The Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM), in collaboration with the Albanian Institute of Science (AIS) and Citizens Channel, is implementing the project “Increasing Parliament’s Responsiveness to Citizens’ Concerns” Project Code: 301457-415 funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (“FCDO”). The project aims to amplify the parliament’s efforts in fostering an enabling environment for substantial civic engagement in political and legislative processes in Albania as a means to promote public interest and build trust. The project aims to amplify the parliament’s efforts in fostering an enabling environment for substantial civic engagement in political and legislative processes in Albania as a means to promote public interest and build trust.
In this context, IDM is seeking expert three experts support to enhance the legal and procedural framework for public petitions. This initiative aims to align parliamentary regulations with best international practices, streamline the petition review process, and improve accessibility for citizens. The objective of this engagement is to analyze the current situation, identify best practices from international experiences and provide concrete recommendations for revising the Rules of Procedure of the Albanian Parliament concerning public petitions. Additionally, the experts will develop guidelines for parliamentary staff and Members of Parliament (MPs) on petition handling and create a standardized petition form for public use.
TASKS
The experts will be responsible for the following tasks:
Situation Analysis and Best Practices Review
- Conduct an in-depth analysis of the current parliamentary framework and procedures for public petitions.
- Identify best practices from international parliamentary systems, with a particular focus on Germany, as suggested by the parliamentary staff.
- Provide concrete recommendations for amending the Rules of Procedure of the Albanian Parliament to enhance the effectiveness and transparency of the petitioning process.
Development of a Guidance Document
- Draft a comprehensive guide for parliamentary staff and MPs outlining step-by-step procedures for handling public petitions.
- Ensure that the guidance document includes clear responsibilities, timelines, and decision-making processes.
- Incorporate international best practices and contextualize them to fit the Albanian parliamentary environment.
Standardized Petition Form
- Draft a standardized petition submission form that will be made available on the official website of the Parliament.
- Provide recommendations on how to integrate the petition form into existing digital platforms for increased efficiency.
DELIVERABLES
The experts will be expected to deliver:
- A report analyzing the current situation and providing best practice recommendations.
- Proposed amendments to the Rules of Procedure related to public petitions.
- A guidance document for parliamentary staff and MPs on petition processing.
- A standardized petition submission form, ready for integration into the Parliament’s official website.
- Presentation of the documents during consultation meetings with parliamentary staff, incorporating their feedback and suggestions as appropriate.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The selected experts should have:
- Postgraduate degree in law, social sciences and other related areas;
- At least 7 years of experience in parliamentary procedures, good governance, and citizen participation mechanisms.
- Expertise in legal analysis and drafting regulatory amendments.
- Strong analytical, research, and report-writing skills.
TIMELINE AND REMUNERATION
The deliverables must be delivered by March 2025. The remuneration will be in line with the budget allocation for this activity.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested experts are invited to submit:
- CV(s) highlighting relevant experience.
- Financial proposal specifying the daily fee rate.
All applications must be submitted electronically to [email protected], in English no later than 28 February 2025.