The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is looking for an Expert on Technical Barriers to Trade within European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM), according to the Terms of Reference below, to start on 15 October 2019.

Title of position: Expert on Technical Barriers to Trade

Duty Station: Based in EUBAM Office in Moldova; Transnistrian Settlement Team

Classification: Consultant

Type of Appointment: Consultancy Contract

Fee: 8,000 EUR paid in instalments

Duration: 30 days in two missions within four months’ period

Technical supervision: Team Leader/Technical Advisor on Transnistrian Issue

Organizational Unit: Transnistrian Settlement Team, EUBAM

1. Nature of the consultancy: Advisory services and support on strategic and operational issues related to the implementation of Articles 2, 4-6 of the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement (WTO TBT Agreement).

2. IOM Project to which the consultancy is contributing: European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine

The EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) to Moldova and Ukraine was established based on a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding signed on 7 October 2005 by the European Commission, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, with IOM as the EU’s implementing partner since 1 December 2013. The mandate of EUBAM runs through 30 November 2020.

The Mission is a technical assistance and advisory body assisting partner agencies in the Republic of Moldova and in Ukraine to enhance cross border and customs management capabilities, to approximate the standards of cross border agencies to those of the EU, and to enhance implementation of the rule of law whilst facilitating legitimate cross border trade in goods and the unhindered movement of legitimate cross border travellers.

3. Tasks to be performed under this contract:

Under the overall supervision of the IOM Chief of Mission and Head of EUBAM and under direct supervision of the Head of EUBAM Office in Moldova and the Chief of Administration and the technical supervision of the Team Leader/Technical Advisor on Transnistrian Issue, the Consultant will implement the project tasks related to the review of Moldovan legislation and relevant procedures in Transnistria to identify obstacles to international trade and offer technical advice to address them (within the Articles 2, 4-6 of the WTO TBT Agreement)

In working with representatives of Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure of the Republic of Moldova (MOEI), including its subordinated entities involved in the certification of quality, technical regulations and standardization and of correspondent structures from Transnistria (e.g. responsible for economic development, justice, surveillance, standardization, metrology and certification), the consultant will assess whether technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessment procedures are non-discriminatory and do not create unnecessary obstacles to trade; will identify gaps, inconsistencies and obstacles to the implementation of Articles 2, 4-6 of the WTO TBT Agreement. The consultant will prepare a report containing the overview of Chisinau and Tiraspol frameworks to identify obstacles to international trade (in reference to art. 2, 4-6 of the WTO TBT Agreement); provide the findings and proposals/recommendations to overcome the identified obstacles.

Specific functions to be performed: 

1. Organize fact-finding meetings in Chisinau and Tiraspol to assess the level of compliance of the framework on both banks of the Nistru River with Articles 2, 4-6 of the WTO TBT Agreement provisions regulating the conformity with technical regulations and standards; 

2. Research the legal and regulatory frameworks on technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment on both banks of the Nistru River; 

3. Based on stakeholders’ requests and needs, draft a plan for organising knowledge transfer and experience sharing events (e.g. practical workshops, mutual working visits, other joint activities); 

4. Moderate and deliver a presentation at a workshop on the implementation of the WTO’s TBT Agreement between relevant stakeholders from both sides of Nistru River; 

5. Organise business-focused meetings with representatives from Transnistria to raise awareness on the measures applied/needed to facilitate trade; 

6. Draft a final report on the overview of Chisinau and Tiraspol frameworks to identify obstacles to international trade (in reference to art. 2, 4-6 of the WTO TBT Agreement); provide the findings and proposals/recommendations to overcome the identified obstacles.

4. Tangible and measurable output of the work assignment (expected to be delivered within four months’ period of Contract’s duration)

1. Gather primary data on the current state of affairs of Moldovan legislation and procedures in Transnistria as regards preparation, adoption and application of technical regulations, standards and conformity with technical regulations and standards via meetings with the Moldovan and Transnistrian structures involved in quality and conformity assessment processes and members of relevant business communities in Tiraspol within first 10 calendar days following commencement of the assignment to ensure the success of the project within the contract term. The primary data collected by the Consultant should be summarized in the form of Minutes of Meetings and completed questionnaire(s). The questionnaire(s) should be prepared by the Consultant prior to gathering primary data and shared with the stakeholders in advance.

2. Carry out analysis of Moldovan legislation and procedures in Transnistria as regards preparation, adoption and application of technical regulations, standards and conformity with technical regulations and standards and their compliance with art. 2, 4-6 of the WTO TBT agreement and international and EU best practices to propose legislative amendments to harmonize them with international and EU standards and best practices with a view to improving efficiency of production and facilitating the conduct of international trade within 25 calendar days following commencement of the assignment.

3. Prepare a Power Point Presentation to be coordinated with and approved by the Team Leader/Technical Advisor on Transnistrian Issue for a subsequent moderation of the thematic workshop.

4. Deliver a Power Point Presentation, outlining the issues mentioned above applied by Chisinau and Tiraspol, key elements of the main findings, recommendations, legislative amendments and proposals, at the workshop within 80 calendar days following commencement of the assignment.

5. Produce a comprehensive final report in English (not less than 20 pages without annexes) containing full content of the expertise results – findings, recommendations, proposals for legislative amendments and way forward suggested by the Consultant. This final output is to be coordinated with the Team Leader/Technical Advisor on Transnistrian Issue and approved by the Head of Mission and submitted within four months’ period from the start of assignment.

5. Realistic delivery dates and details as to how the work must be delivered.

The assignment shall commence not later than 15 October 2019 and conclude prior to 15 February 2020 utilising a maximum period of thirty (30) billable days.

6. Performance indicators for evaluation of results (value of services rendered in relation to their cost).

The consultant’s performance will be evaluated by the Team Leader/Technical Advisor on Transnistrian Issue against the following criteria:

a. Timeliness. Satisfactory completion of tasks indicated in this TOR

b. Quality of the Power Point Presentation and the delivery of a workshop

c. Quality of the comprehensive final report

d. Feedback from the stakeholders

7. Required Qualifications and Experience: 

• University degree in law, economics, social sciences or a related field.
• At least five (5) years’ experience in an EU public office/institution involved in the certification of quality, technical regulations and standardization;
• Extensive knowledge and comparative overview of the WTO TBT Agreement, relevant EU regulations and EU Member States’ practice, WTO standards relating to certification of quality and standardization;
• Excellent knowledge of EU and EU MS national regulations ensuring the balance between the prevention of protectionism with the right of a MS to enact product regulations for approved(legitimate) public policy purposes;
• Proven ability to work independently in a multi-cultural international environment with a high degree of cultural sensitivity;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage with senior officials;
• Fluency in written and spoken English; knowledge of Russian and/or Romanian would be an advantage.
• Excellent analytical and report drafting skills;
• Previous work experience in transition countries would be an advantage.
• Previous experience in the region would be an asset.

8. Logistics and Timing:

The assignment will involve trips to Tiraspol, the Republic of Moldova.

Subject to prior arrangement the Consultant will have access to EUBAM deployed transportation and translation/interpreter resources. Should the assignment require duty trips outside of Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova, the consultant will not be entitled to any per-diem.

The Organization will pay the Consultant up to two (2) round trip economy class flight tickets from the Consultant’s home station to the place of duty.

Prior to commencing the assignment, the Consultant will be required to submit a statement of good health signed by a certified medical doctor, including confirmation that the Consultant’s vaccinations required for the country to which travel may be required are up to date.

IOM only covers the Consultant against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the assignment. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. The Consultant is responsible for his/her own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness.

How to apply:

Email your CV and cover letter in English to: vacancies_moldova@eubam.org

Please indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line of your message.

Note: As per the EU’s commitment to improve gender balance in EU missions, qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for the appointment.

Closing date for applications: 15.08.2019; however, interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply sooner.

Only pre-selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.

The offer to the candidate is subject to funding confirmation.

 

 

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