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International Consultant to conduct a feasibility study on modernization of the Shooting Range for the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Academy” Stefan cel Mare” of the Republic of Moldova.

Vacancy Number: Pr22/02631

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	23 Nov 2022, 16:30 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	05 Dec 2022
Reference to the project:	Strengthening the Police Training Capacities in the Republic of Moldova
Expected Duration of Assignment:	December 2022 – February 2023 (up to 35 working days)
Supporting Documents: Procurement Notice Terms of Reference OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR (IC) ASSIGNMENT UNDP General Conditions of Individual Contract

Ms. Elena Verdes.

Background

Firearm use and shooting training is organized on regular basis by the ‘Stefan cel Mare’ Academy (Police Academy) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova. The Academy has a 55 meters long indoor shooting range that is in use since 1983. However, the facility is in a poor condition that decreases the quality of the training process, threatens the safety of the students/cadets, as well as does not comply with applicable environmental requirements. Additionally, the electric/lighting, acoustic, and heating systems are outdated; the ventilation system is unable to prevent air contamination and has a limited air filtration and circulation capacity, while the bullet trap mechanism is worn. The shooting range lacks a shooting monitoring and control system, distraction lighting system and a fit for purpose target carrier system, that would allow to conveniently program different maneuvers and scenarios. The current MIA’s recruitment system is affected by several problems, which impacts the quality of recruited staff and, thus, the overall performance of the institution. The recruitment is not focused on the candidate, it does not ensure a high level of integrity and protection against undue influence, is prone to corruption and favoritism. There are neither specialized units and staff dealing with the recruitment processes, nor clearly defined SOPs. Use of IT tools in recruitment is deficient. 

Through this intervention the Project intends to support the Academy in modernizing the indoor shooting range to foster a skills-based training in responsible firearm use for policing activity. Considering the complexity of this intervention and the value of potential investments, the Project will apply a staged approach. The current stage of the Project will include a comprehensive feasibility study on modernizing the specialized equipment of the shooting range. Building on the best regional practices and applicable safety and environmental requirements, the feasibility study will aim at assessing the level of interventions and the amount of investments required, paying due attention to the required specialized equipment, ensuring compliance with ballistic and soundproofing requirements, reengineering and upgrade of utilities systems and networks, redesign and refurbishment of adjacent training/debriefing rooms and other relevant spaces, installation of audio, video, lighting systems and automatic target retrieval mechanisms, provision of weapon discharge system and other relevant equipment and gear used for qualification, training and practice purposes. The findings of the study will determine further decisions on supporting the MIA and the ‘Stefan cel Mare’ Academy in upgrading the firearm use and shooting training capabilities. 

Under the current assignment, the International Consultant will be responsible for conducting a feasibility study on modernization of the Police Academy’s Shooting Range (shooting range), which will include the following consecutive stages: (i) comprehensive evaluation of Police Academy’s shooting range’s current technical situation, capacity gaps and expectations; (ii) based on performed evaluation, develop the conceptual component of the study, detailing technical specifications for the specialized equipment appropriate to the shooting range’s technical parameters and beneficiary’s needs; drafting the costs estimates for the procurement of the shooting range’s specialized equipment; estimation of the yearly average maintenance and operation costs of the modernized shooting range; (iii) draft final version of the feasibility study incorporating all recommendations related to feasibility and sustainability and relevant annexes.

The MIA/Police Academy shall be the main partner for this activity and will provide the necessary support to the contracted International Consultant (Consultant).

Scope of work

The UNDP/Strengthening Police Training Capacities in the Republic of Moldova Project is seeking to hire an International Consultant to conduct a feasibility study on modernization of the MIA/Police Academy’s shooting range. The Consultant will evaluate the current technical condition of the shooting range infrastructure and perform evaluation of the beneficiary needs and expectations relevant to shooting range modernization. Further on, based on assessment done, the Consultant will develop the Concept for the modernization of Police Academy’s shooting range with special attention to feasibility aspects of the process as well as to sustainability of the infrastructure use and maintenance.

In order to achieve the objective, the Consultant will:

1. Conduct a comprehensive Assessment of the current technical condition of the MIA/Police Academy’s shooting range infrastructure, evaluate the beneficiary needs, with a special focus on specialized equipment necessary for the appropriate endowment of the shooting range:
   • Undertake a comprehensive desk review of the existing documents relevant to shooting range operation, concepts, existing internal regulations and methodological approach and previously performed technical evaluations of the physical infrastructure done;
   • Conduct a field visit to MIA/Police Academy and carry out several meetings and direct communication with relevant staff and beneficiaries as well as with other relevant local stakeholders upon necessity. Evaluate existing issues, challenges and capacity gaps in operating the shooting range infrastructure as well as the beneficiary’s expectations versus the real needs relevant to the shooting range further modernization;
   • Draft a preliminary needs assessment report which will include the general findings, conclusions and recommendations regarding the existing infrastructure and the proposed approach for modernizing the shooting range.

Important Note: After the completion of the preliminary assessment and development of the assessment report, an online presentation shall be organized by the Consultant to inform UNDP and MIA/Police Academy about the main findings and conclusions.

1. Based on the findings and conclusions formulated in the preliminary assessment, the International Consultant will draft the Feasibility Study on modernization of the MIA/Police Academy’s shooting range which will focus on the following aspects:
   • Develop the conceptual part of the feasibility study regarding the shooting range modernization with a particular focus on required specialized equipment and furniture for optimal functioning and taking into consideration the physical parameters of the existing infrastructure, number of potential beneficiaries, feasibility and sustainability aspects;
   • Perform a comprehensive market research of relevant shooting range equipment providers. When conducting the market research, the Consultant must take into consideration the existing U.S. Government and UN sanctions and restrictions with regard to certain countries and equipment providers;
   • Based on conducted market research elaborate and present minimum two scenarios for shooting range endowment, using the relevant examples appropriate to the physical parameters and needs of the MIA/Police Academy’s shooting range. The examples will include sources, brand names, pictures, technical drawings and detailed technical specifications of each item, market costs, minimum operation requirements, including maintenance costs. The Consultant will recommend the best scenario and will provide a cost-benefit justification for the proposed recommendation;
   • Based on market research and the best selected scenario, develop generic technical specifications of the required equipment and furniture. Developed technical specifications must be generic and sufficiently detailed to allow the UNDP Project team to organize a competitive procurement process (which means minimum three different equipment providers to comply with the minimum technical requirements);
   • Develop preliminary cost estimates of the proposed generic equipment and furniture, including transportation, installation and potential maintenance costs during the first three years of operation (if any). The estimates to be provided in US Dollars;
   • In addition to the conceptual part of the feasibility study, the Consultant will formulate the recommendations on required methodological and capacity building interventions to ensure further sustainability of the shooting range activity;
   • Present for UNDP’s and MIA/Police Academy’s review the draft of the Feasibility Study which will include the conceptual part of the study with all relevant findings, conclusions, scenarios and recommendations best technical-financial approach for further operation as well as relevant annexes related to conducted market research, generic technical specifications and detailed costs estimates. UNDP along with the MIA/Police Academy will address clarifications and provide recommendations to the content of the feasibility study.

• Develop and present for approval the Final draft of the Feasibility Study:
  • Incorporate required changes and improvements in the draft feasibility study, based on feedback provided by UNDP and MIA/Police Academy;
  • Submit the final version of the Feasibility Study with all relevant annexes to UNDP for final review and approval.

Important Note:

• After the completion of the first draft, an online presentation of the feasibility study shall be organized by the Consultant to UNDP and MIA/Police Academy;
• The detailed technical aspects for the reconstruction works of the shooting range premises will be further developed at the structural technical designing stage of the project.

During the entire assignment the International Consultant will act as the subject matter expert for the donor organization, supporting the project team and implementing organization. The International Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the UNDP Project Manager. The work of the International Consultant will be mainly home-based, applying desk research methods, online meetings and communication. During the assignment period the consultant will carry out one field visit to Chisinau (up to 3 working days including time for travel) to clarify the missing details and carry out a review of the shooting range infrastructure. In this regard the International Consultant will be fully assisted by a National Consultant who will collect necessary information from the field, provide necessary inputs to the International Consultant and liaise between him/her and the key national stakeholders.

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

Requirements for experience

1. Academic Qualifications:

• University Degree (5-year university education) in Law, Law Enforcement/Police Studies, Security Studies or another relevant field. Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) is an asset.

1. Years and sphere of experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in the area of internal/home affairs, police administration/management or law enforcement;
• Demonstrated experience in elaboration of feasibility studies in the area of internal/home affairs, police administration/management or law enforcement (minimum two comprehensive studies - the candidates are asked to provide evidence of similar studies via links to relevant websites, or electronic copies of documents attached to the application, or links to uploaded documents in e-Cloud);

• Professional experience in Central and Eastern Europe on similar assignments is desirable;
• Experience in working with UN agencies is an asset.

• Competencies:

• Proven competencies in carrying out needs and capacity assessments; designing feasibility studies/ documentation/ specific regulatory framework/ standard operating procedures;
• Strong understanding and knowledge of modern technical solutions and methodologies related to renovation and efficient operation of the shooting range infrastructure;
• Solid understanding of and ability to apply communication and collaboration tools and techniques (MS Office 365, ZOOM, Google tools etc.), including the ability to analyses and use research data outside from the evaluated context;
• Proficiency in English language;
• Additional language skills: knowledge of Romanian and/or Russian, is an asset.

1. Personal qualities:

• Resourcefulness and creativity;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

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.

Documents to be included

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

• Offeror’s letter to UNDP confirming interest and availability for the individual contractor (IC) assignment;
• Financial proposal (in USD, specifying a total requested amount per working day, including all related costs, e.g. fees, phone calls etc.);
• Proposal (Motivation Letter): explaining why they are the most suitable for the work including previous experience in similar Projects (please provide brief information on each of the above qualifications, item by item, including information, links/copies of documents for similar comprehensive studies);
• CV and at least 3 references.

Important notice: The applicants who have 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 entire duration of the Individual Contract.

Financial proposal

The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of the lump sum amount (daily rate and number of anticipated working days).

Travel

One travel mission is envisaged in the framework of the current assignment.

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. 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.