Background
The medium size Project „Strengthening capacities to undertake Environmental Fiscal Reform to meet national and global environmental priorities is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with UNDP Moldova as GEF Implementing Agency and the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Moldova as Executing Partner.
This project sets out to build capacities for implementing environmental fiscal reforms (EFR) that will produce increased national and global environmental benefits through the adoption of selected charges, subsidies, fees, fines, taxes and other appropriate instruments. It will initiate and pilot EFR instruments targeted to meeting Rio Convention objectives and ensure their integration within national plans and policies, especially in national taxation and decentralization process in Moldova. The reforms will focus on creating conditions, financial incentives and disincentives, and decreased opportunity costs to undertake actions that deliver environmental outcomes. The expected outcome is that EFR will be adopted as an important element of Moldova’s development policy, whereby improved economic, financial and fiscal instruments and their use would strengthen regulatory and other approaches to environmentally sound and sustainable development, with a particular emphasis of meeting obligations under the three Rio Conventions (Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Desertification). The project will also contribute to and complement a broader national decentralization reform process, including policy planning at the national level, redesigning of competencies and responsibilities of local and sub-national governments and reforming local government revenue systems.
Duties and Responsibilities
The assignment will include analysis of current pollution charge system with a review of existing environmental charges and taking into consideration lessons learnt in international and local practice with the focus on facilitation of eco-technology investments and continued earmarking of charge revenues to the National Environmental Fund.
Besides a desk review of the relevant documents the consultant will undertake two missions to the country in full collaboration with the UNDP Country Office. The missions will include consultations with key partners in the Government of Moldova, responsible for pollution charge system as well as relevant sectorial ministries, including those involved in planning and finance and if needed relevant national institutions, including research and academia.
The current pollution charge system is overly complicated and targets too many pollutants. The efficiency of applying fees and fines for pollution should be improved significantly by optimizing the existing charge system and focusing on fewer pollutants and targeting major polluters. Product taxes are currently levied on imported products only and should be enhanced to cover domestic production, consider the introduction of the producer responsibility, and ideally include other important aspects of EU Directives on batteries, end of life vehicles, packaging and electric & electronic equipment.
For the fulfillment of the above-mentioned objectives, a team of one International Consultant and one National Consultant will be formed, who will have the following responsibilities:
- Undertake analysis of existing legal and institutional framework related to the pollution charge system;
- Undertake analysis of environment related policies;
- Elaborate a detail reform concept proposal on an improved pollution charge payment system;
- Provide recommendations on improved legal and institutional framework;
- Bring in lessons learnt in international and local practices for efficient pollution charge system operation
The International Consultant will be expected to undertake the following tasks:
Elaborate a detailed work plan with clear responsibilities of each team member.
Undertake a desk review of all relevant documents for background information and initial situational analysis (list not exhaustive):
- National Development Strategy;
- National program to ensure environmental security for 2007-2015;
- The Law on Environmental Protection;
- Law on Environment Pollution Payment;
- Sectorial Development Strategies;
- Relevant EU legislation and policies
Develop a detailed reform concept for Moldova’s pollution charge system based on analysis of environmental, economic and fiscal effects of current charges, good international experience in implementing such charges (for ex. in Poland, Czech Republic, Western Europe), creating effective links to Moldova’s commitments under CBD, CCD and FCCC, based on national priorities and in line with the ongoing EU approximation process
Elaborate concepts and draft legislation for selected new environmental charges, especially product charges with earmarked revenues to the National Environmental Fund, taking into account the use of revenues for financing the development of reuse and recycling systems for taxed products.
Review the existing pollution charges system and propose its optimization (currently there are more than 100 charge positions) by focusing on few major groups of polluters in order to ease its use by institutions in charge of inspection and evaluation of such charges.
Review other existing environmental charges, taking into account good international practices in implementing such instruments.
Elaborate amendments to the existing legal framework and required supporting documents for accepted recommendations.
Facilitate and inform the political process to implement the proposed reform.
Participate at round table meeting(s) to discuss the findings and proposals for Pollution Charge System Reform.
Review ToR and outputs related to project activities in other EFR areas, including reform of environmentally harmful subsidies, and provide overall strategic guidance on the implementation of EFR and instruments as supported by the project.
Competencies
- Thorough understanding of national policies and programs, fiscal and financial instruments as they relate to pollution charges;
- Demonstrated knowledge, analytical skills and relevant experience in evaluation and implementation of pollution charges, including international aspects and mitigation options;
- Sound, practical understanding of market economics and how a proper pollution charge system can contribute to environmental protection;
- Experience in drafting strategic documents;
- Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily and to turn information from various sources into coherent concepts and draft legislation;
- Experience with the implementation of EU Directives on batteries, end of life vehicles, packaging and electric & electronic equipment in Central and Eastern European countries.
- Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high-ranking members of international, regional and national institutions;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Good oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors;
- Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports.
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
- Good team player, self-starter, has ability to work under minimum supervision and maintain good relationships.
Required Skills and Experience
- Advanced university degree in public finance, economics, environment or closely related field.
- At least 10 years substantive professional international experience in the areas of environmental taxation and green subsidies;
- Substantive professional knowledge of environmental taxation and green subsidy policies in Eastern Europe and the European Union;
- Established network of contacts with key project stakeholders and experts, especially on international level;
- Good knowledge of Rio Conventions;
- Experience on development and optimizing pollution charge system;
- Experience in developing sector related policy documents and legal framework amendments;
- Previous work experience with UNDP is an advantage;
- Previous work experience in Moldova and the region is an advantage.
- English; excellent English writing skills; knowledge of Romanian and/or Russian would be an asset
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
- Proposal explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
- Financial proposal;
- Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references or the dully filled Personal History Form (P11).
The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).
IC will have two missions to Moldova: the first mission is anticipated for the first half of June 2013, the second - for the second half of August 2013. The number of days spent in Moldova for each mission is 5 days.
All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.
In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.
Evaluation
Initially, individual consultants will be short-listed based on the following minimum qualification criteria:
- Advanced university degree in public finance, economics, environment or closely related field;
- At least 10 years substantive professional international experience in the areas of environmental taxation and green subsidies;
- Substantive professional knowledge of environmental taxation and green subsidy policies in Eastern Europe and the European Union;
The short-listed individual consultants will be further evaluated based on the following methodology:
The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
- responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
- having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
- Advanced university degree in public finance, economics, environment or closely related field– 30 points max
- At least 10 years substantive professional international experience in the areas of environmental taxation and green subsidies– 30 points max
- Substantive professional knowledge of environmental taxation and green subsidy policies in Eastern Europe and the European Union– 30 points max
- Established network of contacts with key project stakeholders and experts, especially on international level– 20 points max
- Good knowledge of Rio Conventions - 30 points max
- Experience on development and optimizing pollution charge system- 30 points max
- Experience in developing sector related policy documents and legal framework amendments- 30 points max
- Previous work experience with UNDP - 30 points max
- Previous work experience in Moldova and the region- 20 points max
- Proficiency in English; knowledge of Romanian and/or Russian is an advantage - 10 points max
- Interview - 40 points max
FC: 62000