Team Leader - Albania Energy Reform Project

Mission description

The Team Leader will be an expert with international experience (full time based in Albania) in charge of coordinating the TA activities in liaison with the focal point appointed by the MIE, in order to facilitate the necessary contacts within the energy sector and with the various concerned stakeholders.

The team leader will have a permanent managerial role locally, both vis-à-vis the team of short-term experts as regards their organisation of work, the number of days allocated and the contractual aspects as well as the logistical issues of their missions (transport, space, offices, equipment, etc., to be also discussed with the MIE), and vis-à-vis the planning of activities and the compliance with the initially approved work plan. From all meetings, it appeared clearly that the presence of a Team Leader in Albania would be essential for the success of the TA.

The team leader will be responsible for the successful achievement of the project's results. She/he will be assisted by Expertise France headquarters by the Project Manager and also by the support departments.

She/he will work closely with the International Key Expert, who will ensure the technical supervision of the project and the mobilisation of the French regulation (CRE) as well as other technical experts when necessary.

More precisely, the Team Leader will have to implement the following tasks:

Strategic advice and project representation

Proposal, adjustment and implementation of the strategic and technical orientations of the project, in particular on the basis of the proposals made by the project technical experts
Project representation: networking with relevant actors in Albania; developing and maintaining excellent working relationship with local administrations and international donors; representation of the project at high level events related to the project themes.
Coordination and communication with other teams involved in the Albanian Energy Reform process and any other relevant stakeholder.

Management of the team of experts

Support Expertise France in the identification and selection of experts, when necessary.
Supervision of the team of experts : validation of work plans by thematic area of the project, consolidation of the overall action plan, coordination of the execution of the program of activities. This management must be done while maintaining a very high level of communication within the team and continuous evaluation of activities, with a goal to continuously improving the project management.

Project management

Operational coordination of the project: overall supervision and coordination of the inception phase; overall supervision and coordination of the project activities and the achievement of their objectives.
Guarantees the strategic and operational efficiency of the project: ensures the good management of resources in achieving the objectives of the project.
Supervises the timely production of expected deliverables, both with regard to activities (mission reports) and the project as a whole (inception report, annual report, final report, etc.).

Any other task related to the mission, at the request of Expertise France or the donor.

Project or context description

The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) is launching a program of Technical Assistance (TA) to work with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (MIE) of Albania and the Albanian Energy Regulator (ERE). The project is parallel to a budget support loan for the reform of the Albanian energy sector (funded by AFD and KfW). The TA will last 24 months and start in April 2023.

Expertise France (EF), the French public agency for international technical assistance, was entrusted by the AFD with the implementation of the project. Expertise France will be assisted in this task by the Commission de Régulation de l’Energie” (CRE): a French independent administrative authority in charge of energy regulation matters in France.

The TA aims to support Albania in developing a modern regulatory framework as well as a more environmentally friendly energy sector, with a special focus on energy regulation matters.

Required profile

The main characteristics of the TL will be threefold:

Excellent knowledge of Albania and its general political environment;
Excellent knowledge of the energy sector issues, in general, and more particularly in the Albanian context, experience in electricity market policy making;
Good familiarity with the EU rules, procedures and policies, especially in the energy sector, with a proven track record in that regard (demonstration of previous working experience with EU institutions).

Moreover, Expertise France will evaluate candidates according to the following criteria:

Education / qualification:

University degree (BA or MA or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, energy related fields or any other relevant discipline
Good management skills
Good communication and reporting skills
Fluent in spoken and written English and Albanian (French would be an asset)

Professional experience:

A minimum of 7 years of working experience in the energy field
Experience working on inter-agency/administration cooperation will be a strong asset
Demonstrated management skills in a multicultural environment and experience in a leadership role
Experience of international cooperation and possibly of international projects implementation
Experience in EU financed projects would be an asset
Experience working in Albania or the Balkans region is required

Additional specific requirements:

Excellent understanding of capacity building and administrative reforms
Strong capacities in devising strategies
Strong ability to evolve in a political and sensitive environment

Additional information

Condition of the mission

The signature of the contract between Expertise France and the team leader will depend on the signature of the contract between Expertise France and its donor.
Duration of the contract: 12 months, full time (renewable)
Beginning of the mission : April 2023
Contract: 12 months expatriate employment contract with Expertise France (to be confirmed depending on the nationality of the selected candidate)
Budget : Based on Expertise France’s salary grid
Working conditions: The expert will be based in Tirana, Albania, for the duration of the project. Occasional missions to Paris, France.

Deadline for application : 2023/03/31.