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International Consultant to develop the Project Identification Form (PIF) for GEF 7.

Vacancy Number: Pr19/01934

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	06 Dec 2019, 18:00 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:	12 Dec 2019, 16:00 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	20 Dec 2019
Reference to the project:	Advisory Services for Programme Development
Expected Duration of Assignment:	up to 20 wds
Supporting Documents: Terms of Reference Individual Consultant Procurement Notice Personal History Form (P11) OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR (IC) ASSIGNMENT UNDP General Conditions of Individual Contract

Ms. Silvia Pana-Carp.

Background

The Republic of Moldova is encircled by two transborder aquatic arteries: the Nistru River and the Prut River, the latter being the tributary of the Danube River. Both rivers host wetlands, whose importance has been recognized internationally. Currently, three wetlands with a total area of 94,751 ha (2,6% of the country's territory) are registered under the Ramsar Convention: (i) Unguri - Holoşnita in the middle part of the Dniester River, (ii) Lower Dniester the south-east of the country, (iii) the Lower Prut - in the south of the country.

The ecosystems in the Prut basin are of strategic interest, including being the focus of regional and international organizations and projects. It is worth mentioning that in July 2018, as a result of the implementation of the EU / CBC project between Romania-Moldova-Ukraine, the Lower Prut Biosphere Reserve (14,771 ha) was officially designated and registered in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It incorporated the lands of the Lower Prut Scientific Reserve and the Ramsar Wetland - "Lower Prut".

This important step for the Republic of Moldova contributed to attracting at least 2 large projects funded by Rewilding Europe and the Government of Romania in a total amount of over 1.6 million US dollars. The projects will support the elaboration of the feasibility study and the technical-economic and ecological argumentation of the rehabilitation of the Beleu and Manta lakes, the carrying out of the hydrotechnical works to reduce the clogging processes of the respective lakes. At the same time, in 2019, the regional project “Hydromorphology and river restoration in the Danube basin” (DYNA) is launched, with the involvement of 5 non-EU countries - Bosnia-Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine. The project will be funded by GEF and implemented by WWF and ICPDR in cooperation with the Water Agency of Moldova and local public authorities in the Beleu lake area. It is worth mentioning that UNDP aims to ensure synergy with ongoing projects for the conservation of natural resources on the Prut River and to coordinate its activities, so that the projects are complementary, to generate a cumulative impact in the Prut Basin. As a result, the sustainability of project implementation in a unique cross-border area is ensured.

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

Scope of work

Under the overall guidance of UNDP Programme Specialists on Environment, Climate Change and Energy, UNDP CO and in coordination with the national consultants and as informed by guidance from the UNDP IRH Regional Technical Advisor, the International Consultant (acting in his/her individual capacity) will lead and work with the Government of Moldova and relevant stakeholders, to scope and then develop a project identification form that would be eligible for the funding under GEF-7 and is technically feasible according to GEF and UNDP criteria. In doing this, the International Consultant will be supported by one National Consultant (engaged by UNDP under separate contractual arrangements).

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

Requirements for experience

Academic Qualification

• Advanced university degree in natural resources management, biodiversity conservation, environmental economics, and related areas;

Experience:

• At least seven (7) years of professional experience in developing and managing projects related to biodiversity conservation and planning;
• At least three (3) drafted and/or managed UNDP/GEF PIFs and documents in the area of the biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management which have been approved by GEF and/or evaluated as satisfactory and/or highly satisfactory;

• Expert knowledge of GEF operating and strategic principles, especially as related to GEF-7 programme cycle;
• Proven working experience with UNDP on biodiversity conservation projects; 
• Experience working in Eastern Europe and CIS region.

Competencies

• Good communication and presentation skills;
• Demonstrated ability of analytical and report drafting work;
• Extensive experience analyzing data and preparing analytical reports;
• Ability to work with a broad range of individuals of diverse institutions and levels;
• Proven experience in undertaking similar assignments. Demonstrated written and spoken proficiency in English;
• Ability to work in a team and excellent communication skills;
• Good interpersonal and facilitation skills.

Language skills:

• Fluent in written and oral communication in English; Knowledge of Romanian or/and Russian will be a strong asset

Documents to be included

1. Proposal: Brief proposal explaining why you are the most suitable for this consultancy including confirmation on availability to take up an assignment for the whole period.
2. CV, including information about past experience in similar assignments and contact details for at least 3 referees;
3. Financial proposal (in USD, specifying the total lump sum amount as well as the requested amount of the fee per day).
4. Offeror's Letter confirming Interest and Availability.

Financial proposal

The financial proposal will specify the daily fee, travel expenses and per diems quoted in separate line items, and payments are made to the Individual Consultant based on the number of days worked.

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 relevant business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.