Competition for the selection of the Executive Director of the European Consumer Centre of the Republic of Moldova

The ECCM was established on 15 April 2024 by decision of 3 prominent CSOs in the Republic of Moldova: the Independent Think Tank Expert-Grup, the Institute for European Policies and Reforms and the Legal Resources Centre from Moldova. On 21 May 2024, the ECCM was officially registered as a civil society organisation.

In its work, the European Consumer Centre of the Republic of Moldova will have to carry out the following tasks:

a) inform consumers about European and domestic legislation on consumer rights, as well as the actions consumers can take to ensure these rights are respected in a cross-border transaction and a domestic transaction;

b) assist consumers in formulating a complaint with a view to resolving cross-border and domestic disputes;

c) advise consumers on their rights and on alternative options for resolving cross-border and domestic disputes; 

d) assist in the out-of-court settlement of disputes by developing and implementing an effective dispute resolution process based on mediation and alternative resolution mechanisms, including for resolving disputes arising from online and cross-border transactions;

e) promote consumer rights through communication campaigns and formulate proposals to align the legal framework with best practices in the field;

f) facilitate communication between consumers, traders and authorities;

g) combat unfair competition and unfair commercial practices;

h) cooperate with central and local public authorities with a view to strengthening the consumer protection framework and ensuring better implementation of the relevant legislation;

i) cooperate with the business community and the associations representing it with a view to consolidating the consumer protection framework and ensuring fair competition. 

j) collect and analyse information on consumer complaints concerning cross-border disputes and the assistance provided to them, information on the out-of-court settlement of disputes, etc.;

k) cooperate with the members of the network of European consumer centres with a view to increasing cohesion and strengthening consumer confidence in the European single market.

The purpose of this competition is to contract the ECCM Executive Director, who will:

• Manage the daily activity of the association.

• Represent the Centre in relations with public authorities and third parties.

• Execute the decisions of the Board and of the General Assembly of the association's members, as well as the recommendations of the audit entity.

• Manage the Centre's financial resources efficiently, conclude transactions, sign contracts, issue powers of attorney, open bank accounts and sign other financial documents to perform their duties in the interest of the Centre.

• Sign revisions to the Centre's Statute or the additional act on the amendment made to the constitutive act adopted by the General Assembly, if no other person is designated by the General Assembly.

• Prepare the annual report on ECCM activity and present it to the Board and the General Assembly for approval.

• Ensure the Centre's transparency and the publication of the Centre's annual report.

• Cooperate with the experts hired under the project, including for developing the Centre's organisational structure, its activity plan and its funding strategy, procurement policy, etc.

• Write projects and apply for their funding.

• Identify and hire the Centre's team.

• Identify premises for the Centre's headquarters.

• Facilitate and accelerate the implementation of the project “Strengthening the consumer protection framework in Moldova”.

• Fully comply with the Centre's Statute and the legislation of the Republic of Moldova.

• Support the enforcement of consumer protection rights in Moldova and contribute to strengthening the consumer protection framework in Moldova.

• Perform other duties provided by the Statute and by law.

Minimum requirements for candidates:

a) Education: the candidate must hold a bachelor's degree in law, economics or engineering.

b) Professional experience: at least 5 years of relevant professional experience.

c) Motivation letter (maximum 2 pages): explaining i) the reasons for applying for this position, ii) how the experience gained makes the candidate the most suitable for the position of ECCM Director, iii) the candidate's vision of the organisation, structure and activity of the Centre.

d) References and contact details of the referees.

Applications that meet the minimum requirements set out in points a) - c) will be considered compliant and will be admitted to the technical evaluation.

Applications received that do not meet the minimum criteria will not be evaluated.

Selection procedure

The selection of candidates will be carried out on the basis of the principles of transparency, competition and meritocracy. 

The selection process will take place in two stages:

1) In the first stage – the technical evaluation phase, applicants will submit their files for evaluation.

2) The selected candidates (candidates who accumulate a minimum of 70 points in the technical evaluation) will be invited to an interview.

The evaluation criteria for both stages are detailed in the Terms of Reference.

Interested persons are requested to send the following files by e-mail to procurari@expert-grup.org:

• CV indicating education and professional experience (clearly indicating the period of time for each professional experience), as well as copies of diplomas;

• Motivation letter (maximum 2 pages): explaining i) the reasons for applying for this position, ii) how the experience gained makes the candidate the most suitable for the position of ECCM Director  iii) the candidate's vision of the organisation, structure and activity of the Centre;

• References and contact details of the referees.

Details regarding this competition can be found in the documents available for download.

Application deadline: 8 July 2024, 18:00