Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation: Review of the documents, management support, project supervision and quality control of the implementation of the National Transit Application and Economic Operator Registration and Identification Contract

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation Project

For

“Supervision Services and Quality Control for the full Implementation of the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) in Albania”

Ref. No: WBTTF–ALB–121D 

ALBANIA

Project: Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation Project Using the Multiphase Programmatic Approach

Loan No.: IBRD-89330-AL

Assignment Title: “Supervision Services and Quality Control for the full Implementation of the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) in Albania”

Reference No.: WBTTF-ALB–121D 

The Republic of Albania continues to make progress on its EU reform agenda, resulting in improvement of the efficiency and transparency of public services delivery, also in the adaptation of the regulatory framework and the overall strengthening of the administration’s capacity to undertake merit-based civil service procedures.

In June 2018, the EU Council decided to open accession negotiations with the Republic of Albania, subject to endorsement by the European Council members.

The overall objective of the Project is to support process of modernization of public administration ensuring the facilitation of legitimate trade with implementation of Common Transit Procedure while simultaneously introducing modern architecture and technology into the Customs information system and improving Risk Management.

The Client is seeking to engage the services of an experienced international Consultant for working alongside with the PIU and give guidance on a range of activities, to include, but not to be limited to:

• Providing support to the Client and the Beneficiaries, and to assist the PIU with all aspects of the NCTS Project implementation; 
• Providing managerial supervision and technical assistance, and guidance in development through the various phases of implementation (provision, installation and Commissioning of NCTS equipment);
• Ensuring that the NCTS is structured, managed and executed by following international standards of project management and quality assurance with continuous monitoring;
• Performing comprehensive third-party testing and verification of deliverables by the selected NCTS vendor, and
• Assisting the Client and the Beneficiaries to strengthen its information and communication technologies (ICT) capabilities to ensure they have the capacities to support the implementation.

The detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://financa.gov.al/

The Consultant is expected to commence the activities of this Contract during the second quarter of 2022 and it will have a total duration of 24 months.

The Consultant should have:

• Master’s Degree (where a university degree has been awarded on completion of a four-year course of study) in Engineering, IT, Business Administration or other areas relevant to the project;
• Deep knowledge of EU Customs standards and legislation and of the Convention on Common Transit/NCTS;
• Customs Procedure and legal expertise;
• Ability to work in a multi-ethnic environment and manage a team of international and local staff;
• Ability to supervise and coordinate all technical aspects of a contract;
• Ability to ensure good communication and coordination with the PIU/GDFC, the Beneficiary, the Contractor and other Project third-parties and stakeholders;
• Excellent presentation, communication, reporting and drafting skills;
• Fluent in both spoken and written English;

General professional experience

• Minimum 15 years of working experience in IT system implementation for Custom Administration within in EU Member States or accession country Customs Administration;
• Minimum 5 years of working experience as Team Leader on the EU-funded projects;
• Previous experience with EU-funded projects in transition economies. Experience in the Balkan area is an advantage;
• Knowledge of EU best practices in Customs business;

Specific professional experience

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in leading teams in the public or private sector and/or donor funded projects of similar duration and complexity.
• Minimum 15 years of working experience in project management in development and implementation of IT systems in EU Member States, European Commission Services or candidate/potential candidate countries.

The service will be selected under the provisions of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (Procurement Regulations), in investment project financing Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, dated July 2016, revised November 2017, based on the method of Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants (IC), Time Based Contract. 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 08:00 to 16:00, Mondays to Thursdays, and from 08:00 to 14:00 on Fridays. 

Expressions of interest (CV, Cover letter and documentary evidence for fulfilling the qualifications) must be delivered in a written form to the address below in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail within January 31st, 2022.

Mrs. Veronika KORKAJ, General Director

General Directorate of Financing and Contracting (GDFC)

Ministry of Finance and Economy

Blvd. "Dëshmorët e Kombit", No. 3, Tirana, Albania

veronika.korkaj@financa.gov.al