81321279-Policy Advice and Capacity building on Urban & Regional Development in Moldova for EU-Accession

Description of the services to be provided The services will contribute to the implementation of Output 2 of the "Strong Businesses and Communities for Moldova (SBC)" project, in close cooperation with the head of component, guided by the GIZ project manager and selected target indicators on outcome level. The design and methodological concept of SBC follows a multi-level and multi-stakeholder approach. The advisory and support-services include policy advice as well as capacity development for relevant stakeholders on national, but also regional and local level in transposing the policy framework for sustainable municipal, urban and regional development to the EU requirements. Focus will be placed on supporting the Moldovan Government and more specifically, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development (MIRD) in complying with the requirements of the EU Acquis as they are set out in Cluster V "Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion", Chapter 22 "Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments". Therefore, the project seeks to establish a flexible and demand-oriented pool of short-term experts to provide consultancy services in regional development and integrated urban development, along the following work packages: Work package 1: Policy Advice for EU-Accession Work package 1 focusses on supporting the Moldovan Government, predominantly the MIRD, as well as potentially other relevant public institutions, to meet the comprehensive requirements relevant to sustainable urban, municipal and regional development arising from the EU accession process. To this end, contribution to the project´s efforts to support the Moldovan Government in addressing the recommendations made in the EU Enlargement report and as result of the bilateral screening for Chapter 22 "Regional policy and coordination of structural instruments" and the generated screening reports for cluster V "Resources, agriculture and cohesion" are required. Work package 2: Capacity Building for EU Accession Work package 2 focusses on building the capacities of the relevant Moldovan institutions, such as MIRD, Regional Development Agencies, Regional Development Councils, Local Public Authorities (namely the growth pole cities), with responsibilities in the field of regional development and integrated urban development for the future acquisition and implementation of EU funding. Building on a capacity assessment, Moldovan institutions are foreseen to benefit from targeted interventions (incl. trainings, peer-to-peer learning formats, workshops, coaching, etc.) to build individuals competences as well as organizational capacities. In partnership with Moldovan institutions, the work package also seeks to develop training programmes, and to improve the quality of selected existing training programmes, in line with European standards and good practice. The task is to support the implementation of SBC and to provide technical expertise and capacity development for relevant stakeholders (especially from the public sector) on national, but also regional and municipal levels in the areas of regional development and integrated urban development and other related fields. Products to be delivered are defined policy documents, services and reports as of the individual assignments. Briefing and debriefing framing the missions take place with the presence of the project management. The services to be provided will in general be implemented through direct cooperation under the guidance, accompaniment or with specific agreement by GIZ on the appropriate level. The services include to support and ensure an effective, efficient and results-oriented planning and management of the pool of experts and a proper technical and financial reporting. The performance requires current knowledge of relevant political, social, and economic development trends as well as having access and knowledge of wider stakeholders involved in the decision-making process at the local, regional, national, and international level, including other donor organizations and agencies, and maintain necessary relationships.