Ref.
2026/ICEAAEMS/15105
Job offer type
Experts
Type of contract
Service contract
Activity sectors
Climate and Energy
Deadline date
2026/04/15 23:55
Duration of the assignment
Short term
Contract
Freelancer
Duration
3 mois
International Consultant - Energy audit and environment management systems (M/W)
Département Développement durable - DD > Pôle Energie
Published on : 2026/03/26
CONTINENTAL EUROPE
MOLDOVA
CHISINAU
Mission description
The main objective is to support NCSE in understanding, evaluating, and verifying the linkages between national legal requirements on energy audits and the implementation processes of SM ISO EN 50001 and SM SR EN ISO 14001.
The consultant will provide technical inputs, capacity-building measures, and internal guidance to strengthen NCSE’s procedures for assessing exemption requests of large enterprises to perform energy audits.
Pursuant to this Terms of Reference, Expertise France intends to contract an international consultant for providing technical assistance to NCSE in identifying and documenting the procedural, methodological and regulatory linkages between energy audits and the implementation of SM ISO EN 50001 or SM SR EN ISO 14001 management systems.
Scope of Work:
With the support the Moldovan Green Transition Technical Assistance Facility project, the international consultant shall perform the following tasks:
a) Mapping of Management System Implementation Processes
Identify, analyze, and document the typical processes and procedural steps followed by large enterprises when implementing the Energy Management System (SM ISO EN 50001) and the Environmental Management System (SM SR EN ISO 14001) and certification thereof. The consultant shall prepare clear process maps and descriptions reflecting international best practices.
b) Assessment of the Role of Energy Audits in Management Systems Implementation
Assess whether an energy audit constitutes a mandatory pre-condition for the implementation of SM ISO EN 50001 and/or SM SR EN ISO 14001. Identify circumstances under which enterprises typically conduct an energy audit as part of, or prior to, the implementation of these standards. Present findings in a structured and evidence-based manner.
c) Clarification of Terminology and Conceptual Differences
Identify and clarify the distinctions between an "energy audit" and an "energy review" in accordance with relevant international standards and commonly accepted industry practices. Provide a clear explanation of their respective objectives, methodologies, and applicability.
d) Comparative Analysis of Requirements Related to Energy Audit and Energy Review
Prepare a comparative analysis of the requirements applicable to energy audits or energy reviews conducted by large enterprises within the context of implementing SM ISO EN 50001 and SM SR EN ISO 14001. Highlight similarities, differences, and implications for enterprises and regulatory bodies.
e) Review of National Regulatory Framework and Quality Criteria
Examine the minimum quality criteria for energy audits established under Annex No. 5 of Law No. 139/2018 on energy efficiency and the provisions of the Regulation on energy auditors and energy audit approved by Government Decision No. 676/2020. Assess their compatibility with the requirements for energy audits or energy reviews typically performed under SM ISO EN 50001 and/or SM SR EN ISO 14001. Based on this assessment, provide recommendations for amending or refining the national regulatory framework, if required.
f) Capacity-Building measures for the NCSE’s Staff
Design and deliver a one-day in person or online training session for representatives of the National Center for Sustainable Energy (NCSE). The training shall present the typical processes and key requirements for implementing SM ISO EN 50001 and SM SR EN ISO 14001 within large enterprises. Training materials shall be prepared and submitted to NCSE in advance.
g) Development of Internal NCSE Instruction
Develop an internal instruction for NCSE outlining the procedure for recognizing the implementation of SM SR EN ISO 14001 or SM ISO EN 50001 by large enterprises subject to the Regulation on Conducting Energy Audits by Large Enterprises. Review NCSE’s consolidated comments on the draft internal instruction and prepare the final version for approval.
The estimated workload for the international consultant shall correspond to maximum of 10 man-days.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant shall:
- Conduct all required reviews and analyses of the Moldovan regulatory framework, ISO
50001/ISO 14001 standards, and energy audit requirements. - Prepare all deliverables to the professional standards of Expertise France.
- Engage with NCSE and Expertise France as needed to confirm assumptions, validate findings, and ensure alignment with operational needs.
Expected Deliverables:
For the envisaged scope of work, the international consultant is expected to deliver:
|
No. |
Deliverables |
Tentative timeframe |
|
1. |
Deliverable 1. Report on Management Systems Implementation Processes. The report shall incorporate the results of tasks a)–e) under the Scope of Work, including process mapping, assessment of the role of energy audits, comparative analyses, and regulatory review. |
April 2026 |
|
2. |
Deliverable 2 Training Report for NCSE Representatives The report should summarize the one-day training delivered to NCSE representatives, developed in accordance with task f) of the Scope of Work. The report shall include:
|
May 2026 |
|
3. |
Deliverable 3. Final Report on the NCSE Internal Instruction The report shall include the initial drafted internal instruction for NCSE on recognizing the implementation of SM SR EN ISO 14001 or SM ISO EN 50001 by large enterprises subject to the Regulation on conducting energy audits by large enterprises, a summary of NCSE’s consolidated comments, and the final version of the instruction developed pursuant to task g) of the Scope of Work. |
May 2026 |
Management Arrangements:
The activity of the international consultant will be carried out in coordination with the team leader and local senior expert on energy efficiency of the Moldovan Green Transition Technical Assistance Facility project implemented by Expertise France and with the representatives of the NCSE. Work will be carried out remotely with missions to Chisinau as needed.
Financial arrangements:
Payment for the services will be made in 1 (one) installment following submission and approval of all deliverables by Expertise France, based on NCSE’s confirmation of acceptability.
Travel costs (if any) will be reimbursed according to Expertise France rules and do not need to be included in the financial proposal.
Project or context description
The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has launched a program of Technical Assistance (TA) to support the Moldovan Government in continuing the energy reform. Expertise France (EF), the French public agency for international technical assistance, was entrusted by the AFD with the implementation of the project. As part of several commitments undertaken by Moldova in pursuit of its accession to the European Union, the country is engaged in an in-depth reform of its energy sector, including operational, financial and structural aspects. The Technical Assistance (TA) aims at supporting the Ministry of Energy for the development of a modern legal framework with a special focus on supporting and strengthening the Public Institution National Center for Sustainable Energy from the Republic of Moldova (hereinafter NCSE).
In December 2024, the Government of the Republic of Moldova adopted Government Decision No. 829/2024 approving the Regulation on conducting energy audits by large enterprises. Under this regulation, large enterprises identified and notified by NCSE are required to conduct an energy audit every four years, with the first audits to be submitted by June 2026. This obligation stems from Law No. 139/2018 on energy efficiency, which transposed into the national legislation the Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC, as it was changed by the Directive (EU) 2018/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 amending Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency, in the version adapted by the Energy Community Secretariat.
The regulatory framework also provides that large enterprises may be exempted from the obligation to conduct an energy audit if they have implemented one of the following management systems:
(i) an Energy Management System (EnMS) compliant with SM ISO EN 50001; or
(ii) an Environmental Management System (EMS) compliant with SM SR EN ISO 14001;
provided that the implementation of these systems includes an energy audit that meets the minimum quality requirements established by the Law No. 139/2018 and Government Decision No. 676/2020 on energy auditors and energy audits.
Since late 2025, NCSE has begun receiving documentation from large enterprises claiming exemption from the mandatory energy audit requirement based on certification under SM ISO EN 50001 or SM SR EN ISO 14001. During the review of these submissions, NCSE has observed that the certification processes related to the implementation of the energy management system do not have such strict requirements regarding the energy audit, or even more, the standard SM SR EN ISO 14001 does not require to perform an energy audit, leading to uncertainty regarding compliance.
As a result, NCSE faces challenges in determining whether the documentation submitted by enterprises sufficiently demonstrates compliance with the national exemption criteria.
To support NCSE in addressing this challenge, Expertise France seeks to recruit an international consultant with demonstrated experience in the implementation of EnMS (ISO 50001) and EMS (ISO 14001). The consultant will provide technical assistance to clarify the typical steps followed by enterprises in implementing these management systems and assess whether, and under what circumstances, an energy audit is required, optional, or recommended within the context of these standards. The assignment will also support NCSE in developing internal procedures for verifying the implementation of SM ISO EN 50001 and SM SR EN ISO 14001 by large enterprises claiming exemption from mandatory energy audits.
The consultant will work under the supervision of the Expertise France Team Leader in Moldova, within the framework of the Moldovan Green Transition Technical Assistance Facility project and in coordination with the National Center for Sustainable Energy of the Republic of Moldova.
Required profile
Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required:
Education: University degree in energy engineering, environmental engineering, sustainability, industrial management or related fields;
Skills:
- Strong knowledge of ISO 50001 and ISO 14001 implementation;
- In-depth understanding of energy audits, energy reviews, and integration into energy and environmental management systems;
- Strong analytical, communication, and report-writing skills.
Professional Experience:
- Minimum 10 years of international experience in energy efficiency;
- Demonstrated experience related to the implementation of ISO 50001 and/or ISO 14001 in large enterprises;
- Experience in EU Member States and familiarity with EN 16247 standards series and Energy Efficiency Directive requirements.
Language:
- Fluency in English (mandatory);
- Knowledge of Romanian and/or Russian is an asset.
Additional information
- Duty station: Remote work and trips to Chisinau, Republic of Moldova;
- Deliverables presentation format: all deliverables shall be provided in electronic format in both Microsoft Word and PDF, in English;
- Assignment duration: up to 13 working days (April 2026 – June 2026);
- Type of contract: Individual contract (IC).
Documents to submit:
- CV, highlighting relevant experience for this assignment;
- Financial proposal specifying the requested all-inclusive daily rate;
Note: the international consultant will be entitled to the Expertise France standard travel to duty station fees to be paid additionally to the daily rates, subject to prior approval. It is not necessary to include it in the financial proposal.
Selection criteria for applications
The selection process for candidates will be based on the following criteria :
- Candidate’s training/diplomas related to the expert assignment
- Candidate’s skills linked with the expert mission
- Candidate’s experiences linked with the expert mission
- Candidate’s expected linguistic understanding
Deadline for application : 2026/04/15 23:55
Expertise France is the public agency for designing and implementing international technical cooperation projects. The agency operates around four key priorities :
- democratic, economic, and financial governance ;
- peace, stability, and security ;
- climate, agriculture, and sustainable development ;
- health and human development ;
In these areas, Expertise France conducts capacity-building initiatives and manages project implementation, leveraging technical expertise and acting as a project coordinator. This involves combining public sector expertise with private sector skills to drive impactful results.