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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.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to participation 

Recognizing the importance of investing in youth development, the Government of the Republic of Moldova adopted the Youth Sector Development Strategy “Youth 2030” (Government Decision No. 168 of 29 March 2023), which serves as the main national framework guiding the development of the youth sector. The Strategy promotes a holistic, ecosystem-based approach, emphasizing coordinated action among public authorities, youth organizations and development partners, with a focus on strengthening youth participation in decision-making, expanding access to youth services and programmes, promoting innovation and civic engagement, and ensuring inclusion of vulnerable groups.

At the midpoint of its implementation, a mid-term evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Education and Research assessed progress achieved and identified key challenges affecting implementation, alongside recommendations to enhance the effectiveness and impact of youth policies. In light of these findings and the evolving policy context, the Government is initiating the development of the Programme for the next phase of implementation of the Youth Strategy 2030, which will operationalize its priorities through clearly defined actions, implementation mechanisms and institutional responsibilities for the upcoming period.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Purpose of assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the Ministry of Education and Research (MER) in the development of the Programme for the next phase of implementation of the Youth Strategy 2030, building on the findings and recommendations of the mid-term evaluation of the Strategy and responding to the evolving needs of young people in the Republic of Moldova.

The consultancy will support the development of a comprehensive, coherent and evidence-based programme, translating the strategic priorities of the Youth Strategy 2030 into a structured framework for the upcoming implementation period. The programme will serve as a roadmap for implementation, defining priority actions, implementation mechanisms, institutional responsibilities and monitoring indicators to strengthen the effectiveness, coordination and impact of youth policies and programmes.

The consultant will work in close coordination with the Ministry of Education and Research and the inter-institutional working group and will lead the development and drafting of the programme document, ensuring that it reflects the findings of the mid-term evaluation and integrates feedback resulting from consultations and policy discussions coordinated by the Ministry. The consultancy will also ensure that the programme is developed in line with national public policy development requirements and contributes to strengthening alignment with national priorities and the broader context of the Republic of Moldova’s EU accession process.

2. Scope of work

The consultant will provide technical assistance to MER in the development of the Programme for the next phase of implementation of the Youth Strategy 2030, ensuring continuity in the implementation of the Strategy and reflecting the findings and recommendations of the mid-term evaluation.

The assignment will be implemented in close coordination with MER and the inter-institutional working group established for this purpose and will follow a structured process of analysis, drafting and validation.

The work will be delivered through the consecutive completion of the following stages:

I. Development of workplan and methodology

• Develop a detailed workplan outlining the main stages, tasks and timeline for the assignment;
• Define the methodology, approach and structure for the development of the programme document;
• Clarify roles and coordination mechanisms with MER and the inter-institutional working group.

II. Desk review and analytical assessment

• Review relevant policy documents, strategies, evaluations (including the mid-term evaluation of the Youth Strategy 2030), analytical studies, reports and statistical data related to the youth sector;
• Identify key gaps, challenges and areas for intervention for the next phase of implementation;
• Systematize and synthesize key findings to inform the programme development process.

III. Development and drafting of the programme

• Define priority intervention and strategic directions aligned with national priorities and relevant policy frameworks;
• Develop the structure of the programme document in coordination with MER;
• Draft the programme document, including priority actions, implementation mechanisms, institutional responsibilities and monitoring indicators.

IV. Validation and refinement of the programme

• Participate in meetings of the inter-institutional working group and present draft versions of the programme;
• Revise and refine the programme based on feedback received from consultations and the policy review process coordinated by MER;
• Ensure coherence, clarity and alignment of the programme with national policy requirements.

V. Finalization and submission

• Finalize and submit the programme document in a format ready for official approval;
• Support MER in reviewing comments received during the inter-institutional consultation and approval process and adjust the document accordingly, as required.

The programme will be developed in accordance with the provisions of Government Decision No. 386 of 17 June 2020 on planning, elaboration, approval, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of public policy documents.

The estimation of costs for implementation measures and the organization of consultations with stakeholders are outside the scope of this consultancy. Consultations will be organized and coordinated by MER, while the consultant will support the integration of feedback received through these processes into the programme document.

3. Deliverables 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• Master’s degree in Public policy, public administration, social sciences, political science, education, economics or related fields
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in policy research, policy development, strategic planning or consultancy services related to youth, education or social development.
• Demonstrated experience in developing public policy documents, such as national strategies, action plans, programmes or policy frameworks for government institutions or international organizations.
• Relevant experience working with government institutions or inter-institutional working groups will be considered an asset.
• Relevant previous experience with UNICEF, UN agencies or international organizations will be considered an asset.
• Excellent Romanian language skills (written and spoken). Knowledge of English is an asset.

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

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

 2026 TOR_Nat Indiv Consultancy_Youth Programme Strategy Implementation_VA.docx

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain your Financial Offer (template below):

 Financial Offer_Youth Programme Strategy Implementation.docx

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.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. 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.