A place-to-place survey entails price data collection by a pricing agent in retail outlets patronized by the UN staff members. It is carried out at least once every three to five years in all locations where staff of the UN system are stationed. The United Nations’ International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) has scheduled a place-to-place survey for Chisinau, Moldova for 2025.
Duties and Responsibilities
On behalf of the ICSC and under the direct supervision of the Survey Coordinator, the Pricing Agent will be responsible for the following duties:
Before the beginning of the survey, review all the documents provided directly or via the survey support microsite https://surveys.unicsc.org/cold especially the “Instructions for the Pricing Agent” and “Instructions for the Pricing Agent – Target Brands”
Review the list of items to be priced as well as their specifications, to assess their availability in the local market; and document any variances and observations in the Pricing Forms
Develop a strategic plan for data collection, and collect prices from the list of stores/outlets (with complete addresses) provided by the Survey Coordinator
Ensure that collected prices are from the approved list of outlets and conform with the item specifications
Record in a legible and complete manner the price data in the Pricing Agent Pricing Book and Prescription Medication Pricing Form
Complete the Pricing Agent Questionnaire on the general market conditions as well as the pricing activities
Submit the Pricing documents, including the Pricing Book, and the completed questionnaire on local market conditions, to the Survey Coordinator by the end of the pricing activities
Remain available to respond to queries and requests for clarifications from the ICSC or the Survey Coordinator regarding specific price quotations or generally about the price data collection exercise
Qualifications and Selection Criteria
The following are the qualifications of a Pricing Agent. He or she:
Is an independent person who is not an employee or consultant, or an immediate relative of a staff member, of any of the organizations of the United Nations Common System based at the duty station to be surveyed.
Has international shopping experience with knowledge of, and experience with, the local market.
Is preferably an expatriate who has lived at the duty station for at least one year.
Has the ability to get around the duty station to visit the outlets by either public or private transportation.
Is conversant with English to ensure proper interpretation of item specifications as provided on the pricing forms.
Is able to communicate effectively Romanian or Russian, because the job requires interaction with outlet owners and workers.
Possesses at least a High School Diploma or equivalent.
Having experience in the field of statistics, economics, project management, auditing, accounting and/or finance, sales/marketing, is an additional asset
Is available to complete the job within the specified time frame.
Duration and payment
The duration of the contract is one month and will commence on 1 April 2025 and end on 30 April 2025. The authorized fee is 21,200.00 MDL, to be paid upon satisfactory completion of the assignment in accordance with the provisions of the contract to be signed by the pricing agent.
Application process
Interested candidates should submit their CVs to egriu@unicef.org by 10 March 2025, COB.
Only applications from relevant candidates will be taken into consideration.