Current vacancies

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, care

Immunisation is one of the most effective public health interventions, saving millions of lives each year by protecting individuals from vaccine-preventable diseases. Beyond the health benefits of preventing disease and saving lives, investing in immunisation is one of the most cost-effective public health strategies, offering unparalleled returns on investment (ROI) for both governments and donors by reducing healthcare expenditures, enhancing workforce productivity and driving economic growth. A recent study found that, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), every US$1 invested in immunisation generates a return of US$21, increasing to US$54 when broader societal benefits are considered.

The immunisation gap is especially pronounced in middle-income countries (MICs) of the region – Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Since 2020, these countries have seen a rise in zero-dose children and are off track to meet the Immunization Agenda 2030 target of halving zero-dose rates from 2019 levels. Financial sustainability issues, rising vaccine hesitancy, and inequitable coverage threaten to reverse decades of disease prevention gains and could result in significant economic losses.

This study aims to provide context-specific evidence on the cost of inactions, the ROI on immunisation and the consequences of underinvestment in priority countries. By quantifying the cost of inaction, the analysis will assess the financial and health burden of vaccine-preventable diseases, including treatment costs and productivity losses. It will also highlight the economic benefits of increasing immunisation coverage and estimate the investment required to strengthen national immunisation programmes.

The findings from this study will provide critical insights to governments, donors, and development partners as they make policy and financing decisions to strengthen immunisation programmes. The analysis will directly support the objectives of Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) and the European Immunization Agenda 2030 (EIA2030) – initiatives focused on maintaining high coverage levels, improving access for marginalised populations, and addressing financial barriers to immunisation.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Purpose of the individual consultancy

Under the direct supervision of the Health Officer from UNICEF Moldova Country Office, the consultant will:

1. Identify the best local sources for immunization-related data, focusing on parameters such as vaccine costs, vaccination coverage, government expenditures on vaccination programs, healthcare treatment expenses for infectious diseases, and educational disruptions and other societal consequences linked to possible outbreaks. This includes collecting data from government reports, health ministries, and other relevant local stakeholders.
2. Verify the accuracy of the collected data and ensure it meets the standards required for the study’s economic analysis.
3. Organize and clean data in a standardized format to facilitate its use in further analyses.
4. Provide regular updates on the data collection status, detailing progress, challenges, and any issues encountered.
5. Document data sources to ensure transparency and traceability for the data used in the analysis.

2. Specific objectives of the individual consultancy

The National Consultant will provide technical assistance, supporting the NAPH and the Ministry of Health in the context of the low immunization rate in the country and the need for evidence-based insights to help the Ministry of Health to cost, budget and implement immunisation programmes.

The objective of this consultancy is to support data collection in Moldova for the economic analysis phase of the project. The consultant will be responsible for identifying and gathering relevant immunization-related data from the most reliable local sources. This data will be used to estimate the costs of inaction and will include information related to vaccine costs, vaccination coverage, government expenditures on vaccination programs, healthcare treatment expenses for infectious diseases, lost productivity associated with infectious diseases and potential outbreaks, educational disruptions, and other societal consequences linked to potential outbreaks.

3. Details of how the work should be delivered

All activities and deliverables undertaken by the consultant shall be discussed and planned in consultation with UNICEF CO.

Close consultation and collaboration are expected with the MoH and NAPH.

4. Deliverables and delivery dates

** Exact deadlines will be mutually agreed upon contract signature.

4. Reporting requirements

The consultant will report to UNICEF Health Officer who will regularly communicate with the consultant and provide feedback and guidance on his/her performance and all other necessary support to achieve objectives of the consultancy, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to consultant’s performance and quality of work. The consultant is expected to deliver each component of the workplan electronically (in Word format) and in English.

5. Payment schedule

The payment will be made in 1 instalment/lumpsum, upon submission and acceptance of all deliverables stipulated in the table above.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

6. Definition of supervision arrangements

The selected consultant will work under direct supervision of UNICEF Health Officer and in close consultation with Health Specialist. Fees will be rendered upon written approval by the UNICEF Supervisor, and contingent upon the quality and achievement 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 consultancy will be performed remotely and will require travel within Chisinau, for data collection.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• Advanced educational background in public health, medicine, heath economics or related field, is required;
• At least 7 years of proven relevant working experience in the field of immunization, public health and programme management and M&E is required;
• Analytical and report writing skills; Experience of working in unsupervised, ability to work under pressure, prioritize work and use personal initiative;
• Prior relevant experience of working with UN Agencies and familiarity with UNICEF’s work and mandate, would be an asset;
• Oral and written fluency in Romanian and working knowledge 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_Nat Indiv Consultant - Cost of Inaction_VA.docx

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

 Technical Offer_Cost of Inaction.docx

 Financial Offer_Cost of Inaction.xlsx

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:  

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. 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 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.