Albania Seeks AI Integration and Change Management Consultant for GovTech Program

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (CONSULTANCY SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION) Improving Equitable Access to High Standard Public Services through GovTech and Improvement of the Delivery of Centralized and Inclusive User Services For “AI INTEGRATION, CHANGE MANAGEMENT & LIFE EVENTS TRANSFORMATION MANAGER” REF. No: AL-AKSHI-522400-CS-INDV ALBANIA Project: Improvement of the Delivery of Centralized and Inclusive User Services (GovTech AF) Job title: AI Integration, Change Management & Life Events Transformation Manager. REF. No: AL-AKSHI-522400-CS-INDV The Government of Albania (GoA) has embarked on an ambitious digital transformation and governance reform program, implemented through the GovTech Program, which is financed by two loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD):

• Parent Program Loan (Loan No. 9483-AL, approved in March 2023): Improving Equitable Access to High Standard Public Services through GovTech (P177845), in the amount of EUR 60 million (US$65 million equivalent).
• Additional Financing Loan (approved in February 2025): User-Centred and Inclusive Service Delivery – Additional Financing (P177845, AF Seq.1), in the amount of EUR 75 million (US$80 million equivalent), with an additional US$5 million IPF component dedicated to targeted technical assistance, institutional strengthening, and reform implementation support.

Together, these operations form a Program-for-Results (PforR) with a complementary Investment Project Financing (IPF) component. The Program Development Objective (PDO) is: to increase equitable access to, and the quality of, selected digital services. The Program is structured around four Results Areas (RAs):

• RA1: Enhancing e-Service Quality and User Experience.
• RA2: Improving Digital Skills and Digital Inclusion (including the establishment of SmartLabs in schools).
• RA3: Strengthening Priority GovTech Enablers (interoperability, AFMIS, data governance, procurement systems).
• RA4: Increasing Access to, Quality of, and Efficiency of Selected Local Administrative Services.

The overall objective of this assignment is to ensure that the GovTech Program’s reforms are successfully adopted, institutionalized, and sustained by all implementing institutions, central and local governments, and end-users. While the Program introduces new systems, platforms, and processes, its long-term success depends on effective change management, including how public servants adapt to new roles, how citizens trust and use digital services, and how institutions sustain reforms beyond the Program’s lifecycle. The assignment responds directly to several strategic priorities of the GoA and its international partners:

• Digital Agenda 2022–2026, which emphasizes user-centric service delivery and cultural transformation in public institutions.
• NSDEI 2022–2030, which integrates digital transformation and EU accession priorities.
• EU acquis obligations under Chapters 5 (Public Procurement), 22 (Public Financial Management), and 32 (Financial Control), which require strong institutional capacity and change management in parallel with technical reforms.
• Commitments to climate mainstreaming, ensuring that reforms support energy efficiency, green budgeting, and climate adaptation at both central and local levels.

The scope of services includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Strategy implementation and integration
• Support to the Coordination Unit (CU)
• Stakeholder engagement and communication
• Institutional and workforce capacity building
• Monitoring, learning, and continuous improvement
• Sustainability and institutionalization

The detailed scope of work can be found in the Terms of Reference (ToR) on the AKSHI website: https://akshi.gov.al/. CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced academic degree in public administration, Law, Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree is an advantage. Professional qualifications in project and program management are a distinct advantage.
• At least 7 years of work experience in managing or coordinating projects in public administration with multiple parallel workstreams in the public and/or private sector in Albania. Familiarity in managing and/or supporting, technically or operationally, digitalization projects in the public sector is a strong advantage.
• Previous experience in working with local government units in Albania is a strong advantage.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, training, and capacity building in the public administration context.
• Experience in innovation and/or AI transformation processes.
• Previous experience with World Bank projects or other international organizations will be an advantage.
• Strong leadership, management, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with government stakeholders, municipal leaders, and technical teams.
• Good communication and social skills.
• Computer skills (Word, Excel, Access);
• Proficiency in Albanian and English (both spoken and written)

Applicants that fulfill the qualification requirements will be further evaluated based on the below criteria:

• General Qualification – 30 points
• Adequacy for the assignment – 60 points
• Language – 10 points

The service will be selected under the provisions of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for Borrowers under Investment Project Financing” dated July 1, 2016, revised on November 2017, August 2018, November 2020 based on the method of Selection of Individual Consultants, Time-based contract. Further information can be obtained from the address below during business hours from 08:00 to 16:30, Monday to Thursday and from 08:00 to 14:00 on Fridays. Expressions of interest (CV, cover letter and documentary evidence of obtained qualifications) must be submitted in writing to the address below in person, by post or by e-mail at aplikime.govtech@akshi.gov.al within February 28, 2026. National Agency of Information Society Council of Ministers St. “Papa Gjon Pali2”, Tirana, Albania Agency: National Agency of Information Society Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection Notice type: Request for Expression of Interest Status: Published Value: 34555.0 USD