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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 education

In the Republic of Moldova, education is a national priority, being the catalyst for promoting democratic values, ensuring human rights, developing human capital, forming national consciousness and identity, and capitalizing on European integration goals, with a primary role in creating the premises for sustainable human development and building a knowledge-based society.

Based on the aspirations of continuous modernization of national education, the Government of the Republic of Moldova approved, in 2023, the Development Strategy "Education 2030"[1] (hereinafter – the Strategy). The Strategy outlines the state's policies in education, addresses the most pressing problems in the development of education, and provides the mechanisms for carrying out actions with an impact on the education system, individuals, and society as a whole. The strategy capitalizes on the pillars and goals of sustainable development provided in the National Development Strategy "European Moldova 2030" and translates them into value axes and strategic visions on the development of education in the medium and long term. The Strategy promotes an educational policy connected to European and international educational standards, relevant to solving the current problems and needs of the educational system and its beneficiaries. The general purpose declared by the Strategy is to determine the strategic directions necessary to achieve the development objectives in education, as well as to predict the changes that will occur due to the implementation of the Strategy.

According to the Government decision, the Strategy is implemented over the period 2023-2030 in two distinct phases – the years 2023-2025 and 2026-2030, each guided by its respective Implementation Program and the corresponding Action Plan.

However, despite significant advancements, Moldova’s education is still facing persistent challenges that affect equity, inclusiveness, quality, and relevance.

The evaluation of the 2023 - 2025 Implementation Programme is currently underway, and its findings will inform the development of the subsequent programme covering the 2026–2030 period.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of the consultancies is to support the Ministry of Education and Research (MER) in designing a comprehensive, inclusive, and evidence-based Programme for the implementation of the second phase of the Strategy for the years 2026-2030. The Programme will serve as a roadmap for improving access, equity, quality, and relevance of education across all levels, aligned with national development priorities and international commitments.

The work will be conducted by two national consultants to provide expertise in (i) education policy development and (ii) in public finance/cost estimation.

2. Objectives of the consultancy

• Carry out a comprehensive desk review, complementing the formal evaluation,  to map the critical areas in education that require further interventions for achieving the Strategy goals;
• Develop the 2026-2030 Programme, refining the strategic priorities, goals, and implementation frameworks;
• Develop a costing framework of the 2026-2030 Programme, highlighting equitable cost drivers towards quality and inclusion;
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations and participatory approaches throughout the process;
• Provide the MER with the necessary support during the promotion for approval of the 2026-2030 Implementation Programme (reviewing and considering proposals from other public authorities, adjusting the text and costs, etc.).

3. Deliverables and delivery dates

* Exact deadlines will be agreed upon contract signature

4. Definition of supervisory arrangements

The Consultant will work under the oversight of Education Specialist of UNICEF Moldova. Payments will be rendered upon successful completion of each task, as per the schedule outlined above.

5. Work location and official travel involved

The work will not require travel. In case the Consultant decides to visit and interview local schools, refugee families, etc., they are expected to cover costs, arrange, and schedule such visits, including transportation. The UNICEF office will facilitate introductions to key informants.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• Advanced University Degree in finance, economics, public administration and finance, accounting or related field;
• Minimum 5 years of proven experience in estimating the costs of policy documents implementation (strategies, programmes, actions plans);
• Proven experience with collecting and working with data sets and financial planning and management tools that are essential to ensure efficiency, justify reforms, and mobilize resources.
• Demonstrated experience with national and international institutions/organizations will be a strong asset. Previous experience of working with UN agencies will be an asset;
• Good communication and presentation skills;
• Excellent written Romanian language skills. Working knowledge of English will be an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate

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):

 2025_TOR_ Programme_EDU Strategy 2026-2030_Public Finance Expert_VA.docx

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

 Technical Offer_EDU Strategy 2026-2030_Public Finance Expert.docx

 Financial Offer_EDU Strategy 2026-2030_Public Finance Expert.xlsx

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 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.