Republic of Moldova

Independent consultant to evaluate 2016 MICS projects for innovation and tech transfer in fresh fruits

Vacancy Number: Pr16/01412

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	07 Oct 2016, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	13 Oct 2016
Reference to the project:	Innovative Business for Local Development
Expected Duration of Assignment:	10 working days
Submission Instructions: Proposals should be submitted by by pressing the "Apply Now" button no later than October 07, 2016. Requests for clarification only must be sent by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail: dumitru.vasilescu@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

Contacts:

Mr. Dumitru Vasilescu.

Background

UNDP Moldova, with support of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, is implementing the Innovative Business Development for Sustainably Economic Growth project that aims to spur innovation into SMEs at national level through transfer of knowledge, technology and innovative solutions for increased competitiveness of business sector. As part of such project, support in technological transfer is provided to SMEs in the fresh fruits sector as well, one of the most dynamic HVA sectors with an important impact on human development. In doing so, the Project is implementing the Moldova Innovation Challenge Scheme (MICS).

Main objectives of the MICS are:

• to stimulate development of innovations within Moldovan SMEs, local business associations, potential entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and expansion motivation, business incubators’ graduates, by providing financial awards for market-oriented new or improved products, services and technologies with high commercialization potential;
• to pilot and evaluate an innovation support mechanism as an exercise of interventions stipulated in the National Strategy on Innovations (2013 – 2020), providing the basis for scaling-up at Government level, and thereby providing insights, lessons learned and best practices for future governmental innovation-support programs.

The preferred projects applying to the MICS are the innovation projects encompassing development and other pre-commercial activities implemented by established Moldovan SME’s.  The supported projects are in phase of innovation development and are based on a comprehensive business plan, addressing the specific identified challenges and demonstrating high potential in terms of access to market and company competitiveness and growth. The projects should already have previously developed an innovative concept or prototype which demonstrates a clear technological and economic viability. The innovative concept should represent considerable novelty to the national or global market: e.g. new products, processes, services or market application.

Scope of work

The international consultant will provide independent evaluation of the applications under 2016 MICS for technological transfer and innovation in the fresh fruits sector – EoI 01322. The methodology to be followed by the consultant is described in details under the MICS manual. The consultant will evaluate both the Concept Applications received by the set deadline on www.inobiz.md and the Full applications, against the set criteria.

Requirements for experience

Academic Qualification

• University degree in Economics, Agriculture, Social Science or other relevant fields;

Experience

• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in the fresh fruit production, processing and exports sector and proven knowledge and experience in technological transfer and innovation in the agricultural sector, specifically in fruits production and processing field.
• At least 2 years of experience in technological mentorship, monitoring and evaluation of similar innovative projects developed by SMEs

Competencies

• Strong analytical, drafting and training skills.
• Knowledge of technologic transfer principles/ requirements, actual trends and innovative technological solutions typical for fruits production and processing sector;
• Ability to analyze, plan, communicate effectively with stakeholders and present ideas clearly and effectively;
• Demonstrated interpersonal and diplomatic skills.
• Ability to enter new environments, adapt quickly and produce immediate results.
• Computer literacy - competent user of the main Microsoft Office programs.

• 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.

Language requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken Romanian or Russian. Knowledge of English would be an asset.

UNDP Moldova is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the Republic of Moldova, are equally encouraged to apply.

Documents to be included

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Proposal: explaining why they are the most suitable for this position;
2. Financial proposal: in (USD, specifying a total lump sum amount and the number of anticipated working days if other than foreseen).
3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and the contact details of at least 3 reference persons.

Financial proposal

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 shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including fee, taxes, travel, per diems, 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 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.

 

Disclaimer In case of discrepancies between the text published on the website and the contents of the supporting documents, the provisions, instructions and conditions included in the supporting documents (published as Adobe Portable Document Format files) shall prevail. In case of discrepancies between the English version and the Romanian and/or Russian versions of text, documents or other content published on this webpage, the English version shall prevail.

Notice UNDP, as a matter of practice, does not charge any application, processing or training fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions as to vacancy announcements you may have received, please refer to this website. UNDP is currently aware of fictitious vacancy announcements that are being circulated through the internet, the purpose of which is to get people to register for a training and send in a fee. If you believe that you have received such a notice, please forward it, and any other related information you have received, to scamalert@undp.org. Since logos, emblems, names and addresses can be easily copied or reproduced, you are advised to take particular care in applying for vacancies, including undertaking all appropriate measures to protect against the unauthorised use of any personal information you may have provided as a result of the scam.