Social expert

LOCAL CONSULTANT –SOCIAL EXPERT

Project Component 4: Identification of challenges, needs and opportunities to implement the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and

Project Component 5. Preparation and validation of National MIA reports and implementation of awareness raising activities and dissemination of results

A. Introduction:
These Terms of Reference has been prepared to describe a consulting assignment to be undertaken by the
Local Consultant. It is expected that the consultant will provide assistance to the Ministry of Environment of
the Republic of Moldova (MoEnv) within the UNEP/GEF project “Enabling activity Development of
Minamata initial assessment in Moldova”, that is implemented by the Environmental Pollution Prevention
Office within the MoEnvironment.

Project scope: The UNEP/GEF project ”Enabling activity development of Minamata initial assessment in the Republic of Moldova” is being advanced to assist the Government of the Republic of Moldova, through the Ministry of Environment, to prepare the ground to ratify the Minamata Convention on Mercury in Moldova and to build national capacity to meet reporting and other obligations under the Convention.
Project objective: Ratification and early implementation of the Minamata Convention facilitated by the use of scientific and technical knowledge and tools by national stakeholders in participating countries.
. Project Reference
PCA/2014/023 – GFL-2310-2760-4E99
UNEP / Global Environment Facility project/ “Enabling activity development of Minamata initial assessment in Moldova”

C. Duty Station
Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

D. Section/Unit
Environment Pollution Prevention Office within the Ministry of Environment (MoEnv), Republic of Moldova

E. Duration of Employment
The consultant output for the proposed assignment is expected to be executed within the one month period, starting with September 2016. The expected workload is estimated to 10-15 working days.

F. Organizational setting:
The consultant shall execute the tasks with regards to this project under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, in cooperation with the other local experts and responsible governmental agencies.

G. Job Content

The Local Consultant is expected to perform the following specific tasks:

Task 1. Review and mainstream the gender concern and special needs of vulnerable groups within the text of national assessment on challenges and opportunities to implement the Convention in key priority sectors
- Identify key gender concerns of target groups within the priority sectors through a set of various instruments (focus groups or structured interview)
- Reveal of the level of particular exposure of vulnerable groups with reference to Minamata Convention implementation in Moldova and provide with set of recommendations on addressing identified gaps and risks.

Task 2: Develop special chapters of the Minamata Initial Assessment Report (Chapter IV) using recommended reference materials

1. Preliminary review of potential populations at risk and potential health risks
While undertaking a preliminary review of potential populations at risk you are encouraged to make use of the “WHO/UNEP Guidance for Identifying Populations at Risk from Mercury Exposure[1]”.
2. Assessment of potential gender dimensions related to the management of mercury.
While undertaking the assessment of potential gender dimensions related to the management of mercury you are encouraged to make use of existing guidance materials, such as the UNDP Guidance Document “Chemicals Management – The Why and How of Mainstreaming Gender[2]” or any other relevant guidance document.


Task 3. Support the awareness raising activities and dissemination of results of the Minamata Initial Assessment:
- Suggest relevant activities necessary to raise awareness on mercury and the Minamata convention among the key stakeholders (decision makers) and identified target groups;

K. Qualifications required:

The Local Consultant shall have the following expertise and competencies:

 University degree in social science or closely related fields;
 At least 5 years of experience in providing similar and/or related consultancy in technical assistance projects
 Substantial knowledge on communication, social and gender mainstreaming issues, including the strategic planning of core documents
 Previous experience in preparation of similar studies, reviews, sectoral recommendations will be an asset;
 Experience in working with central and local public authorities;
 Ability to prepare user friendly materials designed specifically to enable individual and collective learning;
 Ability to present facts in a clear, logical and interesting/attractive way of a high quality;
 Demonstrated facilitation skills;
 Able to complete work within required timeframes;
 Excellent proficiency in Romanian, working knowledge of English and Russian is an asset;
 Good analytical and writing skills.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV , methodology of execution of the proposed task and Financial Offer (in USD including all taxes) by October 7, 2016 by email: tuguitatiana@ymail.com, info@eppo.md