Terms of Reference

Position: Growth & Competitiveness Expert 1 (Smart Regulation, RIA and Monitoring) at SRGO

Duration: 9 months (January – September 2026)
Reporting to: Project Head, Smart Regulation and Growth Office (SRGO)
Institutional Counterpart: Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization (MDED)

1. Objective of the Position

The Growth & Competitiveness Expert 1 will support SRGO by leading the design and operation of the Smart Regulation and Productivity/Competitiveness Monitoring Mechanism (roadmap and KPI architecture), and by driving selected deregulation and administrative simplification workstreams under the Growth Dashboard. The role ensures that reform initiatives are translated into measurable KPIs, tracked through a disciplined cadence, and supported by evidence-based analytical inputs and impact verification.

2. Key Responsibilities

The Expert will:

• Support the Project Head in structuring and monitoring implementation plans, timelines, and reporting, ensuring delivery quality and cadence across SRGO objectives.
• Lead Objective 2 by coordinating the analytical foundation for GDP acceleration through competitiveness and productivity gains, including organizing stakeholder engagement via the Economic Council platform.
• Design and operationalize the monitoring mechanism: define the results framework, KPI logic, data sources, and responsibilities across ministries/agencies; set a publication and update rhythm aligned with SRGO routines.
• Lead Objective 3.4 by coordinating mapping of regulatory and administrative obligations across the business lifecycle for priority sectors, including identification of EU-harmonization ‘gold-plating’ risks.
• Coordinate development of integrated deregulation/simplification packages (including digitalization-relevant components where applicable), and support impact assessment and verification of burden reduction (time/cost savings).
• Draft and operationalize a practical ‘gold-plating’ prevention and correction mechanism (screening steps, checklists, responsible bodies, escalation path), and support piloting in selected regulatory domains.
• Maintain coordination with MDED units, the State Chancellery, and relevant agencies to ensure ownership of KPIs, timely inputs, and follow-through on corrective actions.

3. Expected Outputs

• Study/analytical inputs coordinated for GDP acceleration through competitiveness and productivity gains, with stakeholder engagement and decision-ready outputs.
• Granular roadmap of priority actions and an operational monitoring mechanism consolidating roadmap actions into KPIs assigned to responsible institutions.
• Baseline KPI matrix and reporting templates operationalized; quarterly KPI reporting inputs prepared for SRGO performance reports.
• Regulatory maps developed for priority sectors and a documented gold-plating prevention/correction mechanism prepared and piloted in selected domains.
• At least two deregulation/simplification packages prepared with supporting analytical rationale and impact verification approach (including quantified burden reduction where feasible).

4. Required Expertise and Profile

• Relevant experience in smart regulation, regulatory impact assessment (RIA), administrative simplification, monitoring and evaluation, or related public policy fields; a relevant university degree is an advantage but is not mandatory if experience is demonstrated.
• Minimum 5-7 years of assignment-specific experience in designing/implementing regulatory reform, KPI frameworks, or delivery/monitoring mechanisms in government or donor-supported programs.
• Demonstrated ability to structure results frameworks (inputs-outputs-outcomes), define KPIs, and translate them into practical data collection and reporting routines.
• Strong analytical skills, including familiarity with impact assessment approaches and ability to prepare evidence-based policy notes and reform packages.
• Good understanding of EU-aligned regulatory practices and public administration processes; ability to work across institutions and manage dependencies.
• Excellent writing skills and working proficiency in Romanian and English; ability to communicate complex reforms in clear, implementable terms.

Applications must be received no later than 17:00 local time on January 26, by email at anastasia.rusu@fam.md