TERMS OF REFERENCE

Title:                             Legal Advisor on National Reforms and Public Administration

Project:                         “MĂ IMPLIC” Project, Phase II

Contract duration:         January 2026 – June 2026 (6 months initial, with possibility of extension)

Expected workload:      up to 50 working days

Contract type:                Framework Contract
Financial offer:              To be presented in MDL (net)

BACKGROUND

The “MĂ IMPLIC” Project (Phase II) aims to contribute to improved local governance and better access and quality of public services for the population of Moldova. To this end, the Project works with a range of stakeholders to enhance three fundamental dimensions of a well-functioning local government unit: 

• Partner LPA clusters to manage resources and local development in a more sustainable, inclusive and accountable way;
• The Government to promote and coordinate the LG reform in an efficient, effective and transparent manner;
• People in partner communities to meaningfully engage in local governance processes and to influence the provision of local public services.

During the first two years of Phase II, the project focused primarily on supporting voluntary amalgamation as a pillar of the Local Public Administration Reform (LPAR). This included assisting LPAs interested in forming clusters, clarifying legal and procedural steps, addressing local necessities. Early adopter LPAs created clusters and initiated the amalgamation process, generating valuable insights and highlighting the need for adjustments within the existing legal framework.

Building on this foundation, the third year of Phase II will continue to support the Government’s efforts to advance local public administration reform. The project will maintain a strong focus on responsiveness and close collaboration with the State Chancellery to ensure that evolving reform needs are addressed promptly and effectively.

To effectively accompany these developments, the project requires continued, specialised legal expertise. In this context, “MĂ IMPLIC” Project seeks to engage a Legal Advisor in national reforms and public administration who will provide targeted support to the State Chancellery and LPAs involved in amalgamation. The Advisor will contribute to legislative drafting and amendments, guide LPAs through legal procedures and support the development of methodological tools essential for the implementation of the reform.

The estimated duration of the assignment is six (6) months, with the possibility of extension depending on the progress of the reform and emerging needs.

SCOPE OF WORK

The assignment encompasses a wide range of legal tasks that support both the State Chancellery and Local Public Authorities (LPAs) involved in the implementation of the Local Public Administration Reform (LPAR). Tasks may arise in the fields outlined below. The exact scope and volume of tasks will depend on the needs of the project partners and the expert’s availability.

1.Legal support to the State Chancellery

• Provide legal expertise to the Project and the State Chancellery on all aspects related to drafting, reviewing and amending legislation required for the implementation of the local government reform, particularly voluntary amalgamation.
• Draft proposals for laws, Government Decisions, regulations, methodological guidelines and other normative acts necessary to operationalize the reform.
• Conduct legal analyses of the national legal and policy framework and propose amendments aligned with reform objectives.
• Contribute with policy notes concerning various aspects of the national legal and policy framework related to local government reform. This includes reviewing and advising on draft laws, regulations, and policies, offering recommendations, and drafting proposals.
• Prepare policy notes, explanatory briefs and legal arguments to support interinstitutional coordination.
• Participate in relevant meetings, working groups and consultations related to LPAR.

2. Legal support to LPAs undergoing Local Public Administration Reform

• Provide legal advice and hands-on guidance to LPAs participating in amalgamation, ensuring clear interpretation and correct application of all relevant legal framework.
• Collaborate with LPAs to draft local regulations, council decisions, procedures and administrative acts linked to the amalgamation process, tailored to the needs and conditions of each locality.
• Provide legal support to LPAs through the formal adoption process of local regulations, including local consultations, transparency requirements and compliance checks.
• Support LPAs in applying standardized guidelines for amalgamation and aligning their actions with national legal requirements.
• Provide legal presentations, clarifications and explanations to LPAs representatives and other stakeholders upon request.
• Participate, when necessary, in a limited number of field visits to LPAs to assess on the site needs and provide direct legal support.

3. Contribution to methodological instruments

• Contribute to the development and refinement of methodological tools that support both LPAs and central authorities during the reform, including the amalgamation toolkit.
• Draft or review legal content for toolkits, methodological notes, checklists and explanatory documents that simplify legal concepts for practitioners.
• Develop templates for regulations, council decisions, administrative acts and other documents required for reform implementation.
• Ensure that all methodological materials reflect correct legal interpretation, coherence with the national framework, and practical applicability at local level.

4. Project support and cross-cutting contributions

• Provide advice and input on project results measurement reports, ensuring the accuracy of legal information reflected in project outputs.
• Attend relevant project meetings and events with partners and/or beneficiaries, presenting legal insights and recommendations where needed.
• Respond to requests from the project team concerning legal aspects of public administration reform and interlinked topics.

The Legal Advisor work closely and reports to the Policy Advisor and Component Manager Policy Reform and to the Team Leader of the “MĂ IMPLIC” Project.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS REQUIRED / ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

 How to apply:

Interested individuals are invited to send:

• CV in Romanian or English languages (maximum 3 pages)
• Motivational letter (1 page, English)
• Salary expectations (in MDL net/working day)
• and information about their earliest availability.

To the email address tender@int.skat.ch , mentioning in the subject line “Legal Advisor on National Reforms and Public Administration”.  Deadline for submission of the requested documents is December 31, 2025.