OEAPM-e-Achizitii- Request For Expressions of Interest Environmental & Social Specialist

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL SPECIALIST

NATIONAL CONSULTANT

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Public Procurement Efficiency and Value for Money in Moldova Project

Project ID No. P507197

Reference No.: MD-OEAPM-498722-CS-INDV

The Republic of Moldova has received financing from the World Bank Group toward the cost of the Supporting Public Procurement Efficiency and Value for Money in Moldova Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for contracting a Environmental & Social Specialist.

Environmental & Social Specialist will lead, manage, monitor and report on the environmental and social aspects in accordance with the national laws of Moldova, project financial agreement, World Bank Environmental and Social Standards and best international practices. He/ She will also support the PIU in identifying, assessing, and managing environmental and social risks and impacts, implementing mitigation measures, and ensuring stakeholder engagement and grievance management throughout the project lifecycle.

This assignment is scheduled for the period from July 2025 to December 2026.

For more information, please see the Terms of References attached.

The PI Office for External Assistance Programs Management, as PIU of the Project, now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services.

Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The Consultant should meet the following minimum qualifications requirements:

• University degree in the environmental science, natural resources management, environmental or civil engineering, sociology, social science, anthropology or related discipline;
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in investment projects (international and local);
• Knowledge of international good practice for management of E&S risks, including World Bank ESF/Safeguards policies and supporting documents such as Guidance Notes, EHS Guidelines;
• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse environmentally related data and information;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Romanian, including the ability to draft memos, letters and internal regulations, and reports;
• Computer literacy.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers - PROCUREMENT IN INVESTMENT PROJECT FINANCING Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, dated September 2023 (hereinafter referred to as “the Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant (IC) method set out in the World Bank Procurement Framework.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 08:30 to 17:30 local time.

The applications should include letter of Expression of Interest, CV, and related recommendation letters.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by e­mail) by July 25, 2025, 17:00 o’clock, Moldova local time.

PI Office for External Assistance Programs Management,

attn: Raisa Cantemir, Director

57/1 Mitropolit Banulescu Bodoni str., office 304, MD-2005.

Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

Tel: 373 22 23 29 63, 23 82 48

E-mail:ogpae@ogpae.gov.md

TOR for the Project Environmental & Social Specialist (ESS)

1. Project Background

Supporting Public Procurement Efficiency and Value for Money in Moldova Project (Project) aims to enhance transparency in the public procurement process, ensure value for public money, facilitate the activities of contracting authorities in initiating and conducting procurement procedures, improve access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the public procurement market, thereby increasing competition, and reduce transaction costs for all parties involved. This will contribute to establishing a competitive and sustainable national public procurement system.

The project will consist of the following three components:

Component 1 – Redevelopment of the electronic procurement system;

Component 2 – Promoting a unitary policy and conducting procurement in conditions that prioritize economic and social efficiency;

Component 3 – Project Management.

The Public Institution “Office of External Assistance Programs Management” (OEAPM) founded by the Ministry of Finance will have the role of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU). The Ministry of Finance (MoF), as the authorized representative of the Government of Moldova in relation with IBRD, will be the Recipient of the Grant.

2. Objectives

Environmental & Social Specialist will lead, manage, monitor and report on the environmental and social aspects in accordance with the national laws of Moldova, project financial agreement, World Bank Environmental and Social Standards and best international practices. He/ She will also support the PIU in identifying, assessing, and managing environmental and social risks and impacts, implementing mitigation measures, and ensuring stakeholder engagement and grievance management throughout the project lifecycle.

3. Scope of Work

The scope of work and activities of the ESS will include the following:

A. Environmental and Social Risk Management

• Provide assistance to the Project to determine the exact impacts that can be generated by proposed activities, as well as prescribe the required mitigation actions to be taken;
• Conduct screening against E&S standards and local relevant legislation and identify any elements that have an environmental and social impact;
• Ensure that proper mitigation measures are included in the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMPs)/Checklists for the proposed investments;
• Include ESMP provisions in the bidding documentation and in the Works contractor obligations;
• Conduct quality control of Environmental and Social Standards instruments in line with ESF requirements prior to Bank submission and dealing with the comments as may be received from the Bank;
• Make the necessary amendments to the Grant Agreement and the ESCP, should it become necessary to incorporate additional Environmental and Social Standards beyond those currently referenced in the ESCP (Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 10).

B. Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation

• Support implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) with the Communication Specialist.
• Organize and document public consultations and engagement activities, ensuring inclusion of vulnerable groups.
• Develop and maintain stakeholder engagement and inclusion strategies.
• Collect, analyze, and incorporate stakeholder feedback into project activities.

C. Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)

• Operationalize the project-level GRM, including special provisions for SEA/SH-related grievances.
• Maintain the GRM log, register grievances, and follow up on resolutions.
• Conduct GRM training for stakeholders, local authorities, and contractors.
• Analyze feedback and grievance data to identify trends and recommend improvements.

D. Contractor Oversight and Capacity Building

• Review and monitor implementation of contractors’ C-ESMPs
• Organize training and awareness-raising activities for contractors and local stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with labor conditions, prevention of child/forced labor, and SEA/SH prevention measures on sites.

E. Monitoring, Reporting and Coordination

• Monitor the Environmental and Social Management Framework implementation and provide technical assistance provision;
• Monitor and report, on a regular basis, the environmental and social impacts of project financed activities and ensure that mitigation actions are carried out.
• Conduct regular site visits and perform environmental and social monitoring of the Works.
• Draw up narrative reports on Project beneficiaries after field visits, including facilitating the development and issuing of environmental or social advice upon hand-over of the sub-projects;
• Coordinate with other PIU experts (e.g., M&E, Communication) to integrate Environmental and Social Standards into broader project processes.
• Prepare semi-annual reports on Environmental and Social Standards activities, compliance status, and mitigation outcomes.
• Contribute to mid-term and final project evaluations and reports.

F. Other Tasks

• Provide advisory support to beneficiaries on ESF compliance.
• Support in updating E&S instruments as needed.
• Perform other related duties as requested by the Project Manager.

4. Qualifications

The Environmental and Social Specialist is expected to demonstrate the following main requirements on qualifications and experience:

Mandatory Qualifications:

• University degree in the environmental science, natural resources management, environmental or civil engineering, sociology, social science, anthropology or related discipline;
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in investment projects (international and local);
• Knowledge of international good practice for management of E&S risks, including World Bank ESF/Safeguards policies and supporting documents such as Guidance Notes, EHS Guidelines;
• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse environmentally related data and information;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Romanian, including the ability to draft memos, letters and internal regulations, and reports;
• Computer literacy.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working experience with international organizations and / or similar projects for at least 2 years;
• Experience of implementing similar assignments at the local, regional or national level;
• Previous experience with World Bank-funded projects as environmental reviewer and an understanding of its requirements;
• Experience of working with large, multi-sources, international project budgets;
• Experience in delivering trainings, coaching others.

5. Duration

This assignment is scheduled for the period from July 2025 to December 2026.

PIU Input for the Specialist:

• Provision of working space and related utilities at the PIU/OEAPM office;
• Access to office equipment and communication facilities;
• Transportation required for the execution of the assignment;
• Any other necessary means and support to assist the Specialist in carrying out the assignment.