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, education
From the beginning of the war in Ukraine and the refugee crisis, the Moldovan authorities have taken important steps to not admit grave disruptions in the Ukrainian refugee children’s education and ensure they have access to appropriate education programmes. Targeted official decisions have been issued, special Regulations have been approved; methodological guidelines shared; capacity building programmes delivered; advocacy activities and information campaigns conducted to ensure the access of Ukrainian children into local schools and kindergartens.
Despite the efforts made, the enrollment rates of Ukrainian children in the Moldovan system of education are still very low. As revealed in the REACH Report Education Assessment. Key Findings, there is a large spectrum of various reasons for non-enrollment. From the students’ point of view, the main concerns they have are related to the significant curriculum differences in the educational process of two countries; potential discrimination and bullying manifestations, etc. From the caregivers’ perspective, their persistent hesitancy for enrolling their children in the local schools is mostly determined by the same reasons invoked by children, the political issues being added to those mentioned above. Consequently, thousands of children are at risk of remaining out of school for the third year.
To create equitable learning opportunities and address the issues persuading the low enrollment rates of Ukrainian children into Moldovan schools, more consistent and specific support is needed, particularly in organizing preparatory classes (including remedial education activities, catch-up classes, language classes, etc.). This will contribute to bringing refugee children and youth back into formal face-to-face education to benefit from stable education, interaction with host communities, and in-school support.
To achieve this, UNICEF, in close cooperation with UNHCR and the Moldovan Ministry of Education and Research, designed a Road Map and Action Plan for the full inclusion of all refugee children in Moldovan schools. According to this document, language support is one of the main areas for intervention, considered paramount for achieving full inclusion.
How can you make a difference?
1. Purpose of the assignment
The purpose of this individual consultancy is to develop a dedicated, standardized programme for accelerated learning of the Romanian language by non-Romanian-speaking refugee children. The programme will not only contribute to the acquisition of language skills but will also have a determinant role in increasing the enrollment rates and ensuring that children meet the required standards of the school curriculum, thereby fully realizing their right to education.
2. Objectives of the consultancy
- Carry out the analysis of the existing programmes applied in teaching Romanian language for non-Romanian speakers. Summarize a general overview of the existing programmes.
- Design the concept of a programme for accelerated learning of the Romanian language by non-Romanian-speaking refugee children enrolled in Moldovan schools and consult it with all relevant parties.
- Develop the Programme for accelerated learning of the Romanian language by non-Romanian-speaking refugee children for primary and secondary education.
3. Deliverables and delivery dates
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Tasks
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Deliverables
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Tentative timeframe*
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- Carry out the analysis of existing Romanian language learning programmes.
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- Desk review of the programmes conducted
- Summary on the main existing/applied programmes developed
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10 days
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- Develop the concept of a programme for accelerated learning of the Romanian language by non-Romanian-speaking refugee children, considering both primary and secondary levels of education.
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- The programme’s concept designed
- A round table to consult and agree the programme’s concept organized
- The concept adapted based on the feedback from the consultation round table
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5 days
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- Develop the Programme for accelerated learning of the Romanian language by non-Romanian-speaking refugee children for primary and secondary level.
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- The programme developed
- Two rounds of consultation organized
- The programme adapted based on the feedback from the consultation rounds
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30 days
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- Develop a report on the accomplished tasks and a PPT presentation on the developed programme
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- The report drafted and submitted
- The PPT presentation developed
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* Exact deadlines will be mutually agreed upon contract signature
4. Reporting requirements
The Consultant will work under the guidance of the UNICEF Education Specialist, in close collaboration with MER. The Consultant will report to the UNICEF Education Specialist, who will regularly communicate with the Consultant and provide the guidance and feedback on his/her performance and all other necessary support to achieve the consultancy objectives, as well as be aware of any potential/upcoming issues related to institution’s performance and quality of work.
All activities and deliverables undertaken by the selected consultant shall be discussed and planned in consultation with MER and UNICEF. The consultant is expected to deliver each deliverable electronically, sent to the Education Specialist via email.
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
- University degree in education, philology, psychology, or other relevant areas.
- Minimum 5 years of working experience in the relevant fields.
- Documented track record of experience in the education sector, particularly in developing teaching-learning materials (links to research and analytical documents relevant to the TOR to be provided).
- Proven experience in collecting, analyzing, and synthetizing data (links to research and analytical documents relevant to the TOR to be provided).
- Demonstrated experience with national and international institutions/organizations will be a strong asset. Previous experience in working with UN agencies will be an asset.
- Flexibility and ability to adjust to change circumstances and needs.
- Very good communication and presentation skills.
- Excellent written Romanian language skills. Working knowledge of English will be an asset.
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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_Rom Lang Programme_VA.docx
HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain the Technical and Financial Offers (templates below). Please secure the Financial Proposal *.pdf document with a password on document view; the password will be requested only from technically qualified candidates.
Technical Offer_Romanian Language Programme.docx
Financial Offer_Romanian Language Programme.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.