Project Coordinator on Local Economic Development, Short-Term (multiple post)
For Cimislia-Basarabeasca For Criuleni-Dubasari For Nisporeni-StraseniBackground
Moldova has experienced sustained economic growth over the past two decades, driven largely by remittance-fueled consumption, which has improved living standards and reduced poverty. However, recent global challengesโsuch as the pandemic, energy crisis, and the war in Ukraineโhave highlighted the need to enhance economic resilience and diversify the economy.
Building on UNDP-SDCโs previous work in local economic development, the first phase (2023-2024) of the Resilient and Inclusive Markets in Moldova (PRIM) project established micro-clusters in rural tourism, horticulture, and livestock, strengthening local economies, creating jobs, and improving community engagement. It also supported legislative reforms that benefited the business environment through significant annual savings for SMEs.
The second phase (2025-2029) seeks to further Moldovaโs economic transformation by scaling up the clustering approach, expanding SMART specialization, developing value chains, and attracting investments at the micro-regional level. It will promote inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth, supporting SMEs and vocational training, especially for local populations, returning migrants, and refugees.
As part of Outcome 1, the project focuses on strengthening policy and legal frameworks to create an enabling environment that fosters inclusive growth, SME development, and decent employment. This involves policy reforms supporting the scaling of successful models, improving support services, and fostering a coherent policy environment aligned with national strategies.
Outcome 2 aims to enhance the resilience of economic actors, including small farmers, to shocks such as regional conflicts or climate change. This will be achieved by further developing value chains, attracting investments, and supporting innovative approaches to micro-cluster SMART specialization, ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth.
To implement key activities under the outcome 2, the project will intensify efforts at the micro-regional level, focusing on the development and consolidation of economic agglomerations through a clustering approach. In particular, the project will establish and support specialized micro-clusters aimed at fostering local economic development, strengthening value chains, and creating synergies between public and private stakeholders.
To this end, the project is seeking to engage a Project Coordinator on Local Economic Development to coordinate interventions in two selected micro-regions.ย
Duties and Responsibilities
The main objectives of the Project Coordinator on Local Economic Development are to facilitate and coordinate the implementation of PRIM project interventions within two specialized micro-regional economic agglomerations and another to be identified based on the outcome of the competitive selection process following the results of competition.
The Project Coordinator will be responsible for managing project activities in two assigned micro-clusters: one micro-cluster established during the first phase and one new micro-cluster to be selected and initiated during the second phase.
The Project Coordinator is expected to engage with local private and public stakeholders from the beneficiary micro-clusters. Their role is to ensure professional, effective, and high-quality contributions to the Project's local economic development initiatives.
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and in collaboration with the Project Officer and the Project Specialist. The Project Coordinator is expected to facilitate engagement and assist local stakeholders from the appointed micro-regions in carrying out the following tasks:ย
Facilitation in the establishment and development of a new micro-cluster, selected for support in the 2nd project phaseย Liaison with the local public and private stakeholders and coordinate the establishment of the micro-cluster development mechanism for the targeted specialized economic agglomeration.ย Conduct diagnostic analyses for the targeted micro-cluster, including value chain and cluster mapping, as well as economic, market, and governance assessments.ย Coordinate the development of a roadmap for the targeted micro-cluster and initialization of its implementation (support the achievement of at least 4 quick wins)ย Facilitate the institutionalization of the micro-cluster and secure its ESCA certification.ย Prepare, submit, and support the implementation of development investment initiatives, co-financed by the UNDP.ย Organize and facilitate ongoing thematic capacity-building activities.ย Provide diverse assistance to local stakeholders within the targeted micro-clusterย Facilitation in the strengthening of one micro-cluster, established in the 1st project phaseย Facilitate the coordination of the Micro-Cluster Development Roadmap by realizing at least 3 quick wins, according to the cluster priorities and available opportunitiesย Organize and facilitate ongoing thematic capacity-building activities.ย Prepare, submit, and support the implementation of development investment initiatives, co-financed by the UNDP.ยInstitutional Arrangement
The Project Coordinator will work under the guidance of the Project Manager and in strong collaboration with the Project Specialist, and the Project Officer on Local Development and other relevant stakeholders. The Coordinator will work from home.
Competencies
Core
Achieve Results:ย ย ย ย
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadlineยThink Innovatively:ย ย ย ย
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements ยLearn Continuously:ย ย ย
LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedbackยAdapt with Agility:ย ย ย ย
LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible ยAct with Determination:
LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confidentยEngage and Partner:ย ย ย ย
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationshipsยEnable Diversity and Inclusion:ย ย ย ย
Cross-Functional & Technical competenciesย
Business Direction & Strategy - Strategic Thinking
Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDPโs mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.Business Direction & Strategy - System Thinking
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.Business Development - Knowledge Facilitation
Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.Business Managementย - Communication
Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.Business Developmentย - Knowledge Generation
Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to stated need.ย Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches.ย Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.2030 Agenda: Prosperity - Inclusive Growthย ย ย ย
Local Economic Development (LED)Business Developmentย - Collective Intelligence Design
Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information, ideas, and technology to solve problems and design solutions or services. Knowledge and understanding of Collective Intelligence Design principles, methodology and practices.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced University degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Development Sciences, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or another relevant field is required, or A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.ยExperience:
Minimum 2 (two) years (with masterโs degree) or 4 years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant practical experience related to local economic development (working with public and/or private actors). ยRequired skills:
Experience in working with Local Public Administrations.ย Good knowledge and experience of the Moldovan private sector development context.ย Knowledge and skills of the MS Office Suite and/or equivalents.ย Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to identify relevant findings and prepare analytical and strategic documents in a clear and concise manner.ย Demonstrated interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively and build meaningful partnerships with all stakeholders.ย Experience liaising with development agencies, including UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and international organizations. Ability to perform and deliver expected results in a fast-paced working environment.ย Strong sense of initiative and ability to work independently.ยDesired skills:
Proven experience in facilitating, coaching, mentoring, and/or delivering training to local stakeholders.ย Proven experience in promoting local economic development and cluster initiatives.ย Proven experience in assisting the implementation of investment projects to support local public and/or private actors (including via grants). ย Experience related to sector development and value chain, and stakeholder analysis. Previous work experience within an UNDP Project or other international organization.Required Language(s):
Fluency in English and Romanian is required. Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.ยProfessional Certificates:
Additional training and/or certification in economic and local development, economics, or other relevant topics would be an advantage.ยEqual opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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