Overview
IOM is seeking a Local Economist Consultant to assess the economic and financial viability of a Diaspora Investment Mechanism (DIM) in Albania, focusing on local market conditions, investment opportunities, and constraints.
Key Responsibilities
- - Assess local absorption capacity in Northern Albania, including SME readiness and demand for diaspora investment.
- - Identify sectoral investment opportunities and economic development pipelines.
- - Analyse economic barriers affecting diaspora investment.
- - Contribute to the DIM business model, sustainability plan, financial structure, and performance framework.
- - Support stakeholder consultations through interviews and focus group discussions.
- - Contribute to the development of key performance indicators for economic impact and investment performance.
Required Experience
- At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in economic analysis, financial analysis, investment advisory, local economic development, SME support, or related analytical and advisory work.
- Demonstrated experience in assessing market conditions, identifying investment opportunities and constraints, and translating findings into business models, financial logic, or strategic recommendations.
- Experience conducting local economic or market assessments, including engagement with micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and other local economic actors.
- Proven qualitative research skills, including experience conducting semi-structured interviews and facilitating focus group discussions, as well as developing discussion guides, probing, and documenting findings accurately.
- Demonstrated familiarity with the Albanian economic context, particularly local development dynamics, investment barriers, and opportunities relevant to Northern Albania, is strongly preferred.
- Experience contributing to results frameworks, KPI development, impact measurement, or sustainability planning for investment or development initiatives is an advantage.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, business administration, development studies, or a related field from an accredited academic institution.
