CLIMATE CHANGE OFFICE OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

I. Position Information

Job Title (part-time position):

Project Title:

Duration of employment: 

National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Team Leader

Republic of Moldova: Preparation of Third Biennial Update Report to the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change.

1.5 year (March 2020 - September 2021)

II. Background 

The project is being pursued to support the Republic of Moldova in the preparation of its Third Biennial Update Report (BUR3) to the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The main components of the project are as follows: (i) National consultations organized and the Third Biennial Update Report (BUR3) Project Implementation Plan (PIP) developed and approved; (ii) Description of national circumstances relevant to the GHGs emissions and removals, and institutional arrangements relevant for the preparation of biennial update reports on a continuous basis; (iii) The national  inventory  of anthropogenic emissions by sources  and  removal by sinks of all greenhouse gases not controlled by the Montreal Protocol, including a National Inventory Report for the period since 1990 to 2018; (iv) Information on mitigation actions and their effects described; (v) Information on constraints and gaps, and related financial, technical and capacity needs, including support needed and received reported; (vi) Domestic Monitoring, Reporting and Verification arrangements for mitigation actions and its effects described; (vii) Other information relevant to the achievement of the objective of the Convention provided; (viii) Technical assistance; (ix) Compilation and publication of the BUR3 of the RM to the Conference of the Parties; (x) Stocktaking assessment and institutional arrangements for subsequent biennial update report preparation; (xi) Project management; and (xii) Monitoring and reporting.

The preparation of the BUR3 it is also expected to enhance general awareness and knowledge on climate change-related issues in the Republic of Moldova. It should seek to assist in the process of national planning and policy formulation, especially as it relates to mainstreaming mitigation measures within the work programme of the various stakeholders. In addition, it will contribute to the social and economic development of the country by proposing options to reduce GHGs emissions in the key sectors of the national economy and enhance the sinks of GHGs in the Republic of Moldova.

Project Goal

The goal of the project is to assist the Republic of Moldova in mainstreaming and integration of climate change consideration into national and sectorial development policies by giving continuity to the institutional and technical capacity strengthening process, partly initiated and sustained by the National Communications and Biennial Update Reports.

Project Objective

The objective of the project proposal is to prepare and submit the Republic of Moldova's Third Biennial Update Report (BUR3) to fulfil its obligations to the UNFCCC, as outlined in decision 2/CP.17, paragraphs 39-44.

Project Strategy

The strategy of the project is to employ the best practice at the maximum extent possible and as well, international consultancy when needed. The project will build upon findings and experience gained through activities/projects aiming at addressing climate change issues and meeting the country's commitments under the UNFCCC.

Project Outputs

The following are the expected outputs from which the project objectives are directed:

Output 1: National consultations organized and BUR3 Project Implementation Plan developed and approved 

Output 2: Information on national circumstances relevant to the GHGs emissions and removals and institutional arrangement relevant to the preparation of the BURs on continuous basis, reviewed, updated and described; 

Output 3: National inventory of anthropogenic emissions by sources and removal by sinks of all GHGs not controlled by the Montreal Protocol, including a NIR for the period since 1990 to 2018, developed;

Output 4: Information on mitigation actions, their effects, and greenhouse gases emissions projections and total effect of policies and measures described.  

Output 5: Information on constraints and gaps, and related financial, technical and capacity needs, including support needed and received reported.  

Output 6: Domestic MRV arrangements for mitigation actions and its effects described.  

Output 7: Other information relevant to the achievement of the objective of the Convention provided.  

Output 8: Technical assistance provided.  

Output 9: The BUR3 of the RM is compiled and submitted to the UNFCCC.  

Output 10: The stocktaking assessment undertaken and institutional arrangements for subsequent biennial update report preparation reported.  

Output 11: Project implementation mechanism is in place and a PMU is operational.  

Output 12: Project is effectively monitored and evaluated by UNEP based on regular reports provided by PMU.

III. Organizational Context

The project is executed by the Climate Change Office (CCO) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment (MARDE) on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, and in consultation with the UNEP. As national executing agency, the Climate Change Office is primarily responsible for the planning and management of the project activities, accounting, reporting, monitoring and evaluation of the project.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the National GHG Inventory Coordinator will lead the developing of:

• 'National Inventory Report: 1990-2018, Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in the Republic of Moldova', as a Technical Annex to the BUR3;

• 'Report on National GHG Inventory System in the RM', as a Technical Annex to the BUR3;

• Chapter 1: 'National circumstances relevant to the GHGs emissions and removals and institutional arrangement relevant to the preparation of BURs on continuous bases' of the BUR3 of the Republic of Moldova to the UNFCCC;

• Chapter 2: 'National Greenhouse Gas Inventory' of the BUR3 of the Republic of Moldova under the UNFCCC.

Relevant project activities that will involve the services of the National GHG Inventory Coordinator are under:

Output 2: Information on national circumstances relevant to the GHGs emissions and removals and institutional arrangement relevant to the preparation of the BURs on continuous basis, reviewed, updated and described:

2.1   A Project Inception Workshop (PIW) to launch BUR3 project in the Republic of Moldova organized.

2.2   Information on institutional arrangement for the preparation of BURs on continuous basis described and the roles and flow of functions for effectiveness with recommendations for improvements carefully assessed.

2.3   Information on population and demographic situation profile, administrative-territorial organization, geographic and natural resources profiles, climate and economic profiles, as well as on current state of the national economy (focus should be on energy, transport, industry, agriculture, buildings, forestry, waste, sewerage and water supply sectors) updated.

2.4   Chapter 1: 'National circumstances relevant to the GHGs emissions and removals and institutional arrangement relevant to the preparation of Biennial Update Reports on continuous bases' of the BUR3 of the Republic of Moldova to the UNFCCC compiled.

Output 3: National inventory of anthropogenic emissions by sources and removal by sinks of all GHGs not controlled by the Montreal Protocol, including a NIR for the period since 1990 to 2018, developed:

3.1   Technical capacity building including participation in international/regional/national workshops and trainings on GHG inventory undertaken.

3.2   The roles of, and cooperation between government agencies and other entities involved in the preparation of the inventory, as well as institutional, legal and procedural arrangements to prepare the inventory described.

3.3   Surveys and forms to collect activity data designed and the required actions for collecting on regular basis the necessary activity data undertaken.

3.4   Research needs identified and the required actions for developing national emission factors and country specific methodologies in a scientific sound and consistent manner undertaken, provided that they are more accurate than the IPCC defaults and are documented transparently.

3.5   Inventory data management system developed, activity data collected, and inventory database updated and used in a coherent manner for producing BURs.

3.6   The process for official consideration and approval of the inventory prior to its submission to the UNFCCC described.

3.7   The national inventory of greenhouse gas sources and sinks for 1990-2018 following the 2006 IPCC Guidelines compiled.

3.8   Information on methodologies used in the estimation of GHG emissions by sources and removals by sinks, including a brief explanation of the sources of EFs and AD provided.

3.9   An uncertainty assessment of the National Inventory of GHG Sources and Sinks undertaken, information on the level of uncertainty with inventory data and their underlying assumptions provided, and the methodologies used for estimating these uncertainties described.

3.10 The results of Key Category Analysis (KCA) for 2018 inventory year assessed to prioritize activities on developing the GHG inventory which better reflect the national circumstances.

3.11 The 'National Inventory Report: 1990-2018, Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in the Republic of Moldova' elaborated in Romanian language.

3.12 Technical peer review of the 'National Inventory Report: 1990-2018, Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in the RM' performed by independent experts and/or organizations who did not participate to the development of the national inventory.

3.13 Comments received from the peer review process incorporated and the 'National Inventory Report: 1990-2018, Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in the Republic of Moldova' finalized based on NIR; Chapter 2: 'National Greenhouse Gas Inventory' of the BUR3 of the RM to the UNFCCC compiled.

3.14 The 'National Inventory Report: 1990-2018, Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in the Republic of Moldova' and Chapter 2: 'National Greenhouse Gas Inventory' of the BUR3 of the RM to the UNFCCC translated from Romanian to English.

3.15 The 'National Inventory Report: 1990-2018, Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in the Republic of Moldova' published in Romanian and English languages.

3.16 The English version of the 'Report on National GHG Inventory System in the RM' updated, drawing on 6 templates worked out by US EPA in November 2007 and updated in December 2011.

3.17 The 'Report on National GHG Inventory System in the RM - 2020' published in English language.

3.18 A national workshop on GHG inventory to present the results of the National Inventory of the GHGs Sources and Sinks for 1990-2018 periods organized.

3.19 AD, EFs and conversion factors used in the inventory preparation process archived and the procedures and arrangement undertaken to archive data for the preparation of the national GHG inventory, as well as the role of the institutions involved described in the NIR.

IV. Key Tasks / Results Expected 

Key Tasks: 

• Assist the National Project Manager in preparation of the annuals work plans as part of the relevant activities;

• Advise on selection and application of appropriate inventory methodologies;

• Assist in data quality assurance and quality control activities;

• Assist in key category analysis;

• Assist in uncertainty assessment;

• Recommend the ways of improvement / development of country specific emission factors;

• Identify relevant GHG inventory follow-up activities;

• Assist the NPM in arrangement of the national review and training workshops on improving quality of the national GHG inventory;

• Suggest on technical capacity building and participate in the sub-regional, regional and international trainings on GHG inventory;

• Contribute substantially to development of Chapter 1: 'National circumstances relevant to the GHGs emissions and removals and institutional arrangement relevant to the preparation of BURs on continuous basis' and Chapter 2: 'National Greenhouse Gas Inventory' for inclusion in the compilation of the BUR3 of the RM to the UNFCCC;

• Contribute substantially to development of the technical annexes of the BUR3 of the RM to the UNFCCC: 'NIR: 1990-2018, GHGs Sources and Sinks in the Republic of Moldova' and 'Report on National Greenhouse Gas Inventory System in the Republic of Moldova - 2020'.

Key Deliverables:

• Chapter 1: 'National Circumstances' of the BUR3 of the Republic of Moldova to the UNFCCC.

• Chapter 2: 'National Greenhouse Gas Inventory' of the BUR3 of the Republic of Moldova to the UNFCCC.

• 'National Inventory Report: 1990-2018, Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in the Republic of Moldova'.

• 'Report on National Greenhouse Gas Inventory System in the Republic of Moldova'.

V. Recruitment Qualifications 

Education: 

Master's Degree in Environment & Natural Resource Management, Biology, Pedology, Agriculture, Chemistry, Forestry, Energy, Economics or other relevant field. Additional trainings and certifications in project management would be an advantage.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of work experience in project implementation, including management of experts' team in national and international organizations is required;

• At least 7 years of professional experience in technical activities related to GHGs emission accounting and analysis;

• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in projects with similar tasks (elaboration of national communications, biennial update reports and national inventory reports; establishing domestic monitoring, reporting and verification systems; implementation of low emissions development programmes and elaboration of nationally appropriate mitigation actions);

• Experience in analysis and use of data sets using various tools and instruments (e.g., MS Excel, IPCC reporting guidance and software) demonstrated by previous assignments;

• Excellent knowledge of GHG inventory, GHG baseline determination, MRV systems, carbon budgets, etc. demonstrated by previous assignments;

• Knowledge of principles, legal and normative framework regulating the MRV systems under the UNFCCC, other relevant international conventions and protocols demonstrated by previous assignments will be a strong advantage;

• Strong analytical and report writing skills demonstrated by previous assignments;

• Strong communication and teamwork/coordination skills demonstrated by previous assignments.

Language Requirements:

Good command of Romanian and relevant UN official languages (Russian and English).

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

1.    Proposal, explaining why incumbent is the most suitable for the work, including past experience in similar assignments, providing a brief information on above qualifications and methodology on how he/she will approach and conduct the work.

2.    Financial proposal (in USD), specifying a fee per day.

3.    CV, including past experience in similar projects.

Financial proposal

The Financial Proposal shall specify a daily lump-sum fee (indicating if it is negotiable). Payments will be made monthly, based on the actual number of days worked, subject to the submission and approval by the National Project Manager of the activity reports around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables specified in the TOR. 

Documents should be submitted no later than Friday, 6^th March 2020, by 5:00 PM to the following address:

1. By mail: 156A, Mitropolit Dosoftei St., MD-2004, Chisinau, Climate Change Office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment, off. 37.

2. By e-mail: clima@clima.md.

3. By fax: 022 23 22 47.

Only those shortlisted will be contacted.