call for expressions of interest (CVs)

full-time assignmnet

(CONSULTANT SERVICES)

Extension of the deadline

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
Sector: General industry and trade sector
Project ID Number:P144103
Expression of interest:CEP-II/B/CS-23/2-IC-27

The Republic of Moldova has received financing from the International Development Association and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for implementation of the Second Competitiveness Enhancement Project (CEP II). CEP II will help the Ministry of Economy achieve its reform objectives. The project's development objective is to increase the export competitiveness of Moldovan enterprises and decrease the regulatory burden they face. This PDO will be achieved through a set of measures that aim to: (i) improve the business environment through regulatory reforms that reduce the cost of doing business; (ii) help SMEs and exporters to get access to business development services; and (iii) improve access to medium and long term finance for export oriented enterprises.

The project consists of the following components:

Regulatory Reform. The objective is to support GoM in improving the business enabling environment in Moldova.

a)

b)

Access to Finance. The objective of the Access to Finance component is to improve access to medium and long-term finance for export-oriented enterprises, reduce barriers to finance due to perceived high credit risk in SME finance and high collateral requirements, and promote suitable models for value chain financing.

Small and Medium Enterprise Development. The objective of the SME Development component is to strengthen Moldovan SMEs’ linkages to markets and ability to compete in those markets through:

a)Strengthening the institutional capacityof ODIMM and MIEPO and

b)Providing matching grants to SMEsto implement business improvement projects focused on export competitiveness.

Matching Grant Facility.Under sub-component 2 (b) the project will provide a Matching Grant Facility (MGF) to help SMEs implement a set of activities that seek to improve their export competitiveness. The facility will be US$3.0 million.

The MGF will help SMEs to: (i) improve existing products and services; (ii) create new products and services; (iii) improve production processes; (iv) improve business management; (v) improve business image; (vi) find new customers and markets; and, (vii) create and strengthen partnerships within the value chain. As a result, an increase of the number of SMEs developing new export-oriented activities such as exporting to new markets or new customers, exporting for the first time, is expected. In order to achieve these objectives, the MGF will provide to Moldovan SMEs, on a grant basis, up to 50 percent of the cost of business development services needed and identified by the SMEs.

At the end of the project, the following results are expected from the MGF subcomponent:

  • 250 small and medium enterprises receiving matching grants;
  • 50 percent of the matching grants beneficiaries are engaged in a new export-oriented activity (defined as exporting to new markets or new customers, exporting for the first time, exporting new products, or selling new products into export-oriented value chains);
  • 500 business development services provided to small and medium enterprises;
  • 150 matching grant beneficiaries create or improve products;
  • 150 matching grant beneficiaries improve production processes;
  • 150 matching grant beneficiaries improve business management.

In order to implement the MGF sub-component, PIU has in its staff the position of a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer. The objective of this staff member is to provide within these Terms of Reference support to the MGF Coordinator for implementing the matching grants facility subcomponent in order to ensure all monitoring & evaluation procedures are in compliance with the Project Document (PAD), Project Operation Manual, MGF Operations Manual and the Moldovan legislation.

The matching grantimpact evaluation activities will consist of two types: (i) reporting on MGF activities per the project’s Results Framework; and (ii) an impact evaluation to measure the casual effect of the project on participating SMEs export competitiveness and growth.

Under the MGF sub-component the project envisages the implementation of the following main activities:

-Developing and implementing of the monitoring & evaluation strategy for MGF sub-component;

-Developing of a database for data monitoring and evaluation;

-Collection, monitoring, and analysis of data and indicators;

-Disseminating of monitoring data;

-Liaising with the World Bank impact evaluation specialist;

-Developing the TOR for MGF impact evaluation.

This MGF subcomponent requires a consultant with relevant abilities and work experience to assist the MGF Coordinator implementing all the activities needed to achieve MGF subcomponent’s objectives. The M&E Officer will work under the supervision of the MGF Coordinator.

Main Responsibilities

The M&E Officer is expected to perform the following tasks:

  1. Review the following key documents that will be used along the project life cycle:
  • CEP II Project Appraisal Document PAD;
  • Financing Agreement – Credit No.5509-MD;
  • Project Operation Manual;
  • MGF operations manual;
  • Other relevant documents suggested by the MGF Coordinator.
  1. Support the design and delivery of the MGF monitoring & evaluation strategy:
  • Assist the MGF Coordinator and coordinate the implementation of the monitoring & evaluation strategy for MGF component;
  • Periodically review and update the Monitoring & Evaluation procedures implementation plan;
  1. Ensure the progress of the MGF monitoring and evaluation activities:
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive Monitoring & Evaluation Database to measure projects implemented by the MGF Beneficiaries;
  • Ensure regularly data collection in a technically accurate and error-free format (projects progress reports, monitoring indicators and on eventual implementation issues etc.), data analysis and results evaluation;
  • Ensure that, in general, project monitoring arrangements comply with the projects documents and, in particular, the provisions of this project documents are fully observed in the M&E strategy;
  • Develop Monitoring Plan for the site visits and other monitoring activities;
  • Ensure that all the tools and logistics necessary for the field visits are available and set up on time.
  • Undertake regular field visits to the MGF Beneficiaries to support implementation of M&E and supervise the progress achieved during the implementation phase of their activities;
  • Organize and coordinate the field visits with members of the validation or technical committee when required.
  • Ensure that videos and pictures are taken during the field visits, and used for reporting progress of the BIPs. Coordinate with the Communications Specialist to make information on BIP progress available for communications campaigns and dissemination events, as applicable according to the communications plan.
  • Supervise and/or assist with collecting data from SMEs in the control groups for the impact evaluation.
  1. Reporting concerning progress of implemented projects:
  • Monitor the Beneficiaries progress towards the MGF subcomponent objectives;
  • Prepare progress and annual reports or info notes on project status on M&E findings, including but not limited to reporting on the project’s Results Framework;
  • Evaluate implementation processes and performance and report on the progress achieved, outcomes generated, as well as to warn on implementation issues, risks and threats. Recommend measures for improvement;
  • Assist the MGF Coordinator in the preparation of project report documents related to the MGF subcomponent and other activities described in the MGF operations manual.
  1. Disseminate in cooperation with the MGF team the monitoring data and evaluation results;
  1. Coordinating the evaluation of the MGF impact:
  • Assist in developing and implementing of the tools and templates for measuring MGF impact;
  • Review monitoring reports, analyse them for impact evaluation;
  • Develop the TOR for MGF impact evaluation.
  1. Support the MGF Coordinator in developing and implementation of:
  • the MGF working plan 2016-2020;
  • the MGF Annual Operational Plan (every year);
  • the MGF Procurement Plan (every year);
  • other activities defined in the MGF operations manual;
  1. Provide necessary assistance in preparing the Terms of Reference for the baseline survey and annual independent surveys to be carried out during the project to assess the impact of the MGF sub-component on business, and subsequently monitor the works of consulting firm hired for this purpose.

This assignment will require an individual local Consultant, who has:

University degree in economics, business management, engineering, or other relevant discipline.

At least 3 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, and relevant transferable work experience;

Experience with applying different impact evaluation methods (treatment/control methodology, randomized control trial aspects).

Proven skills and experience in data collection, compilation, analysis and reporting;

Strong computer skills, specifically with MS Office, in particular Excel, and ability to master other software quickly. Proven knowledge of computerized data processing;

Proven communications skills and ability to build client relationships;

Fluency in Romanian and English and ability to develop documents in English.

The Project Implementation Unit of the Competitiveness Enhancement Project now invites eligible individual local consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested Consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (CV, copy of the diploma, description of similar assignments, copy of the certificate(s) confirming trainings attended, etc.). This Call for Expression of Interest will lead to the preparation of a Short List of consultants. For evaluation of the expressions of interest the following criteria will be applied:
# / Criteria / Points
/ Academic background and professional qualification / 10
/ Minimum of three years of practical experience in monitoring and evaluation, and relevant transferable work experience / 40
/ Experience with applying different impact evaluation methods (treatment/control methodology, randomized control trial aspects) as well as knowledge of computerized data processing / 40
/ Fluency in Romanian and English and ability to develop documents in English / 10

A consultant will be selected as an Individual Consultant in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers, published in January 2011.

The assignment will be implemented in the period from February 2016– May2017, with a trial period for the first three months, and will be approximately 16man-months in duration. The contract can be extended beyond this term, subject to the consultant’ satisfactory performance.

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours from 09:00 to17:00 hours (Chisinau time).

Expressions of interest must be delivered on paper to the address below or electronically by e-mailbyFebruary 11, 2016,17-00 (Chisinau time).

Project Implementation Unit of the Competitiveness Enhancement Project

180, Stefan cel Mare Ave., office 815, MD-2004, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

Tel: + 373 22296-723;e-mail:

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