Procurement Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Brief context of the Project:

“Addressing the impacts of energy crisis and initiating solutions toward energy security and addressing energy poverty/FPI (EU-funded project)”

In response to this energy crisis, the Government of Moldova introduced a State of Emergency on October 22, 2021, and January 20, 2022 and has prepared an urgent response to strengthen the social protection system’s ability to respond to increased energy tariffs. The Moldovan Government response is to ensure compensations measures for heating of all population in the proportion of 67% (from tariff increase) in December 2021 to 80% in January 2022.

Given the increase of gas tariffs will lead to subsequent increases of the electricity prices, the entire national economy and population will be affected. In this circumstances, Moldovan Government is looking to diversifying gas and electricity supply, to strengthen its energy security and enabling a transparent, fully open and well-functioning energy market.

For a country in which nearly two thirds of the population lived on less than $10/day before the pandemic began, where the expenditure on food and energy absorbs the vast majority of vulnerable household incomes, and where the vulnerable households generate the lion’s share of its electricity from gas, the current energy price increase has already shown significant implications. Energy poverty is to deepen, particularly for the poor households that are having to face a three to four- fold increase in energy prices (for gas and electricity) during the 2021-2022 heating season and beyond. Combined with the country’s aggravated context by the COVID-19 pandemic (5th COVID19 wave as the Omicron variant outbreaks) and on-going macroeconomic social distress, the energy shocks also pose major risks to the Government’s reform program, which seeks to strengthen Moldova’s alignment with European and global good governance practices and is central to Moldova’s hopes for achieving the SDGs. The current geopolitical situation brings additional urgency to pursue these actions.

The acute gas supply crisis in Moldova has also been subject of discussions within the Moldova-EU Association Council meeting on October 28, 2021. The EU and Moldova stressed the importance of resilience against any potential efforts by third parties to use energy as a geopolitical lever. The Association Council recalled the importance of continued energy market reform to strengthen competition and transparency in this sector. The EU has urged Moldova to ensure that the energy sector reform demonstrates full respect of the Energy Community acquis and is in line with the EU Third Energy Package. The EU side confirmed its support to the objective of Moldova to synchronize its electricity network with the Continental European Network (CEN), an important step towards the integration into the EU energy system and market.

Under these circumstances the Government of Moldova will be assisted to tackle the current energy crisis and energy poverty and addressing prioritized systemic elements in the energy sector to cope with potential future energy crisis. In partnership with EU, UNDP Moldova will therefore, support the Government of Moldova:
• To tackle the current energy crisis and energy poverty, and addressing prioritized systemic elements in the energy sector to cope with potential future energy crisis • To support the Government of Moldova in building its capacities towards strengthening the national energy security, as well as in improving the legal and regulatory framework and operationalizing specific rapid large-scale interventions to tackle energy poverty and support most vulnerable and affected groups of population and businesses.

The Project duration is envisaged between 2022-2024 with support from Foreign Policy Instrument (herewith FPI) of EU.

Task description:

The Procurement associate close cooperation with the project team, under the direct guidance and supervision of the Procurement Coordinator and Programme Manager, will ensure the provision of financial and administrative services of the highest quality and standards to the project team, UNDP Country office, as well as national counterparts and clients. More specifically:

Procurement: • Pro-actively contribute to day-to-day project implementation and ensure conformity to expected results and Programme work-plans; • In accordance with the Programme Work Plan support the Procurement Coordinator in procurement of equipment, supplies and services ensuring full compliance with UNDP rules and procedures; • Draft annual Programme procurement plan and keep it up to date, as well as draft periodical procurement reports based on inputs from Programme team; • Organize procurement processes, including preparation and conduct of micro-purchases, RFQs, ITBs or RFPs, by drafting bidding/selection documents (or address direct invitations to submit offer), receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their preliminary screening, participate at the negotiation of conditions of contracts, in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Support the Procurement Coordinator in organizing procurement processes with respect to individual consultancy services (ICs, RLAs, Rosters), coordinate receipt of applications and financial proposals, their preliminary screening, participate at the negotiation of financial proposals or contract conditions in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations; • Prepare the submission packages to the Contract, Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP); • Draft contracts’ packages for goods and services for management approval; • Draw up and maintain evidence and monitoring of awards and contracts with project implementing partners, consulting organizations, contractors, etc.; • Maintain records on national/international consultants and their respective status (contracts, ToRs, and attendance – if appropriate, etc.) in accordance with corporate policies and procedures; • Monitor and draft in Quantum system supplier’s performance with respect to the quality and timely delivery of goods/services; • Create and manage e-requisitions in Quantum; • Arrange for equipment maintenance and insurance as required, manage office stationary supplies; • Maintain an assets and spare inventory including verification and transfer when required and provide inputs for corporate reporting on assets and inventory. • Verify supplier’s information in Quantum and collect Supplier data forms for updating information to further submit for update in Quantumto the Procurement Coordinator;

Administrative management: • Assume responsibility for archiving Programme documents in accordance with UNDP SOP on archiving, transfer the packages to relevant UNDP CO focal person, as well as keep evidence of archived packages; • Prepare timely inputs to project reports in the area of responsibility as necessary; • Provide other administrative support when required by the Programme management.

Other duties: • Pass the Mandatory Learning Courses and submit certificates to Human Resources for records; • Keep abreast of UNDP rules and regulations in the area of responsibility and maintain an optimum level of knowledge by continuous learning; • Provide inputs for elaboration of proposals and implementation of cost saving and reduction

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

in administrative work, procurement, economics, experience and at least five (5) years (with Secondary Education. Previous working experience in the development assistance or related work for a donor organization, consulting company, or NGO is required.

• Secondary Education can be accepted if the candidate had additional training in procurement. • University Degree in economics, law, public administration, business administration or another related field would be desired. • Previous experience with EC/UNDP is a strong advantage. • 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 web-based management systems. • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, age sensitivity and adaptability. • Treats peers fairly by maintaining consistent values, inspiring trust and confidence through personal credibility. • Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions. • Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and ability to prioritize. • Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit. • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents. • Adapts flexibly to changing situations, overcomes obstacles and recovers quickly from set-backs. • Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback. • Ability to achieve results and meet strict deadlines in an effective manner. • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

According to the country analysis at the World Bank, the Republic of Moldova remains among the poorest countries in Europe. More information about the country is available here: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/moldova/overview. The Republic of Moldova has a population of 2,6 million (2022) and is bordered by Ukraine to the north, east, and south and shares a direct border with Romania. On 23 June 2022, the European Council granted European Union Candidate status to Moldova.

Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, is the largest and well-developed city, located in the middle of the country. The city has a high degree of security, lots of parks, lakes and nice places with affordable restaurants and coffee places. It offers a diverse range of accommodation with properly working utilities. The public transport is cheap and accessible, but during the rush hours the city has problems with the traffic due to high number of cars. Taxi service is also available and can be ordered through the phone and mobile applications. The city has a lot of shops and several malls with a good selection of products. The Internet and mobile operators are not expensive and running with a good quality of the connection. There are public hospitals, laboratories, and private clinics, depending on the budget and needs.

Moldova is a unique country and OHCHR is a unique organisation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances:

The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos). For information specific to your assignment please see below:

Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations of the monthly post adjustment.

Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): MDL 14516.91 Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 400 Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): MDL 1209.74 Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance (Comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts for the UN Volunteer and health insurance coverage for up to 3 eligible dependents. See the Conditions of Service for more details on eligibility criteria.)

Leave entitlements: Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified sick leave: 30 days Uncertified sick leave: 7 days Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months Maternity Leave: 16 weeks Paternity Leave: 10 days