Background

The Medium Size Project “Improving economic and financial instruments for environmental management (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 improving, adopting and implementing selected economic, financial and fiscal instruments, in the context of a broader Environmental Fiscal Reform (EFR) that will result in better environmental management and increased environmental benefits.

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA 2005), Environmental Tax Reform (ETR) can be defined as a reform of the national tax system with a shift of the burden of taxation from conventional taxes, for example on labor, to environmentally damaging activities, such as resource use or pollution. The burden of taxes should fall more on 'bads' than 'goods' so that appropriate signals are given to consumers and producers and the tax burdens across the economy are better distributed from a sustainable development perspective. A typical case is an increase in the taxation of energy and a simultaneous reduction in labor taxes or social security contributions.
Environmental fiscal reform (EFR) is a broader approach, which focuses not just on shifting taxes and tax burdens, but also e.g. on reforming economically motivated subsidies, some of which are harmful to the environment and may have outlived their rationale. EFR is a more recent development than ETR and offers even greater opportunities for progress.
EFR supports the implementation of the following key environmental policy principles, which are now firmly established in European countries:
•    Polluter Pays Principle
•    User Pays Principle
•    Sustainable Development Principle
•    Prevention and Precautionary Principles
•    Modern integrated pollution prevention and control instruments
•    Promotion of environmental technologies, environmental industry and technological innovation

Improved economic, financial and fiscal instruments and their use would strengthen regulatory and other approaches to environmentally sound and sustainable development in Moldova, with a particular emphasis of meeting obligations under the three Rio Conventions (Climate Change, Biodiversity, Desertification).

In order to reach Government of Moldova's objective, the project which is under implementation since June 2012 adopts a focused and comprehensive strategy composed of three main components.

Component 1 targets the reform of environmentally harmful subsidies, green subsidies, as well as environmental charges with a special focus on the agricultural and energy sectors, with the following sub-components:
1.1: Policy reform in the area of environmentally harmful subsidies
1.2: Reform of environmental charges and facilitation of eco-technology investments
1.3: Improved regulation and operational management of the National and Local Ecological Funds

Component 2 will support capacity development efforts for EFR to build consensus among concerned stakeholders with an extensive programme of training, information dissemination and advocacy, including the following sub-components:
2.1: Capacity building for EFR at central and local levels
2.2: Communication and awareness raising
2.3: Establishment of a political dialogue, including the formation of a Moldovan EFR Commission

Component 3 will facilitate the integration of EFR in local and central planning processes, allowing for a step-wise implementation of the EFR process in local and central budget planning and testing of existing and new EFR instruments, building up experience and confidence. The two sub-components are:
3.1: EFR instruments integrated in the decentralization process
3.2: EFR instruments integrated into governmental budget and Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) process

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Environment and Energy Portfolio Manager, the incumbent provides effective and efficient management of the project through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management and monitoring of project activities. The Project Manager applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. He/she is responsible and accountable to the Project Board for the project results.

The Project Manager works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO), with the Ministry of Environment and other Ministries and authorities, incl. the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and Ministry of Economy, for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.
The Project Manager in close cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, an Interministerial Coordination Body (Project Board/EFR Commission), and short-term international and national experts will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the project) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients, incl. through applying HRBA and GE approaches. More specifically:

Project Management

1. Ensure the timely and efficient delivery of Project outputs and products leading to the achievement of expected results;
2. Within the strategic framework concerted with the national counterparts, prepare work-plans reflecting the scope of activities, timing, sequencing, cost and other inputs for the implementation of the Project activities; 
3. Be responsible for the implementation of the Project work plans according to indicators for achieving planned results, as well as for the overall management of the Project in accordance to prevailing UNDP and GEF rules, regulations and procedures;
4. Liaise with the national counterparts, donors and the UNDP office to ensure that Project results are achieved and Project resources are managed efficiently and effectively; 
5. Present work-plans, periodic narrative progress reports and expenditures status reports to the Project Board, UNDP Country Office, Regional Center, HQ and the GEF; 
6. Ensure the effective management of human resources pertaining to the Project, including both staff, consultants and short-term experts; conduct periodic performance appraisals; build, lead and motivate a solid team of professionals; develop and validate terms of reference for international and national consultants;
7. Manage efficiently the financial resources of the Project, including budgeting and budget revisions, as well as expenditure tracking and reporting;
8. Continuously record and maintain relevant Project activities, issues, risks, etc in the UNDP Atlas Project Management Module and ERBM platform (software platforms);
9. Lead and coordinate the organization of meetings, workshops, conferences, trainings, study tours and related activities relevant to the implementation of the Project;  
10. Identify key performance indicators as well as develop and maintain a monitoring system to ensure effective information sharing, provision of feedback and elaboration of top quality progress reports; 
11. Ensure high quality information and visibility of the Project activities to the mass media and stakeholders, in compliance with UNDP’s and GEF’s Communication and Visibility Guidelines;
12. Perform any other duties connected directly with the implementation of the Project as required.
    

Specific tasks

1. Facilitate the creation of the Moldovan EFR Commission, liaise with all members and member institutions, and provide secretariat support to EFR Commission;
   
2. Support the Ministry of Environment with overall policy and technical support in all EFR related matters;
   
3. Gather, synthesize and actively disseminate information and lessons learned through the project, including coordination of project publications and management of EFR website;
4. Coordinate with OECD (project partner) and the UNDP Joint Integrated Local Development Programme on planning and implementing the joint project activities;
5. The incumbent is expected to dedicate at least 25% of time for substantive work in public finance covering one or more of the project areas (e.g. agriculture subsidies and energy taxation/subsidies; environmental programming/financing strategies and project cycle management; environmental charges; eco-technology investment facilitation; or others as relevant, depending on the incumbents specialization).
   

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values. Supports the vision, mission and strategic goals of the GEF
• Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures. Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Ensures that programmes and projects are consistent with UN/UNDP values
• Treats peers fairly by maintaining consistent values inspiring trust and confidence through personal credibility
• Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions
  

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Focuses on tasks/activities which have a strategic impact on programme and capacity development activities
• Promotes a supportive environment to enhance partnerships, leverages resources and build support for UNDP’s strategic initiatives
• Collaborates with regional, national and local partners to create and apply knowledge and concepts that will help partners achieve UNDP’s development objectives within the country and regional context
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
  

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise / In-depth knowledge of the Subject-matter

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
• Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff
• Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
  

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of Programme, managing data, reporting.
• Ability to provide input to business processes, re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems.
• Ability to engage with various partners and stakeholders at different levels, to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government and represent UNDP in national and regional fora. 
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents. 
• Capacity to implement the strategic vision and programmatic goals as laid down in the Project Document.
• Proven performance in organizing and coordinating major initiatives, events or challenging inter-organizational activities. 
• Adapts flexibly to changing situations, overcomes obstacles and recovers quickly from set-backs.
  

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Ability to achieve results and meet strict deadlines in an effective manner, maintaining a high quality standard throughout.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a team and to foster team spirit and synergy.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree in public finance, (environmental) economics, environmental management, or closely related areas. Additional training and certification in project management would be an advantage.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of progressive working experience in the design, management and implementation of complex projects or multi-annual work programmes and/or working in a relevant position to this post.
• At least 3 years substantive professional experience in economics, public finance, and/or environmental management, and expert knowledge covering one or more of the project focus areas.
• Profound knowledge in the area of economic, financial and fiscal instruments for environmental management 
• Well established network of contacts with key project stakeholders.
• Familiarity with the content and objectives of the UNCBD, UNCCD, and UNFCCC is a strong advantage.
• Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, governmental institutions, NGO or private sector / consulting firm is a very strong advantage.
• Extensive experience in managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.
  

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written English, Romanian and Russian.
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language would be an asset.
  

This is a local position, therefore only citizens of the Republic of Moldova are eligible to apply.
Applications should be submitted on line and include fully completed Personal History Form (P11) as attachment instead of CV/resume.
Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.