Stellenbeschreibungph3Senior International Non-Permanent Expert to produce a threat and risk assessment (TRA) on environmental crime in Albania /h3 pbEUROPEAN UNION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ALBANIA – phase2 TERMS OF REFERENCE /b /p pbContribution Agreement Contract no. IPA2025/ Contract number 2026/0017 EU4 Law Enforcement-CIVIPOL /b /p h31. GENERAL BACKGROUND /h3 pAlbania has demonstrated strong political commitment to the EU accession process, including the submission of three key roadmaps outlining reform priorities. Notably, the Rule of Law roadmap targets justice reform, anti‑corruption, fundamental rights, organized crime, and related issues. In October 2024, Albania began negotiations on Cluster 1, which covers Chapters 23 and 24 (Judiciary and fundamental rights; Justice, freedom, and security). Interim benchmarks have been agreed upon, and Albania is also actively implementing the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, focusing on market integration, economic reforms, and enhanced financial support. The EU’s 2024 Rule of Law Report further underscores Albania’s progress in aligning with EU standards. /p pWithin this context, Phase 2 of the EU4 Law Enforcement Project is designed to support Albania’s efforts to strengthen its rule of law institutions and advance alignment with EU standards, particularly in relation to Chapters 23 and 24. Co‑financed by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the project aims to reinforce the capacities of key Albanian institutions, including the Ministry of Interior, the General Prosecution Office, the Albanian State Police, the Special Prosecution Office, and others, in their fight against organized crime and corruption. The project pursues three main outcomes: /p p(3) strengthened ICT infrastructure and operational tools necessary to counter serious and organized crime effectively. /p pAlbania faces a growing challenge in addressing environmental crime, including illegal logging, hazardous waste trafficking, illegal extraction of natural resources, water and air pollution, wildlife crime, and off‑ences affecting protected and coastal areas. These criminal activities generate significant environmental, economic, and social harm and are increasingly linked to organized crime and corruption. /p pPreviously, a dedicated mission on environmental crime identified some structural and operational challenges affecting the Albanian authorities’ capacity to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute environmental offences. These challenges include fragmented institutional responsibilities, insufficient inter‑agency coordination, limited analytical capabilities, uneven operational capacities across regions, and the absence of a comprehensive strategic assessment of environmental crime threats and risks. /p pOne of the key recommendations emerging from that mission was the development of a national Threat and Risk Assessment (TRA) on environmental crime. Such an assessment would provide Albanian institutions with an evidence‑based tool to identify environmental crime trends, vulnerabilities, regional hotspots, and enforcement priorities, while supporting the future development of a national strategic framework in line with European standards and the requirements of Directive (EU) 2024/1203 on the protection of the environment through criminal law. /p pIn response to this recommendation, EU4 Law Enforcement under activity 1.2.3.2 of the project Action Plan will deploy Senior Non‑Permanent Experts (NPE) with specialized expertise in environmental crime and protection and threat assessment methodologies to support the preparation of a comprehensive TRA on environmental crime in Albania. The assignment will provide Albanian authorities with a structured and evidence‑based analysis of environmental crime threats, associated risks, criminal actors, and enabling factors affecting the country. Furthermore, the assessment will serve as a baseline document for the development of a national strategy including future policies, operational priorities, and capacity‑building measures, while facilitating Albania’s alignment with EU standards and obligations under EU Directives. /p h3Objective of the Assignment /h3 pGlobal objective /p pTo strengthen Albania’s strategic and operational capacity to prevent and combat environmental crime through the development of a comprehensive Threat and Risk Assessment (TRA) that supports evidence‑based decision‑making, intelligence‑led enforcement, and enhanced inter‑institutional cooperation. /p h3Specific Objectives /h3 ul liAssess the main environmental crime threats affecting Albania and their links to organized crime and corruption. /li liIdentify regional vulnerabilities, emerging risks, operational gaps, and institutional weaknesses in the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of environmental crime. /li liMap environmental crime hotspots and prioritise threats according to likelihood, impact, and institutional readiness. /li liProvide strategic recommendations for strengthening inter‑agency cooperation, operational responses, prevention mechanisms, and policy development. /li liProduce a comprehensive Threat and Risk Assessment (TRA) that may support the future development of a National Strategy on Environmental Crime aligned with EU standards and Directive (EU) 2024/1203. /li /ul h3Tasks and Responsibilities /h3 pThe Senior International NPE will work under the supervision of the Permanent Expert on Evolutionary Forms of Organized Crime and Forensics and shall perform the following tasks: /p ul liReview previous assessments, reports, statistical data, operational information, and relevant EU legislation and best practices. ul liDevelop a methodology and analytical framework for the Threat and Risk Assessment. /li liConduct consultations, interviews and working meetings with representatives of law enforcement agencies, prosecution offices, environmental authorities, inspectorates, civil society organisations, academia and other relevant stakeholders. /li liAnalyse environmental crime trends, modus operandi and cross‑border aspects, criminal actors, geographical hotspots, vulnerabilities and institutional capacities. /li liAssess the effectiveness of existing prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution mechanisms. /li liIdentify priority threats and risks through a structured risk‑ranking methodology. /li liProduce a final Threat and Risk Assessment report, including conclusions, recommendations and proposed follow‑up actions. /li liProvide technical advice to support the use of the assessment as a basis for future strategic planning and policy development. /li /ul /li liOutputs and Deliverables ul liInception note and proposed methodology for the Threat and Risk Assessment. /li liStakeholder consultation plan and interview framework with relevant institutions and stakeholders. /li liDraft Threat and Risk Assessment (TRA) on environmental crime in Albania. /li liFinal Threat and Risk Assessment Report, including: ul liThreat analysis; /li liRisk assessment and prioritisation matrix; /li liIdentification of regional hotspots; /li liAssessment of institutional vulnerabilities and operational gaps; /li liStrategic and operational recommendations; /li liProposed follow‑up actions and priority areas for intervention. /li /ul /li liFinal Mission Report summarising activities undertaken, findings, recommendations and support provided. /li /ul /li /ul h3Methodology /h3 pThe assignment will follow a participatory and intelligence‑led assessment methodology combining desk research, stakeholder consultations, field assessments and risk analysis techniques. /p ul liReview relevant legislation, policies, strategic documents, operational reports and available statistical data. ul liConduct structured meetings and consultations with law enforcement, prosecution services, environmental authorities, inspectorates, local authorities, NGOs and other relevant actors. /li liApply threat and risk assessment methodologies commonly used within EU Member States and European law enforcement agencies. /li liIdentify environmental crime trends, vulnerabilities, risks and regional variations. /li /ul /li liValidate findings through stakeholder consultations and expert judgment. /li /ul pThe methodology will ensure compliance with relevant EU standards and best practices related to environmental crime assessment and strategic planning. /p h3Final Results Expected /h3 pShort‑term results: /p ul liImproved understanding among beneficiary institutions of environmental crime trends, vulnerabilities and operational challenges. /li liEnhanced dialogue and cooperation among institutions involved in combating environmental crime. /li /ul pMedium‑term results: /p ul liImproved inter‑institutional coordination mechanisms among law enforcement, prosecution and environmental authorities. /li liContribution to the development of a National Strategy on Environmental Crime aligned with EU standards and Directive (EU) 2024/1203. /li liImproved participation of Albanian institutions in relevant European environmental crime and law enforcement networks. /li liMore effective prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of environmental crime linked to organized crime and corruption. /li /ul h3Expert Profile /h3 h3Required qualifications and expertise /h3 ul liUniversity degree in Law, Criminology, Environmental Sciences, Security Studies, Public Administration or a related field. ul liMinimum 10 years of professional experience in law enforcement, prosecution, environmental crime investigations, environmental protection, criminal intelligence, threat assessment or related fields. /li liProven experience in conducting threat assessments, risk assessments, strategic analyses or security assessments. /li liDemonstrated knowledge of environmental crime typologies, EU environmental legislation and international best practices. /li liExperience in supporting law enforcement agencies, prosecution services or public institutions in strategic planning and institutional capacity development. /li /ul /li liAbility to work independently in a multicultural and multi‑agency environment. /li /ul h3Preferred Profile /h3 pThe ideal candidate should be a senior law enforcement officer active or retired, environmental crime investigator, criminal intelligence analyst, environmental compliance expert, or possess an equivalent professional background. Previous experience in EU‑funded projects and technical assistance missions is highly desirable, particularly within the Western Balkans region or other EU accession countries. The expert should demonstrate proven experience in developing national threat and risk assessments, SOCTA‑type assessments, environmental crime strategies, or related policy and strategic frameworks. Familiarity with Directive (EU) 2024/1203 on the protection of the environment through criminal law, as well as broader EU environmental crime policies and cooperation mechanisms, will be considered a strong asset. /p h3Working Days and Location /h3 pbStarting date: /b 7 September to 2 October 2026 (14 to 25 September on‑site). bDuration: /b 20 working days to be performed (10 on‑site and 10 home‑based). bLocation: /b Tirana, Albania (on‑site) and home‑based (remote work). /p pThe allocation of days may be adjusted internally based on project needs, subject to prior approval from the EU4 Law Enforcement Project Coordinator. However, the total duration of the assignment will remain unchanged. /p h3Proposed Work Plan /h3 pDue to the evolving needs of the EU4 Law Enforcement Project and its beneficiaries, and to this specific assignment, the proposed work plan may be adjusted or internally re‑allocated, subject to the approval of the EU4 Law Enforcement Project Coordinator. However, the overall scope of activities and the total number of working days for the assignment will remain unchanged. /p h3Reporting /h3 pThe Senior International NPE shall submit a brief work plan for feedback and informal clearance prior to the mission. The Senior International NPE shall submit no later than two weeks the full mission report and eventual recommendations after the mission’s conclusion. All deliverables will be submitted first to the Permanent Expert on Evolutionary Forms of OC and Forensics for review and technical endorsement and then forwarded to the Project Coordinator for final approval. /p h3Contact /h3 pbMr. Thierry Vignes /b, EU4 Law Enforcement Permanent Expert on Evolutionary Forms of OC and Forensics /p /p #J-18808-Ljbffr
