Consultant to enhance the parliamentary research services within the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova

Vacancy Number: Pr16/01456

Location:Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline: 12 Dec 2016, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:Individual Contract
Starting date: 16 Jan 2017
Reference to the project: Programme for Improving the Quality of Moldovan Democracy through Parliamentary Support
Expected Duration of Assignment:January – June 2017 (up to 35 working days)
Submission Instructions:

Proposals should be submitted online by pressing the "Apply Now" button no later than 12 December 2016

Requests for clarification only must be sent by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail: victoria.muntean@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:

Ms. Elena Birau.


Ms. Victoria Muntean.

victoria.muntean@undp.org


Background

The goal of the “Strengthening Parliamentary Governance in Moldova” Project, further on referred to as the SPGM project, is designed to address the main needs of the Parliament of Moldova in the areas of legislation making, oversight and representation during the on-going process of domestic reform spurred by closer relations with the EU. The project is also assisting in making the Parliament’s legislative activity more open, transparent and participatory through establishing tools and mechanisms for the engagement with the Civil Society, professional associations and general public. Project interventions will offer and encourage equal opportunity for male and female participation.

According to the IPU Guidelines for parliamentary research services, authoritative and reliable information sources are important factors to the efficient work of parliamentarians in developing, assessing and voting legislation and subsequently ensuring an effective parliamentary oversight. Secure access to authoritative and concise material that presents synthesis and analysis of the relevant is necessary for MPs to intervene effectively on public policy issues addressed by a parliament.

In line with the findings of the Functional and Institutional Analysis of the Secretariat of the Parliament of Moldova secretariat functions related to the research needs of the MPs need to be further enhanced to allow better research service for the parliamentarians. Currently the in-depth research work essential for an effective parliamentary oversight is neither covered by the Information-Analytical Department nor by the Committee staff and often there is need for more in-depth research work.

In line with the Regulation on the organizing and functioning of the Parliament Secretariat, the research and analyses assistance to the activity of the Parliament and Parliament’s Secretariat is ensured by the Information-analytical Department, by means of providing, informative, analytical and synthesis studies necessary for the parliamentary work. The Department drafts analysis when requested, by individual MPs and Committees. The Department compiles information materials, depending on the topics addressed in the parliament's agenda. Sources of its information are other studies in particular of the European Centre for Parliamentary Research and Documentation (ECPRD), mass-media, internet, etc. However, interviews carried out in the context of the Functional and Institutional Analysis indicated a number of challenges to achieve the vision of a fully functioning Research Department.

In order to support the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova consolidate its parliamentary research service and develop the technical capacities to provide timely and objective analyses, the SPGM project is seeking to hire a consultant to enhance the parliamentary research and analyses services within the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.

Scope of work

The consultant is expected to conduct a feasibility study on institutional arrangements related to expanding the existing parliamentary research and analyses services within the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, assess the existing mechanisms related to parliamentary study and research, as well as the in-house informational resources and suggest better mechanisms aimed at strengthening the above noted services.

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

Requirements for experience

Academic Qualifications:

  • Master degree or equivalent (5 year university degree) in political sciences, public administration, law, social sciences or other related fields.

Years of experience:

  • A minimum of 5 years of relevant working experience in conducting feasibility studies and business planning, sustainable analysis, research and assessment related to area of democratic governance and rule of law;
  • Previous work experience in developing business plans, feasibility studies, producing audit/analytical reports and conducting surveys/market researches would be an asset;
  • Experience in setting up effective parliamentary research services is a strong advantage;
  • Experience in working with government institutions, international organizations (successful experience in working with UN agencies is an asset);
  • Previous work experience in former CIS countries will be an asset.

Competencies:

  • Good knowledge and understanding of parliamentary processes, including experience in the field of law-making processes, legal analysis and research and functions of the parliament;
  • Excellent drafting and analytical skills;
  • Demonstrates strong understanding of parliamentary practices and procedures, as well as international best practices and standards;
  • Extensive knowledge and experience with public consultation tools and process;
  • Proficiency in English. Knowledge of Romanian and/or Russian is considered 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

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

  1. Brief methodology to describe the implementation of the assignment (maximum 5 pages)
  2. Proposal: explaining why they are the most suitable for the work including past experience in similar Projects (please provide brief information on each of the above qualifications, item by item);
  3. Financial proposal (LUMP SUM) in USD, specifying in a total requested amount per day, number of days needed to complete the assignment, including all related costs, travel, phone calls etc. );
  4. Duly completed P 11 form, personal CV and at least 3 references.

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 will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including 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 case of unforeseeable travel for the business purpose, 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.

If required, the consultant will have to undertake two Missions to Moldova (tentatively) in the period between January and June 2017:

  • First half of February 2017
  • First half of April 2017


 

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