal MAPs collection. 

The team of consultants will be responsible for identifying, inventorying, and assessing PA‑containing plant species in the Dibra region (including Korabi Mountain, Lura, and Bulqiza areas), and for developing a visual, user‑friendly catalogue and practical guide that supports safer collection practices, risk awareness, and compliance with food safety and market requirements.

Key responsibilities include:

• Propose a methodology for the identification, inventory, and assessment of PA‑containing plant species in the Dibra region, combining desk research and field-based data collection, and ensuring applicability to nontechnical users such as women MAPs collectors and farmers.
• Develop a detailed work plan and data collection approach, including:
  • literature review methodology,
    • fieldwork strategy across different natural habitats, vegetation types, and altitude ranges,
      • clear criteria for plant selection and classification.
• Conduct and/or support a comprehensive review of existing scientific literature, studies, and regulatory references related to pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), PA containing plant species, and food safety risks, with a focus on Albania and comparable ecosystems.
• Identify priority field survey areas in the Dibra region, including Korabi Mountain, Lura, and Bulqiza, and coordinate field identification and documentation missions in these areas.
• Carry out field identification, inventory, and photographic documentation of PA containing plant species across selected habitats, ensuring accurate classification and traceability of data.
• Analyze and compare field findings with existing literature and scientific evidence, and systematize data according to habitat, vegetation type, and altitude range.
• Develop the structure and content of the Catalogue of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PA) Plants in the Dibra Region, Albania, ensuring it is visually accessible and usable by women MAPs collectors, farmers, and local stakeholders.
• Prepare clear, practical plant profiles and guidance materials, including identification features, risks related to PA contamination, and recommended management and prevention measures.
• Provide technical input to at least three information and capacity building sessions with women MAPs collectors in Dibër, focused on:
  • use of the PA plants catalogue,
    • identification and risk avoidance,
      • links to food safety, sustainable collection practices, and EU market requirements.
• Ensure alignment and synergies with the ongoing UN Women project “Empower Women for Rural Development in Northern Albania”, to enhance sustainability and institutional uptake of results.
• Support the preparation of visual materials, summaries, and presentations related to the catalogue and findings, as requested by UN Women.

Deliverables

All deliverables must be technically accurate, gender‑responsive, and designed for practical use by women engaged in MAPs collection. All deliverables must be consulted with and approved by UN Women Albania. 

•  Proposed methodology and inception note, including:
  • detailed work plan and timeline,
    • methodological approach for literature review and field identification,
      • proposed structure, layout, and content of the Catalogue of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PA) Plants in the Dibra Region, Albania.
• Comprehensive review of existing literature and scientific references on pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), PA‑containing plant species, and their natural habitats, with focus on Albania and the Dibra region.
• Preliminary list of PA‑containing plant species potentially present in the Dibra region, based on desk review.
• Field identification and inventory outputs, including:
  • documented PA‑containing plant species from Korabi Mountain, Lura, and Bulqiza
    • photographic documentation of plants and habitats,
      • classification by habitat, vegetation type, and altitude range.
• Analytical classification matrix comparing field findings with literature and identifying species of practical relevance for women MAPs collectors and farmers.
• Draft Catalogue of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PA) Plants in the Dibra Region, Albania, prepared by the consultants and submitted to UN Women for review, including for each selected species:
  • scientific and local name;
    • high-quality photographs,
      • habitat and distribution,
      • flowering period,
      • toxic plant parts,
      • risks related to PA contamination.
      • practical recommendations for identification and management.
• Draft practical guide for women and local stakeholders linked to the catalogue, written in clear and accessible language.
• Final Catalogue and practical guide revised and finalized based on UN Women’s feedback and validation.
• Technical contribution to at least three information sessions with women MAPs collectors, including preparation of technical materials and content for the sessions
• Final technical report summarizing methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Consultants’ Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy. As part of this assignment, there will be missions to Dibra region (including Korabi Mountain, Lura, and Bulqiza areas).
 

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

• Solid knowledge of rural contexts, including gender-responsive value chains and informal agricultural sectors in Albania. 
• Demonstrated expertise in medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), biodiversity, plant identification, and food safety risks related to toxic plant compounds, including pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA). 
• Familiarity with rural and agricultural development in Albania, particularly in mountainous and biodiversity rich areas. 
• Ability to engage effectively with local stakeholders, including women MAPs collectors, local authorities, and community actors. 
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and time management skills, with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines. 
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Education and Certification for both consultants:

• Master’s degree in Biology, Agronomy, Agroecology, Environmental Sciences, or a closely related field. 
• A first level university degree in Biology, Agronomy, Agroecology,, combined with a minimum of two additional years of relevant professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience: 

Lead consultant:

• At least 13 years of responsible professional experience in rural development, biology, agriculture, environmental management, biodiversity conservation, or natural resource–based livelihoods.
• At least 5 years of professional experience related to the medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) sector, including experience of wild collection systems, sustainable harvesting practices, and linkages to national and international standards.
• Proven experience in identification, documentation, and classification of plant species, including field-based surveys, inventories, and preparation of technical or knowledge products (e.g. catalogues, guides, manuals). Please provide links to the evidence experience in this.
• Demonstrated expertise in research and analysis related to food safety, environmental risks, or toxic plant compounds, including the ability to translate technical information into practical guidance for nontechnical users. Please provide links to the evidence experience in this.
• Experience working with stakeholder engagement at local level, rural communities, including women engaged in agriculture or natural resource–based livelihoods, with sensitivity to gender specific constraints and information needs would be an asset
• Experience in designing and delivering practical guidance materials and capacity building activities, including information sessions or trainings for women, farmers, collectors, or local stakeholders.

Support Consultant 

• At least 7 years of experience in the medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) sector, including support to fieldwork activities, plant identification, or sustainable harvesting practices.
• Experience in field surveys and data collection, including plant documentation and basic classification.
• Experience in contributing to technical outputs, such as reports, catalogues, or guidance materials.
• Experience working with rural communities and local stakeholders, including women engaged in the MAPs sector.
• Experience in field coordination and stakeholder engagement at the local level.

Languages:

Fluency in English and Albanian is required.

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