CON 2025-21 - Consultant / Diaspora Expert to support the NACC in Albania

Project Context and Scope
Migration governance remains a top priority for Albania. Despite the progress achieved in this area through the implementation of the National Strategy on Migration (2024-2030) and Action Plan (2024-2026), Albania continues to invest efforts to make further advancements in this area, especially considering ongoing EU accession negotiations that commenced in July 2022, imposing additional requirements on the Government of Albania and its institutions to meet EU standards in governing migration. Past efforts, including the EU fellowship scheme by IOM, have proven effective in leveraging diaspora expertise for Albania's EU accession.    The accession negotiations mark a significant step towards EU integration, requiring Albania to align its legislation, rules, and procedures with the EU Acquis, there's a pressing need to strengthen the capacities of line ministries for approximation. A crucial part of the European integration process is related to the preparation and the implementation of the National Plan on European Integration (NPEI)[1]. As an important document that serves as a roadmap providing for legal acts, measures, and institutional changes within the framework of Acquis approximation, technical assistance and increased capacities will be provided to enhance the monitoring of the National Plan for European Integration (NPEI), ensuring a qualitative assessment and reporting system is in place.    The Minister of State and Chief Negotiator (MSCN) has one of its primary responsibilities as the technical management related to EU Acquis approximation and the negotiation process, by providing technical leadership of the negotiations, ensuring internal coordination of the country's accession process to the European Union, and developing capacities of the administration to generate capabilities towards accession. The Department of Policies and European Integration (DPEI), in the Prime Minister’s Office, which serves as the EU Secretariat, provides technical support to the Minister of State and Chief Negotiator and the entire negotiation process, including the approximation of national legislation with the EU Acquis.    The Government of Albania has reiterated the need for support in implementing tools and processes to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills from Albanian diaspora professionals. This support is crucial for the ongoing processes of negotiations, gradual European integration, accelerated development, and convergence with European standards.   The project \"Leveraging the Potential of Diaspora to Advance EU Accession and Labor Mobility in the Western Balkans\" implemented by IOM Albania and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), aims to contribute to creating conditions for Diaspora members to fully support sustainable and economic development in four selected Western Balkan partners by leveraging Diaspora engagement to enable progress on the path to accession to the EU.   With a focus on facilitating EU accession negotiations and leveraging the diaspora's development potential for Albania's benefit, a highly qualified member of the Albanian Diaspora with expertise in the field of medical and industrial cannabis cultivation and processing will be engaged in targeted consultancy roles through technical expertise, capacity building, and international knowledge transfer. This assignment is specifically designed to support National Agency for Cannabis Control (NACC) in establishing a regulatory framework and operational standards in compliance with international provisions and regulations.   In alignment with Chapter 24 benchmarks on “Justice, Freedom, and Security”, the diaspora expert will engage with the NACC in support of its institutional strengthening efforts. This engagement aims to enhance the agency’s regulatory, oversight, and enforcement capacities in line with EU and international standards, particularly regarding the legal cultivation and control of medical and industrial cannabis cultivation and processing. Drawing on international best practices and compliance frameworks such as GMP, GACP, and ISO, the expert will contribute to building transparent, accountable, and effective mechanisms that support public health, economic development, and rule of law. This contribution also supports Albania’s EU integration process by addressing key priorities under Chapter 24, especially in terms of improving inter-institutional cooperation, fighting illegal drug activities, strengthening the response to inversion and diversion while bringing national legislation in line with EU regulatory norms.    The engagement of a qualified diaspora expert will ensure transfer of knowledge, institutional strengthening, and development of sector-specific strategies and technical tools. The expert will contribute to the development of long-term planning and monitoring systems in the cannabis sector and facilitate Albania’s efforts toward EU integration.   Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing   The consultancy will contribute to the successful realization of the project \"Leveraging the Potential of Diaspora to Advance EU Accession and Labor Mobility in the Western Balkans\" implemented by IOM Albania and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)   The overall objective of the assignment aims to align with Albania’s strategic objectives for a regulated sector prevention diversion and inversion in line with the benchmarks of Chapter 24 of the Acquis. By reconnecting Albania with its global talent base, the initiative seeks to:

The implementation of this process is expected to play a critical role in embedding expertise within the agency for the development and application of standards that licensed entities must meet. This includes the contribution on finalizing operational manuals and tools aligned with GMP, GACP, and ISO standards, contributing to a safe, well-regulated, and competitive cannabis industry.

Expected Outputs

Based on ongoing collaboration with the NACC, workplans and deliverables will be carefully tailored to meet institutional priorities and respond to the specific sectoral context. This partnership-driven approach will enable the diaspora expert to produce a range of tangible and high-impact outputs that directly address the needs of the institution and contribute to the strategic objectives of NACC and to the fulfillment of objectives and requirements foreseen in Chapter 24.

The expected outputs will serve as key instruments for:

Within this framework, the diaspora expert, with substantial experience in the relevant field, will contribute to several core components of NACC’s mandate through the following actions:

• Very good communication skills in written and oral form. 
• High commitment, adaptability, and flexibility. 
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, team-working, and leadership skills. 
• Ability to produce analytical work, including written reports and brief presentations of research. 
• Effective communication skills with a wide range of stakeholders, including public authorities, local authorities, and the private sector. 
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accuracy and confidentiality in performing responsibilities. 
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills, with attention to detail. 

Interested candidates are invited to include the following documents with their application at IOM Albania website mentioned above:

No late applications will be accepted. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.