International Consultant to Assess the role of Parliament in the European Integration Process

The “Support to Parliamentary Development in Moldova” Project aims to enhance parliamentary efficiency in carrying out its functions and responsibilities thus contributing to viable democracy and open society in Moldova. The project adopts a comprehensive, long-term approach to parliamentary development including strengthening of the legislature law-making, representation and oversight roles. It has been previously proven that to ensure public interests and needs to be adequately considered and addressed in the legislation, the law-making process benefit from a comprehensive use of the committee system. Indeed, the committee system consists in key entry point to foster legislative capacities because it provides the most detailed examination of proposed legislation and allows for parliamentarians to develop expertise and perform more thorough investigations of legislation, policy and implementation. Hereby, the Parliament Project focuses its activities to strength committees’ capacities by providing support for specialized legal expertise. Parliament is the main actor in monitoring the Government in the European Integration Process of Moldova. Currently Moldova is negotiating with the EU about a new Association Agreement. Parliament, in particular its Committee on Foreign Affairs and European Integration, is monitoring the negotiation process. The Parliament will also be involved in the implementation of the new Agreement, taking part in the decision making process regarding legislative harmonization. Currently the Parliament is monitoring the Government only occasionally. A structural mechanism of consultations and reporting should be developed between Parliament and Government, by updating the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament or developing a special set of rules. A clear position for the Committee on Foreign Affairs and European Integration, also in relationship to other parliamentary committees is essential for this. At the moment such a clear position is missing. In this context, UNDP is seeking to hire an international consultant to assess the existing capacity and practical working arrangements of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and European Integration (FAEI) in the field of European Integration.

Duties and Responsibilities

The international consultant is expected to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the tasks and duties of the existing legal framework and practical working arrangements of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and European Integration in the field of European Integration; to assess the cooperation between the Parliament (and the parliamentary committees) and the Government of Moldova during the European Integration Process. The assessment should include areas of improvement and recommendations based on European best practices. Under the guidance of Parliament Project Chief Technical Adviser (CTA), the international consultant will ensure a high level of analytical support, facilitating the communication and cooperation with the Parliament and other stakeholders. The assignment shall be carried out in close cooperation with Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and European Integration representative. Additionally, a National Consultant contracted by UNDP will provide the required expertise and support in carrying out the assignment. In order to achieve the stated objectives, the Consultant will have the following responsibilities: Undertake a comprehensive desk review of the relevant national legal framework, relevant studies, researches, reports and EU/international best practices regarding the role of Parliament in the area of European integration and monitoring the European integration process; Undertake interviews with the key stakeholders: members of Parliament, parliamentary staff, officials of the government and other relevant partners; Provide an overview of different practices of the Parliaments of the EU Member states and EU candidate states in law approximation and role of the parliamentary EU Affairs Committees in monitoring the European integration process; Assess the current role and responsibilities of Parliamentary Committee on FAEI towards other committees in the Parliament; Develop specific recommendations for strengthening the monitoring role of the Parliament in the European integration process, based on best practices in national European Parliaments; Develop more specific terms of reference for the Committee FAEI aiming at strengthening the monitoring role; Develop a clear set of rules for cooperation between the Parliament and the government of Moldova in the field of European Integration; Conduct a Roundtable discussion with Members of Parliament and representatives of the Government and/or representatives of Civil Society regarding the role of Parliamentary Committee FAEI; Provide trainings for Parliamentary Committee FAEI staff on how to optimize the law approximation process in the Parliament (workflow). Deliverables and Timeframe: 1. A detailed Work Plan developed, including schedule of interviews 22 April 2011 2. A draft Report on the role of the Parliamentary Committee FAEI within European Integration Process*; 20 May 2011 3. A Roundtable discussion with Members of Parliament and representatives of the Government and/or representatives of Civil Society about the draft report conducted 27 May 2011 4. Analyze comments and suggestions regarding the Report on the role of the Parliamentary Committee FAEI within European Integration Process. Complete and present the Final Report. 3 June 2011 5. Provide trainings for Committee FAEI staff on workflow of legal approximation Before 17 June 2011 * The Report should include, but is not limited to, the following: Description of the current legal framework; Analysis of the current practices; Recommendations for improvement and clarification of the role and responsibilities of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and European Integration in monitoring the European Integration Process; A model of procedures for the involvement of Parliamentary Committee FAEI in the EU related draft legislation – practical work issues; A set of rules aiming the improvement of cooperation between the Parliament and the Government in the field of European Integration; A mechanism for structural consultations between the Parliament and Civil Society on European Integration issues. All the deliverables should be agreed with the UNDP’s counterpart at the Parliament and UNDP and be provided in English hard and electronic copy. The timeframe for the work of International Consultant is tentatively planned through April-May 2011. The Consultancy should involve about 25 days of work, in two visits, of which 20 to be present in Moldova. Evaluation Procedure: The candidates will be evaluated in two stages: technical evaluation and financial evaluation. Technical evaluation criteria: Nr. Criteria Maximum points 1. Relevant University Degree (under-Master’s – 20 pts, Master’s – 30 pts) 30 2. Experience in comparative analysis, research and assessment on the implementation of international (EU) standards 75 3. At least 5 years of relevant professional experience (each year of such work – 10 pts) 50 4. Strong analytical and drafting skills 30 5. Extensive knowledge of the functioning of Parliament 20 6. Ability to interpret results and provide practical recommendations 20 7. Proficiency in English. Knowledge of (Romanian and Russian is an advantage– 10 pts, English – 15 pts) 25 8. Interview (60 – demonstrated technical knowledge and experience; 15 - communication/interpersonal skills; 15 – initiative; 10 – creativity/resourcefulness) 100 Maximum total technical scoring: 350 Only candidates who have passed over the mandatory criteria and have accumulated at least 245 points under technical evaluation will qualify to the next round of financial evaluation. Evaluation of financial proposal Evaluation of submitted financial offers will be done based on the following formula: S = Fmin / F * 150 S – score received on financial evaluation; Fmin – the lowest financial offer out of all the submitted offers qualified over the technical evaluation round; F – financial offer under consideration. Winning candidate The winning candidate will be the candidate, who has accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical scoring + financial scoring). Submission package: Dully filled Personal History Form PHF11/CV; Letter of Intent; Financial proposal*. *Each applicant will be required to submit an aggregated financial offer (“aggregated financial offer” is the total sum of all financial claims of the candidate for accomplishment of the task). Management Arrangements: Organizational Setting: The contractor will work under the guidance of the Secretary General of the Parliament of Moldova and in close cooperation with the Chief Technical Advisor – for substantive aspects of the assignment, and under the direct supervision of the Project Manager – for administrative aspects. The contractor will work closely with the initiator(s) of the Draft Law. All national consultants will report to the Secretary General of the Parliament and the Project Manager. Contributions: The Project Manager will put at the contractor’s disposal all available materials and necessary information for tasks achievement and will facilitate the meetings, as needed. Financial arrangements: Payment will be disbursed in two installments upon submission and approval of deliverables and certification by the Project Manager that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

Competencies

Extensive knowledge of the functioning of Parliament Strong analytical and drafting skills Ability to interpret results and provide practical recommendations Initiative and resourcefulness Computer proficiency

Required Skills and Experience

Education: University/Masters degree in Law, Public Administration or Political Science. Experience: At least 5 years of relevant professional experience Experience in comparative analysis, research and assessment on the implementation of international (EU) standard Language: Excellent command of English, knowledge of Romanian and/or Russian language would be an advantage