National consultant to develop roadmap for enhancing institutional capacity to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI) of the Republic of Moldova.

Vacancy Number: Pr21/02359

Location:Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline: 11 Jan 2022, 23:00 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:
20 Jan 2022, 16:00 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:
27 Jan 2022, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:
11 Feb 2022, 16:30 (GMT+2:00)
Starting date: 21 Feb 2022
Reference to the project: Accelerating Digital Transformation in Public Sector in the Republic of Moldova
Expected Duration of Assignment:20 working days
Submission Instructions:

Proposals should be submitted online, by pressing the "Apply Online" button, no later than 11.01.2022.

Requests for clarification only must be sent by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail:

serghei.botezatu@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_NOT TO BE USED
Procurement Notice
Terms of Reference_Revision 1_TO BE USED
OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR (IC) ASSIGNMENT
UNDP General Conditions of Individual Contract

Contacts:

Mr. Serghei Botezatu.

serghei.botezatu@undp.org


Background

The digital transformation is already a reality in Moldova, as the country has begun to transfer legal, social, and civil service delivery online. Accelerated digitalization can be expected to create new business models and opportunities for digital leapfrogging in traditional industries and governance.

The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the need for significant support and investments on digital transformation and effective digital governance, particularly to ensure the continuity and delivery of core government functions.

The pandemic has revealed the lack of preparedness of the public sector to quickly adapt policies and tools due to lack and low quality of data; to work remotely and online, including in delivery of social services in education, health, mobility, and other sectors for specific population groups; and to adapt the performances of services for the economic sectors to the conditions induced by the crisis. 

In the past months, business continuity was severely hampered, and many government officials and staff had to continue working in their physical offices not only due to infrastructure issues, but also most importantly due to the presence and location of data and information in offline data files and paper-based systems.

While there has been much emphasis on digital tools and technologies in Moldova, digital transformation areas like policy, institutional coordination and trainings, as well as leadership remains a significant challenge and continue to constrain effective digital transformation and economic growth. One of the underlying causes is the low digitalization of the public sector and its offer.

The Government of Moldova (GOM) remains committed to supporting political dialogue and will use this important forum towards our shared vision of developing a prosperous digital Moldova.

 

The MFAEI is one of the key line ministries of the Government and a central body which promotes the Government’s policy in the field of foreign relations and conducts its activity in conformity with the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Moldova, the decisions of the Parliament, Decrees of the President of the Republic of Moldova, decisions of the Government, and other normative documents, international treaties, and agreements to which the Republic of Moldova is party. Therefore, the Digital Transformation of this Ministry should be one of the priorities for the Government in advancing the agenda in this area. The mandate of the Ministry is broad and includes such areas as: exercises the sovereign rights of the Republic of Moldova in the framework of international relations, promotes foreign policy, coordinates the activity of central relevant bodies and other administrative authorities of the Republic of Moldova so that to insure the establishment and further development of the relations with other countries, negotiates on behalf of the Republic of Moldova or participates at the negotiations of international treaties and agreements, supervises the application of treaties, coordinates the implementation of the country’s obligations under international treaties, cooperates with the relevant central bodies and other structures of public administration in what the foreign economic relations and the promotion of a common State foreign policy are concerned, coordinates and oversees the activity of the diplomatic missions and consular sections abroad, exercises consular activities and is providing various services, including in digital format, to citizens and foreign citizens on the territory of the Republic of Moldova and abroad.  

Scope of work

The purpose of this assignment is to secure the consultant’s services in developing the road map for enhancing the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (herewith MFAEI) of Moldova in the areas of negotiation and diplomacy capabilities and digital readiness assessment.

The consultant will develop the road map for enhancing the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (herewith MFAEI) of Moldova with special focus on:

  • Conducting a rapid assessment of the existing institutional and functional development challenges and opportunities of MFAEI, with particular focus on negotiation capabilities and skills and strengthening sectorial diplomacy capabilities (in areas such as economy, energy, climate, and resilience).
  • Conducting a rapid digital readiness assessment focused on identification and exploration of major opportunities and gaps for digital transformation of the ministry and digitalization of services, as well for providing rapid technical support in terms of preparing the grounds for development and implementation of new digital solutions.

As it regards the digital transformation, UNDP Moldova will orient the support towards the following aspects:

  • Support with the implementation of the ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications;
  • Reform and implementation of new e-Consulate, e-Visa services as well as digital solutions for e-Protocol and e-Archive;
  • Provide all necessary explanations and links/notes to data sources, etc.

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

Requirements for experience

Qualifications and Experience

  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in economics, social sciences, law or related areas;
  • At least 5 years of the senior level working experience in the design, elaboration, management and implementation of Road Maps or/and National Digital Agendas.
  • Previous senior level working experience of at least 5 years in the field of digitalization, digital transformation and profound understanding of digital transformation is required.
  • Experience in being a member or/and managing a high-level strategic team.
  • Previous senior level experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, in particular governmental institutions, NGO or private sector / consulting firm is required.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
  • Additional training and certification in strategies design and development would be an advantage.

 

Skills and Competencies

  • Proven capacity to produce roadmaps, transformation agendas, reports and analyses in English;
  • Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of work;
  • Innovative and creative thinking;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Excellent interpersonal and team work skills;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Ability to facilitate group processes, including when tensions arise.

 

Language:

  • Fluency in oral and written English, Romanian and Russian.

 

The UNDP Moldova is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the Republic of Moldova, are particularly encouraged to apply. Please mention in CV if you belong to the group(s) under-represented in the UN Moldova and/or the area of assignment.

Documents to be included

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/ information to demonstrate their qualifications:

  • CV, including information about past experience in similar assignments and contact details for at least 3 referees;
  • Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
  • Offeror's Letter confirming Interest and Availability with financial proposal (in USD, specifying the total lump sum amount). Financial proposal template prepared in compliance with the template in Annex 2.

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 fees, taxes, travel costs, accommodation costs, communication, and number of anticipated working days).