REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Environmental Specialist within

Education Quality Improvement Project (EQIP)

Republic of Moldova

Education Quality Improvement Project

Credit No. IBRD-95360

Reference No.: MD-MOED-378053-CS-INDV

Assignment Title: Environmental Specialist to assist the MoER to determine the potential environment impacts that can be generated by proposed activities supported under each EQIP component of the project.

The Ministry of Education and Research (MoER) has received financing from the World Bank Group toward the cost of the Education Quality Improvement Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for individual consulting services.

Environmental Specialist will be responsible for assisting the Project to determine the potential environment impacts that can be generated by proposed activities supported under each EQIP component, as well as identify and propose the required mitigation actions to be taken. The Environmental Specialist will also conduct screening and ensure that environmental due diligence work environmental and social impact assessment (ESIAs)/ESMPs is prepared for the proposed investments. The specialist is responsible for ensuring the implementation and supervision of the environmental and social management framework and site-specific environmental and social management plans.

For more information, please see the Terms of References.

The MoER now invites eligible Individual Consultants (“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:

• Degree in the environmental sciencenatural resources management, environmental or civil engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience, including applied experience in Environmental risk management in investment projects (international and local);
• Working experience with international organizations and / or similar projects for at least 2 years would be an asset;
• Experience of implementing similar assignments at the local, regional or national level. Knowledge of international good practice for management of E&S risks, including World Bank ESF/Safeguards policies and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Sustainability Framework and supporting documents such as Guidance Notes, EHS Guidelines;
• Previous experience with World Bank-funded projects as environmental reviewer and an understanding of its requirements would be an advantage;
• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyse and synthesize diverse environmentally related data and information;
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions;
• Excellent spoken and written Romanian;
• Knowledge of English would be an asset.

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 November 2020 (hereinafter referred to as “Procurement Regulations”) setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest and with the latest Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the „Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants” method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 09 00 to 17 00 hours.

This consultancy is expected to begin in October 2023 and the contract will be signed for a period of 12 months. Subject to Consultant’s satisfactory performance, the contract may be renewed until the Closing Date of the project on December 31, 2029.

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

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by September 22, 2023, 16:00 o’clock, Moldova local time.

Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova,

Stefan cel Mare 180, 13th floor, room no. 1307,

mun. Chisinau, Republic of Moldova MD-2004

Tel/fax: 022 23-25-02

E-mail: eqip@mec.gov.md