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TERMS OF REFERENCE

Title of assignment: Consultant/Specialist on Strengthened Policy for Decentralized Sanitation

Procurement ID #: 2025_ApaSan28_Individual_Legal Policy

PROJECT: ApaSan28 – Water Efficiency Component (funded by the Austrian Development Agency with funds of International Partnership Austria) 

CONTRACTING AUTHORITY/Client: Fundația Centrul Moldo-Elvețian pentru Cooperare SKAT (SKAT Moldova)  

AVAILABILITY PERIOD: Approx. until April 2028 (workload in days up to 40-80 in total depending on workload and availability of the consultant) 

1. Background and Project Objectives

Skat Moldova is recruiting an individual Consultant or company - on strengthening Policy for Decentralized Sanitation, for its ongoing multi-year project in Moldova ApaSan28  – Sanitation Component (funded by the Austrian Development Agency with funds of International Partnership Austria). The project aims to enhance rural sanitation, ensure access to safe drinking water, and promote decentralized WASH management as a sustainable solution at the local level. 

This initiative seeks to improve living conditions in selected rural villages by providing year-round access to safe water for drinking and household use and adequate sanitation services. To achieve this, ApaSan28 will focus on: 

• Strengthening local authorities and regional operators to ensure reliable water and sanitation services. 

• Promoting decentralized sanitation solutions, such as septic tanks and fecal sludge management, as viable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable alternatives. 

• Increasing awareness among authorities and communities regarding the benefits and challenges of decentralized versus centralized sanitation systems. 

• Supporting national policy development, advocating for official recognition and regulation of decentralized sanitation solutions. 

The project will be implemented in 5-10 villages, selected based on expressed demand and prior engagement. The interventions will benefit the entire population, including women, men, children, and vulnerable groups. 

ApaSan28 is executed in Moldova by  SKAT. Through these efforts, the project aims to establish  sustainable, community-driven solutions that improve public health and well-being in rural Moldova. 

3. Scope of Work

The Specialist on Strengthened Policy for Decentralized Sanitation will work in close collaboration with the Project Manager and Task Manager for support in Individual Sanitation Solutions workshops, the related tasks arising from such events and any other legal support required in the project. The assignment may also include Capacity Development & Citizen Engagement, the provision of legal advice and guidance for the development, negotiation and signing of Cooperation and Grant Agreements with the selected partner LPA groups. 

The scope of tasks can include:

(i) Analysis and presentation of the national and international legal framework on Individual Sanitation Solutions, drafting of amendments of existing national legislation, public administration engagement, and follow-up of legal reform.

(ii) Drafting Grant Agreements and Cooperation Agreements between the ApaSan28 Project and partner LPAs groups, including all necessary annexes.

• The Consultant oversees the finalization of the agreement including any necessary revision before the agreement is signed.
• The Consultant may provide guidance and support during the negotiation between the parties to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

4. Minimum Qualifications and Skills required

5. Details, Location and Dates

• The Consultant will be based from his/her own office, without the need to be permanently present in SKAT Moldova office.
• Individuals and companies can apply only. The position is offered as a service contract consisting of circa 40-80 workdays in total.
• Start date is anticipated for January 2026.
• End date of the contract is expected for April 2028.
• Candidates who do not fully meet the minimum qualification requirements may be considered for inclusion in a pool of potential SKAT experts on decentralized sanitation solutions and could be contracted for smaller work packages during the project’s implementation.

6. Notes

1. The Contracting Authority/SKAT reserves the right to accept or reject any application, and to cancel any procurement procedure and reject all applications at any time before the award of the contract, without thereby incurring any liability towards the participants/experts. A right to appeal against the award decision is not granted to participants. SKAT would like to point out: this Procurement is organized in line with SKAT Moldova Procurement Manual.

1. Participation / Submission requirements:

• CV in English language – highlighting experience related to decentralized sanitation.
• Cover Letter with expected daily rate remuneration (for total workload in days up to 40-80) – clearly indicating the net amount for individual consultants or the total amount (excluding VAT) for companies. The cover letter should also indicate their specific involvement in strengthened policy work on decentralized sanitation and their vision on decentralized sanitation in Moldova.
• Applications or inquiries shall be submitted:

- to designated email: tender@int.skat.ch

- not later than January 02, 2026,

- indicating in subject line: “2025_ApaSan28_Individual_Legal Policy”,

- in editable .pdf or MS Word format.          

• SKAT reserves the right to invite shortlisted candidates to an interview to assess and confirm their knowledge, experience and commitment to perform the requested services. The final decision on awarding the contract will be made following the interview and the price offer will not be the determining factor.