UNDP Jobs - 29153- International Consultant on Phytosanitary controls

INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT ON PHYTOSANITARY CONTROLS AT BORDER INSPECTION POINTS
Location :	Chisinau, MOLDOVA
Application Deadline :	13-Apr-12
Type of Contract :	Individual Contract
Post Level :	International Consultant
Languages Required :	English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)	24-Apr-2012
Duration of Initial Contract :	30 days
Expected Duration of Assignment :	30 days
Background
In 2005 in the context of the new European Neighbourhood Policy, the Republic of Moldova (RM) and the EU signed an agreement: EU-Moldova Action Plan (EUMAP) for a period of 3 years, where a series of actions were included in order to intensify cooperation between the two parts. At the end of the period of the Action Plan, the European Council adopted in February 2008 a decision regarding a principle availability of the EU to initiate new negotiations with the RM with the aim of sigging of a new agreement. In parallel with the Action Plan, RM has signed an agreement with the EU for a facilitated visa regime, as well as obtained from EU a preferential trade regime for most of the goods produced in Moldova. In the framework of the Eastern Partnership and the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU has been negotiating an Association Agreement with Moldova since 2010. So far, 10 (ten) rounds of negotiations of the AA were held. Twenty three out of twenty five chapters of the AA have been provisionally closed (latest covering Political Dialogue and Reform, Foreign Policy Cooperation and Security areas.) The “Justice, Freedom and Security” Chapter is very close to an interim agreement. On December 5, 2011, the EU decided to launch negotiations on a deep and comprehensive free trade area with Moldova in order to boost economic growth and investment with its Eastern European partner. These negotiations will tackle a broad range of trade and economic issues so as to achievement by Moldova of a closer economic integration with the EU. The future Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area will be part of thee Association Agreement, which aim to closely associate Moldova to the EU both in economic and political terms, in line with the Eastern Partnership objectives. The future trade relations will therefore expand significantly beyond the scope of current cooperation, set out in the EU Moldova Partnership and Cooperation Agreement of 1998. The Project "Building Institutional Capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration” aims at strengthening the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration in the process of achieving its European Integration goals and commitments. The Project also aims to contribute to the development of the capacities of the MFAEI and the Negotiation Team (comprising also representatives from Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastructure) for European Integration, with immediate focus on negotiation and post-negotiation phases of the Association Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova and implicitly its implementation. Thus, assistance in preparation of preliminary feasibility impact assessments (not full RIA) for the effective implementation of certain EU legal acts in road transport area has been requested. European legislation requires that handling, preparation, processing, packaging, etc. of food is done hygienically, with hygienic machinery in hygienic premises. In October 2011, the Moldova - EU Cooperation Committee had a bilateral meeting on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) issues and the state of play of Moldova’s preparedness for DCFTA negotiations in these area was analyzed. Reintroduction of veterinary and phytosanitary services at the ports of entry in Moldova (Border Inspection Points) being currently a priority for Moldova, the MAFI requested the project to provide additional international consultative assistance.
Duties and Responsibilities
Objectives: The Project will contract an International Consultant on phytosanitary controls at Border Inspection Points to support MAFI in the evaluation of the current system of phytosanitary controls and to propose concrete activities (legal proposals, operational and technical proposals) for the reintroduction of Border Inspection Points. Key activities: Asses and prepare a report on the current legislation, function and current capacity (technical, infrastructure, procedural, methodological , and personal ) of the services involved in phytosanitary import/export control of plants and products of non-animal origin; Prepare a scheme of the Border Inspection Point requirements in the field of import/export of plants and products of non-animal origin in line with EU requirements and best practice including if possible drafts of adaptation plans, sketches, etc; Prepare on the basis of field visit an assessment of the needs and the approximate cost (infrastructure, technical, procedural, personnel etc.) of the 3 selected Border Inspection Point in order to be able to perform it proposed role in the new border control system; Prepare the outline technical specifications of key equipment required for the 3 selected Border Inspection Point in order for it to be able perform it role in the border control system; Prepare and discuss conclusions and recommendations with the beneficiary (Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry) and the representatives of the Centre for Legal Approximation within the Ministry of Justice. Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: Proposal: Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work; Financial proposal; Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount. 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. Minimum qualifications criteria: Master’s degree in Agriculture, EU Law or other relevant field. Bachelor and at least 5 years of experience would also be acceptable; Minimum 5 years of working experience in the area of management and implementation of phytosanitary and food of non-animal origin control including border control.
Competencies
Credibility in dealing with governmental officials, excellent analytical and communication skills; Fluency in written and spoken English, knowledge of Romanian or Russian would be an advantage.
Required Skills and Experience
Education: Master’s degree in Agriculture, EU Law or other relevant field. Bachelor and at least 5 years of experience would also be acceptable; Experience: Minimum 5 years of working experience in the area of management and implementation of phytosanitary and food of non-animal origin control including border control; Experience of reforming and restructuring border management in accordance with EU requirements and best practice would be a very strong advantage; Knowledge of and experience in the region of Central and Eastern Europe (experience in countries of transitional economy would be an asset); Similar experience in assisting government institutions within projects funded by international organizations.

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.