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CONSULTANT TO PREPARE THE FINANCIAL PLAN OF THE INTER-MINISTERIAL COORDINATING MECHANISM/BODY FOR SOUND MANAGEMENT OF CHEMICALS IN MOLDOVA

The growing world-wide commitment to protect human health and the environment from dangerous chemicals and wastes has been a catalyst for action in many countries and sectors. Due to the cross sectoral nature of chemicals and waste management and the interests of various government ministries and other stakeholders in this area, well-coordinated and integrated management approaches at the national level may achieve maximum impact for the limited resources available worldwide, inclusively in the Republic of Moldova. This includes much improved links to the development planning agenda of the country as this project will seek to advance. However, the analysis of existing mechanisms for inter-ministerial coordination in the sphere of sound management of chemicals reveals a fragmentary approach to chemicals management in different economic branches, which is an issue that will be directly addressed in this project.
Currently the right to a healthy environment does not feature high on Moldova’s development agenda. As a consequence, environmental management is not a top priority for the Government, and mainstreaming of environmental concerns into cross-sectoral policies and strategies is weaker than it should be. The quality of natural resources continues to decline with the most critical problems being degraded water and land resources, shrinking biodiversity, poor waste management and high vulnerability to environmental hazards. The Action Plan for the implementation of the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Moldova for 2008 – 2011 does not currently mention chemicals management. The Government of RM outlines the importance of continuous work in the field of resolving of chemicals related problem, one of them POPs substances issue, stated clearly in the Stockholm Convention National Implementation Plan[1], which is considered one of the most stringent environmental problems in Moldova, inadequate chemicals and waste management, because of inadequate infrastructure to collect and store these chemicals and of a proper management of household and hazardous wastes.
National priority issues in the sphere of chemicals management in the Republic of Moldova were identified and reflected in First National Profile on Chemicals Management in the Republic of Moldova (2008)[2]. The National Programme on Sound Management of Chemicals was approved by the Governmental Decision Nr. 973 dated 18.10.2010 and establishes the main objectives of the sound chemicals management system to 2020. The overall aim of the programme lies in developing an integrated system of chemicals management being efficient from the technical, economic, social and environmental points of view.. The National Programme on Sound Management of Chemicals was approved by the Governmental Decision Nr. 973 dated 18.10.2010 and establishes the main objectives of the sound chemicals management system to 2020. The overall aim of the programme lies in developing an integrated system of chemicals management being efficient from the technical, economic, social and environmental points of view.
The UNDP “Mainstreaming of Sound Management of Chemicals in National Development Planning Processes” project aims to achieve the mainstreaming SMC priorities into national developments plans in order to strengthen country’s foundational capacities for chemicals and waste management thus minimizing the significant adverse effects of these on human health and the global environment.
Aiming at building capacities for formulation and implementation of SMC policies and fostering sustainable forms of development, the project will achieve its objective through the following outputs referring at:
· Baseline analysis and identification of sound management of chemicals and hazardous waste priorities
· Economic valuation of selected priorities and designing policy instruments supporting the priority SMC issues
· Identification of opportunities for integration of SMC within national plans and subsequent mainstreaming of national SMC priorities into national development programmes and plans.
The project will build-upon the UNDP-UNEP Partnership Initiative methodology to Integrating sound management of chemicals into MDG-based development planning which is a comprehensive approach to mainstreaming environmental sustainability.
As a step toward the harmonization of national legislations with EU legislations the National SMC Programme has been prepared and approved by the Government of the Republic of Moldova. This programm sets up the necessary legal basis for establishment of an inter-ministerial coordinating mechanism/body (hereinafter referred to as the mechanism/body) in the Republic of Moldova which in addition requires sound financial plans for proper functioning of the given mechanism/body.
In this context, UNDP Moldova is seeking to hire an international consultant to develop a sound financial plan and relevant economic instruments for the adequate functioning of the selected inter-ministerial coordinating mechanism/body.


[1] See http://www.moldovapops.md/app/includes/files/nip_eng.pdf

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant’s assignment will be delivered under Output 2: Economic valuation of selected priorities and designing policy instruments supporting the priority SMC issues.
In order to achieve the expected objectives, the Consultant will have the following responsibilities:
Major task 1: Prepare financial plan necessary for the proper functioning of the inter-ministerial coordinating mechanism/body
· Prepare the necessary documents for development of the financial plans and financial reports;
· Prepare the biannual work plan with detailed work plan for the first year;
· Identify the minimum number and the costs related to employees necessary for the proper functioning of the mechanism/body;
· Revise the organizational structure of the mechanism/body and elements for the Decision on the
establishment of the inter-ministerial coordinating mechanism/body;
· Prepare financial plan necessary for the work of the Agency as well as for the first working year;
Major task 2: Develop recommendations on economic instruments and fees policy of the inter-ministerial coordinating mechanism/body
· Prepare estimations of fee rates and prepare proposal for fee rates to be used by the mechanism/body
· Prepare a financial management analysis of the mechanism/body
· Prepare an analysis of chemicals management financial instruments/fees
· Participate in workgroup meetings;
· Contributing to seminars with relevant presentations;
Deliverables and Timeframe:
1. A detailed Work Plan developed - 10 January 2012
2. Prepare the necessary documents for development of the financial plans and financial reports of the inter-ministerial coordinating mechanism/body - 20 February 2012
3. Identify the minimum number and the costs related to employees necessary for the proper work of the mechanism/body - 20 February 2012
4. Draft the bi-annual financial plan necessary for the work of the mechanism/body - 05 March 2012
5. Prepare a financial management analysis and the relevant chemicals management financial instruments/fees - 07 March 2012
6. Mission to Chisinau: (TBD) mid March, 2012 (5 days)
7. Facilitate the workshop on presentation of the draft financial plans and reports for the inter-ministerial coordinating mechanism/body - 14 March 2012
8. Prepare an analysis of incomes/fees impact on industry/trade and proposal for amendments on fee rates decision - 10 April 2012
9. Finalize the financial plans (bi-annual) of the inter-ministerial coordinating mechanism/body - 30 April 2012
All the deliverables should be agreed with the UNDP’s counterpart at the Ministry of Environment and UNDP and be provided in English hard and electronic copy.
The timeframe for the work of International Consultant is tentatively planned through January- May 2012. The Consultancy should involve about 25 days of work, in one visit, of which 5 days to be present in Moldova.
Management Arrangements:
Organizational Setting: The contractor will work under the guidance of Project Implementation Unit (Environmental Pollution Prevention Office under the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Moldova) and the UNDP Environment and Energy Portfolio Manager with the support of relevant national experts. The consultant will report to the PIU and the assigned UNDP officer.
Contributions: The PIU will put at the contractor’s disposal all available materials and necessary information for tasks achievement and will facilitate the meetings, as needed.

The International Consultant will be located in the premises of the Ministry of Environment. The Project will provide the Consultant working space, access to Internet, printer and telephone line.

Competencies

  • Strong abilities in developing financial plans for state agencies in chemicals and waste spheres or other related areas;
  • Familiarity with international environmental and chemicals issues, including priority environmental problems and issues and environmental management system will be an asset;
  • Strong communication and writing skills;
  • Experience in working with central and local public authorities;
  • Experience of work in international teams;

Required Skills and Experience

  • University or Advanced Degree in finance, economy, environmental economics, or other relevant fields. Education in chemicals/waste management, environment protection will be an asset;
  • At least 3 years of experience in finance, economy, environmental economics and/or other relevant fields. Experience in environment protection and/or chemicals/waste management will be an asset;
  • Excellent proficiency in English (the knowledge of Russian and/or Romanian will be an asset).

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.

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. Dully filled Personal History Form PHF11/CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
Lump sum contract
The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, fee, number of anticipated working days, etc) and a breakdown of the lump sum amount. Payments will be based upon the delivery of the services specified in the TOR.
Travel:
All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. UNDP will 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.
EVALUATION
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the “cumulative analysis” methodology:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
  • University or Advanced Degree in finance, economy, environmental economics, or other relevant fields. Education in chemicals/waste management, environment protection will be an asset;
  • At least 3 years of experience in finance, economy, environmental economics and/or other relevant fields. Experience in environment protection and/or chemicals/waste management will be an asset;
Based on these minimum qualification requirements a short-list of candidates will be established, subject to the two-stage evaluation procedure (technical and financial evaluation)
a) Technical evaluation (max 350 points) -70%
b) Financial evaluation (max 150 points)- 30%
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 245 points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation
Technical evaluation: The technical part is evaluated on the basis of its responsiveness to the evaluation criteria set forth below.
  1. University or Advanced Degree in finance, economy, environmental economics, or other relevant fields (under-Master’s– 20 pts; Master’s – 35 pts; PhD-50pts) - 50
  2. Education in chemicals/waste management, environment protection (No-0 pts; Yes-20 pts) - 20
  3. At least 3 years of experience in finance, economy, environmental economics, or other relevant fields (3-5 years- 40 pts; 5-7 years-60 pts; > 7 years - 80 pts) - 80
  4. Experience in environmental protection or chemicals/waste management (No-0 pts; Yes-20 pts) - 20
  5. Strong abilities in developing financial plans for state agencies in chemicals and waste spheres or related areas (2 years –20 pts; 3-4 years- 35 pts; >4 years- 50 pts) - 50
  6. Experience of work in international teams (3 years- 5 pts; >3 year- 10 pts) - 10
  7. Experience in conducting participatory workshops with stakeholders (2 years- 5 pts; >2 year- 10 pts) - 10
  8. Proficiency in English - 10 pts (Romanian and/or Russian is an advantage) - 10
  9. Interview (55 – demonstrated technical knowledge and experience; 20 - communication/interpersonal skills; 15 – leadership/initiative; 10 – creativity/resourcefulness) - 100

Financial evaluation

The cumulative analysis scheme will be applied with a total score being obtained upon the combination of weighted technical and financial attributes. Cost under this method of analysis is rendered as an award criterion, which will be 30% out of the total score of 500 points. The individual contract (IC) will be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest cumulative score.
Evaluation of submitted financial offers will be done based on the following formula: S = Fmin /F * 150
S – score received on financial evaluation; Fmin – the lowest financial offer out of all the submitted offers qualified over the technical evaluation round; F – financial offer under consideration.
Note: Aggregated financial offer will be considered (“aggregated financial offer” is the total sum of all financial claims of the candidate for accomplishment of the task, including fee, per diem, travel etc)
Winning candidate: The winning candidate will be the candidate, who has accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical scoring + financial scoring).
Proposal should be submitted by email to vacancies-moldova@undp.org no later than January 17, 2012.
Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to silvia.pana-carp@undp.org. The UNDP Officer will respond in writing or 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 consultants.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.