Republic of Moldova

National Consultant in pollution charge system

Vacancy Number: Pr12/00223

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	29 Oct 2012, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:	01 Nov 2012, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:	04 Nov 2012, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	05 Nov 2012
Reference to the project:	Strengthening capacities to undertake Environmental Fiscal Reform to meet national and global environmental priorities
Expected Duration of Assignment:	40 days
Submission Instructions: Proposals should be submitted on-line or by email to vacancies-moldova@undp.org, no later than October 29, 2012. Requests for clarification only must be sent by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail: ruslan.surugiu@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 medium size Project „Strengthening capacities to undertake Environmental Fiscal Reform to meet national and global environmental priorities is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with UNDP Moldova as GEF Implementing Agency and the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Moldova as Executing Partner.

This project sets out to build capacities for implementing environmental fiscal reforms (EFR) that will produce increased national and global environmental benefits through the adoption of selected charges, subsidies, fees, fines, taxes and other appropriate instruments. It will initiate and pilot EFR instruments targeted to meeting Rio Convention objectives and ensure their integration within national plans and policies, especially in national taxation and decentralization process in Moldova. The reforms will focus on creating conditions, financial incentives and disincentives, and decreased opportunity costs to undertake actions that deliver environmental outcomes. The expected outcome is that EFR will be adopted as an important element of Moldova’s development policy, whereby improved economic, financial and fiscal instruments and their use would strengthen regulatory and other approaches to environmentally sound and sustainable development, with a particular emphasis of meeting obligations under the three Rio Conventions (Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Desertification). The project will also contribute to and complement a broader national decentralization reform process, including policy planning at the national level, redesigning of competencies and responsibilities of local and sub-national governments and reforming local government revenue systems.

Scope of work

The assignment will include analysis of current pollution charge system with a review of existing environmental charges and taking into consideration lessons learnt in international and local practice with the focus on facilitation of eco-technology investments and continued earmarking of charge revenues to the National Environmental Fund.

Besides a desk review of the relevant documents the consultant will undertake two missions to the country in full collaboration with the UNDP Country Office. The missions will include consultations with key partners in the Government of Moldova, responsible for pollution charge system as well as relevant sectorial ministries, including those involved in planning and finance and if needed relevant national institutions, including research and academia.

The current pollution charge system is overly complicated and targets too many pollutants. The efficiency of applying fees and fines for pollution should be improved significantly by optimizing the existing charge system and focusing on fewer pollutants and targeting major polluters. Product taxes are currently levied on imported products only and should be enhanced to cover domestic production, consider the introduction of the producer responsibility, and ideally include other important aspects of EU Directives on batteries, end of life vehicles, packaging and electric & electronic equipment.

For the fulfillment of the above-mentioned objectives, a team of one International Consultant and one National Consultant will be formed, who will have the following responsibilities:

-     Undertake analysis of existing legal and institutional framework related to the pollution charge system;

-     Undertake analysis of environment related policies;

-     Elaborate a detail reform concept proposal on an improved pollution charge payment system;

-     Provide recommendations on improved legal and institutional framework

-     Bring in lessons learnt in international and local practices for efficient pollution charge system operation

-     Advise on overall EFR reform efforts and implementation of EFR instruments supported by the project, including oversight of project activities related to the reform of subsidies in the agriculture and energy sector, ensuring overall consistency of proposed reforms.

Expected Deliverables

1. Assessment of existing pollution charge system and potential for improvements based on desk review of legal framework and policy documents;

2. Draft detailed Concept Proposal on Pollution Charge System Reform based on analysis of environmental, economic and fiscal effects of current charges, creating effective links to meet Rio Convention requirements, incl. consultations with national stakeholders;

3. Economic and environmental impact assessment and analysis of the cost-effectiveness of proposed recommendations and new instruments for the:

- Short-term period;

- Medium and long-term period

4. Specific recommendations for implementation of most feasible options focusing on issues such as effective and maximized contribution to targets and goals of FCCC, CBD and CCD, and based on national priorities;

5. Preparation of and participation at round table discussions on the findings and recommendations (1 day);

6. Recommendations on legal and regulatory framework improvement with formulated amendments and explanatory notes;

7. Final detailed Concept Proposal on Pollution Charge System Reform;

8. Ongoing technical guidance and oversight related to other related EFR activities supported by the project. 

Requirements for experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in public finance, economics, environment or closely related field.

Years of experience:

• A minimum of 5 years substantive professional experience in areas related to environmental taxation;
• Established network of contacts with key project stakeholders, especially on national level;
• Experience on developing sector related policy documents;
• Experience on elaborating legal framework amendments;
• Previous work experience with UNDP is an advantage.

Competencies:

Technical work

• Thorough understanding of national policies and programs, fiscal and financial instruments as they relate to pollution charges;
• Demonstrated knowledge, analytical skills and relevant experience in evaluation and implementation of pollution charges, including international aspects and mitigation options;
• Sound, practical understanding of market economics and how a proper pollution charge system can contribute to environmental protection;
• Experience in drafting strategic documents;
• Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily and to turn information from various sources into coherent concepts and draft legislation;
• Experience with the implementation of EU Directives on batteries, end of life vehicles, packaging and electric & electronic equipment in Central and Eastern European countries.

 Partnerships

• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high-ranking members of international, regional and national institutions;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Good oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors;
• Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports.

Results

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Good team player, self-starter, has ability to work under minimum supervision and maintain good relationships.

Language

• Romanian and English.

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 the work;

2. Financial proposal;

3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references or the dully filled Personal History Form (P11).

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

No travel envisaged for the National Consultant.

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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