International Team Leader EU for Water- Component 1 (EU4Rivers)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

PROJECT TITLE: “EU for Water” – Component 1 (“EU4Rivers”)

POSITION: International Team Leader

STARTING DATE:  October 2023

CONTRACT PERIOD: 12 month with possibility of extension until the end of the project

LOCATION: Tirana, Albania

Background

The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) has been delegated by the European Union (EU) to implement the project “EU for Water” – Component 1 (“EU4Rivers”).

The project with a volume of EUR 8.8 Mio. will be implemented in Albania, Tirana over a period of 60 months.

The overall objective is to maintain or improve the water bodies quality status in Albania.

The specific objective is to increase Albania’s approximation with the EU water acquis.

Within the specific objective, the following outputs are foreseen:

Output 1: The overarching IWM legal and institutional framework is substantially enhanced in line with the requirements of the EU acquis (Water Framework Directive/WFD and other water related directives).

Output 2: The Implementation of River Basins Management is increased in all river basins in line with the requirements of the WFD

Output 3: Water monitoring, reporting and enforcement are sustainably enhanced in line with the requirements of water related EU Directives.

ADA is the Operational Unit of the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC). It is in charge of implementing all bilateral programmes and projects in ADC partner countries and administers its budget.

Position Overview

ADA is seeking a highly qualified and experienced International Team Leader (TL) to provide strategic direction, overall management, and technical leadership for the successful implementation of project activities. The TL will be responsible for coordinating project activities, ensuring their timely and effective delivery, and fostering collaboration among project stakeholders. The TL will also work closely with ADA and adhere to its rules and regulations, as well as comply with EU requirements.

SPECIFIC DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES 

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Provide overall leadership, guidance and technical expertise to the project management team in line with the project’s objectives and work plan
• Overall results-oriented technical and financial management of the project, including the preparatory, inception and closing phase, in line with EU and ADA regulations
• During the inception phase coordinate the setup of the project management office and team in Tirana in close collaboration with the ADC Office in Tirana
• Following the completion of the inception phase adjust the logframe, Description of Action (DoA), budget and work plan as needed
• Regularly monitor and analyze the project environment and timely adjust the implementation as needed
• Lead and supervise the project management team (approx. 6 staff)
• In line with ADA rules and procedures, select short- and long-term experts, provide overall coordination and monitoring of the experts’ performance
• Ensure compliance of procurement and grant award procedures with EU and ADA regulations
• Effectively liaise (serve as the project key liaison) with government counterparts and the EU Delegation, as well as with the project stakeholders, beneficiaries, other donors and the public to develop professional relationships
• Provide Quality Assurance of project interventions and outputs
• Regularly monitor potential risks as well as develop and implement risk mitigation measures
• Ensure compliance with ADA’s Environmental, Gender and Social Impact Management (EGSIM) Manual
• Coordinate monitoring activities including backstopping missions from ADA HQ, analysis and aggregation of data collected
• Contract and support external audits and evaluations, in line with ADA rules and procedures
• Prepare regular project reports and coordinate the reporting process with the ADA team in the Tirana Office and ADA HQ
• Ensure high EU and ADA visibility in line with the project’s communication and visibility plan
• Carry out any other duties as required by the supervisor.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree preferable in Development Studies, in Water Management and Environmental Engineering, International Relations, Economics, Business or Public Administration, or other related field.
• Minimum 5 years in managing international development projects of similar scope and nature; successful experience in the Western Balkans, with EU funded projects is an asset;
• Demonstrated knowledge of water body management; experience in the approximation process with the EU water acquis is an asset
• Strong track record in developing countries
• Proven experience with results-based project management and in project cycle management (including monitoring and evaluation)
• Sound understanding of donor procedures and rules applicable to funding received from large institutional donors, in particular with European Union external actions
• Knowledge of international development cooperation principles and quality standards, including gender, diversity, inclusiveness and environment
• Excellent written and oral communication/reporting, representation skills in English are required; knowledge of Albanian and/or German is an advantage
• Full proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications
• Ability and willingness to travel within Albania and occasionally abroad
• Excellent interpersonal/social and communication skills
• Adherence to highest standards of ethics
• Valid driving license is an asset
•  Self-motivation and proactive working style
•  Ability to effectively manage and coordinate a multi-disciplinary team of staff, experts and consultants
•    Ability to work in multinational and multicultural environment
•  Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
  

HOW TO APPLY

The full-time assignment is scheduled to commence in October 2023.

Contract duration: 12 months, with the possibility for extension until project closure. 

All applications are due by COB 23.07.2023 CET. If you wish to apply for this position, please submit your application (Cover Letter and CV as well as other relevant documents) via our E-recruiting system to www.entwicklung.at/ada/karriere.  The yearly salary for this position is from EUR 80,000 to EUR 95,000 gross for full-time employment.

This project position is subject to the pending signature of the Contribution Agreement between the EU and ADA. ADA retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Women are especially encouraged to apply. ADA supports gender equality on all levels and attaches great value to a gender balance in senior positions. In case of equal qualification for the position and at the absence of other outweighing factors, preference will be given to the female candidate. We also welcome applications of persons with a migrant background and/or of persons with disabilities.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence and no application fees or information with respect to bank account details are required by ADA for our recruitment process. Please note that in the event of an invitation for an interview, ADA is unable to reimburse costs incurred. Candidates must expect that references from previous employers will be requested by ADA. Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

Note: These Terms of Reference are intended to provide an overview of the position and the key responsibilities. They may be subject to revisions and refinements based on project needs, ADA regulations, and EU guidelines.