News | Annual Report 2024
Procurement

Project Coordinator – MOLDOVA

Published on May 22, 2025 - Closing date: June 9, 2025
TRADE REFORMS FOR EU INTEGRATION: ENHANCING GOVERNANCE AND SPS SYSTEMS IN MOLDOVA

1. BACKGROUND

The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GATF) is a public-private delivery mechanism created to support effective implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) through partnerships between governments and the private sector. GATF is a cooperative effort funded by the governments of the Canada, Germany, EU, and Sweden.

The GATF Secretariat is composed of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC-WBO), and the World Economic Forum (WEF), with Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) as an implementing partner.

GATF is implementing a project to support Moldova’s European Union accession process through institutional modernisation of two government agencies:

  • Moldova Customs
  • The National Food Safety Agency (ANSA)

The project consists of two main components:

Component 1: Strengthening Customs

  • Enhancing the IT Department: Increasing the IT capacity of the organisation to improve interoperability between Customs and ANSA systems.
  • Creating a Modernisation Department: Establishing a dedicated unit to drive continuous reform, modelled after Guatemala Customs’ successful initiative.
  • Launching an Agricultural AEO Pilot: Expanding the trusted trader program to include ANSA, promoting risk-based inspections and reducing compliance costs for reliable traders.

Component 2: Supporting ANSA’s Digital Transformation

  • Strengthening ANSA’s IT Unit: Expanding technical capacity and ensuring alignment with Customs for interoperability.
  • Developing Eight New E-Services:
  1. Register of specialised deposits for fertilisers and plant protection products.
  2. Register of ethyl alcohol circulation and alcoholic production.
  3. Register of main technological equipment.
  4. Registration and dissemination of alerts (early warning system).
  5. Management and traceability of food product batches of planting.
  6. Import monitoring and control.
  7. Performance of animals and plant crops.
  8. Rapid notification and record-keeping system for animal by-products not intended for human consumption.
  • Agricultural AEO Pilot: Recognising trusted traders under ANSA’s regulatory framework to streamline inspections and regulatory compliance.

To support the project’s implementation, GATF wishes to hire the services of a local Project Coordinator who will work closely and cooperatively with the Moldovan government agencies involved, the project’s implementation unit, the private sector stakeholders, and the rest of the Alliance team to ensure its timely and adequate implementation.

 

2. GENERAL OBJECTIVE

The objective of this position is to provide local stakeholder coordination and day-to-day management of project activities to ensure the successful and efficient implementation of the initiative.

 

3. SCOPE OF WORK

Under the supervision of the designated GATF Officer, the Project Coordinator’s activities shall include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Providing project management services to facilitate the day-to-day implementation of the project in accordance with GATF’s goals.
  • Leading project activities, with emphasis in collaboration and coordination with Moldovan government officials, public and private sector organisations.
  • Liaising with Moldovan government officials, private sector stakeholders, and NGOs.
  • Reviewing and updating the project strategy on a regular basis.
  • Coordinating the Project Working Group and managing the relationship with all public-private stakeholders.

 

4. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES

It is expected that the consultant will conduct, as a minimum, the following activities:

  • Update and manage the project plan.
  • Arrange consultations with the private sector and SMEs throughout the execution of the project.
  • Coordinate and organise regular meetings with the Project Working Group, and any other ad hoc meeting with other stakeholders as needed.
  • Prepare monthly and quarterly progress reports (including executive documents and presentations as needed) highlighting the activities conducted, challenges faced, proposed solutions, and monthly and quarterly objectives.
  • Manage and undertake the required measurement activities including but not limited to carrying out project surveys, collecting data for logframe and trackers and implement the results planner. Implement the data collection requirements to measure project results in coordination with the Alliance Metrics and Benchmarking team.
  • Lead the procurement process of any consultant or consulting firm required to implement the project by drafting terms of reference, evaluating technical and financial proposals if necessary.
  • Co-lead project review exercises designed to adjust, organise, and streamline project procedures/schedules/plans, highlighting the activities that will impact project implementation and propose corrective actions if needed.
  • Document all changes requested to project scope, schedule, and budget.
  • Translate brief documents from English to Romanian and vice versa as needed.

 

5. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

 The duration of the contract is expected to be one (1) year with the possibility to extend depending on performance and project status. Expected start date: June 23, 2025.

 

6. REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

 The selected project coordinator will report to GATF Program Officer leading the project.

 

7. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS

  • Candidates should already reside in Chisinau (Moldova).
  • Travel within Moldova to meet with government officials and private sector operators will be required. All work-related traveling expenses outside of the Chisinau area will be funded by the program.
  • Office space will be provided by project stakeholders, therefore it is expected that the consultant will work at the premises of the project stakeholders.

 

8. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

 The selected candidate will submit invoices monthly to GATF for approval and payment. GATF will make payments upon receipt and acceptance of said invoices.

 

9. TECHNICAL PROFILE OF CANDIDATE

9.1 Academic Qualifications

 Bachelor’s degree or equivalent university degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Technology, Law, or another relevant

9.2 Knowledge/Experience

  • At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in project coordination or management, including experience overseeing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
  • Proven experience in designing, coordinating, or supervising the implementation of IT systems or digital tools, preferably within or for government agencies or regulatory authorities.
  • Familiarity with business process reengineering and the introduction of new procedures in bureaucratic settings is highly desirable.
  • Previous work experience with both public and private sector stakeholders in Moldova, especially in trade-related, regulatory, or modernisation projects.
  • Experience supporting digital transformation efforts, e-government services, or risk-based compliance systems is a plus.
  • Hands-on experience with monitoring, evaluation, and results reporting for donor-funded projects.
  • Understanding of international trade facilitation principles and frameworks such as the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, WCO SAFE Framework, or EU SPS regulations is an asset.
  • Strong organisational and interpersonal skills; able to manage multiple stakeholders simultaneously.
  • Ability to learn quickly, work independently and in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
  • Fluency in English and Romanian, both written and spoken.

Must be legally authorized to live and work in Moldova.

 

10. APPLICATION

To apply for this opportunity, please send a resume and cover letter in English, to tradejobs@cipe.org by 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time, June 9, 2025 with the subject line: “GATF Moldova Project Coordinator – [FULL NAME]”.

Any questions should be communicated in writing before the due date to the same email address.

 

11. EVALUATION METHODOLOGY

 Evaluation of an applicant’s suitability for this consultancy will be based on the applicant’s technical background as provided on the resume and cover letter as well as the applicant’s financial requirements.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to an interview.