Social Specialist

Project: P507881 - Kosovo Financial Sector Development Reference: FSDP.TTFP2-CS- INDV-004 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: Social 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. 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 Social Specialist The Social Specialist will support the PIU within the CSD in ensuring that the Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation 2.0 Project and the Kosovo Financial Sector Development Project are implemented in accordance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework, the relevant Environmental and Social Standards, the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan, and applicable national legislation. The Social Specialist will monitor and report on the social performance of the Projects; support social screening of project activities; prepare and/or review relevant environmental and social instruments, including ESMPs, ESMP Checklists and ToRs for studies and assessments; and support the preparation of the Environmental and Social Management Framework for the TTFP 2.0 Project. The Social Specialist will also ensure that social requirements are reflected in procurement documents and contracts; monitor contractors’ compliance with labor, working conditions and social requirements; lead stakeholder engagement, citizen engagement, public consultations and grievance mechanisms; support incident reporting, including SEA/SH and labor-related matters; coordinate with PIU staff and beneficiary institutions; and support knowledge transfer and capacity building of MF civil servants. Required Qualifications At least a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant social sciences, policy, law, or community development field; Minimum three years of professional experience in social risk managem