Republic of Moldova

National Expert in Refigeration and Air Conditioning

Vacancy Number: Pr18/01699

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	13 Apr 2018, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	23 Apr 2018
Reference to the project:	Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Phase-out Management Plan - Stage 2
Expected Duration of Assignment:	April - November 2018
Submission Instructions: Period of assignment/services:  April – November 2018, estimated workload up to 50 working days Application instructions: Proposals should be submitted online by pressing the "Apply on-line" button no later than 10 April 2018. Requests for clarification only must be sent by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail: ozonmd@mail.ru.  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 Offeror's Letter confirming Interest and Availability Personal History Form (P11) UNDP General Conditions of Individual Contract

Background

The Republic of Moldova is a Party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (Vienna, March 22, 1985) and Montreal Protocol (MP) on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Montreal, September 16, 1987) since 1996. In this line, the country has committed to gradual phase-out of ozone depleting substances (ODS) such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) mostly because of their high Global Warming Potential (GWP) and the significant climate benefits this would generate.  Linked to the schedule for HCFCs phase-out (and the concern about HFCs), is the need for continued development of alternative substances and low or zero GWP energy efficient technologies that would minimize environmental impacts, in particular impacts on climate, as well as meeting other health, safety and economic considerations.

On 27 June 2014, the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Moldova signed the Association Agreement (AA), which is applied since 1 September 2014. The Parliament of Moldova ratified the AA on 2 July 2016. Article 95 from the AA specifically refers to the cooperation between the two Parties in the area of climate change and ozone layer protection. At present Moldova is working to fulfill its obligations under the AA and to converge further its legislation towards the acquis communautaire in the field of environment protection and climate change.

Chapter 17 of the National Action Plan on Moldova-EU Association Agreement for 2014-2019 includes actions to be implemented for environment protection. Measures related to ozone depleting substances
include elaboration and approving of the National Phase-out plan for Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) for the period 2016-2040.

The Republic of Moldova is categorized as an Article 5 Party (developing country) under the Montreal Protocol with a low-volume consumption of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Historically, ozone depleting substances (ODS) and, more specifically, HCFC consumption has occurred solely through their import and use in the refrigeration servicing sector. No HCFC production capacity is established in the country. HPMP preparation surveys carried out in 2009/2010 indicated that HCFC-22 was the only substance being in demand and imported into the country, and its use was recorded solely in the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) service sectors. No other HCFC consumption was found in the manufacturing (foam), aerosol, fire-fighting, and solvent sectors.

The Government of the Republic of Moldova has committed to follow the Montreal Protocol phase-out schedule for HCFCs. Consequently, the Programme for Phase-out of the Hydrochlorofluorocarbons  (HCFCs) for 2016-2040 and Action Plan for its implementation during 2016-2020 (GD No. 856 dated July 13, 2016) has been elaborated by the National Ozone Unit (NOU) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment (MoARDE) in order to define the Government’s commitment and plan to meet the HCFC phase-out obligations, which it has assumed as a Party to the MP under Decision XIX/6 of the 19^th Meeting of the Parties, accelerating the phase-out of consumption of the hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in both Article 5 and non-Article 5 countries.  Article 5 countries have been requested by the ExCom to adopt a staged approach to the implementation of their HCFC Phase-out Management Plans (HPMP).

HPMP Stage I programme (2011-2015) was formulated with approval of the preparatory assistance at the 55^th Executive Committee meeting in July 2008, and then approved for the Republic of Moldova at the
63^rd Executive Committee meeting held in April 2011. The HPMP aimed at the 10% HCFC reduction from the estimated (2009/2010) baseline of 1,0 ODP tones of HCFC-22 used in the RAC servicing sector, as an overall objective by 2015, and comprised a combination of interventions such as policies and regulations, technical assistance, training, awareness and communications and management, coordination and monitoring in the RAC sector. Implementation of HPMP Stage I resulted in net sustainable reduction of 18% from the baseline in the national HCFC consumption in 2015, contributing to Moldova’s compliance with the 2013 and 2015 control targets for HCFCs.

HPMP Stage II for the Republic of Moldova for the period 2016-2020 to reduce HCFC consumption by 35 percent of the baseline (1,0 ODP tones), at a total funding level of US$ 174,500 was approved by decision 74/47 (a)(iv) of the 77^th Executive Committee to the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol meeting. Total phase-out of consumption of HCFC-22 agreed to be achieved under HPMP Stage II constitutes 35% from the baseline by 2020.

According to the HCFCs Phase out Management Plan schedule for the second stage the HCFCs will be phase out and R-134a (the main HFC alternative used in RAC sector) will be gradually replaced by new generation of natural refrigerants (blends of hydrocarbons, ammonia blends with hydrocarbons, oils, etc., and carbon dioxide).

Meeting the HCFC phase out targets will be more challenging for the following two reasons. Firstly, the technology choices available, mainly HFC 410A technology, meets the government’s ozone protection
policy, but should correspond to climate change mitigation policies. Secondly, whereas the use of natural refrigerants, mainly hydrocarbons and others, addresses both the ozone and climate policies, there are still concerns among technicians on the universality of this choice as well as health and safety concerns associated with their use. The focus during this coming HPMP stage will therefore be focusing on improving servicing skills, development of standards and codes of practice and introduction of HCFC-free new alternatives and specifically the natural refrigerants, where practically and economically feasible,
recognizing global market trends.

The activities to be implemented during stage II of HPMP include non-investment component - regulatory and control measures, technical capacity for the servicing sector, awareness activities, and project monitoring and management, as well investment component - strengthening of HCFC re-use system and demonstration of new technologies in commercial sector (natural refrigerants).

HPMP Stage II was designed in consultations with national stakeholders and reflects national needs to implement the next HCFC reduction step and includes both non-investment (UNEP component) and investment components (UNDP component) which are formulated into two separate projects implemented by UNDP the lead agency and UNEP as the cooperating agency.

Investment component (UNDP component) includes activities related to technology support to RAC sector:  1) strengthening the capacity of service technicians and service centers through provision of equipment (e.g., multi-gas recovery machine, vacuum pump, re-usable cylinders with scales, hoses with multi-gas manometers, leak detectors, gauges) upon certification of technicians and 2)technical assistance for adoption of low-GWP refrigerants (i.e., CO2 and  ammonia-based technologies) for end-users in the commercial refrigeration sector through pilot demonstration of their use by installing low-GWP equipment in beneficiary end-users (i.e., in supermarkets). The component will be launched with an introductory seminar for potential recipients to explain modalities of the programme and agree on technology choice.

Strengthening of the HCFC re-use system: During the HPMP Stage II additional equipment sets are required to enlarge the coverage of technicians with modern HCFC re-use tools, also capable of working with alternative refrigerants (HFCs, HFOs, their blends, and natural solutions - hydrocarbons, ammonia etc.).

Investments in tools, equipment and retrofit kits, will be particularly useful in the regular servicing of existing HCFC equipment bank to reduce dependence on imported HCFCs, and also in the retrofits or conversion of HCFC based equipment to non-HCFCs technology where owners require to do so, based on market preferences, financial viability and new technology availability. Such equipment will be provided to enable technicians to put the training received under the HPMP to practical use, thereby to contribute directly to HCFC consumption reductions as a part of the continuous capacity strengthening in this sector. This will necessitate the procurement and supply of additional R&R equipment sets.

Demonstration of new technologies in commercial sector (natural refrigerants): Different applications lend themselves to different natural refrigerants. For example, industrial applications lean toward
ammonia, while supermarkets favor CO2, though in both industries end users are exploring alternatives. Hydrocarbon refrigerants have a wide range of applications. This includes commercial refrigeration, chill
cabinets and vending machines, cold storage and food processing, industrial refrigeration, transport refrigeration, small air conditioning systems, large air conditioning and chiller systems, heat pumps and
water heaters.

As the market in Moldova gets more interest in seeing practical performance of newer non-HCFC technologies, and this also creates the opportunity for technicians and equipment service/assembly
centers to acquaint with maintenance of such equipment, during stakeholder consultations when HPMP Stage II was in preparation, it was agreed that such component is to be included into the programme.
This component will serve to demonstrate such newer technologies, including GWP considerations, with a focus on smaller equipment in the commercial refrigeration sector, provided the budget limitations. Where co-financing would be required for the completion of works, participating recipients will be invited to cofund the pilots. In order to disseminate information new technologies, appropriate awareness raising
efforts will be applied and accompany these demonstration projects.

Therefore, in order to implement investment component of the HPMP Stage II project (strengthening of the HCFCs re-use system and demonstration of alternative technologies (1-2 sites) in refrigeration commercial sector), UNDP is seeking to hire a national expert to provide technical and consultative expertise related to technical support to the RAC servicing sector.

Scope of work

The overall objective of the assignments is to support the National Ozone Unit (NOU) in Moldova in implementation of the project activities related to technical support to Refrigeration and Air Conditioning sector.

Under the direct supervision of the NOU Coordinator and the overall supervision of the UNDP assigned Programme Officer, the National Expert will be responsible for implementation of the HPMP Stage II project activities related to strengthening of the HCFCs re-use system and demonstration of alternative technologies in refrigeration commercial sector.

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

 

Requirements for experience

Academic Qualification

• Bachelor’s, postgraduate or other advanced university degree in the field of refrigeration engineering and/or other relevant technical sciences and/or of environment protection.

Years of experience

• At least 5 (five) years of hands-on experience in the field of phasing out the ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), the ODSs-based and ODS-free alternative and energy efficiency technologies.
• Proven experience (at least 5 years) in training/teaching/technical assistance of RAC system design, installation, operation or maintenance.
• Proven experience with the various alternative technology-changes from HCFCs (i.e. HFCs, blends, hydrocarbons, ammonia, etc.)
• Experience in similar position in UNDP and/or other international projects is a strong advantage.

Competencies

• Good knowledge of refrigeration and air-conditioning sector: current situation, trends and problems to be solved, familiarity with the Montreal Protocol and country Programme for Phase-out of the Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) for 2016-2040 and Action Plan for its implementation during 2016-2020, legal requirements of the Regulation (EU) no.517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases;
• Deep knowledge of international legal and regulatory acts related to environment protection and ODSs phase-out, knowledge of relevant international policies/strategies in this area as well as safety standards on ODS-free and low GWP alternatives;
• Ability to work in close collaboration with stakeholders, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities;
• Good ability to use information and communication technologies as tools and resources;
• Skills to research, design, and produce quality knowledge products, reports, research papers, etc.,
• Ability to achieve results and deadlines in a timely manner, maintaining a high standard throughout.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken Romanian and Russian. Knowledge of English will be a strong asset.

 

Documents to be included

1. Proposal explaining why he/she is the most suitable for the work;
2. Financial Proposal in USD (fee per day and lump sum);
3. Duly completed and signed P11 Form or personal CV;
4. Offeror's Letter confirming Interest and Availability.

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).  

 

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