TA for support Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water

The EIB has been very active in Bulgaria over the last 25 years. With the financial support of Program "Environment 2021-2027" (PE), priority "Water", the water sector is the main target for the resources provided in the program to support measures related to improvement of the water supply and sewerage infrastructure in order to achieve compliance with the requirements of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC.

Some of the results of PE 2021-2027 support are the implementation of measures for collecting, treatment and discharge of wastewater in agglomerations above 10 000 p.e. that do not comply with the requirements of the EU legislation, efficiency of water supply networks and reduction of water losses and strengthening the capacity of the relevant stakeholders. Therefore, this assignment relates to the need for provision of straightforward support for the efficient implementation and management of the strategic investments in the water sector, in line with all other support measures, as described below. This Agreement relates also to the support that will be provided for the efficient implementation and management of the strategic investments in other Priorities of Program "Environment 2021-2027": • Priority 2 “Waste” • Priority 3 “Biodiversity”

The results of PE 2021-2027 support with regard to Priority 2 “Waste” are the implementation of measures for elaboration of a study with the relevant information for reuse centres operating in countries with an economic level similar to Bulgaria.

This assignment relates to the need for provision of straightforward support for the verification of implementation of sample models for new municipal waste management systems, considering the “pay as you throw” principle by on-site visit for a list of municipalities, proposed by the Management Authority of Project Environment.

The results of PE 2021-2027 support with regard to Priority 3 “Biodiversity” are the implementation of measures for improvement of the conservation status of species and habitat types within the respective Natura 2000 protected sites as per the National Prioritized Action Framework (NPAF).

The objective of the Assignment is to facilitate a high quality and uniform implementation of the projects within PE 2012-2027 priorities 1, 2 and 3, in line with the standardized requirements of the program, by providing horizontal support to the MA PE, targeted support to Beneficiaries throughout projects` preparation / implementation. These include 8 water projects plus 3 phased water projects and projects under the priorities “Waste” and “Biodiversity”.

Support will also be provided upon request of MA PE with the same or similar objectives.

More specifically the objective of this assignment is to assist EIB in its support to MA PE by providing:

Horizontal support to the MA PE in order to assist the MA while performing its monitoring and control functions at the stage of projects implementation and ensuring that all project management activities and procedures are in place and function properly

Targeted support, based on the results of the horizontal support, in order to address specific issues and risks as identified that require further elaboration. Each targeted support shall be delivered by the EIB upon the request of the MA PE.

The main results expected to be achieved under the present assignment is: Priority Water - improvement of implementation of the new and phased Water Projects by:

Regular follow up of project implementation by regular analysis of specific problems and bottlenecks, identifying potential solutions within the competences of the PE MA and/or the Beneficiary and recommend best solutions that may be introduced by the PE MA/Beneficiary;

Ensuring all project management activities and procedures for 8 new projects are in place and function properly;

Ensuring all project management activities and procedures for 3 phased projects are in place and function properly;

Support MA PE on specific tasks assigned via Task Orders in the Water sector; For public procurement procedures and FIDIC or claims issues: substantiate opinions on specific disputes, recommendations;

Support to WSSOs on specific issues spotted during the regular monitoring of implementation;

Workshops and on job training on the project implementation and management.

Priority Waste – Improvement of the preparation and implementation of the Waste Projects by:

Elaboration of a study with the relevant information for reuse centres operating in countries with an economic level similar to Bulgaria;

Assisting at verification of implementation of sample models for new municipal waste management systems, considering the “pay as you throw” principle by on-site visit for a list of municipalities, proposed by MA;

Support MA PE on specific tasks assigned via Task Orders in the Waste sector.

Priority Biodiversity - Improvement of the preparation and implementation of the Biodiversity Projects by identification of the specific localities of the interventions planned under a respective call for proposal:

Provision of an expert statements during the project selection on the areas of interventions proposed under the project proposals and the need for implementation of the measure/s in these specific areas, as described within the project proposals; Provision of an expert statement during the project implementation to provide reasonable assurance for the verification of the expenditures submitted for reimbursement;

Provision of a final statement on the successful performance of the project to facilitate the verification of the project deliverables and results

Responsible for the overall delivery of the Assignment

Participate to the regular missions every 3 months to the water operators and be part of the team of experts executing the Task Orders. It is expected to be available and regularly involved from the start until the end of the assignment

Education: at least Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in a relevant field for the assignment (e.g. engineering, environment etc.); (minimum requirement).

A Master’s Degree or PhD in the above fields will be considered as an asset.

General professional experience:

• At least 10 years general experience in environment sector (minimum requirement).

Specific professional experience: Minimum 10 years professional experience as consultant, designer or supervisor of EU funded projects in the field of urban water and wastewater treatment facilities. In addition, experience in urban water and wastewater linear infrastructure will be considered an asset (minimum requirement).

• Working experience under Bulgarian and EU public procurement legislation. In addition, experience in preparation or revision of Tender Documents in the field of urban water and wastewater treatment facilities will be considered as an important asset.

• Working experience in capacity building and delivery of training will be considered as an important asset.

Language and other Skills:

• Good command of English and Bulgarian languages in a professional environment (working level) (read, spoken and written) – (CEFR B1);

• Abilities of delivering and decision making under pressure, avoiding and resolving conflicts, problem solving and adaptability;

• Team player: supports the team, encourages others, promotes the team reputation;

• Experience in preparation of reports/analysis/comments in Bulgarian and English will be considered an asset;

Responsible for the overall delivery of the Assignment focusing on biodiversity.

The Deputy Team Leader (DTL) will substitute the Team Leader when needed and provide expertise on biodiversity aspects.

He/she will participate to the execution of the Biodiversity Task Orders etc. It is expected to be available and regularly involved from the start until the end of the assignment.

Education: at least Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in a relevant field for the assignment (e.g. environmental, ecology etc.); (minimum requirement).

A Master’ Degree or PhD in the above fields will be considered an asset.

General professional experience:

• At least 10 years general experience in environmental projects focusing on biodiversity (minimum requirement);

• Experience in EU funded projects will be considered an asset;

• Experience in implementation of programmes/plans/projects for conservation of habitat types and/or species will be considered an asset

Specific professional experience:

• Minimum 4 years professional experience on management of Natura 2000 protected sites, protection of various species/habitat types etc. (minimum requirement);

• Minimum 2 years professional experience on leading Ecological Studies and Ecosystem Services assessments (minimum requirement);

• Proven experience on identification, control and management of invasive species, including habitat and species interactions and interrelationships will be considered an asset;

• Proven knowledge of the Bulgarian and EU biodiversity and environmental legislation;

• Working experience under Bulgarian and EU public procurement legislation will be considered an asset;

• Working experience in capacity building and delivery of training will be considered as an asset.

Language and other Skills

• Good command of English and Bulgarian languages in a professional environment (working level) (read, spoken and written) – (CEFR B1);

• Abilities of delivering and decision making under pressure, avoiding and resolving conflicts, problem solving and adaptability;

• Team player: supports the team, encourages others, promotes the team reputation;

• Experience in preparation of reports/analysis/comments in Bulgarian and English will be considered an asset.

Provide expertise on the overall task performance in line with the assignment and PE requirements as well as will be responsible for the effective implementation of the project management methodology of this assignment. Participation to the execution of the Task Orders is expected when needed.

Education: at least Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in a relevant field for the assignment (e.g. project management, etc.) (minimum requirement).

A Master’s Degree in the above fields will be considered an asset.

General professional experience: At least 10 years general experience with emphasis on infrastructure projects (minimum requirement).

Specific professional experience

• Minimum 10 years professional experience as project management consultant or supervisor of EU funded projects in at least two (2) of the following relevant fields: water, wastewater, biodiversity and solid waste (minimum requirement);

• Working experience in capacity building and delivery of training will be considered as an important asset.

Language and other Skills:

• Good command of English and Bulgarian languages in a professional environment (working level) (read, spoken and written) – (CEFR B1);

• Abilities of delivering and decision making under pressure, avoiding and resolving conflicts, problem solving and adaptability.

Provide expertise on the overall procurement issues in line with the assignment that may arise during the assignment. Participation to the execution of the Task Orders is expected when needed.

Education: at least Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in a relevant field for the assignment (e.g. law, engineering etc.); (minimum requirement)

A Master’s Degree in the above fields will be considered an asset.

General professional experience

• At least 10 years general experience with emphasis in the field of public procurement processes inside the EU (minimum requirement).

Specific professional experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the field of public procurement in relation to Bulgarian infrastructure projects according to the Bulgarian law of Public Procurement (minimum requirement);

• Minimum 3 years’ professional experience in preparation, procurement and negotiation of public contracts, including Design & Build, for the implementation of environmental infrastructure projects (minimum requirement);

• At least 5 years of working experience (in the period 2015 and 2024) under EU public procurement legislation (minimum requirement). Working experience in capacity building and delivery of training will be considered as an important asset.

Language and other Skills

• Good command of English and Bulgarian languages in a professional environment (working level) (read, spoken and written) – (CEFR B1)

• Abilities of delivering and decision making under pressure, avoiding and resolving conflicts, problem solving and adaptability.

Bachelor’s Degree or an academic equivalent in the field to be involved in or any other relevant field.

Minimum 10 years general professional experience with emphasis on environmental projects.

Minimum 3 years’ experience as expert in the field he/she will be involved.

Language and other Skills

• Good analytical and reasoning skills and the capacity to provide sound judgement concerning the issues in his/her area of expertise;

• Fluency in English.

These experts may be mobilized in order to supplement the resources for the analysis of projects, working together with the related key experts in order to detail comments, analyze data when in large amount, perform calculations, elaborate various tables and templates to facilitate answers by beneficiaries, support preliminary activities, etc.