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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, education

The structure of education systems varies widely between countries. UNESCO’s International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) is the reference classification for organising education programmes and related qualifications by education levels and fields.

The ISCED classification was initially developed by UNESCO in the mid-1970s and was first revised in 1997. Due to subsequent changes in education and learning systems throughout the start of the 21st century, a further review of ISCED was undertaken between 2009 and 2011 involving extensive global consultation with countries, regional experts and international organisations.  The revised ISCED 2011 classification was adopted by the UNESCO General Conference at its 36th session in November 2011. The ISCED 2011 (levels of education) has been implemented in all EU data collections since 2014.

The first edition of the national Classification of Educational Programmes has been elaborated in 2006 (MoldCED 2006) in line with ISCED 1997 and approved by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Ministry of Education and Research (MER) to serve as an instrument suitable for assembling, compiling and presenting comparable indicators and education statistics both on the national and the international level. The MoldCED 2006 is based on the concepts and definitions of ISCED 1997, taking into consideration the Law on Education No. 547-XIII from 21 July 1995 and its later amendments. The legal and regulatory landscape in the Republic of Moldova has been constantly evolving over the past 15 years. The Law on Official Statistics has been revised (No.93 from 26 May 2017), key policy documents related to education system were revised and/or approved, i.e.the Code of Education (No 152 from 17 July 2014 and its later amendments).

The current assignment will help the NBS and the MER to address of the recommendations of the Global Evaluation Report of the National Statistical System of the Republic of Moldova (2019), and the Sectoral Evaluation Report of Education Statistics of the Republic of Moldova (2021), conducted by Eurostat, to align the national educational classification system with ISCED 2011. The latest concluded that the education statistics in the Republic of Moldova partly comply with EU and other international standards. The main difficulty lies with the administrative data produced by the MER on Technical Vocation Education (based on the National Code of Education) that do not fully comply with the NBS classification (based on ISCED 2011) in what regards specifically the post-secondary non-tertiary education (ISCED 2011, level 4) and tertiary education levels (ISCED 2011, levels 5-7). Amendments to the Code of Education would be required to ensure compliance with ISCED 2011.

Based on the above, UNICEF is seeking technical expertise to support the NBS and the MER in revision of the national educational programmes in line with the latest international standards to compile, generalize and present comparative statistical data and indicators, both nationally and internationally.  Amendments to the Code of Education will be proposed to comply with international definitions related to educational levels. The importance of this activity derives from the need to adapt the statistical infrastructure to international and EU standards in statistics, in the part related to the development of statistical classifications.

This activity is part of the National Action Plan on the Accession of the Republic of Moldova to European Union 2024-2027 , Chapter 18 Statistics, Action 36 ‘Development of research methodology and tools on education statistics aligned with UNESCO-UIS / OECD / EUROSTAT (UOE) methodology, based on Eurostat recommendations.

How can you make a difference? 

The consultant will provide technical expertise in revision of the classification of the national educational programmes, as specified in the Code of Education (no.152/2014, art.12), in line with the ISCED 2011. Collaboration with the MER and the NBS will be ensured throughout the process and the following tasks will be conducted:

• detailed analysis of classification and description of the content of the educational programmes in the Republic of Moldova as specified in the Code of Education;
• comparative analysis of national educational programmes and the latest classification of the educational levels and programmes as per ISCED 2011 to identify discrepancies, if any;
• mapping of classification of national educational programmes in line with ISCED 2011 and development of proposals to adjust classification of the national educational program to be compliant with ISCED 2011;
• elaboration of the new version of classification of national educational programmes according to ISCED 2011, considering MoldCED and proposed amendments to the Code of Education.

All the tasks will be implemented in close collaboration with the NBS and the MER, whose staff will guide expert’s activity and endorse all deliverables provided by the consultant. Throughout the process, consultative meetings will be organized by the consultant and key deliverables as specified below.

Key deliverables and delivery dates/timeline *

* Detailed deliverables and exact deadlines will be mutually agreed upon contract signature

Monitoring of the assessment will be ensured by reporting on progress for each deliverable via email. Regular meetings will be organized by consultant with the NBS, the MER and the UNICEF (at least three – kick off meeting, initial presentation of the results of the analysis and final validation meeting)

Payments will be rendered upon successful completion of each task and submitted deliverables as outlined above.

Reporting

The Consultant will work under direct supervision of the UNICEF Moldova Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist and in close collaboration with the Education Specialist. UNICEF will regularly communicate with the Consultant and provide feedback on deliverables performance and all other necessary support to achieve objectives of the assignment, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to the Consultant performance and the quality of work. All the activities and deliverables undertaken by the Consultant shall be discussed and planned in consultation with UNICEF.  Throughout the assignment, necessary guidance will be provided by UNICEF and the NBS - the key stakeholder who will provide all necessary data and clarifications and facilitate liaison with the MER etc.  

All products will be subject to UNICEF and the NBS review before approval. All deliverables will be presented in Romanian to ensure proper consultation process with the NBS and the MER.

All deliverables need to be submitted in electronic format (Word, Excel, Visual etc.)

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in educational sciences, administrative sciences or law.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in education domain.
• Analytical capacity and proven experience in analysis of national and international normative acts, as well as alignment with EU standards.
• Knowledge of international standards (UNESCO, EU).
• Relevant experience in working with international organizations (working with UNICEF/other UN Agencies highly preferred).
• Strong writing and communication skills especially in team environments, highly preferred;
• Ability to work independently with confidence and self-motivation, necessary.
• Highly organized and proactive approach with timely production of materials, necessary.
• Fluency in Romanian and working knowledge of English.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit here. 

For more details on the consultancy assignment and requirements, please refer to attached Terms of reference (ToR):

 2025_ToR Education Statistic_ ISCED_VA.docx

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain the following:

1. Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system, with copy of academic credentials.

2. Cover letter including summary of relevant experience with similar type of assignments.

3. Curriculum Vitae.

4.   Technical Offer.docx that will include:  

• proposed approach and methodology.
• estimated timeline and milestones.
• potential risks and mitigation measures and
• reference to related work previously conducted by the consultant.

5.   Financial Offer.xlsx (in MDL), that will include daily fee to undertake the deliverables listed in the ToR. 

6. Indication of candidate’s availability to undertake the assignment.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (if applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.