Republic of Moldova

National Consultant to develop the register of fresh fruit producers and exporters from the Republic of Moldova

Vacancy Number: Pr13/00398

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	15 Oct 2013, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:	22 Oct 2013, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	23 Oct 2013
Reference to the project:	Wider Europe Aid for Trade
Expected Duration of Assignment:	up to 15 working days during October-November, 2013
Submission Instructions: Proposals should be submitted on-line by pressing the “Apply on-line” link, no later than 15 October, 2013. 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

Background

The “Improving Trade and Productive Capacities of Moldovan Fresh Fruit Producers” project is funded by the Aid for Trade regional initiative and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in Moldova, in collaboration with Moldovan Investment and Export Promotion Organization (MIEPO). The project helps fresh fruit producers and exporters to improve their international competitiveness and market access externally, both in the CIS and in the EU markets. The Project focuses on the promotion and pilot implementation of new technologies and practices that have the greatest potential to address the needs of the fresh fruits sector in terms of (1) improving product quality, (2) insuring product safety, (3) reducing unit costs and (4) increasing product shelf life. At same time, it provides tailored trainings on various topics that will contribute to better implementation of modern technologies, increased export capacities and knowledge of foreign markets, improved communication and negotiation skills, among others. It also supports the producers and exporters to participate to international and regional trade fairs and exhibitions, so that to promote local produce and get into direct contacts with producers and exporters of similar commodities and technologies from other countries and regions.

In order to meet its overall goal, the Project announces a competition for individual national experts to develop a comprehensive register of fresh fruit producers and exporters from the Republic of Moldova. Such register, as described below, would further increase the visibility of national producers and exporters, promote business contacts, increase and diversify exports. 

Context:

The fresh fruits segment in the Republic of Moldova is one important and dynamic contributor to the overall value generation in agriculture and agri-food business. The segment is represented by a myriad of small and medium sized companies that can hardly withstand competition from abroad and that require further support for reaching higher degrees on association and cooperation to compete and survive. The existing professional associations of fresh fruit producers regularly update the lists of their active members, but the collected information is unfortunately insufficient for the Project, the associations and individual producers to conduct further research on the current and prospective needs of the segment, for further promoting diversification in terms of production and export markets, for better connecting potential partners from abroad and existing local companies. Unfortunately, such a comprehensive register was not yet produced in similar previous projects, due to the fact that this is a time-consuming task and not all small sized producers are willing to cooperate, partially due to still high degree of informality in the segment.

Scope of work

The main goal of the consultancy is to develop a comprehensive register with the main producers and exporters in fresh fruits that would contain updated information on key business variables related to quantities, quality and price of the fresh produce for internal and external markets. The value added of such register consists of: a) it will include detailed and consolidated information on producers and production, including data on quantities and quality estimated by the individual producers; b) data shall be provided for at least 100 producers and exporters in fresh fruits; c) such information shall be public and available to producers, professional associations of producers and exporters, potential business clients and importers from abroad; d) such register would increase the visibility of the individual producers, the entire segment, promote business contacts for the benefit of Moldovan producers and exporters, increase the visibility of the Moldovan fresh produce; e) promote the cooperate of small producers for export; f) ultimately it would promote the exports in fresh fruits from the Republic of Moldova to diversified target markets.

The register would include the following broad categories of data: infrastructure-related information (overall surface, surface by type of orchard, by commodity, to also include data on existing technological endowments such as anti-hail systems, irrigation, etc.); production-related data (including overall harvesting by key commodity, quality of the fresh produce, etc.); sales/export-related data (key markets for sales/export, price and price-related conditions, etc.). Data shall be validated at the level of the existing professional associations of fresh fruit producers and exporters.

Requirements for experience

Academic Qualifications:

• University degree in Economics, Agriculture or other relevant fields.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of proven experience in working in the local agri-food business;
• In-depth knowledge of the Moldovan fresh fruit segment.

Competencies and Skills:

• Ability to interact with local producers and associations in fresh fruits segment;
• Skills in analyzing, generalizing, and systematizing information;
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills;
• Knowledge of Romanian, Russian, and English is requested.

Documents to be included

1. Cover letter, explaining why he/she is the most suitable for the work;
2. Financial proposal;
3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references, or 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 daily fee and number of anticipated working days).

Travel is not envisaged under this consultancy assignment. In 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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