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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, opportunity 

Roma children in Moldova, including Roma refugee children, face profound barriers to accessing quality education. These challenges are rooted in entrenched poverty, social exclusion, and systemic discrimination, compounded by the vulnerabilities associated with displacement. Many Roma children experience low enrollment rates, frequent absenteeism, and early school dropout due to economic pressures and limited access to early childhood education. Refugee Roma children face additional obstacles, including language barriers, disrupted learning caused by displacement, and difficulties enrolling in schools without proper documentation. Discrimination and the lack of culturally responsive education further marginalize both groups, hindering their engagement and academic success.

Establishing an Accelerated Education Program (AEP) for Roma children and Roma in Moldova is essential to overcoming these challenges. A well-designed AEP can address learning gaps by offering flexible, age-appropriate tailored education to children who have missed substantial schooling. It can include culturally relevant curricula, language support, and safe, inclusive learning environments that encourage participation and integration. By addressing the specific needs of Roma families and dismantling systemic barriers, an AEP can help children catch up academically, transition to formal schooling, and break the cycle of poverty and exclusion. For Roma refugee children, such a program serves as a critical pathway to adaptation, inclusion, and continuity in their education journey.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Objective of the Consultancy

The objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive Accelerated Education Program (AEP) framework tailored to the specific needs of Roma children and Roma refugee children in Moldova. Building on existing materials and approaches, the framework will provide flexible, age-appropriate learning pathways to help these children catch up on missed education, integrate smoothly into the formal education system, and prevent cases of dropout. The AEP framework will address key barriers such as learning gaps, language challenges, and social exclusion while fostering inclusion and engagement through culturally responsive content and teaching methods. This initiative aims to ensure equitable access to quality education for marginalized groups and support their long-term academic success and social integration.

The overall objective of this consultancy is to:

• Analyse existing materials dedicated for children with educational gaps and progress to date.
• Develop a comprehensive and adaptable AEP framework (including adjustments to existing materials or recommendation for the development of new content, if required).
• Define teaching and learning approaches and assessment methodologies.
• Propose follow-up support mechanisms for students after the AEP cycle, including pathways into vocational education.

2. Detailed Requirements from the Consultancy
3. Review and assess existing legal/normative acts, educational materials, strategies, and teaching approaches that are relevant to Accelerated Education Programs (AEPs) for Roma children, including those targeting marginalized or displaced populations.
4. Identify gaps and opportunities in current resources and practices to ensure alignment with the specific needs of Roma children in Moldova.
5. Design AEP framework with detailed guidance on proposed modules/subjects, number of hours per module, teaching methodologies, learning materials, assessment tools, and strategies for integration and follow-up.
6. Provide actionable recommendations for integrating the AEP into Moldova’s broader education process.

2. Scope of Work/Methodology

The consultancy will involve the following key tasks and deliverables:

2.1   Desk Review and Context Analysis:

• Gather, analyze and evaluate existing materials, strategies, best practices, policies and legal/normative frameworks used to support the education of marginalized children including Roma and Roma refugee children both in Moldova and internationally.
• Identify gaps in the current educational offerings, barriers to Roma children’s education, and successful approaches that can be adapted or scaled.

2.2    Consult with stakeholder to gain a deeper understanding of the needs, challenges, and opportunities related to Roma children’s education in Moldova. Consultation can be conducted through Interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with:

• Roma community leaders and stakeholders from relevant agencies (e.g., Ministry of Education and Research, local NGOs, etc.).
• Roma population including Roma refugee caregivers and children, to understand their specific educational needs, challenges (e.g., language barriers, access to resources), and cultural context.
• Teachers to identify gaps in teaching practices, particularly in addressing diverse learning needs and integrating Roma children.

2.3    Development of the AEP Framework: propose an overarching framework for the AEP, including:

• Priority learning thematic areas and topics.
• Number of teaching hours per module or subject.
• Clear learning objectives for each module.
• Provide recommendations on adapting and refining existing curriculum content as needed to meet the realistic learning needs of the target students. If adaptation of the current curriculum is insufficient to ensure effective learning, recommend developing new curriculum content in alignment with national education goals and AEP principles.
• Teaching and Learning Methodologies: Identify and recommend effective teaching and learning approaches for AEP teachers, with a strong focus on inclusion, flexibility, and active learning.
• Assessment of Learning Outcomes: Develop guidance for the final assessment of students completing the AEP.
• Follow-Up and Transition Support:
  • Propose a system to monitor the quality of learning and track students’ progress following completion of the AEP cycle (including through after-school classes or other forms of ongoing support).
  • Recommend pathways and practical support for students transitioning into mainstream vocational education or further studies for adolescent students.

3. Deliverables and delivery dates

* Exact deadlines will be mutually agreed upon contract signature.

4. 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.

5. 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, Social Sciences, International Development, or a related field.
• At least 5 to 8 years of proven experience in leading the design and implementation of educational programs, with specific expertise in AEPs or similar initiatives aimed at marginalized populations, particularly Roma communities and refugees.
• Prior experience working in Moldova or similar contexts, demonstrating a strong understanding of the Moldovan education systems and socio-cultural dynamics.
• In depth understanding of inclusive education and culturally responsive teaching practices, particularly for marginalized groups such as Roma children and refugee populations.
• Strong familiarity with accelerated learning principles and international education standards (e.g., INEE Minimum Standards).
• Proven ability to design participatory methodologies and effectively engage diverse stakeholders, including government representatives, local communities, and international agencies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive and adaptable approach to challenges.
• Experience managing relationships with UNICEF, UN agencies, or similar organizations, ensuring alignment with their standards and expectations.
• Fluency in Romanian and Russian and working knowledge of English is required, with an ability to produce and deliver outputs in these languages. Knowledge of Romani is an asset.

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 Consultancy_AEP Roma Children_VA.docx

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

 Technical Offer_AEP Roma Children.docx

 Financial Offer_AEP Roma Children.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 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 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.