Republic of Moldova

Background

The project on Strengthening the National Statistical System represents a joint initiative of the Government, UNDP, UNIFEM and UNFPA, coordinated by the National Bureau of Statistics, and aims at improving data collection, dissemination and use of statistical information with particular attention to national needs and overall conformity of official statistics with international standards analysis.
One of the main priorities of the Moldovan national statistical reform is to improve the short term statistics in accordance with EU standards, namely the European Union Council Regulation on short-term indicators no. 1165/1998 (complex action essential for the implementation of EU-Republic of Moldova Action Plan in the field of statistics). Taking into consideration the advanced practices of EU countries, the National Bureau of Statistics of RM plans since 2011 to implement a short-term integrated statistical sample survey.
The survey will cover economic enterprises in operation from the real sector of economy. Integrated survey (conventionally called in Romanian UNICA) will include several questionnaires depending on the main type of activity practiced by the respondent units (trade and services, industry, construction) and several common compartments for all types of activities (e.g. data related to turnover, number of employed personnel, labor remuneration, investments, business consumption and expenditures, stocks of goods and materials, etc.), which at present are spread among 8 statistical surveys.

Scope of work

Under the current ToR, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Moldova, through its Joint Project on Strengthening the National Statistical System, is seeking for a national consultant with relevant experience in accounting, who will provide the necessary analytical and practical support to the National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova in fine-tuning of the questionnaires required for the implementation since 2011 of the integrated statistical survey regarding the activity of enterprises in Moldova.
The specific objective of the assignment is to expertise the statistical toolkit (integrated questionnaire with its sub-modules and the related instructions on filling) developed by the NBS and, on the basis of their testing in the field, harmonise the statistical indicators resulted from the survey with the requirements of the National Accounting Standards and particularities of the national accounting system, thus facilitating the incorporation questionnaires into the standard accounting software applications used in Moldova.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities

• Get acquainted with the results of previous activities undertaken by the National Bureau of Statistics in the concerned area (mission reports of the Romanian experts, other), as well as other resources on short-term enterprises statistics (international standards and best practices, national legal, financial acts and regulations, etc.);
• Analyze statistical toolkit of UNICA survey on enterprises (statistical questionnaires and related guidelines developed by NBS so far – Annexes 2-5 to ToR) in the context of their correspondence with National Accounting Standards and particularities of the national accounting system;
• On the basis of the analysed materials, define the working methodology, own vision on the accomplishment of the assignment, draft an action plan, discuss and endorse all these with NBS & Project;
• On the basis of the discussions with representatives of NBS, adjust the questionnaires and related instructions;
• Carry out the testing of the questionnaires through their filling in by at least 10 enterprises of different size (5 big enterprises, 3 medium size and 2 small size) and from different sectors of national economy;
• Collect, analyse the testing results and discuss them with the interested NBS’s staff;
• Adjust correspondingly the statistical toolkit with the required changes;
• Participate at the round-table organised by NBS with the participation of statistical respondents (providers of statistical data related to the integrated survey) and users of statistical information to be produced on the basis of the short-term statistical survey on enterprises;
• Develop practical recommendations and detailed explanations for questionnaires’ filling in on the basis of examples/study cases and their publishing in professional magazines for the use of statistical respondents and their accountants;
• Develop the final report on accomplished assignment.

Qualifications and skills required

Education:

• Advanced degree in accounting, economics, statistics, and/or areas relevant for the assignment;
• Other formal education relevant for the assignment;

Experience:

• At least 5 years working experience in accounting, including proved experience of bookkeeping for self-financing enterprises in any economy sector;
• Previous experience and participation at development of the national accounting standards (would be an advantage);
• Proven records on development of methodological recommendations, publications, articles in the field of accounting;
• Experience in working with international organizations and UN agencies in particular;

Competencies and Skills:

• Thorough knowledge of bookkeeping in self-financing enterprises;
• Good knowledge, proved by appropriate experience, of peculiarities of maintenance of records on business transactions in industrial, construction, commercial, service enterprises;
• Familiarity with the legal framework pertinent to the national accounting system;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Familiarity with UN’s mandate;
• Excellent communications skills in oral and written Romanian;
• Good knowledge of Russian and English will be an asset;

Personal Qualities and other requirements:

• Good interpersonal skills, solid judgment/decision making, initiative and creativity;
• Availability to work with UNDP and NBS during the indicated/approved period;
• Cultural and gender sensitivity.

Terms of Reference and Annex 1, Annex 2, Annex 3, Annex 4, Annex 5

Submission of proposals

Interested persons should submit their applications, consisting of:

• a duly completed Personal History Form (P11), specifying experience and competence request in the ToR;
• Technical Proposal (Short vision on achievement of tasks and methodology for carrying over the assignment, summary work plan – maximum 2 pages);

with the mark: “National Consultant in accounting standards/UN Joint Project on Statistics” by the 06 September 2010, 10:00 (local time) to the following address: UNDP Office, 131, 31 August 1989 Street, MD-2012, Chisinau, Moldova, alternatively by email to vacancies-moldova@undp.org.
Only those short listed will be contacted.