Republic of Moldova

Team of (one international and two national) consultants to develop options for implementation of EU NUTS regulation in Moldova

Vacancy Number: Pr14/00483

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	24 Mar 2014, 09:00 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:	02 Apr 2014, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	28 Mar 2014
Reference to the project:	Strengthening the National Statistical System
Expected Duration of Assignment:	March- May 2014, up to 30 full working days for each consultant, plus 15 days for leading task given to international expert
Submission Instructions: Proposals should be submitted online only, by following the “Apply online” link, no later than  24 March 2014. Requests for clarification only must be sent by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail: aurelia.spataru@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. Important notice The applicant who has the statute of Government Official / Public Servant, prior to appointment will be asked to submit the following documentation:  a no-objection letter in respect of the applicant received from the government, and; the applicant is certified in writing by the government to be on official leave without pay for the duration of the Individual Contract.  A retired government official is not considered in this case a government official, and as such, may be contracted.
Supporting Documents: Terms of Reference Individual Consultant Procurement Notice Personal History Form (P11) UNDP General Conditions of Individual Contract

Background

The main challenge of the regional policy of the Republic of Moldova is to ensure balanced sustainable economic and social development at the sub national level, solving the issues related to regional disparities Therefore sustainable regional development is an imperative assumed by the Government of Moldova, which has also confirmed its commitment to fairly/equally distribute the opportunities/chances for regional development throughout the country. This is confirmed both at the legislative level[1] and at the strategic planning level[2]. Successful implementation of the regional policy will foster and accelerate the development of the country as a whole, where the ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life of the citizens, wherever they live on the territory of Moldova.

Both, the implementation of transparent and efficient mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation of regional development process, as well as the production and timely reporting of regional statistics, are the two specific objectives of the National Strategy of Regional Development.

The local authorities will be able to increase their role in completing the process of local development, to develop feasible policies for the local/regional development and to increase the capacity of different stakeholders at local level to implement these policies, only when sufficient evidence is made available through statistics.

The generation of disaggregated sub national level data has been increased especially in the recent years, when the needs for information based decision of central and local public authorities, managers, investors, analysts and other users regarding sustainable regional development increased significantly.

Considering the aspirations of Moldova's European integration, it is very important that the regional statistics, relevant for the country, to be compiled in compliance with the pertinent EU standards and best practices, taking into account the peculiarities of the Republic of Moldova. The basis for compilation of relevant and comparable statistics represents the application of appropriate classifications, including that of territorial units for statistics, NUTS[3] classification being used for these purposes in EU being a geocode standard for referencing the subdivision of countries for statistical purposes, with three NUTS levels.

From the perspective of the alignment of the Republic of Moldova to the EU standards, in both legal and statistical fields, it is important to gradually implement and apply, also, the statistical classifications, in particular NUTS so that the informational needs of society in data disaggregated in regional perspective, internationally comparable, are met.

This step is determinant for both the assurance of spatial and time comparability of sub-national statistical data of the R. of Moldova with the EU statistics during the integration of the country into the European community, as well as for provision of reliable evidences in the process of regional development funding, in particular from the EU sources.

Thus, the elaboration and implementation of the national classification NUTS in the Republic of Moldova, taking into consideration the advanced experience of EU states, in particular the new member-states, represents a big challenge of high political, economic and social impact for ensuring a balanced development of settlements and reduction of regional disparities in the country.

Because the breakdown of regions according to NUTS should be performed with providence, considering multiple normative/legal, institutional, political, cultural, social, geographic, environmental and economic aspects, an exhaustive study should be conducted to allow the most appropriate identification of statistical territorial units for the Republic of Moldova and elaboration of the national NUTS classification.

Regional division of the country aims to provide a single and coherent territorial breakdown for the collection and development of regional statistics, harmonized with EU standards. Further, from economic point of view this will ensure the eligibility for aid from European funds for regional development (for those regions whose development is lagging behind) that is assessed at NUTS 2 level.

Scope of work

The Joint UN Project on Strengthening the National Statistical System is to hire a team of one international consultant and two national consultants with relevant experience who will develop feasible options for the most appropriate sub-division of the country territory taking into consideration the NUTS regulations, other EU relevant requirements and best practices, as well as the national specifics.

Under the current assignment the Project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Regional Development and Constructions, State Chancellery, National Bureau of Statistics and Project team, are looking for the following expertise on the part of the team of sought international and national consultants:

(A) To conduct a study in order to develop a set of options for most appropriate statistical sub-division of the country taking into consideration the NUTS regulations, other EU relevant requirements and best practices, as well as the national particularities [regional development expert - cited as RDEU];

(B) To develop feasible draft(s) of national NUTS classification [policy expert cited as PE];

(C) To propose corresponding adjustments to the legal framework [RDEU and PE];

(D) To make recommendations for regional data collection according to the proposed classification [statistics expert cited as SE].

The work of consultants will be led by a team leader, function cumulated by international expert besides the tasks related to the area of his/her competence, being responsible for coordination and consistency of produced reports, as well as overall guidance of the national experts.

For detailed information on Tasks and Responsibilities, Expected Deliverables for each consultant please refer to Terms of Reference.

Requirements for experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in public policy, development, economics, statistics, social and/or other related science
• Other formal education relevant for the assignment

Years of experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in applied area/s of expertise
• Experience including substantial participation in analytical works (thematic analysis, assessments, evaluations, reviews, policy advisory, or research work) in applied area/s of expertise
• Development and/or implementation of relevant national/EU classifications
• Experience of participation in policy-making processes
• Previous experience in coordination/leading of /participation in complex team-works, joint research activities, moderating working groups, organizing national/local level consultation events
• Experience of collaboration with Government/s, in particular in area/s relevant for the present assignment
• Experience of work with development partners, in particular EU, UN/UNDP

Competencies:

• Strong knowledge and understanding of area/s of expertise applied
• Ability to analyze, plan, communicate effectively orally and in writing, draft reports, solve problems, organize and meet expected results, adapt to different environments (cultural, economic, political and social)
• English and Romanian (an asset for the international expert) languages proficiency

Other requirements:

• Good interpersonal skills, solid judgment/decision making, initiative and creativity
• Ability to be independent, impartial and credible in a challenging environment
• Availability to work with UN and Project’s national stakeholders during the indicated/approved period
• Adherence to UN’s values and ethical standards
• Cultural and gender sensitivity.

Documents to be included

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

1. Technical Proposal including:

• brief explanation of how the Applicant responds to each of the qualification requirements and why he/she is the most suitable for the work;
• own vision and working approach in undertaking the assignment;
• 1-2 samples of similar work undertaken previously (or link to access them online).

2. Personal information (as a detailed CV or as a Personal History Form /P11) including records on past experience in similar projects/assignments and concrete outputs obtained;

3. Financial proposal (in USD, specifying a total lump sum amount and the number of anticipated working days).

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 all related costs e.g. fees, phone calls etc.) and the number of anticipated working days.  The consultant shall bare costs for all supplies needed for data collection and data processing including possession of his own personal computer.

 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.

Two missions to Moldova of the international expert (of 5 days) are envisaged.

Also, during the contract period two trips to Comrat (ATU Gagauzia region) might be required (if need will confirm) at the average distance of 100 km from Chisinau. The cost of respective round trips should be included in the applicant's financial proposal and include all the pertinent costs.

In the case of other 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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