Republic of Moldova

National Consultant on the development of the Road Map and Action Plan for establishing the Training Centre for Boiler Operators

Vacancy Number: Pr16/01191

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	14 Feb 2016, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	29 Feb 2016
Reference to the project:	Moldova Energy and Biomass Project
Expected Duration of Assignment:	February - April 2016
Submission Instructions: Proposals should be submitted online by pressing the "Apply Online" button no later than 14 February 2016. Requests for clarification only must be sent by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail: mihail.maciuca@undp.org. UNDP will respond by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all applicants.
Supporting Documents: Terms of Reference Individual Consultant Procurement Notice Personal History Form (P11) UNDP General Conditions of Individual Contract

Background

The first phase (2011-2014) of the Moldova Energy and Biomass Project (MEBP) with a budget of 14.56 million EUR project, funded by the European Union and UNDP and implemented by UNDP, succeeded to contribute to a more secure, competitive and sustainable energy production in the Republic of Moldova through targeted support to the most viable and readily available local source of renewable energy, which is biomass from agricultural wastes.

In 2015 the project entered its second phase in the framework of the Eastern Partnership Integration and Cooperation (EaPIC) programme, based on its continued high relevance and the clearly identified need to further support the consolidation of the emerging biomass market in the country. The extension timeframe spans until the end of 2017 with additional EU-funding of 9.46million EUR.

The main objective of the project extension is to scale up the successful activities and extend them to so far not covered or underrepresented regions, specifically Transnistria, Gagauzia and Taraclia, and to support the further consolidation of the Biomass market.

In view of consolidated efforts to support the emerging solid biomass and green technologies markets, the corresponding labour force sector has to be engaged. In this context, a series of partners and stakeholders have voiced the need to further assess the possibilities for establishing a Training Centre for Operators in the biomass-based boiler rooms. The absence of systematic, centralized and institutionalized educational programme for operators hinders the well-functioning of the biomass-based heating systems poses serious obstacles for managers of public institutions administrating the solid biomass heating systems. Moreover, systemic problems such high turnover of operators and required retraining, poor motivation of boiler operators due to low remuneration lead to inadequate operation of boiler plants. These set of problems requires a long-term intervention that would answer the knowledge needs of operators and would change the current modus operandi status.

In order to better shape MEBP’s plans to support the labour force involved in the consolidation of the solid biomass market in Moldova in a way that complements the current efforts of the Energy Efficiency Agency and its development partners, MEBP seeks to contract a local consultant to conduct a skills needs assessment together with a targeted assessment of the knowledge gaps and needs of the operators in the biomass-based boiler rooms. Based on this assessment, the MEBP’s intervention in the sector will be further specified. All efforts to be undertaken by MEBP in this respect will be performed in close coordination with and under the overall guidance of the Energy Efficiency Agency and will be aligned to the on-going efforts to capacitate the solid biomass market.

Scope of work

The main objective of the assignment is to support MEBP in its efforts to identify the most appropriate strategy for establishing a Training Centre for operators in the biomass-based boiler rooms, with regards to the skills, knowledge and abilities required for the operating different biomass boilers. The consultant will, among others, identify the type of the institution that can host the Training Centre, the number of educational hours needed, the frequency of the trainings, the synergies with the national educational system and not less important aspects related to remuneration, contracts and professional degree as specified by the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Protection. Based on the findings and feedback from stakeholders, the consultant will develop a roadmap and an action plan detailing MEBPs intervention and the detailed activities to be undertaken in order to establish the Training Centre.

For detailed information, please refer to Annex 1 – Terms of Reference.

Requirements for experience

1. Academic Qualifications:

• University degree in Education Management, Social Sciences, Environmental science or other related fields. An advanced degree would constitute an advantage;

2. Years of experience:

• At least 5 years of previous experience in consultancy in the area of capacity development, inter-sectorial research and designing interventions and experience in adult education sector;

3. Competencies:

• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of adult education principles;
• Familiarity with local educational system;
• Good understanding of the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector in Moldova would constitute an advantage;
• Excellent analytical, writing, drafting, planning and budgeting skills;
• Strong interpersonal communication skills at all levels;
• Ability to achieve results and deadlines in a timely manner, maintaining a high standard throughout;
• Excellent proficiency in Romanian and Russian. Knowledge of written and spoken English is an advantage;
• Proven commitment to the core values of the United Nations, in particular, respecting differences of culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, language, age, HIV status, disability, and sexual orientation, or other status.

Documents to be included

1. Proposal:

• Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
• Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work;

2. Financial proposal;

3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.

Financial proposal

Lump sum contracts

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel and number of anticipated working days).

Travel

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. In-country transportation shall be provided by UNDP.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

 

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