Project Context and Scope The “EU4Migration in Albania” project aims to support the implementation of effective, efficient, and EU-aligned border and migration management systems in Albania. The project is embedded in the strategic objective of the National Strategy on Migration (NSM) in achieving effective migration governance to address challenges and enhance migration’s positive impact on development for the benefit of migrants and society. It also supports the GoA's 2023 commitment to improve the quality of asylum decision-making and decentralize procedures at the local level. Output 1.2 of the project “Advance the implementation of the National Strategy/Action Plan through the deployment of seconded staff in relevant governmental institutions” envisions the engagement of secondees during the project, deployed to the Ministry of Interior (MoI) who will support the work of the Technical Secretariat on Migration (TSM) in monitoring, coordination and reporting on the NSM and AP implementation, as well as the selected institutions in the implementation of measures under their responsibility. Under the overall supervision of the IOM Head of Office and the and direct supervision of the EU4Migration in Albania Project Manager, and in close coordination with the assigned person at MoI the consultant will support MoI in:
a) Translating strategic objectives into concrete costs:
• Analyse the priorities of the National Migration Strategy and translate them into measurable financial actions.
• Prepare detailed cost estimations for each measure or activity foreseen in the action plan.
b) Integrating financial needs into the national budget and MTBP:
• Ensure that migration-related policies and measures are reflected in the budget programs of relevant ministries within the Medium-Term Budget Program (MTBP).
• Assist in drafting budget proposals for the financial support of migration-related activities.
c) Developing medium-term financial planning for migration:
• Prepare a multi-year financing plan for the migration strategy.
• Coordinate with relevant sectors to determine annual and long-term financial commitments.
d) Supporting local-level budgeting (municipalities):
• Provide technical assistance to municipalities dealing with large numbers of returning migrants.
• Support the integration of social and economic reintegration programs for returnees into local budgets.
e) Coordination and harmonization with external financing:
• Work closely with international donors (EU, IOM, UNDP, UNHCR) to align their funding with the national budget structure.
f) Oversight and monitoring of financial implementation:
• Monitor financial implementation of the strategy through monthly/quarterly reports.
• Evaluate the efficiency and alignment of expenditures with the expected outcomes of migration policy.
g) Fiscal impact analysis and long-term cost assessments:
• Prepare analyses on the impact of migration on public finances, including:
o Remittances and their contribution to GDP.
o Costs of public services (healthcare, education, housing).
o Effects of migration on tax revenues (increases or reductions).
h) Preparation of budgetary and strategic financial documents:
• Draft budget memos, cost-benefit analyses, and reports for the Budget Commission and international institutions.
• Provide financial recommendations for migration policies in inter-institutional platforms.
i) Capacity building and training of administration:
• Organize training sessions for financial and technical staff on:
o Results-based budgeting (RBB).
o Gender-responsive budgeting in the context of migration.
o Cost-effectiveness analysis methods.
j. Evaluation of the fiscal sustainability of the strategy:
• Assess whether the migration strategy is financially sustainable in the medium and long term.
• Provide early warnings regarding fiscal risks, funding gaps, or overfinancing.
The consultant will prepare and submit periodical reports that describe activities/deliverables on the referring period, accomplishments as well as issues and concerns impeding the progress in providing the outputs by the last working day of the reporting period.
The engagement of the local consultant will take place for up to 5 (five) working days per week / up to 20 (twenty) working days in total, per month based at MoI. The sign in and sign out timesheet, as well as the periodical reports, will be applied by signature of consultant and verified by the Director of the Directorate of Migration, Asylum, and Anti-Trafficking Policies at the Ministry of Interior.