Anunțuri de Angajare

USAID Moldova Institutional and Structural Reform Activity

SCOPE OF WORK

Position:                                ICT Consultant / Software Developer (further Consultant)

Program:                               USAID Moldova Institutional and Structural Reforms Activity (MISRA)

Location:                               Chisinau, Moldova

Period of Performance:       Mai 2024 – November 2024    

Published:                             April 16, 2024

Total Level of Effort:            up to 35 days

Work Plan Activity:             (FY24WP) Task 3.1.2 Assistance to financial sector regulators in building financial consumer protection capacities

Project Background

The Moldova Institutional and Structural Reforms Activity (MISRA) is a five-year project funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) that aims to improve the business, investment, and trade enabling environment in cooperation with the Government of Moldova (GoM) to respond to an unprecedented economic crisis due to the war in Ukraine, as well as to support Moldova’s economic recovery, including to: advance the GoM’s economic action plan; strengthen public economic governance institutions; improve transport, logistics, trade, and commerce; and accelerate financial sector reforms and inclusiveness; among other needs. USAID MISRA is also building the capacity of the GoM to better engage and strategically communicate its economic plan, progress, and results to the private sector, civil society, and the public. These activities include intensive support to select GoM institutions with institutional reforms, streamlined processes, and digitalization to improve transparency, accountability, access to information, and public services.

Activity Overview

This activity will be implemented under USAID MISRA’s Component 3, to Accelerate Financial Sector Reforms and Inclusion. This component focuses on governance, inclusion, and digital finance, with the objective of supporting development of an inclusive financial sector and supporting infrastructure to enhance efficiency, transparency, and resilience in the financial sector.

The National Commission for Financial Markets (NCFM) has been entrusted with a new mandate in mid-2023 to oversee consumer protection regulation and supervision for all financial services in Moldova. The current mission of NCFM is to integrate international best practices into local legislation, ensuring robust consumer protection throughout various phases of interaction with financial service providers.

The focus of this activity is loans and mortgages transparency. While financial organizations, both banks and non-banks, commonly provide loan calculators to help consumers estimate monthly payments and annual percentage rates (APR), discrepancies and variations in these calculators exist. These tools are often tailored to the specific products offered by the entities providing them, making it challenging for consumers to independently verify the accuracy of the APR represented in their loan contracts. Consequently, consumers lack a reliable means to ensure compliance with existing consumer credit legislation caps on APR or other limits.

Given the NCFM role as the primary financial consumer protection authority, it is imperative to introduce a standardized loan calculator module on the authority's website. Such an initiative would enable consumers and the regulator representatives by offering a neutral platform for calculating APR’s on loan given the variables included in loan contracts. By placing this tool on the regulator’s website, any interested party, whether consumer or inspector, gains access to a transparent and reliable method for assessing the accuracy and compliance of APR representation in loan contracts.

In essence, by placing the loan calculator module within the purview of the NCFM, consumers are equipped with a trustworthy resource to navigate the complexities of borrowing, ensuring fairness and adherence to regulatory standards.

Responsibilities and Tasks

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Development of the module APR calculator for NCFM's website in both languages (Romanian and English) according to the EU Mortgage Directive and EU Consumer Credit Directive: Calculation of the annual percentage rate of charge (APRC) (source - https://commission.europa.eu/publications/mortgage-directive-calculation-annual-percentage-rate-charge-aprc_en ) and considering the development technology and/or programming language(s) on which NCFM's current website is based (cnpf.md ) namely: Docker Compose, PHP 7.4, Laravel 8, Bootstrap, Jquery, Postgresql 12 database, Django, Sencha React EXT JS 6.52.
• Test all the functionalities of the developed module and remove bugs, gaps, technical deficiencies, and other improper circumstances.
• Provide training to the NCFM technical staff on module administration.
• Prepare the technical documentation and the user guides.
• Provide 3 months maintenance for developed module.

Deliverables

1. Development of the module “APR calculator” in Romanian and English, according to specifications of the NCFM website, including testing and removal of technical deficiencies, as well as piloting the module. (by June 13, 2024)
2. Installation of the module on NCFM environment in MCloud. (by June 30, 2024)
3. Development of technical documentation and the user guidelines. (by July 15, 2024)
4. Delivery of training to the NCFM technical staff on how to administrate the module. (by September 30, 2024)

Qualifications

• At least 3 (three) years of experience in software development and use of programming languages proven by certification in software development technology and/or programming language(s) on which NCFM's current website is based (cnpf.md) namely: Docker Compose, PHP 7.4, Laravel 8, Bootstrap, Jquery, Postgresql 12 database, Django, Sencha React EXT JS 6.52.
• Engagement in at least 3 (three) projects for implementation of ICT solutions as Software Developer, proven by brief descriptions of project scope and outcome, and proofs of completion.
• Experience working with USAID and/or other international donor-funded programs preferred.
• Fluency in Romanian and business English, a good command of technical and legal English, and skills in verbal and written communications.

Reporting

In addition to the deliverables above, the consultant will provide periodic progress reports to the Component 3 Financial Sector Team Lead and Financial Sector Specialist. The consultant will also contribute to other reports and documents as required consistent with this scope of work.

How to Apply

We welcome your CV and preferably cover letter at Moldovajobs@nathaninc.com. Please apply by April 22, 2024, with “Local Software Developer - Financial Consumer Protection” in the subject line. This short-term position will remain open until filled.