RFP: Development of policies and initiatives to promote gender balance, social inclusion and citizen engagement

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – CONSULTANCY FIRM)

ALBANIA

Project: National Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Modernization Program (P4R)

TF No.: B8448

Assignment Title: Development of policies and initiatives to promote gender balance, social inclusion and citizen engagement

Reference No.: AL-AKUK -329912-CS-CQS

Albania has developed a strong regulatory framework for Water Supply and Sewerage (WSS) service delivery and undergone various reforms and changes in institutional arrangements aiming to improve service delivery and local oversight. In May 2022, a Council of Ministers decision aimed to reorganize the municipal water supply into regional water utilities (RWUs), with 51% of the shares in each of the new RWUs held by the central government, through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (MoIE) and its National Agency of Water Supply and Sewerage, (AKUK), in an effort to improve utility operations and performance.

This Request for Expressions of Interest aims to assist AKUK in hiring a Consultant to develop the Gender Balance, Social Inclusion and Citizen Engagement Policies and Initiatives. They need to align with GoA’s National Sector Strategy 2022–2030, AKUK’s policies and strategies, outlining how their implementation contributes to attaining respective objectives.

These new policies and initiatives are expected to guide institutions involved in water sector, both AKUK and RWUs, to include relevant actions into their operational plans on support for women’s leadership, empowerment, and systemic attention to gender equality and social inclusion.

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

The activities described in these TORs are expected to be completed within a period of 5 months, following the signing of the consultancy contract.

The Consultant firm shall possess the following relevant qualification:

1. Proven experience in providing consultancy related to gender equality, diversity, and social inclusion.
2. Successfully carried out at least two similar consultancies in gender and social inclusion policy and strategy development for local or international development agencies, public institutions, or private sector entities.
3. Experience in leading or contributing to gender and social inclusion policy and strategy development in Albania will be considered an advantage

KE1: Lead Expert / Team Leader

1. At least 7 years of leading consultancy on social issues and on similar gender and social inclusion policy and strategy development tasks for local or international development agencies.
2. Experience in managing development projects and knowledge of international approaches to gender equality and social inclusion and the ability to tailor to local contexts;
3. Leaded teams, in at least two projects, producing policy and initiatives documents on gender equality, citizen engagement, and social inclusion guidelines and best practices,
4. Working experience in developing countries; experience of working in Albania will be an asset;
5. Fluent in English is essential.

KE2: Senior Expert 1 on social issues (gender and social inclusion)

1. At least 5 years of proven experience working on drafting similar gender and social inclusion policy and strategy development for local or international development agencies;
2. Served as senior expert in drafting at least one policy document focused on gender and social inclusion issues for public or private service provider.
3. Master’s degree in the humanities and social sciences. Further academic training in gender studies would be an asset;
4. Working experience on gender related issues in developing countries; experience of working in Albania will be an asset;
5. Experience in the area of water and sanitation is an asset;
6. Proven experience in drafting ToRs for donor-supported projects.
7. Fluent in written and spoken English and Albanian

KE3: Expert on M&E for social issues

1. At least 5 years of proven experience in analysing gender and diversity in the labour context, conducting qualitative and quantitative field research and assessments for development projects that include a gender equality and social objective, and formulation of gender-sensitive and social inclusion indicators.
2. At least one working experience, serving as researcher/monitoring/evaluation expert in conducting qualitative and quantitative field research and baseline assessment for development projects that include a gender equality objective;
3. Previous experience in the water sector related projects would be an advantage;

The evaluation criteria to be used for selecting the successful Consultant will be the following:

•           General Qualifications, including core business and years in business, (30 points);

•           Relevant experience, including previous experience in the field of assignment, (60 points);

•           Availability of qualified staff within the consulting firm (10 points).

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 November 2020, in accordance with Open National Selection of Consulting Firms (CQS), Lump-Sum Contract. The Bank requires that firms or individuals involved in Bank IPF procurement shall not have conflict of interest.

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 November 10th, 2025.

Mr. Flauers Shoshi

Agency of Water Supply, Sewerage and Waste Infrastructure

Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy

“Sami Frashëri” Str., No. 4, Tirana, Albania

procurement_p4r@akuk.gov.al