Provisions of Regional Consultants services under the Project Development and Management Team supporting the State Chancellery in the Public Administration Reform process

Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova, in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), is preparing to implement the European Union-funded project “Strong Local Communities for Moldova”.

The project supports Local Public Authorities (LPAs) in implementing Public Administration Reform in the Republic of Moldova, including by strengthening the capacity of newly amalgamated local public authorities to identify, prioritise and prepare investment projects that respond to community needs, as well as to access relevant funding opportunities.

In this context, Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova intends to procure the services of ten (10) individual service providers for the role of Regional Consultant within the Project Development and Management (PDM) Team. The Regional Consultants will provide direct technical assistance to beneficiary local public authorities within designated geographical areas and will operate under the overall coordination of the Team Coordinator.

The procurement procedure is divided into nine (9) geographical Lots. Applicants may apply for one or more Lots; however, each successful applicant shall be awarded and contracted for one (1) Lot only. For Lot 5, Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova intends to award two separate service contracts to the two highest-ranked applicants who successfully meet the selection and award criteria.

The launch and implementation of this procurement procedure, as well as any subsequent contract award, are conditional upon the signing of the Contribution Agreement for the project. Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova reserves the right to postpone or cancel the procedure should the funding not be confirmed.

Title of the Services

Provision of Regional Consultant services for Project Development and Management Support under the Project Development and Management Team supporting Local Public Authorities (LPAs) in implementing Public Administration Reform.

Contract Duration, level of engagement and place of performance

Each service contract will initially be concluded for a period of twelve (12) months, with an estimated level of engagement equivalent to 75% FTE, corresponding to approximately fifteen (15) working days per month on average. The contract may be extended depending on project needs, availability of funding and the Service Provider’s performance.

The services will be performed primarily within the assigned geographical area, with regular field visits, consultations and meetings with beneficiary local public authorities and other relevant stakeholders, as required.

Main tasks and responsibilities

The selected Service Providers will be primarily responsible for:

• supporting newly amalgamated local public authorities in conducting needs assessments and identifying priority community needs, development challenges and investment opportunities;
• providing hands-on technical assistance to beneficiary local public authorities in defining and prioritising local development and investment initiatives;
• supporting beneficiary local public authorities in translating identified needs into viable project ideas, project concepts and project proposals aimed at accessing available funding opportunities;
• supporting the preparation of project documentation, including project concepts, project applications, budgets, implementation plans and other supporting documents;
• reviewing draft project concepts and project proposals and providing structured feedback and recommendations to improve their quality, feasibility, relevance and compliance;
• applying and promoting standardised methodologies, templates, tools and guidance materials developed within the framework of the assignment;
• organising and facilitating meetings, consultations, working sessions and training activities for beneficiary local public authorities and other relevant local stakeholders;
• strengthening the capacities of beneficiary local public authorities to manage future project development, grant application and project implementation processes;
• facilitating communication and cooperation between beneficiary local public authorities, the Team Coordinator, Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova, the State Chancellery and other relevant stakeholders;
• providing operational support during the implementation of supported initiatives, including through regular field visits, consultations and follow-up activities;
• contributing to monitoring, reporting and knowledge-sharing activities related to the assignment;
• identifying implementation risks, challenges and capacity gaps within the assigned geographical area and proposing corrective measures and recommendations.

The complete list of tasks, deliverables and indicative deadlines is provided in the Terms of Reference.

Service Requirements

The services will be provided under the overall coordination of the Team Coordinator and in close cooperation with Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova, the State Chancellery and beneficiary local public authorities. The assignment will require:

• an estimated level of engagement equivalent to approximately 75% FTE;
• regular availability and sufficient physical presence within the assigned geographical area;
• regular field visits and direct interaction with beneficiary local public authorities and other relevant stakeholders;
• compliance with the work plan, agreed deadlines and reporting requirements;
• application of a consistent approach, using the methodologies, tools, templates and working formats agreed within the PDM Team;
• timely and quality delivery of the expected outputs;
• use of the Service Provider’s own equipment and communication means required for the performance of the services, including a laptop, telephone and reliable internet connection;
• access to means of transport necessary for undertaking regular field visits within the assigned geographical area;
• compliance with confidentiality, data protection, integrity and conflict-of-interest requirements.

Required competencies and qualifications

This procurement procedure is open to individual applicants who meet at least the following requirements:

• relevant post-secondary / college education and/or higher education, such as a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree, in public administration, economics, regional development, law, public policy, political science, business administration, project management, European studies, social sciences or another field relevant to the assignment;
• at least 3 years of professional experience in local development, regional development, public administration, project management, public policy, community development or another field relevant to the assignment;
• at least 2 years of experience working with and/or for central and/or local public authorities;
• direct involvement in at least 2 development projects, investment projects, grant applications or donor-funded programmes;
• strong communication, facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills;
• good organisational skills, responsibility, punctuality and ability to comply with deadlines;
• advanced knowledge of Romanian and Russian, both written and spoken;
• good computer skills, including MS Office applications, in particular Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and/or other relevant communication and reporting tools;
• availability to undertake regular field visits and ensure sufficient physical presence within the assigned geographical area throughout the duration of the assignment;
• access to and use of own laptop, mobile phone and reliable internet connection necessary for the proper implementation of the assignment.

Additional qualifications and experience will be considered an advantage, including a Master’s degree in a relevant field, specialised training, experience in supporting LPAs in project proposal preparation, experience in facilitating consultations or trainings, experience in monitoring and reporting, and working knowledge of English.

Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be evaluated. Further information on the required documents, evaluation criteria, Lots and application procedure is available in the Terms of Reference.

Application deadline: 21 September 2026, 10:00 EEST.

*By submitting an application, the Applicant expressly and unequivocally consents to the processing of personal data by Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova for the purpose of conducting the announced procurement procedure. The Applicant has the right to determine the confidentiality limits applicable to the information provided and to indicate which documents submitted as part of the offer are confidential.

** Personal data will be processed by Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova for the purpose of conducting the procurement process, in accordance with the applicable legislation and internal rules. Personal data are provided voluntarily. Refusal to provide the required personal data will make it impossible to conclude a contract with Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova. Individuals have the right to obtain information regarding the purpose, scope and manner in which their personal data are processed, as well as the right to access, rectify and request the portability of their personal data. Personal data may be disclosed to donors, auditors, public authorities and other public-law entities, as well as to legal advisers, for the purposes of auditing or overseeing the activities of Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova, protecting legal rights and resolving disputes. Personal data will not be disclosed to any other third parties without the Applicant’s prior consent. Any questions regarding the processing of personal data may be addressed to Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova by email at info@solidarityfund.md.

*** To ensure transparency in the procurement process, the results of the procedure, including information about the selected Service Provider - company name or first and last name, services provided, price and contract period — will be published on the website of Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova. Participation in the procedure by submitting the required documents constitutes acceptance of the publication of the procurement results, except for information expressly marked as confidential.

****Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova reserves the right to cancel the procurement procedure at any time without incurring any obligations towards the Applicants. Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova further ensures that documents containing personal data will be destroyed, anonymised or encrypted in accordance with its internal procedures.

***** Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova is committed to the highest standards of conduct and operates in accordance with applicable law, its internal regulations, its policy on whistleblowing and the management of reports, and its policy on preventing harassment and discrimination. Should you observe any activity or concerning situation that may indicate irregularities, improper practices or other unethical conduct, please consult the information available here to learn how such matters may be reported.