Position Title: Employment Mentor
Project: “Stronger Together: Advancing LGBTQI+ Organizational Resilience and Strengthening Civil Society in Albania,”
Duration: January 2026 – December 2027
Location: Remote/Albania
Start Date: March 2026
Reports to: Project Coordinator

1.        Qendra Streha Background

Streha Center provides services to the LGBTIQ+ community in Albania and the region in cases of emergencies, including shelter and other psycho-social services for the empowerment of LGBTI+ individuals. The aim of Streha is to empower and assist LGBTIQ+ individuals, mainly youth, through its multidisciplinary and residential services, capacity-building of service providers, public awareness, and advocacy, in order to overcome barriers and difficulties faced by the LGBTI+ community in families and society. The primary focus of Streha is the empowerment and reintegration into society of at-risk youth within the LGBTIQ+ community (aged 18 to 29). The service is provided in the capital city of Albania, Tirana. However, it is not limited to the country and often offers services to Albanian’s youth from neighboring countries, such as Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro.

2.     Project Background

This activity is implemented within the framework of the project “Stronger Together: Advancing LGBTQI+ Organizational Resilience and Strengthening Civil Society in Albania,” funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) RFSL Malmö. The project is carried out in partnership between RFSL Malmö, and Streha Center. The initiative aims to promote the socio-economic empowerment and inclusion of LGBTIQ+ youth by expanding access to vocational trainings, mentoring, internships and the job opportunities. Through individualized support and pathways to employment, the project aims to increase economic independence and social inclusion, by also reducing dependency on external assistance. In addition, the project supports regional collaboration and stronger connections between organizations, service providers, and inclusive employers in order to improve access to support services and amplifying visibility of LGBTIQ+ organizations in the region. Within this framework, the Employment Mentor will support LGBTIQ+ youth through individualized mentoring, job- readiness support and facilitation of paid internships and job-opportunities. The role contributes directly in increasing economic independence, improving employability, and strengthening engagement with inclusive work spaces, ultimately creating a more resilient and empowered community.

3.     Objective of the position

The Employment Mentor will provide structured, individualized mentorship and employment readiness support to LGBTIQ+ youth beneficiaries. The role ensures that beneficiaries are supported throughout the full employment pathway — from skills assessment and vocational training to internship placement and transition into sustainable employment. The mentor will play a key role in strengthening beneficiaries’ professional capacities while ensuring a safe, inclusive, and supportive transition into the labor market. The objective of this assignment is to support LGBTIQ+ youth in accessing inclusive employment opportunities by facilitating internship placements, providing structured mentorship, and supporting their transition into sustainable employment.

4.     Scope of Work

The Employment Mentor will be responsible for the following activities:

Individual Assessment and Career Planning

• Conduct initial employability assessments for each beneficiary;
• Develop Individual Employment Action Plans with clear milestones and timelines;
• Provide regular one-on-one mentoring sessions;
• Monitor and update employment plans based on progress and evolving needs.

   Employment Readiness and Skills Development

• Deliver structured employment-readiness workshops covering:
• CV and cover letter development
• Interview preparation and mock interviews
• Workplace communication and soft skills
• Professional ethics and conduct
• Financial literacy and income management
• Support beneficiaries in preparing professional documentation and job applications.

Vocational Training Coordination

• Identify relevant vocational training opportunities aligned with labor market needs.
• Facilitate beneficiary enrollment in training programs.
• Monitor attendance, completion, and performance.

Internship and Job Placement

• Map, engage, and maintain partnerships with private sector employers.
• Facilitate internship placements, prioritizing paid opportunities.
• Support the transition from internship to paid employment where possible.
• Provide mediation support in cases of workplace challenges or discrimination.

Ongoing Mentorship and Retention Support

• Provide structured follow-up during internships and early employment phases.
• Support beneficiaries in adapting to workplace environments.
• Monitor employment retention and career progression.

Monitoring, Documentation, and Reporting

• Maintain confidential case files for all assigned beneficiaries.
• Track project indicators (training completion, internships secured, employment obtained, retention rates).
• Submit monthly activity updates and quarterly narrative reports.
• Contribute to donor reporting, case studies, and impact documentation.

Safeguarding and Ethical Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with safeguarding, confidentiality, and non-discrimination standards.
• Apply a trauma-informed and inclusive approach in all mentoring activities.
• Protect the privacy and dignity of all beneficiaries.

5.     Deliverables

The Employment Mentor will be expected to deliver:

• Individual Employment Action Plans for all assigned beneficiaries;

• Documentation of internship placements and employer partnerships;
• Periodic updates on beneficiaries’ progress and employment outcomes;
• Follow-up documentation on employment transition from internship to paid employment where applicable;
• A yearly summary report on mentorship activities, internship outcomes, and recommendations for improving employment opportunities for LGBTIQ+ individuals;

6.      Duration and Payment

The Employment Mentor will be engaged throughout the implementation of employment-related activities during the two-year duration of the project, in accordance with the project timeline.

7.      Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate should have:

• Prior experience in employment support, career counseling, mentorship, or workforce development;
• Experience working with vulnerable groups, youth, or LGBTIQ+ communities is considered an asset;
• Knowledge of labor market dynamics and employer engagement;
• Strong communication, mentoring, and facilitation skills;
• Fluency in Albanian (preferred), with a working knowledge of English (knowledge of other regional languages is considered an asset).

8.     Application Process

Interested candidates should submit:

• CV outlining relevant experience;
• A brief proposal outlining the approach to mentorship and employer engagement, and the methodology for supporting internship placements;
• Financial proposal indicating the daily rate.

Applications should be sent to info@strehacenter.org and financastreha@gmail.com by 15 of January 2026.