UNDP Jobs - 67554- Consultant - Technical Expert for the Monitoring o

Consultant - Technical Expert for the Monitoring of Infrastructure Projects Funded by the Romanian Government in the Republic of Moldova

Location :

Home-based with missions, TURKEY

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

03-Aug-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

estimated September 2016 - October 2017

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

approximately 41 working days

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Romania’s development assistance (ODA) programme has been officially launched in 2007, following the country’s accession to the European Union (EU). Since then, Romania has strived to position itself on the international development arena as an innovative donor, with the main comparative advantage of being able to share its direct experience and knowledge in the democratic transition and Euro-Atlantic integration processes. Romania’s strategic objective in development cooperation is to contribute to poverty reduction by promoting security and economic welfare, state of law, sustainable economic development, climate change mitigation and investments in education, complementing international efforts in the field.

Romania has identified the thematic and geographic priorities, and has developed a clear national Policy and institutional framework for its ODA. The geographical focus is now on twelve countries: in the Black Sea extended region - the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan; and in North Africa and the Middle East - Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan. The Romanian current ODA thematic priorities are: 1) transition to democracy (reconstruction of the state, democratic governance, administrative reform, support for the civil society, the media, and conflict resolution); 2) support for agriculture and sustainable economic growth in the climate change context– preferably in the phytosanitary and sanitary and veterinary fields; 3) environment protection and support for activities to promote sustainable energy in the context of the climate changes. The secondary sectors are health and education.
In view of further consolidating national capacities in the field of ODA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are currently implementing The New ODA Cooperation Partnership with Romania project (2013-2015), with the overall objective to support Romania in becoming an effective, innovative and increasingly influential actor for development cooperation so it can achieve sustainable, scalable development impact in the countries that are a priority of Romanian ODA. The UNDP continues to provide the MFA with the necessary administrative and implementation mechanism and tools for ODA delivery (project/programme frameworks and management capacity).

As part of the Romanian ODA Programme, among other funding modalities, the Romanian Government transfers direct funding to national institutions in the beneficiary countries for selected projects. In 2014, the Government of the Republic of Moldova has requested the financial support of the Romanian Government for the following projects:

PROJECT 1:
TITLE OF THE PROJECT: Restored space for a new image and quality of the display spaces of the National Arts Museum of the Republic of Moldova
IMPLEMENTER: National Art Museum of the Republic of Moldova, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova
TOTAL BUDGET IN RON/USD: 4.500.000 RON/ ˜ 1.100.000 USD
IMPLEMENTING PERIOD: 31/10/2014 - 01/10/2016

PROJECT 2:
TITLE OF THE PROJECT: Renovation of the Institute „Mother and Child”
IMPLEMENTER: Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova, via the Mother and Child Institute
TOTAL BUDGET IN RON/USD: 11.250.000 RON/˜ 2.700.000 USD
IMPLEMENTING PERIOD: 30/11/2014 - 31/12/2016

PROJECT 3:
TITLE OF THE PROJECT: Renovation of the building hosting the "The Organ Hall" of Chisinau
IMPLEMENTER: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova
TOTAL BUDGET IN RON/USD: 4.500.000 RON/˜ 1.125.000 USD
IMPLEMENTING PERIOD: 30/11/2014 - 31/12/2016

PROJECT 4:
TITLE OF THE PROJECT: Renovation of the building which hosts the Republican Music- Drama Theatre „B.P. Hasdeu” of Cahul
IMPLEMENTER: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova
TOTAL BUDGET IN RON/USD: 3.600.000 RON/˜ 850.000 USD
IMPLEMENTING PERIOD: 30/11/2014 - 31/05/2018

The UNDP requires the services of a national technical expert for monitoring the above mentioned infrastructure projects funded by the Romanian Government in the Republic of Moldova. The technical expert will periodically (on a quarterly basis) monitor the status of the rehabilitation works, will provide ad hoc technical expertise by request and will assist the beneficiaries with their reporting commitments as per the requirements of the donor.

Location: Mostly home-based with 4 missions to Chisinau and Cahul, the Republic of Moldova (3 working days per mission, out of which, 2 working days per mission should be in Chisinau, and 1 working day per mission should be in Cahul) and 1 final mission to Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova (2 working days in Chisinau) for organizing and conducting the focus group.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant should be available estimated from September 2016 to October 2017 to undertake the following tasks, in close coordination with the UNDP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania.

Elaborate 4 monitoring reports (1 report per quarter, during 12 months) assessing the implementation status of the 4 infrastructure projects mentioned above funded by the Romanian Government in the Republic of Moldova. The quarterly monitoring reports will be based on field missions of maximum 3 working days per mission, conducted every 3 months to the sites of the 4 infrastructure projects in Chisinau and Cahul and on meetings with local stakeholders and partners. The monitoring reports must include at least a brief status update on the implementation of the monitored projects, identify lessons learned and implications for the project’s next steps and provide recommendations for future actions;
Organizing and conducting 1 focus group in Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova with local stakeholders and implementing partners of the 4 infrastructure projects. All the details regarding the organization of the focus group including: establishing the date, the agenda, contacting the local stakeholders, designing and coordinating the focus group questions and discussions and analyzing the data gathered will be done by the selected consultant under the supervision of the UNDP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania;
Elaborate 1 final report containing the lessons learned from monitoring the 4 infrastructure projects funded by the Romanian Government in the Republic of Moldova and the results obtained following the 1 focus group conducted. The aim of the report is to serve as a knowledge management mechanism to be shared with the future implementing partners of infrastructure projects funded by the Romanian Government in the Republic of Moldova.

Expected deliverables and tentative timeframe:

The consultancy will consist of approximately 41 working days during the estimated period September 2016 – October 2017, and will elaborate the following deliverables:

4 monitoring reports assessing the implementation status of the 4 infrastructure projects funded by the Romanian Government in the Republic of Moldova (1 report containing information about the 4 infrastructure projects per quarter):

12 working days home – based for preparing the 4 reports (allocating 3 working days per each group of 4 reports);
12 working days field based for conducting the field missions in Chisinau and Cahul, the Republic of Moldova (3 working days per mission, out of which, 2 working days per mission should be in Chisinau, and 1 working day per mission should be in Cahul).

Completion date:

November 2016 (20% upon completion of the first report based on the first 3 days mission in Chisinau and Cahul, the Republic of Moldova, out of which 2 working days should be in Chisinau, and 1 working day should be in Cahul);
February 2017 (20% upon completion of the second report based on the second 3 days mission in Chisinau and Cahul, the Republic of Moldova, out of which 2 working days should be in Chisinau, and 1 working day should be in Cahul);
May 2017 (20% upon completion of the third report based on the third 3 days mission in Chisinau and Cahul, the Republic of Moldova, out of which 2 working days should be in Chisinau, and 1 working day should be in Cahul);
August 2017 (20% upon completion of the fourth report based on the fourth 3 days mission in Chisinau and Cahul, the Republic of Moldova, out of which 2 working days should be in Chisinau, and 1 working day should be in Cahul).

1 focus group organized and conducted in Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova:

7 working days home – based for preparing the focus group including establishing the date of the focus group, the agenda, contacting the local stakeholders, designing and coordinating the focus group questions,
2 working days in Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova to conduct the focus group,
1 working day home based for centralizing the data gathered from the focus group.

Completion date: September 2017, (5% upon completion of 1 final mission to Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova (2 days in Chisinau).

1 final report containing the lessons learned from monitoring infrastructure projects funded by the Romanian Government in the Republic of Moldova:

7 working days for preparing the final report.

Completion date: October 2017 (15% upon completion of the final report).

Competencies

Core competences:

Strong cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity and objectivity, discretion and loyalty;
Excellent interpersonal skills within a range of professional contexts;
Result orientation and client focus.

Functional competence:

Strong organizational awareness, client orientation and government advisory skills;
Strong analytical skills;
Well-developed ability to synthesize information;
Ability to multitask and respond successfully to tight deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

Minimum Bachelor’s degree in in Architecture, Urbanism, Engineering, Construction, Buildings Restauration or related area.

Experience:

At least 5 year of professional experience in the field of Architecture, Urbanism, Engineering Construction Works or Building Restauration;
At least 3 years of professional experience in project management;
At least 2 proven assignments of conducting field monitoring missions for infrastructure projects;
Previous work experience in the rehabilitation of cultural heritage sites is a plus;
Previous work experience in the Republic of Moldova on infrastructure projects is a plus;
Previous work experience with UN agencies or government officials is a plus.

Language skills:

Romanian native speaker and fluency in English language;
Strong drafting and reporting skills in Romanian.

Evaluation of Applicants:
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

responsive, and
having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria: 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

Minimum Bachelor’s degree in in Architecture, Urbanism, Engineering, Restauration or related area - max. 5 points;
At least 3 year of professional experience in the field of architecture/construction works/rehabilitation/related- max. 15 points;
At least 5 years of professional experience in the field of project management – max. 10 points;
At least 2 proven assignments of conducting field monitoring missions for infrastructure projects - max. 15 points;
Previous work experience in the rehabilitation of cultural heritage buildings is a plus - max. 5 points;
Previous work experience of working in the Republic of Moldova on infrastructure projects is a plus – max. 10 points;
Previous work experience with UN agencies and government officials is a plus – max. 5 points;
Language skills - max. 5 points.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points.

Application procedures:
Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
Financial Proposal* - specifying a) total lump sum amount in USD for the tasks specified in this announcement b) travel costs for 4 missions in the Republic of Moldova, 3 days per mission out of which 2 working days per mission should be in Chisinau, and 1 working day per mission should be in Cahul), and 1 final mission to Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova (2 working days in Chisinau) for organizing and conducting the focus group as well as per diems for the above mentioned missions and or any other possible costs (please provide description in case of other possible costs);
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

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.