Deadline: 7-Jul-23
UNDP Moldova is seeking to contact a specialized and experienced company (hereinafter “the Company”) to provide business advisory and support services to up to 20 small and medium enterprises from Moldova (MSMEs).
The overall objective of the intervention is to protect human security and enhance the resilience of the Republic of Moldova, to address the multifaceted and interconnected challenges of the current socio-economic, food and energy shocks.
Objectives
The three specific objectives are:
- To enhance people’s energy security through access to affordable energy that supports livelihoods and energyefficient production;
- To enhance food security by supporting the government to implement its Food Security Strategy, thereby strengthening the capacities of agricultural producers affected by the compound crises;
- To enhance community security by strengthening the capacities of the police service and community actors to deliver on the principles of social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
Components
- The required services to be provided by the grouped in two distinct lots, as follows:
- Component 1:
- The key objective of Component 1 is to provide support to 10 MSMEs working from three targeted micro-regions in the agri-food sector upgrading their harvesting, storage, production, and processing capacities, allowing them to comply with demanding food safety standards.
- Along with the provided equipment and/or infrastructure, the project will support the redesign of internal business processes, this improving the companies’ labor productivity and competitiveness.
- This will ensure a greater agricultural output, contributing to greater food security of the country.
- As part of Component 1, 10 MSMEs shall receive support and non-cash assistance amounting to up to 20,000 USD each.
- Component 2:
- The key objective of Component 2 is to provide support up to 10 MSMEs located in Cahul and Ungheni Focal Regions, hosting large numbers of refugees, working in non-agricultural sector to reduce the environmental impact and improve their efficiency and competitiveness through supporting:
- energy efficiency in the production process: upgrading old production lines, improved internal processes andcontrol of production, recovering waste heat, and
- efficient generation of energy inputs: renewable energy generators, high electricity boilers, improved insulation of production spaces, etc.
- As part of Component 2, 10 MSMEs shall receive support and non-cash assistance amounting to up to 20,000 USD each.
- Component 1:
- The Company shall organize verification of contribution, adjustment of procurement and business plans (project proposals), and organization of contracts signing, provide necessary consulting, and support activities for beneficiaries of Non-refundable Non-cash support.
Key Activities
- The Company will take full responsibility for the provision of required services in close cooperation with UNDP project team.
- The general objectives identified, and scope of services defined shall be met through activitiesthat include, but are not limited to the following:
- The UNDP project will offer the implementation methodology and templates.
- The Company will adapt the information to the needs of the Call of Proposals and selected beneficiaries’ preparation of methodological approach and detailed work plan for theimplementation of tasks.
- Update of Business Plan and/or Project proposals and agreements signing.
- The Company will receive an approved list of beneficiaries, selected under the non-reimbursable financial assistance program for each Component.
- Initial Assistance
- After the agreement signing, the contractor will visit beneficiary on-site and will establish individual monitoring and evaluation targets for the selected beneficiaries, and procurement plan, technical specifications and procedures adapted for the needs of the beneficiaries.
- Support and training program for the beneficiary entrepreneurs over up to 12 months.
- Map the common needs of the beneficiaries to provide specific thematic trainings, to all beneficiaries, increasing output and sales of the products in the various economic and business topics (e.g. of accounting, law, loan application, taxation etc.) The coaching and mentorship to the beneficiaries will be covered by the Project;
- Provide group trainings/events based on questions collected from beneficiaries in the various economic and business topics (e.g. of accounting, law, taxation, export etc.) (on-line solution will be provided by the Project);
- Purchase the eligible goods and services within the non-cash support awarded for each beneficiary in conformity with the provisions of the business plan (project proposal), approved project implementation methodology and procurement procedures, in coordination with the beneficiary and the Programme, advise on better integration of purchased equipment in business process;
- Monitoring of the business plan (project proposal) implementation and proper use of goods or services received (on site monitoring visits for each beneficiary – 2 visits)
- Summing-up
- Ensure compilation of data sheets of each beneficiary. The format to be coordinated to the project.
- Collection of indicators of the project implementation. Analysis of the results achieved.
- By the project and each beneficiary and develop an Intermediary Report and Lessons learned upon the end of the active implementation phase of assignment addressing the key findings, major conclusions and recommendations.
- Elaboration of project implementation reports:
- One Inception Report.
- Two Progress Reports (simplified), including financial Report/Statements.
- Final report on Report on non-cash supports implementation completion. Other reports as described in the Deliverables section.
Duration of Services
- The estimated duration of services is a maximum of 12 months. The expected time of commencement of contract is July 2023.
- UNDP will require a maximum of 14 (fourteen) days (depending on the implementation stage) to review the deliverables, provide comments, approve, or certify acceptance of deliverables.
Qualifications of the Successful Service Provider
- The technical proposal must include, inter alia, the methodological approach, as well as a clearly defined strategy of comprehensive business support services to be provided, corresponding to the objective and scope of work.
- The application should identify the exact experts that will be involved in the activities, with clear description of their experience in project management, financial and accounting assistance, procurement, energy efficiency and renewable energy, with clear description of their experience in Moldova.
- The Company’s Project Implementation Team must consist of:
- Project Manager – 1 person
- Responsibilities: Planning of project activities, Implementation of project activities, Drafting, Endorsing of Reports and their submission to UNDP; endorsing of procurements for beneficiaries, monitoring of beneficiaries’ business plans/ project proposals implementation);
- Financial Assistant/ Accountant – 1 person
- Responsibilities: reception and bookkeeping of financial and budgetary documents, payments to sub-contractorsand vendors on acquisition of necessary equipment/ services for the beneficiaries, data collection).
- Procurement Assistant – 1 person
- Responsibilities: analyze the market, collect, analyze, and compare the commercial offers for goods/services, select the best option based on value-for-money principle)
- Energy Efficiency Specialist (for LOT 2) – 1 person
- Responsibilities: analyze the market, collect commercial offers for goods/services, and select the best option based on value-for-money principle; Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting energy data to evaluate the effectiveness of energy efficiency measures. This includes preparing reports and presenting findings to clients or stakeholders, highlighting energy savings, cost reductions, and environmental benefits achieved.
- Renewable energy specialist (for LOT 2) – 1 person
- Responsibilities: Assessing different renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass, to determine their suitability for specific projects or applications; Collaborating with engineers and grid operators to ensure the integration of renewable energy systems into the existing energy infrastructure.
- Project Manager – 1 person
For more information, visit UNDP.
