Project Procurement Associate

On 23rd of June 2022, the European Council granted the Republic of Moldova the status of EU candidate country which is a substantial achievement, but which comes with great responsibilities and obligations. One of such obligation is the “Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity” which includes Chapters of the environment and climate change acquis. In this sense, meaningful reform are expected in view of European Green Deal targets. [1][2]

The proposed Green Transition Project takes due account of this endeavor. Hence, it will put in place the enabling conditions for a green transformation in Moldova through a combination of cross-sectorial decision-making in joint stakeholder platforms, capacity building measures, general education and awareness raising, dissemination of best policy practices, information sharing and networking, as well as pilot-testing green-transition related solutions and other activities, to ensure that the green transition concept is well understood and implemented.

The established enabling conditions and the investments into green-transition solutions will respond to the key development challenges that the country is currently dealing with such as the  climate change, environmental pollution and the energy crisis. 

It is well acknowledged that Moldova is highly vulnerable to climate change, given the limited resources and institutional capacities to address the climate change impacts. It is also due to the heavy reliance on the agricultural sector, water scarcity and other geographical factors. Currently the country is advancing with the national adaptation planning, including in the agricultural sector, aimed at putting in place proper institutional, technical and budgeting capacities in the context of climate change, however significant gaps remain in embarking of the sectors into achievement of the long-term adaptation targets.   

Environmental degradation is also posing a major threat to Moldova’s development agenda as its economy relies greatly on natural resources which leads to their overexploitation and pollution. Inadequate waste management practices and outdated practices and technologies in the key sectors of the economy also contribute to the environmental degradation and pollution. Mainstreaming of the green agenda into the country’s economic activities is taking place slowly. 

Moldova is in line with the global trend of continuously growing urbanization, with the proportion of the population living in urban areas expected to rise from 47% in 2010 to 60% in 2030 (UN Habitat). Cities are increasingly and significantly contributing to the main drivers of global environmental degradation. The municipalities have the greatest impact on air quality and are responsible for more than 50% of total air pollution in Moldova. 

From energy security perspective – Moldova is highly dependent on imported energy sources, and rely mostly on the use of fossil fuels. In addition, inefficient energy supply and consumption across all sectors exacerbates the situation. Until recently being 100% dependent on Russian gas import, the country is actively seeking diversification of energy supplies after the war of aggression in Ukraine. Improvements both in energy efficiency and in the development of domestic resources – including renewable energy resources – for strengthened sustainability, competitiveness, and energy security rank high on the political agenda. Energy sector si also the main source of GHG emissions in the country. 

Against this background, the Green Transition Project aims to support the Government of Moldova to engage sustainably in a transformative green agenda by enhancing awareness, building capacities and encouraging investments into low-emission and resource efficient economy. 

The target areas of the project are resource efficiency, green and circular economy, cleaner and sustainable energy, and mobility. The Project will be implemented under the following three specific components:

1. Socio-economic framework for a gender-responsive and inclusive green transition enabled. 
2. Capacity and awareness on the inclusive green transition increased among key stakeholders.
3. Additional funding attracted by promoting and piloting investments in green and innovative technologies, while evidence-based decision-making for green transition is improved by deploying a reliable air quality monitoring system.

The Project Procurement Associate will work under guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager in order to ensure smooth running of the programme. The incumbent contributes to an effective and efficient implementation of the Green Transition Project through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management and monitoring of project activities. The Procurement Associate applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Procurement  Associate works in close collaboration with the Project team as well as the team in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Procurement:

• Pro-actively contribute to day-to-day project implementation and ensure conformity to expected results and project work-plans;
• In accordance with the Programme Work Plan support the procurement of equipment, supplies and services ensuring full compliance with UNDP rules and procedures;
• Prepare the procurement plans for the Programme and monitor their implementation;
• Organize procurement processes, including preparation and conduct of RFQs, ITBs or RFPs, development of bidding documents, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their evaluation, negotiation of conditions of contracts, in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations; 
• Organize procurement processes with respect to individual consultancy services (ICs, RLAs), coordinate receipt of applications and financial proposals, their evaluation, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Clear and ensure delivery of equipment and supplies procured for the various programme sites;
• Promote and monitor the transparency of the procurement and contractual processes, and the use of international best practices; ensure that contractual processes follow the stipulated UNDP/EU procedures; 
• Prepare the submissions to the Contract, Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP);
• Draft contracts for goods and services for management approval; 
• Effective contracts management - draw up and maintain evidence and monitoring of awards and contracts with project implementing partners, consulting organizations, contractors, etc.;
• Monitor supplier’s performance with respect to the quality and timely delivery of goods and services;
• Undertake any other tasks requested on an ad hoc basis.

Administrative management:

• Pro-actively contribute to day-to-day project implementation and ensure conformity to expected results and project work-plans;
• Monitor compliance with both UNDP and Donor standards and ensure quality control of project filing systems and files;
• Provide advice to the project team on procurement and contractual administration of processes.

Other duties:

• Keep abreast of UNDP rules and regulations in the area of responsibility and maintain an optimum level of knowledge by continuous learning;
• Provide regular reports to the Project managers and flag any deviations from the work plans immediately;
• Provide inputs for elaboration of proposals and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies in consultation with Programme management.

The key results have an impact on the overall successful implementation and achievement of the objectives of the Programme. The information provided facilitates decision-making of the Project Board and UNDP management.

Institutional Arrangement:

The Project Procurement Associate will work under guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager in order to ensure smooth running of the programme. The Procurement Associate works in close collaboration with the Project team as well as the team in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery.  

• Business management
  • Monitoring: 
    • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
  • Operations Management:
    • Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner.
    • Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.
  • Customer Satisfaction/Client Management 
    • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solution, and deliver timely and quality results ans/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers’ needs.
    • Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy
    • Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests
    • Ability to anticipate clients’ upcoming needs and concerns.
• Procurement
  • Data Management:
    • Knowledge of processing, storing, and validating procurement data
  • Contract Management:
    • Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
  • Procure-to-Pay:
    • Knowledge of purchase-to-pay cycles, concepts, principles and policies, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
  • Category Management:
    • Ability to segment spend into areas which contain similar or related products enabling focus opportunities for consolidation and efficiency

• Fluency in oral and written Romanian and English is required. 
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language would be an asset. 

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
• Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures.  Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must.
• Previous working experience in the implementation of international projects, preferably involving large scale procurement processes, or work for a donor organization, consulting company or NGO is a very strong advantage.

Adheres to the core values of the United Nations; in particular, is respectful of differences of culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, language, age, HIV status, disability, and sexual orientation, or other status.

Professional Certificates:

Additional training and/or certification in procurement management would be an advantage.