Monitoring and Evaluation Expert

Project: P507659 - Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation 2.0 Reference: TTFP-CS-IC-3.026 Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection Financing: World Bank Request for Expression of Interest Country: Kosovo Project IDs: P507659 and P507881 Reference Nr.: TTFP-CS-IC-3.026 Project Names: Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation 2.0 (WBTTFP) and Kosovo Financial Sector Development (FinDev) Position: Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Background The Government of Kosovo (GoK), with support from World Bank financing, has established the Central Support Division for Implementing Development Projects (CSD) within the Ministry of Finance (MF). The CSD will serve as a centralized Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for selected development projects where the GoK or independent public institutions are direct beneficiaries. The CSD and its PIU will support the implementation of two World Bank-financed projects: the Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation 2.0 Project (P507659) and the Kosovo Financial Sector Development Project (P507881). The Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation 2.0 Project is supported through a combination of EUR 12 million grant financing and EUR 34.7 million loan financing. Its objective is to increase trade and transport efficiency and strengthen quality infrastructure in Kosovo and the Western Balkans region. The project will finance improvements at key Border Crossing Points, modernization of customs and border services infrastructure, procurement of equipment, and digitalization of trade-related procedures through systems such as the National Single Window (NSW), the New Computerized Transit System (NCTS), and upgrades to ASYCUDA. It will also support investments to improve market competitiveness, including laboratory equipment for quality testing, an e-tolling system, 5G corridor infrastructure, road safety improvements, and rail safety upgrades at selected railway level crossings. The Kosovo Financial Sector Development Project is supported through an EUR 49.3 million loan and aims to improve financial stability and inclusion in Kosovo. The project will support the strengthening of the Deposit Insurance Fund of Kosovo, by providing the capital needed to increase the deposit insurance coverage limit and reduce the payout period for insured depositors following an insured event. It will also expand access to finance for underserved firms through Partial Credit Guarantees via the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund, support the development of a National Development Bank, and finance the development of a modern and interoperable Fast Payment System to promote faster and more efficient digital payments. Both projects include activities aimed at strengthening project management and implementation capacity, including capacity building for the CSD, PIU staff, and relevant public institutions involved in project implementation. The PIU will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination and implementation of project activities, including fiduciary, technical, monitoring, reporting, and coordination functions, in cooperation with the relevant beneficiary institutions and World Bank task teams. Responsibilities of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist The objective of this consultancy is to establish, operationalize, and maintain a robust, integrated Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system for TTFP 2.0 and FinDev in Kosovo. The M&E Specialist will ensure systematic tracking, validation, analysis, and reporting of all Project Development Objectives (PDO) indicators, Intermediate Results Indicators (IRIs), Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) metrics, and citizen engagement/gender indicators in strict alignment with the Project Results Framework, Project Operations Manual (POM), and World Bank reporting guidelines. The M&E Specialist will ensure that project activities for both projects are systematically monitored, evaluated, and reported in alignment with World Bank standards and the project’s results framework. The role will also contribute to strengthening institutional capacity for M&E within the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and beneficiary agencies, with a particular focus on stakeholder engagement and gender-responsive monitoring. Minimum (Mandatory) Qualifications: Education: Master's degree in economics, Public Policy, Statistics, Social Sciences, Business Administration, or related fields. Professional Experience: General Experience: Minimum 8 years of professional experience in monitoring and evaluation of public sector or donor-funded development projects. Specific M&E Experience: Minimum 8 years of professional experience in monitoring and evaluation of public sector or donor-funded development projects, with experience with projects financed by international financial institutions (ex: World Bank, EBRD, KfW, EIB, etc.) or development agencies (UN, GIZ, etc.) considered as an advantage. Cross-Cutting Tracking: Proven track record