Republic of Moldova

National Consultant to develop the methodology on territorial business statistics

Vacancy Number: Pr14/00497

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	03 Apr 2014, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	10 Apr 2014
Reference to the project:	Strengthening the National Statistical System
Expected Duration of Assignment:	April-May 2014
Submission Instructions: Proposals should be submitted online by pressing the "Apply Now" button no later than 03 April 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

One of the main priorities of reforming the national statistics of the Republic of Moldova lies in the reform of the business statistics in conformity with the advanced practices of the EU member states (complex action, absolutely necessary for the implementation of the EU-RM Action Plan in the field of statistics). It is proposed to produce the information regarding the businesses’ activity at the regional level in accordance with the EU requirements and advanced practices of the EU countries, which will serve subsequently as support for the decision makers of the Republic of Moldova.

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. 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.

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.

Considering the current increased users’ demand for statistical information on business activity in territorial profile, the necessity occurs to produce data (at the level of each TAU), of better quality and relevancy, reflecting the activity of establishments by immediate locations/territory they operate in, but not attributed to the place of enterprise’s headquarter (as actually performed). 

Currently, a Joint UN Project on Strengthening the National Statistical System of RM is implemented by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) of the Republic of Moldova, in partnership with UNDP and other 4 UN agencies, as well as the Government of Romania, and aims at improving data collection, production, dissemination and use of statistical information with particular attention to national needs and official statistics overall conformity with international, in particular EU, standards.

The project’s purpose is also to contribute to the improvement of quality regional data made available to decision-makers and planners within the Moldovan central, regional and local government system so that policy and planning on regional development at all levels is properly informed.

For more info on the assignment’s context please see the Terms of References.

Scope of work

The scope of work of the national consultant is to develop the methodology on compilation of territorial statistical data on business activity by the location of de facto operation of enterprises and their component establishments.

The consultancy will be based on the knowledge and practical experience of the selected consultant regarding the activity of enterprises in the country, their accounting and reporting for fiscal, statistical and bookkeeping purposes. The consultant should also be familiar with the pertinent legal and regulatory framework. 

Under the overall supervision of UNDP, in partnership with the Project’s counterparts, the consultant is expected to perform the following core activities:

• Inventory of the available statistical and administrative data sources held by the National Bureau of Statistics regarding the entrepreneurial activity in the country;
• Analyse relevant indicators to be developed in territorial breakdown;
• Analyse the feasibility to use the existing statistical and administrative data sources for the production of information in territorial profile;
• Elaborate the methodology on the production of statistical data in territorial profile, by the location of de facto operation of enterprises and their component establishments;
• Test the produced methodology and assist the production of business-related statistical data in territorial profile;
• Assist the elaboration of output tables and their dissemination to users.

For detailed information on Tasks and Responsibilities, Expected Deliverables please refer to Annex – Terms of Reference.

Requirements for experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in accounting, economics, statistics, and/or areas relevant for the assignment;

Experience: 

• At least 5 years of professional experience (executing function, teaching, advising, managing, etc.) in areas related to business accounting and reporting to the public administration authorities;
• Proven experience related to the development (or participation at) analytical and methodological works in the areas relevant for the assignment (methodologies for calculation of economic indicators, designing of questionnaires, research articles, thematic analysis, assessments, evaluations, reviews, policy advise, legislation adjustments, etc.);
• Experience of collaboration with Government, preferably in area/s relevant for the present assignment;
• Experience in working with development partners and UN agencies in particular;

Competencies and Skills: 

• Familiarity with international standards and best practices, terminology and definitions used in the field of business activity statistics;
• Strong analytical and writing skills;
• Excellent communications skills in Romanian; Good knowledge of English;

Personal Qualities and other requirements:

• Good interpersonal skills, solid judgment/decision making, initiative and creativity;
• Cultural and gender sensitivity.
• Availability to work with UNDP and Project’s national stakeholders during the indicated/approved period;

Documents to be included

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

1. Technical Proposal: 
   • explaining how applicant responds to each of the qualification requirements and why he/she is the most suitable for the work;
   • describing a short vision on achievement of tasks.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;
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.

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. 

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. 

During the contract period no travel is required.

 

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