April 18 2023
Chisinau , Moldova

Background:

Nathan is a leading provider of analytic and economic consultancy services worldwide. In the past decade, we have implemented more than 120 projects in more than 50 countries leveraging our global presence in Washington DC, London, and India. From improved transparency and deeper stakeholder engagement to more effective policies and more resilient businesses, we deliver results that impact economic growth, human development, and poverty reduction. We are passionate about applying our deep analytical expertise and advanced proprietary tools to generate economic solutions tailored to our clients’ unique challenges. Nathan focuses on a range of economic development subject matter areas including Trade & Logistics; Economic Policy & Governance; Private Sector Development; Women’s Economic Empowerment; and Structured Finance and Investment. 

The USAID Moldova Institutional and Structural Reform Activity (MISRA) is a five-year project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Nathan Associates Inc. MISRA’s objective is to stimulate a sustainable and inclusive recovery from the regional crisis, improve the institutional, business, and trade enabling environment in Moldova by supporting Moldova’s public institutions and the private sector to accelerate the implementation of trade liberalization mechanisms, adopt structural and investment climate reforms, accelerate financial sector reforms, improve economic governance in the public sector, and enhance strategic communications between the private and public actors. MISRA builds on prior and ongoing USAID and US Government activities in the business enabling environment and trade facilitation space to strengthen Moldova’s economic growth and resilience, and by doing so, increase transparency and accountability.

The main objective of the Component 1 “Strengthening Public Economic Governance Institutions for Resilience and Accountability” is to support public institutions to implement streamlined procedures and systems, interagency coordination, good governance, and digitalization to improve transparency, public service delivery, and access to information.

Position Summary:

The Calea Ferată din Moldova (abbreviated as CFM) is the sole railway operator in the Republic of Moldova, responsible for passenger and cargo transportation, as well as railway infrastructure. Nathan Associates seeks a short-term international procurement expert to provide CFM with detailed guidance on international best practices in procurement, focusing specifically on railway operators; how to develop a strategic approach for internal procurement processes of the railways; and the necessary functions of an automated system, to be used by CFM for procurements.

Under this Scope of Work, the procurement expert will provide CFM with detailed guidance on the following: international best practices in procurement (EU and non-EU countries), focusing specifically on railway operators; how to develop a strategic approach for internal procurement processes of the railways; and the necessary functions of an automated system, to be used by CFM for procurements.

The procurement expert will work in close collaboration with a local consultant hired through MISRA.

Job Description:

The international expert will be responsible for the following tasks:

·     Provide insights on international best practices for procurements by railway operators, and on how those experiences and achievements should be applied in Moldova;

·     Develop a strategic approach for procurement processes for the type of goods/services needed by the railways, including recommendations on budgeting, planning of procurements, internal organizational processes, coordination with other public agencies, transparency and accountability, and other relevant considerations;

·     Provide feedback and recommendations on drafts of new internal regulations and procurement rules for CFM;

·     Provide feedback and recommendations on streamlining internal business processes, and the necessary functions of an automated system, to be used by CFM for procurements; and

·     Participate in consultative meetings and discussions with representatives of CFM, MISRA, and other stakeholders in respect to the above.

Remote; two 1-week trips to Chisinau, Moldova.

Qualifications:

·     Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in management, business studies, finance, engineering, procurement, or relevant fields. A master’s degree or certification in procurement is preferred;

·     Demonstrated of at least ten (10) years of experience in procurement-related activities in the railways public sector in the region (e.g., EU and non-EU countries);

·     Experience in elaboration of government procurement policies and procedures;

·     Knowledge of EU legislation in procurement will be an asset;

·     Implementation of IT procurement systems/modules in railways sector, will be a strong asset;

·     Fluency in business English, a good command of technical and legal English, and skills in verbal and written communications; and

·     Presentation skills, including on technical issues relevant to railway procurements.

Nathan is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Nathan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. EOE Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans.

 

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

Nathan requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated. If you receive a conditional offer of employment from Nathan, you will be required to prove     that you are fully vaccinated for     COVID-19     or     receive approval from Nathan for a waiver due to a valid religious or medical reason prior to your start date.  Applicants should not disclose their vaccination status or need for a waiver before receiving a conditional offer of employment.