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International Consultant in pollution charge system.

Vacancy Number: Pr13/00320

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	14 May 2013, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	03 Jun 2013
Reference to the project:	Strengthening capacities to undertake Environmental Fiscal Reform to meet national and global environmental priorities
Expected Duration of Assignment:	40 days
Submission Instructions: Proposals should be submitted online by pressing the "Apply Now" button at the link : https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=37294 , no later than May 14, 2013. Requests for clarification only must be sent by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail: ruslan.surugiu@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 medium size Project „Strengthening capacities to undertake Environmental Fiscal Reform to meet national and global environmental priorities is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with UNDP Moldova as GEF Implementing Agency and the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Moldova as Executing Partner.

This project sets out to build capacities for implementing environmental fiscal reforms (EFR) that will produce increased national and global environmental benefits through the adoption of selected charges, subsidies, fees, fines, taxes and other appropriate instruments. It will initiate and pilot EFR instruments targeted to meeting Rio Convention objectives and ensure their integration within national plans and policies, especially in national taxation and decentralization process in Moldova. The reforms will focus on creating conditions, financial incentives and disincentives, and decreased opportunity costs to undertake actions that deliver environmental outcomes. The expected outcome is that EFR will be adopted as an important element of Moldova’s development policy, whereby improved economic, financial and fiscal instruments and their use would strengthen regulatory and other approaches to environmentally sound and sustainable development, with a particular emphasis of meeting obligations under the three Rio Conventions (Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Desertification). The project will also contribute to and complement a broader national decentralization reform process, including policy planning at the national level, redesigning of competencies and responsibilities of local and sub-national governments and reforming local government revenue systems.

Scope of work

The assignment will include analysis of current pollution charge system with a review of existing environmental charges and taking into consideration lessons learnt in international and local practice with the focus on facilitation of eco-technology investments and continued earmarking of charge revenues to the National Environmental Fund.

Besides a desk review of the relevant documents the consultant will undertake two missions to the country in full collaboration with the UNDP Country Office. The missions will include consultations with key partners in the Government of Moldova, responsible for pollution charge system as well as relevant sectorial ministries, including those involved in planning and finance and if needed relevant national institutions, including research and academia.

The current pollution charge system is overly complicated and targets too many pollutants. The efficiency of applying fees and fines for pollution should be improved significantly by optimizing the existing charge system and focusing on fewer pollutants and targeting major polluters. Product taxes are currently levied on imported products only and should be enhanced to cover domestic production, consider the introduction of the producer responsibility, and ideally include other important aspects of EU Directives on batteries, end of life vehicles, packaging and electric & electronic equipment.

For the fulfillment of the above-mentioned objectives, a team of one International Consultant and one National Consultant will be formed, who will have the following responsibilities:

• Undertake analysis of existing legal and institutional framework related to the pollution charge system;
• Undertake analysis of environment related policies;
• Elaborate a detail reform concept proposal on an improved pollution charge payment system;
• Provide recommendations on improved legal and institutional framework;
• Bring in lessons learnt in international and local practices for efficient pollution charge system operation;
• Advise on overall EFR reform efforts and implementation of EFR instruments supported by the project, including oversight of project activities related to the reform of subsidies in the agriculture and energy sector, ensuring overall consistency of proposed reforms.

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

Requirements for experience

Education

Advanced university degree in public finance, economics, environment or closely related field;

Experience

• At least 10 years substantive professional international experience in the areas of environmental taxation and green subsidies ;
• Substantive professional knowledge of environmental taxation and green subsidy policies in Eastern Europe and the European Union;
• Established network of contacts with key project stakeholders and experts, especially on international level;
• Good knowledge of Rio Conventions;
• Experience on development and optimizing pollution charge system;
• Experience in developing sector related policy documents and legal framework amendments;
• Previous work experience with UNDP is an advantage.
• Previous work experience in Moldova and the region is an advantage

Language:

English; excellent English writing skills; knowledge of Romanian and/or Russian would be an asset

Competencies:

Technical work

• Thorough understanding of national policies and programs, fiscal and financial instruments as they relate to pollution charges.
• Demonstrated knowledge, analytical skills and relevant experience in evaluation and implementation of pollution charges, including international aspects and mitigation options. 
• Sound, practical understanding of market economics and how a proper pollution charge system can contribute to environmental protection. 
• Experience in drafting strategic documents. 
• Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily and to turn information from various sources into coherent concepts and draft legislation. 
• Experience with the implementation of EU Directives on batteries, end of life vehicles, packaging and electric & electronic equipment in Central and Eastern European countries.

Partnerships

• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high-ranking members of international, regional and national institutions. 
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. 
• Good oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors. 
• Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports.

Results

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback. 

Good team player, self-starter, has ability to work under minimum supervision and maintain good relationships.

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 the 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 of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).  

Travel

IC will have two missions to Moldova: the first mission is anticipated for the first half of June 2013, the second - for the second half of August 2013. The number of days spent in Moldova for each mission is 5 days.

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.