Procurement Specialist

Project: P507881 - Kosovo Financial Sector Development Reference: FSDP.TTFP2-CS- INDV-001 Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection Financing: World Bank Request for Expression of Interest Country: Kosovo Project IDs: P507659 and P507881 World Bank Project Names: Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation 2.0 (WBTTFP) and Kosovo Financial Sector Development (FinDev) Position: Procurement Specialist Background The Government of Kosovo (GoK), with support from World Bank financing, is establishing 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. During the transitional period, PIU staff will be competitively recruited under special service contracts, while also supporting capacity building of civil servants to enable the gradual transfer of project implementation responsibilities to the CSD. All PIU personnel will report to the Head of PIU and/or head of the CSD. 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 a 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 Procurement Specialist The Procurement Specialist will support the PIU within the CSD in the coordination and management of all procurement activities under the Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation 2.0 Project and the Kosovo Financial Sector Development Project. The Procurement Specialist will ensure that procurement of goods, works, non-consulting services and consulting services is carried out in accordance with the relevant Financing Agreements, the World Bank Procurement Regulations, the Project Procurement Strategy for Development, the Procurement Plan, the Project Operations Manuals, and applicable national legislation. The Procurement Specialist will prepare and update procurement-related documents, including the PPSD and Procurement Plan; prepare bidding documents, requests for proposals, requests for quotations and other tendering documents; arrange publication of procurement notices; support evaluation committees in bid and proposal evaluations; prepare procurement reports and award/rejection notices; and record and manage procurement actions through the World Bank’s STEP system. The Procurement Specialist will also advise on procurement packaging, market approach, selection methods and contracting strategies; coordinate with beneficiary institutions, focal points and technical experts; support contract implementation and complaint handling; maintain complete procurement records; liaise with the World Bank procurement team; and support knowledge transfer