Republic of Moldova

National Consultant for developing the policy document for territorial administrative structure

Vacancy Number: Pr14/00713

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	04 Nov 2014, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:	09 Nov 2014, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	11 Nov 2014
Reference to the project:	Joint Integrated Local Development Programme
Expected Duration of Assignment:	Starting from November 2014, estimated workload up to 30 days during 4 months.
Submission Instructions: Proposals should be submitted on-line by pressing “Apply on-line” link, no later than 4th   November  2014. Requests for clarification only must be sent by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail: constantin.elisei@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 Government of Moldova explicitly acknowledges that decentralization represents an essential item on the reform agenda of the country. The goal is to provide quality services to women and men equitably - including the rights of persons from vulnerable groups - through building autonomous and democratic local governments, able to manage efficiently their responsibilities.

 The National Decentralization Strategy approved by the Parliament in 2012, is the main policy document that gives the framework for local government reform and provides direction to the Government of Moldova, with clear goals, objectives and an action plan, where most important measures are to be taken and implemented in the period of 2012-2015 in the following areas: 1) allocation of responsibilities; 2) fiscal decentralization; 3) decentralization of property; 4) local economic development, urban and regional planning; 5) administrative capacity (territorial-administrative organization); 6) institutional capacity; 7) democracy, participation and ethics. Clarification of competences, fiscal decentralization and territorial-administrative consolidation are the determining factors in the reform process. While activities on the clarification of competences and fiscal decentralization have started, the territorial-administrative reorganization issue remains open.

 Prior to Strategy’s approval, the Government has benefited from the support provided by the Joint Integrated Local Development Programme/JILDP implemented by UNDP and UN Women and funded by the Government of Sweden and UNDP. Given the stringent need to further advance with the implementation of the Decentralization Strategy, and building on the successful cooperation with the Joint Integrated Local Development Programme, the State Chancellery together with United Nations have designed a new Programme phase to support the implementation of the Decentralization Strategy at policy and local levels.

 The current administrative-territorial organization of the Republic of Moldova is characterized by a very fragmented system: 898 first level administrative-territorial units (towns and villages) and 32 second level districts. The average number of population in first level local governments is 2850. Although the Law on Administrative-Territorial Organization sets a minimum required number of residents for an administrative territorial unit (1500 people), almost a third of local units have less than 1500 inhabitants, while 86% of them have less than 5000 residents. In addition to insufficient financial resources, the limited size of localities is negatively affecting the administrative capacity of LPAs to fulfill their functions. Thus, the majority of local governments has merely a representation function, rather than provide services.

 Territorial-administrative structure remains a key aspect of the reform, with high fragmentation leading to inefficient use of human and financial resources, hindering development and access to local public services. Although absolutely indispensable, territorial administrative reorganization is a difficult political subject. The government needs to find a rational solution, which will also be politically acceptable. If it is to be done, it can only be done before the 2015 local elections, since the law prohibits interrupting the mandates of local elected officials. The next chance for a territorial administrative restructuring would be in 2019 – 6 years from now.

 With UNDP’s support an analytical Study on optimal territorial-administrative structure has been elaborated in 2010, in preparation for the Decentralization Strategy. The study proposes 3 options for reorganizing the country’s territory: (1) single-tier model, which requires abolishing the district’ level and entrusting municipalities with providing a significant amount of public services and a much higher level of fiscal autonomy,  (2) two-tier model: abolishing the current system of districts and transforming the Development Regions into a regional level of government, and (3) inter-municipal cooperation model - a (short-term) alternative to reorganization.

 This major reform needs preparation, an analysis of options and their impact, including on most vulnerable groups, as well as evidence based public debate to increase understanding and political pressure on the need of the reform. The State Chancellery (the body responsible for leading and coordinating the Decentralization Reform, formally led by the Prime Minister) has requested UNDP’s support, highlighting the criticality of the timing for it to succeed.

Scope of work

JILDP seeks National Consultant (hereinafter Consultant) in order to provide assistance to the international expert in designing and developing a public policy document on the territorial administrative reform in the Republic of Moldova.

For detailed information, please refer to Annex 1 – Terms of Reference.

Requirements for experience

Qualifications:

• MA and/or PhD in Public Administration, Public Policy, Economics, Finance Studies, Public and Administrative Law, or other relevant fields.

 Experience:

• At least 5 years of proven experience of analysis and research in the field of public administration, multi-disciplinary studies, decentralization, inter-governmental relations, territorial administrative reorganization etc)
• Sound knowledge of the relevant public service, proven by policy analysis and studies, experience in implementation of reforms, or of management of the relevant service.
• Experience in the Moldovan development context, specifically with regard to the decentralization reform, Central Public Administration and Local Public Administration sector reforms
• Knowledge of gender equality and human rights concerns, gender-sensitive, human-centered / human rights based approach and best practices particularly related to public administration, local public administration and local development
• Proven successful experience in working with the international organizations.

 Competencies:

• Robust analytical and writing skills
• Demonstrated capacity of team work
• Ability to produce deliverables in due time and within cost and quality standards
• Proficiency in computer applications (Windows, MS Office, IE, Outlook)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Sensitivity and respect for human rights and gender equality
• Fluency in English (written & oral) and Romanian are required.

 

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 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 (fee per day * days) of this lump sum amount (including fee, taxes, per diems, and 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.

 

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