Senior International Advisor for Moldova Forestry Reform

**Project:** Restoring Ecosystems for Marine Pollution Prevention (RE-MAP)

NATIONAL OFFICE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS (NOIEP)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants)

Senior International Advisor to the Minister of Environment on

Forestry Sector Governance and Institutional Reform

Date: November 06, 2026

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

GEF/WB  Project: Restoring ecosystems for marine pollution prevention” (ReMaP) (P505546)

Assignment Title: Senior International Advisor for Forestry Sector Reform in Moldova

Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): MD-NOIEP-577223-CS-INDV

Moldova “Restoring Ecosystems for Marine Pollution Prevention” (REMAP) Project, financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and supported by the World Bank, is implemented through the National Office for the Implementation of Environmental Projects (NOIEP) under the Ministry of Environment (MoE). REMAP is a flagship national initiative promoting Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to restore ecosystems and reduce land-based pollution in the Dniester River Basin. The project aligns with Moldova’s priorities under the EU approximation agenda, the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Paris Agreement, demonstrating that healthy, community-supported ecosystems underpin climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

REMAP supports ecosystem restoration and sustainable watershed management to reduce land-based nutrient pollution entering the Dniester River and ultimately the Black Sea. Its Project Development Objective is to increase the area under sustainable landscape management practices in targeted areas within the Dniester River Basin in Moldova. Institutional strengthening and improved forest governance, including implementation of the Forest Code No. 69/2024, are central to achieving this objective.

The Senior International Advisor shall serve as the Minister of Environment's principal international strategic and technical advisor on forestry sector reform. The Advisor shall provide independent, high-level guidance on transition implementation, governance modernization, EU accession alignment, and resource mobilization, while bringing relevant international experience to bear on Moldova's specific circumstances and priorities. All reform decisions and implementation authority remain with the competent national authorities.

The minimum qualifications and experience for the requested position are:

Education:

• Advanced university degree in public administration, public policy, economics, environmental policy, law, organizational development, or related discipline. Qualifications or substantive professional experience in forestry, natural resource management, or environmental governance are a strong advantage.

Essential Requirements:

• At least 15 years of relevant experience in high-level advisory roles, institutional reform, public-sector restructuring, state-owned enterprise transformation, or environmental governance, including demonstrated experience advising ministers or senior government officials.
• Proven strategic advisory capacity: the ability to provide frank, forward-looking counsel to senior decision-makers on politically sensitive reform processes, not merely technical analysis.
• Hands-on implementation experience in at least one substantial institutional or sector reform following formal political, legislative, or governmental decisions, including organizational integration, transition management, and stabilization. Experience limited to assessments or reform design is insufficient.
• Experience in financial mobilization, including engagement with international donors, development banks, or climate finance mechanisms.
• Strong understanding of EU accession processes and environmental acquis, particularly as they relate to forestry, land use, or natural resource management.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, communication, and facilitation skills; fluency in English.

Desirable:

• Reform experience in Baltic, Balkan, Eastern European, or post-Soviet EU candidate country contexts.
• Experience with anti-corruption frameworks, digital governance, or transparency systems in natural resource sectors.
• Knowledge of carbon markets, ecosystem service payments, or climate finance instruments.
• Familiarity with World Bank or EU-financed operations.
• Proficiency in Romanian and/or Russian is a significant advantage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers”, February 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Individual Consultants will be selected in accordance with the „Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants” method set out in the above-mentioned “Procurement Regulations”. Expressions of interest must include updated CV reflecting consultant's qualification and experience, recommendation letters, if any and must be submitted by email to the address below by November 23, 2026, cob. To download the ToR, please access the following link: https://onipm.gov.md/index.php/ro/anunturi 

National Office for the Implementation of Environmental Projects

5 Gheorghe Tudor str, floor 4, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova,    

E-mail: proiectremap@onipm.gov.md and cancelaria@onipm.gov.md