Anunțuri de Angajare

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

National Consultant

to conduct a Training Needs Assessment for the State Hydrometeorological Service, to complete a gap analysis between the current education, training and competency levels of SHS staff members and the relevant WMO standards, and to draw up a budgeted multi-year training programme designed to address the identified gaps

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Strengthening Moldova’s Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience Project

Project ID No. P504278

Reference No.: MD-OEAPM-526860-CS-INDV

The Republic of Moldova has received financing from the World Bank Group toward the cost of the Strengthening Moldova’s Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for contracting a National Consultant to conduct a Training Needs Assessment for the State Hydrometeorological Service (SHS), to complete a gap analysis between the current education, training and competency levels of SHS staff members and the relevant WMO standards, and to draw up a budgeted multi-year training programme designed to address the identified gaps.

The National Consultant will work under the guidance of the SHS Project Team Leader, and will be responsible to provide substantial technical support to:

(i)     Identify the gaps between the education, knowledge and competence levels of the current SHS staff and the guidance and requirements as established by the World Meteorological Organisation;

(ii)    Propose education and training opportunities for SHS staff that would assist them in improving their knowledge, skills and competencies to a level comparable with staff in a well-developed European meteorological and hydrological service; and

(iii)   Recommend suitable educational qualification to be required of new recruits into scientific and technical positions with SHS.

The assignment is for 120 working days and expected to start in February 2026, or another date agreed with the SHS and OEAPM/PIU. The service contract will be a lumpsum contract signed by Consultant with SHS in coordination with OEAPM/PIU with potential for extension, subject to satisfactory performance and needs under the project.

For more information, please see the Terms of References attached below.

The PI Office for External Assistance Programs Management, as PIU of the Project, now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services.

Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The Consultant should meet the following minimum qualifications requirements:

1. Minimum requirements include the following:

Education:

1. Master’s degree in mathematics, physics, meteorology, hydrology or related fields. Additional diploma/certificate/degree in education and training will be an advantage.

OR

1. Masters’s degree in education and training together with experience in working with meteorological or hydrological organizations in an education and training capacity.
2. Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills as well as spoken and written fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Romanian (especially) and/or Russian will be an advantage.

Knowledge and Experience:

1. Knowledge of operational meteorology and hydrology and the different roles required in a modern meteorological and/or hydrological service.
2. At least 10 years of demonstrated experience in working in meteorology, hydrology or a related technical field, with 5 years or more working in a training capacity.
3. Knowledge of WMO standards in education, training and competency.
4. Broad knowledge of the education and training facilities and opportunities available across Europe and online.
5. Experience in managing, designing and/or delivering training courses in STEM subjects.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers - PROCUREMENT IN INVESTMENT PROJECT FINANCING Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, dated September 2023 (hereinafter referred to as “the Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant (IC) method set out in the World Bank Procurement Framework.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 08:30 to 17:30 local time.

The applications should include letter of Expression of Interest, CV, and related recommendation letters.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by e­mail) by 17:30 local time, January 9, 2026.

Attn: Raisa Cantemir

Director

PI Office for External Assistance Programs Management

57/1 Mitropolit Banulescu Bodoni str., office 306, MD-2005.

Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

Tel: 373 22 23 29 63, 23 82 48

E-mail: achizitii.proiecte@ogpae.gov.md

TERMS OF REFERENCE

National Consultant

to conduct a Training Needs Assessment for the State Hydrometeorological Service, to complete a gap analysis between the current education, training and competency levels of SHS staff members and the relevant WMO standards, and to draw up a budgeted multi-year training programme designed to address the identified gaps.

Project Background and Objectives

Background

2. The Government of the Republic of Moldova is implementing the Strengthening Moldova's Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience Project (SMORE) financed by the World Bank (WB). The project aims to enhance Moldova's preparedness and response to natural hazards and climate-related shocks, and in case of a relevant crisis or emergency, to respond promptly and effectively to it.

3. The State Hydrometeorological Service (SHS), in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, is implementing Component 2 “Improvement of Hydrometeorological Services” of SMORE. In 2025, the WB prepared “A Strengthened and Fit-for-Purpose State Hydromet Service in Moldova: A Roadmap” as part of the SMORE project. The Roadmap identifies critical gaps, challenges, and opportunities in the production and delivery of hydrometeorological and warning services. It presents a strategic pathway for strengthening the capacities and capabilities of the SHS to provide fit-for-purpose services in support of safety of lives, protecting property and livelihoods, and social and economic development.

4. The Roadmap highlighted the very small expenditure on training by SHS in the year for which the annual budget was analysed (2022). The true strength of any organisation (and particularly an organisation based on science and technology) lies in the knowledge, skills and capabilities of its staff. The services provided through Meteorology and Hydrology are essential to the safety of citizens and also to the efficient progress of a modern economy. These are very specialised disciplines that require advanced levels of general education as well as the acquisition of professional skills and knowledge. An added challenge is that the numbers of people employed in these areas tends to be rather small in most countries; therefore there are few dedicated courses at third level, except in the most populous European states. A corollary to this is that the great majority of training opportunities are available only languages such as English and German. This poses particular challenges for meteorological and hydrological countries from the smaller countries in finding suitably educated recruits for intake and also in finding opportunities for continued professional development and for advanced training for existing staff.

5. Under the Component 2 of the SMORE project, the State Hydrometeorological Service of Moldova seeks to modernise its infrastructure, enhance its scientific and technical capabilities, update its operational capacities, and improve its public weather and flood forecast and warning services. To achieve these goals it will require that its staff meet the education, training and competency requirements for meteorology and hydrology as established by the World Meteorological Organisation. It is appreciated that this transformation of the knowledge and skills profile of the SHS staff will necessarily be a gradual process and that the Consultant will need to lay out a medium-to-long term plan as well as providing options for short-term improvements.

Objectives

6. The objectives of the consultancy under the proposed Terms of Reference (TOR) are to provide substantial technical support to SHS to:

• Identify the gaps between the education, knowledge and competence levels of the current SHS staff and the guidance and requirements as established by the World Meteorological Organisation;
• Propose education and training opportunities for SHS staff that would assist them in improving their knowledge, skills and competencies to a level comparable with staff in a well-developed European meteorological and hydrological service; and
• Recommend suitable educational qualification to be required of new recruits into scientific and technical positions with SHS.

SCOPE OF WORK

7. To accomplish the stated objectives the scope of work will include the following:
   1. Conducting a survey of all the scientific, technical and managerial staff of SHS to determine their level of foundational education and the subjects which this covered; identify any further education and training received either prior to joining SHS or while in the employment of the organisation; and their self-assessment of the training needs required for them to carry out their duties in a satisfactory manner. The survey should also collect information on their years of experience working in SHS, a description of their current roles within the organisation, whether they work normal office hours or on shift patterns, proficiency in a range of languages, and any other information which the Consultant deems necessary to achieve a satisfactory overview of staff education and training levels. The survey could be conducted either through paper copy or electronically. The survey results are to be submitted to the beneficiary (SHS).
   2. Undertaking a study of the education, training and competency standards and frameworks established by the World Meteorological Organisation for those working in scientific, technical and managerial posts in national meteorological and hydrological services. The Consultant should also study any educational and training standards required of individuals working within the Moldovan public services, especially those focused on managerial roles.
   3. Preparing a gap analysis to identify the disparity between the levels of education, training and competence of staff in the SHS and the levels as established by the WMO and/or the Moldovan government. This gap analysis will not be at the granular level of individuals but should cover the major work groups within SHS, such as Weather Observers, Instrument Technicians, Weather Forecasters, Meteorological Scientists, Hydrologists, ICT Specialists, Managers etc.
   4. Provision of advice and guidance on how best to close the gap between the current levels of training / competency of the SHS staff and the required levels as per the WMO and Moldovan government standards. This should cover both refresher training needed for the current staff as well as advanced training required to increase the scientific and technical capacity of the organisation.
   5. Provision of advice and guidance on the appropriate education standards to be required of new recruits to SHS at the different intake levels (Weather Observer, Forecaster, Meteorological Scientist, Hydrologist, ICT Specialist etc.
   6. Developing recommendations on available training courses or initiatives (both in-person training and online training) which the current SHS staff might undertake to bring them up to the required level. This part of the task should include a study of the curricula of various courses in Moldovan and Romanian universities and comments on their suitability vis-a-vis the SHS needs, as well as an overview of possible education and training opportunities in other European countries. Consideration should be given to providing bespoke in-house training courses for groups of SHS staff where this might be a cost-effective and practical option.
   7. Following on from the recommendations provided in (f) above, draw up a multi-year budgeted training programme for the principal categories of staff (Observers, Forecasters, Scientists, Hydrologists, ICT Specialists, Managers). This should be focused on a graduated increase in the knowledge, skill and competency levels that will bring SHS staff up to the WMO-defined standards; the programme should also encompass the application of the relevant WMO Competency Frameworks. The programme should be accompanied by a budget cost estimate for each stage of the training; the budget costs should include course fees (or trainer fees for in-house teaching), training materials, travel and subsistence costs etc. but not the salary costs of the trainees.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES and TIMELINES

8. The contract will comprise overall 120 working days, with potential for extension, subject to satisfactory performance and needs under the project. The consultant will work under the guidance of the SHS Project Team Leader and will coordinate, as necessary, with the other team members involved in these activities—both local and international. The beneficiary (SHS) will provide the consultant with all relevant documents and the necessary institutional information.
9. The management team of SHS will provide the necessary introductions to relevant personnel in the academic / university community in Moldova as may be required by the Consultant in the pursuit of their research.
10. The Consultant will provide regular updates to the SHS Project Team Leader on the progress being made and work planned ahead, and/or to flag any issues that may arise so as to avoid unforeseen delays.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

11. Minimum requirements include the following:

Education:

1. Master’s degree in mathematics, physics, meteorology, hydrology or related fields. Additional diploma/certificate/degree in education and training will be an advantage

OR

1. Masters’s degree in education and training together with experience in working with meteorological or hydrological organizations in an education and training capacity.
2. Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills as well as spoken and written fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Romanian (especially) and/or Russian will be an advantage

Knowledge and Experience:

1. Knowledge of operational meteorology and hydrology and the different roles required in a modern meteorological and/or hydrological service.
2. At least 10 years of demonstrated experience in working in meteorology, hydrology or a related technical field, with 5 years or more working in a training capacity.
3. Knowledge of WMO standards in education, training and competency.
4. Broad knowledge of the education and training facilities and opportunities available across Europe and online
5. Experience in managing, designing and/or delivering training courses in STEM subjects.