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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

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For every child, the right to opportunity

Moldova’s education system is receiving an increasing number of diaspora and refugee children who are enrolling in schools with Romanian-language instructions. Many of these students, such as recent refugees from neighbouring country, Ukraine, face language barriers and difficulties integrating into the standard curriculum. The Ministry of Education and Research (MER) has demonstrated a commitment to inclusive education and the right to quality education for all children residing in Moldova. In 2023, for example, MER issued guidelines (followed by multiple orders) to facilitate the enrolment of Ukrainian refugee students in local schools and encouraged support measures like ad hoc language classes and catch-up programmes. Despite these efforts, there is currently no standardized national programme to prepare non-Romanian-speaking students for successful integration into schools with Romanian-language instructions.

Schools across Moldova have identified the need for preparatory programme that help foreign students rapidly acquire Romanian language skills and adapt to the local curriculum. This was also highlighted as main pillar to be implemented in the Roadmap for the Inclusion of Refugee Children into the Education System in Moldova, which was approved by MER on the 1^st of April 2025.

To ensure a coherent and equitable approach nationwide, UNCEF seeks a consultant to support MER in developing a comprehensive framework for preparatory programme at all education levels (primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary). This will help align teaching and evaluation practices, support language acquisition, and facilitate the successful integration of foreign including refugee students into Moldova’s education system.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Objectives of the consultancy

The main objective of this consultancy is to support the MER in developing a detailed framework for preparatory programme for foreign children (including refugees) integrating into Romanian-speaking schools at the primary, secondary, and upper secondary levels. This framework will serve as an official instruction for schools to implement intensive preparatory programme that equip non-Romanian-speaking students with the necessary language competencies and learning skills to join the mainstream education system. Specifically, the consultancy will produce a standardized programme outline – including curriculum structure, recommended number of learning hours, teaching methodology, and teacher training needs. The consultant will also propose an evaluation system (with an entry-level placement exam and ongoing assessments) whose results and certification are aligned with national standards and integrated into the official school grading system. All components of the framework are to be developed in collaboration with relevant departments of the MER and will require their approval to ensure alignment with existing educational policies.

2. Detailed Requirements from the Consultancy:

Under the supervision of the MER and in close coordination with UNICEF, the individual consultant will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Needs Assessment and Review
• Work Plan and Consultation Strategy
• Develop Curriculum Structure and Content
• Teaching Methodology and Materials
• Evaluation System Design
• An entry-level assessment (placement exam) 
• Ongoing assessment methods to track progress during the course (such as periodic quizzes, observational checklists for language use or others).
• A final assessment and certification mechanism 
• Integration with Official Grading System
• Teacher Training and Capacity Building
• Drafting the Framework Document
• Stakeholder Consultation and Validation
• Finalize the Framework

3. Deliverables and delivery dates

For deliverables and delivery dates, please consult the ToR below.

4. Reporting requirements

The consultant will report to the Education Specialist, who will regularly communicate with the consultant and provide feedback and guidance on his/her performance and all other necessary support so to achieve objectives of the consultancy, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to the consultant’s performance and quality of work.

All activities and deliverables undertaken by the consultant shall be discussed and planned in consultation with UNICEF. The consultant is expected to deliver each component of the workplan electronically (in Word format) and in Romanian (if also possible in English). At each stage, the delivery shall be sent to the Education Specialist by email, with the Deputy Representative in copy.

Throughout the assignment, the consultant is expected to maintain regular communication with the MER. He/She will work on sharing interim findings and sections of the framework for MER’s review and input.

5. Performance indicators for evaluation of results:

The performance of work will be evaluated based on the following indicators:

• Completion of tasks specified in the ToR.
• Compliance with the established deadlines for submission of deliverables.
• Quality of work.
• Demonstration of high standards of cooperation and communication with UNICEF and with counterparts.

6. Definition of supervision arrangements

The selected consultant will work under direct supervision and in close consultation with UNICEF Education Specialist. Fees will be rendered upon written approval by the UNICEF Supervisor, and contingent upon the quality of deliverables.

UNICEF will regularly communicate with the selected consultant and provide formats for reports, feedback and guidance on performance and all other necessary support to achieve objectives of the document, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to expert’s performance and quality of work.

7. Work location and official travel involved

The consultant is expected to perform the assignment remotely. In-country travel is not envisaged.

In case of unforeseen travel, this will be discussed and agreed in advance with the consultant, with travel costs to be additionally covered by UNICEF.

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

• Advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in Education, Language Education, Social Sciences, or a related field. Formal training in teaching Romanian or another language as a second/foreign language is an asset.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in instructional design, or education programme development. Experience with language education programme or second-language learners is strongly preferred. Experience in curriculum development is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated experience in developing educational frameworks or policy-level guidelines, ideally at national or institutional level. Experience with inclusive education is an advantage.
• In-depth understanding of the Moldovan education system or familiarity with other Educational System in the Eastern European contexts.
• Demonstrated experience of work with the Government of the Republic of Moldova in developing education strategies or another social field is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with EU and international benchmarks and best practices in inclusive and language education is an asset.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to produce high-quality, policy-ready written outputs is required.
• Fluency in Romanian and both oral and written is required, knowledge of English is an asset.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts is desirable.

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

 TOR_individual Consultant_ preparatory year.docx

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain the Technical and Financial Offers (templates below):

Financial Offer Template:  Financial Offer_Preparatory year.xlsx

Technical Offer Template:  Technical Offer_Preparatory year.docx

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UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from targeted underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.