Call for Wastewater Treatment Project Manager: Contribute to the Wastewater Reuse in Agriculture Study in Moldova (May-Dec 2025)
The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) is seeking for a local expert in Moldova for a short-term assignment as part of an in-depth study on wastewater reuse in agricultural irrigation in Moldova. This important study supports Moldova’s alignment with Regulation (EU) 2020/741 on minimum requirements for water reuse, contributing to sustainable water management, circular economy, and climate adaptation efforts.
Background
This assignment is part of the SEI’s Green Agenda for Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine project which aims to drive policy change, environmental innovation, and sustainable growth in the region. In line with Moldova’s National Plan for EU accession (2024–2027), this study will help shape the country’s approach to water reuse in agriculture amid increasing climate variability and water scarcity.
The current research builds upon the successful completion of the project’s first stage, which assessed Moldova’s water resources, irrigation infrastructure, and the potential for treated wastewater reuse. Stage 2 will deliver an in-depth, site-specific analysis and a socio-technical feasibility study of water reuse in the agricultural sector.
Stage 1 – Rapid Scoping Assessment
Stage 1 was completed in March 2025 and provides the foundation for strategies to reuse treated wastewater for farm irrigation in Moldova, addressing water scarcity and climate change adaptation. The Stage 1 report reviews the current state of wastewater treatment and agricultural irrigation in Moldova, highlighting the urgent need for innovative water management solutions due to the country's vulnerability to droughts and variable rainfall.
Two stakeholder meetings were held in Chisinau as part of Stage 1:
7-9 October 2024: Inception Workshop
17-19 March 2025: Stage 1 Finalization and Stage 2 Kick-off
Stage 2 – In-depth Assessment (May 2025 - December 2025)
Stage 2 will build on Stage 1 by conducting a detailed assessment of how reclaimed wastewater can be used for irrigation in Moldova. This stage will focus on three pilot sites: Cahul, Cantemir, and Causeni, and will include:
· Evaluating technical capacities of wastewater treatment plants, irrigation systems, and local soil and crops
· Scenario modelling for wastewater supply and irrigation needs under various climate change projections
· Socio-technical feasibility analysis of wastewater reuse in urban-rural agricultural settings
Key components to be assessed include:
· Treated wastewater (quality and safety)
· Irrigation systems (storage, infrastructure, delivery)
· Farm fields (soil characteristics, crops grown)
OPEN POSITION
· Wastewater Treatment Project Manager: Lead the assessment of wastewater treatment plants in Moldova, focusing on rehabilitation and adaptation for reuse in irrigation.
Tasks & Deliverables
Key outputs:
Output 1: Status of WWTPs Before Rehabilitation
1.1 Infrastructure details, age, and performance
1.2 Treated water volumes and quality
1.3 Effluent discharge characteristics
Output 2: Rehabilitation Process
2.1 Steps taken, timeline, and approximate costs
2.2 Hardware upgrades and performance
2.3 Cost estimates to meet EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive standards
Output 3: Current Status of Căușeni, Cahul, and Cantemir WWTPs
3.1 Capacity, treated volumes, and effluent locations
3.2 Effluent quality and discharge site information
Output 4: Requirements for Reuse in Irrigation
4.1 Additional infrastructure needed for supplying treated wastewater to irrigation systems (in collaboration with the Irrigation Project Engineer)
4.2 Storage requirements—volumes and installation/maintenance costs
4.3 Piping, pumps, drip irrigation, and associated costs
Output 5: Communication
Regular communication with the project lead, participation in meetings, and prompt responses to comments and suggestions. Outputs may be adjusted based on ongoing research and new data.
The listed outputs may be revised as research advances and new data becomes available.
Qualifications and Skills
· University degree in environmental or civil engineering, water resources management, or a related field.
· Strong knowledge of wastewater treatment systems in Moldova, especially experience with WWTP rehabilitation in regions like Căușeni, Cahul, and Cantemir.
· At least 5 years of experience in designing, implementing, or managing WWTP rehabilitation projects, including hardware installation, system monitoring, and cost estimation.
· Proven ability to estimate costs for WWTP rehabilitation and upgrades.
· Familiarity with Moldova’s legal and technical standards for wastewater treatment and reuse.
· Ability to collect and analyze technical data on WWTPs, including treatment volumes, discharge quality, infrastructure status, and reuse potential.
· Excellent Romanian language skills.
· Working knowledge of English is an asset, supporting communication with international teams.
· Strong communication and teamwork skills, with experience coordinating diverse project teams.
Duration & Contract Details
The assignment is from May 2025 to end-2025, with an estimated 25 working days during Stage 2. Remuneration will be based on experience; additional days may be negotiated if needed.
Other Requirements
· Must meet legal registration and tax obligations in Moldova.
· Proof of tax registration will be required before contract signing.
Application Instructions
To Apply: Submit the following to [email protected]:
Updated CV
Brief cover letter outlining relevant experience
Financial offer indicating your proposed daily fee (in EUR, gross)
Deadline: 26 May 2025 Note: Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Legal Note: Selected experts are responsible for compliance with all legal and tax obligations in Moldova.
For more details, please review the attached Terms of Reference for each position or contact Tatiana Echim, Senior SEI Expert, Green Agenda Moldova.
Source of the photos: Getty Images