Terms of Reference

Energy Sector Support Consultant

Background

Albania needs to implement a wide range of reform measures as part of the EU accession process. In the energy sector, Albania needs to meet the requirements of the EU accession process and accelerate its integration cooperating with Energy Community Secretariat.

Against this background, the Albanian Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (MIE), the Ministry of Tourism and Environment on behalf of the Albanian government, KfW and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) sign a “Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a Policy Based Loan (PBL) in the Energy and climate sector for Albania.

The envisaged PBL continues the reform endeavours that have been undertaken in the past years and that were already supported by another PBL pursuant to an MoU that was signed in December 2018 between the Albanian government, KfW and AFD. That PBL has successfully been implemented over the years 2019 until early 2024 and facilitated the restructuring of the Albanian electricity sector in several key areas.

The Policy Reform Matrix which forms an integral part of this MoU identifies a number of key reform areas and ambitious steps in the energy sector in Albania, such as:

• improving the financial sustainability and corporate governance of energy utilities,

• improving the energy market functioning, increasing competitiveness and prepare for Europe wide market coupling,

• increase and promote renewable energies,

• strengthening consumer rights and social support schemes in line with the requirements of the Energy Community.

The reforms agreed upon will also improve strategic planning in the energy sector, strengthen the strategic and legal framework for environmental protection and for dealing with climate change and decarbonization.

The Albanian Government requested support to address this ambitious reform agenda and the German Government approved funds for consultancy services to support the partner institutions in implementing the reform steps. In consequence, a limited number of consultancy services for technical assistance will be procured, contracted and implemented which requires the continues engagement of various stakeholders at government and utility level. The energy sector support consultant will play a key role in coordinating and accompanying these consultancy services and support packages.

Core tasks

• Support the Albanian government in the preparation and structuring of Energy Sector support packages (consulting services, studies, accompanying measures) in Albania, e.g. through drafting terms of reference and facilitating the procurement process in close coordination with a tender agent

• Closely monitor and supervise the implementation and the achievement of results and outcomes of the support packages, e.g. be informed about all action plans and time schedules for the different ToR; Follow-up the implementation plans, monitor the progress and propose steering measures in case needed, contribute and comment the respective working plans to ensure compliance with the ToR and corresponding consulting contract, monitor performance of the consultant, organize and participate in working group sessions; review relevant documents and provide recommendations to achieve intended results

• Establish and maintain excellent relations to relevant partners and decision makers in the focal areas of climate and energy. Close coordination and liaising with relevant contacts in line Ministries, Regulator or Agencies, Reform Implementation Office and as well as Energy sector utilities (KESH/OST/OSHEE and daughter companies/ALPEX) to ensure flow of information and progress on reforms

• Provide up-to-date sector knowledge through observing climate policy decisions, legislative initiatives and strategy processes in Albania and the region, as well as EU-level and analyze their link to the Energy and Climate Sector PBL, including support to MIE in reporting on the progress of the reform implementation. Provide information and reports to KfW, AFD, MIE, MoF and MoTE and the PBL Monitoring and Verification Consultant.

• Ensure information exchange, knowledge sharing and coordination between all actors and institutions involved in PBL implementation as well as with stakeholders at regional level and other donors or financial institutions and be informed and report about Technical Assistance measures and other ongoing projects of other donors (e.g. WB, IFC, EBRD) which have influence on the reform agenda.

Key deliverables

• Concept and Structure of the Energy and Climate Sector Support Packages

• Working plan and Timeline for Procurements

• Terms of Reference for a Corporate Governance Assessment

• Terms of Reference for a support package to KESH

• Terms of Reference for a support package to OST

• Terms of reference for a support package to OSHEE

• Terms of Reference for other areas depending on the availability of funding and needs of Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Energy Regulator Authority RES Operator, ALPEX, Ministry of Tourism and Environment. (e.g. long-term decarbonization, land acquisition, system’s need study)

• Regular reports on the results and outcomes of the respective support packages.

The deliverables as described in these terms of reference do not necessarily provide a complete and exhaustive list. For a successful support a continuous review and amendment of the scope and its deliverables is required.

Qualifications and Skills

Education

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Finance, Energy, Business Administration, or related fields.

Professional Experience

• 5–7 years of experience in management consulting and/or strategy/financial departments in the energy sector

• Experience in working with international financial institutions, international development agencies and/or EU/EU-funded programs.

• Experience in working with the Energy Stakeholders in Albania, such as line Ministries, Energy Utilities and Institutions.

Technical and Analytical Skills

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.

• Deep knowledge of the Albanian energy sector and the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders in energy and climate sector.

• Advanced computer literacy (MS Office).

Soft Skills

• Excellent organizational, communication, and negotiation skills.

• Autonomy in day-to-day work and ability to work in team.

• Proven ability to manage complex administrative and procurement processes.

• Self-motivated, high integrity and commitment to quality outcomes.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Albanian and English (written and spoken).

• Knowledge of German is an advantage.

Contractual provisions

The contract will be closed between the Consultant and KfW (short term expert contract), acting on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy in Albania. Payments will be effected directly by KfW according to the services rendered on a quarterly basis. The Consultant is responsible for familiarizing his-/herself with local tax regulations in order to comply with local laws.

Commencement of services: in Q4/2025 with a duration of 2 years and the possibility of extension. The services are full time based, meaning 5 working days per week. Absences have to be coordinated with the MIE and KfW. The consultant will be based at the premises of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, and is responsible to have its own IT workstation (such as Laptop, Monitor etc).

The expert shall have close working relationships with all executing entities and the stakeholders involved in the implementation of the reforms, thus full-time presence of the Consultant in Tirana is an indispensable requirement.