Team Leader, Albania

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**Job Description**
CDM Smith is seeking a proposed Team Leader for a major upcoming solid waste management consultancy in Albania. Join us to shape the future of sustainability, drive meaningful change, and lead a dynamic team on a transformative five-year initiative.


The Solid Waste Management Programme DKTI is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Development Bank, with additional grant support from SECO and contributions from the Republic of Albania. The Programme aims to establish environmentally sound, climate‑friendly, and sustainable municipal and regional solid waste management systems in selected waste management zones in Albania, in line with EU Directives and international good practice.


Under this Programme, the Accompanying Measures Consultant (AMC) supports the National Agency for Waste Economy (AKEM), acting as Project Executing Agency, and selected municipalities through institutional strengthening, organisational development, financial management support, capacity building, training, public communication, environmental and social management, and integrity management. The AMC works in close coordination with the Implementation Consultant and other donor‑funded initiatives to ensure AKEM’s readiness for the long‑term operation and maintenance of new solid waste management infrastructure. The duration of the assignment is 54 months, should CDM Smith be successful in our pursuit.


Position Overview


The Team Leader / International Organisational Development and Management Expert serves as the overall head of the Accompanying Measures Consultant team and is responsible for the strategic, technical, and managerial leadership of the assignment. The Team Leader ensures effective coordination, implementation, quality assurance, and communication of all AMC activities in close cooperation with AKEM, KfW, municipalities in the waste zones, and other relevant stakeholders.


The Team Leader is expected to be continuously present on site in Albania and is accountable for the successful delivery of all services, reports, and outputs defined in the Terms of Reference


**Key Responsibilities**

- Provide overall leadership, coordination, and quality assurance for the Accompanying Measures assignment, serving as the primary interface with AKEM, KfW, municipalities, the Implementation Consultant, and other stakeholders.
- Lead institutional strengthening and organisational development of AKEM, including assessment and improvement of management structures, business processes, standard operating procedures, monitoring systems, and establishment of regional waste management branches.
- Oversee strategic planning, business planning, and capacitybuilding activities to ensure AKEM’s readiness for sustainable operation and maintenance of solid waste management infrastructure.
- Direct the preparation and implementation of training programmes for AKEM and selected municipalities covering management, project management, financial management, procurement, EUcompliant solid waste management, and operational readiness.
- Ensure coherent integration of financial, operational, and institutional reforms, including support to tariff systems, costrecovery mechanisms, asset management, and operational efficiency.
- Provide strategic oversight of public communication, awarenessraising, stakeholder engagement, and visibility activities in line with donor requirements.
- Ensure compliance with environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) requirements and oversee integrity management support activities in coordination with specialised experts.
- Lead and manage international and national experts, ensure effective staffing across waste zones, and guarantee timely delivery and quality of all reports and contractual deliverables.

**Minimum Qualifications**

- Master’s degree in management, economics, social sciences, or related disciplines (engineering background acceptable with relevant postgraduate qualifications or equivalent experience).
- Minimum 15 years of professional experience in organisational development, management, and institutional strengthening, preferably in the solid waste management sector.
- At least 10 years of experience as Team Leader on projects of similar complexity and scale in transitional or developing countries.
- Profound experience with organizational strategy development and business planning
- Experience managing large-scale multidisciplinary projects, ideally within the SWM sector and on similar projects.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and intercultural skills.
- Fluency in English (written and spoken); knowledge of Albanian or regional languages is an asset.
- Experience with donor-funded infrastructure projects (e.g. KfW, EIB, World Bank, EU) in the Balkans, experience with KfW is an asset.
- Willingness to relocate to Tirana, Albania for the duration of the assignment (54 months).

**Preferred Qualifications**

- Previous project experience working in Albania
- Experience with communication and visibility measures, and preferably also integrity management would be an asset
- Certification in project management (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2) is a plus.

**Amount Of Travel Required**
10%


**Background Check and Drug Testing Information**
CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.


**Agency Disclaimer**
All vendors must have a signed CDM Smith Placement Agreement from the CDM Smith Recruitment Center Manager to receive payment for your placement. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of the CDM Smith staff will not be considered binding terms. All unsolicited resumes sent to CDM Smith and any resume submitted to any employee outside of CDM Smith Recruiting Center Team (RCT) will be considered property of CDM Smith. CDM Smith will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.


**Business Unit**
ISU


**Group**
IDG


**Assignment Category**
Fulltime-Regular


**Employment Type**
Local