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For every child, the right to protection

The social assistance system of the Republic of Moldova, a key pillar in poverty reduction, is undergoing substantial reforms. Historically, the system has faced several critical challenges, including the uneven distribution of social assistance across the country and significant disparities in the availability and quality of social services across districts. In some areas, essential services are entirely absent, leaving vulnerable groups—particularly children, older persons, and people with disabilities without the support they need.

In response, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) launched the Social Assistance System Reform in March 2023, aiming to improve governance, expand access to social protection, and mitigate the negative effects of ongoing socio-economic crises. During two years of implementation of reform, UNICEF led on technical assistance and provided versatile support to MLSP, during which, the MLSP invested in expansion of social services, worked towards standardizing the practice at national level, improved efficiency and performance in delivering social services and digitalization.

With technical support from UNICEF, the MLSP reorganized local social assistance structures, creating ten Territorial Social Assistance Agencies (ATAS) and establishing social assistance units at the rayon level (STAS). This restructuring aimed to strengthen coordination between central and local levels of governance. The primary legislation enabling the reform was adopted by Parliament in August 2023, followed by the approval of secondary legislation in December 2023. In 2023-2024, UNICEF partnered with UN agencies to support the Ministry in advancing digitalization efforts, for example, UNICEF supported the establishment of Digital Innovation Centre at the MLSP. To support the smooth implementation and transition to the next phase of the reform, UNICEF will continue providing technical assistance to the MLSP throughout the reform process

How can you make a difference? 

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant will support the MLSP in implementing ongoing activities under the RESTART reform and ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities to the government for initiatives launched over the past two years. Additionally, the consultant will assist in shaping key reform priorities, including expanding access to social services, improving service quality, strengthening the case management framework, addressing coverage gaps in social assistance, developing human resources within newly established ATAS, and enhancing financing and governance mechanisms.

2. Objectives of the Consultancy

The three primary objectives of consultancy are as follows:

• Strengthen the legal and regulatory framework for social assistance reform. The consultant will assess gaps in the current legal framework through desk review and stakeholder interviews. Based on findings, they will draft and coordinate legal amendments to at least three key documents and support the standardization of internal regulations across all ATAS institutions to ensure coherent policy implementation.
• Enhance the institutional capacity of ATAS/STAS in service delivery and financial planning. The consultant will support ATAS/STAS in improving performance and data reporting, including weekly updates and visual dashboards. They will also provide technical assistance on budget planning and execution for 10 ATAS institutions and contribute to the costing analysis for the 2026 State Budget Law.
• Support the development and rollout of a standardized case management system. The consultant will coordinate the design of the case management methodology, facilitate workshops with ATAS/STAS, and collaborate with the Digital Innovation Centre. The consultant will also participate in designing a Training Trainers curriculum, select national trainers, and support the rollout at the local level.

The consultant is also expected to be responsive to additional tasks related to her/his area of expertise and within the scope of this TOR, as requested by the UNICEF Social Policy Specialist. The consultant should be prepared to perform related tasks in support of the country office's objectives related to administration system strengthening and capacity-building goals and objectives, as part of technical assistance in the area of Social Policy.

3. Details of how the work should be delivered.

The consultancy requires full-time engagement and aims to provide technical, coordination, and advocacy support to MLSP in child-sensitive social policies, public finance management, and capacity-building, with a focus on social protection. The work arrangements will be agreed upon with the selected consultant, in close coordination with MLSP. The consultant will participate in weekly meetings with the Social Policy Team and the UNICEF team to update on work progress, challenges, and implementation. The consultant will develop a detailed working plan under the guidance of UNICEF’s Social Policy Specialist.

4. Reporting requirements

The consultant will report to the UNICEF Social Policy Specialist, who will regularly communicate with the consultant and provide feedback and guidance on his/her performance and all other necessary support to achieve the objectives of the consultancy, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to the consultant’s performance and quality of work. Additionally, the consultant will collaborate closely with the Social Policy Team and the Child Protection Specialist.  

All activities and deliverables undertaken by the consultant shall be discussed and planned in consultation with UNICEF. The consultant is expected to deliver each technical component of the deliverables electronically in Romanian (in Word format), the inception report and final (progress) report in English. At each stage, the deliverable shall be sent to the Social Policy Specialist, with the Deputy Representative in copy.  

5. Performance indicators for evaluation of results:

The performance of work will be evaluated based on the following indicators:

• Completion of tasks specified in ToR;
• Compliance with the established deadlines for submission of deliverables.
• Quality of work.
• Demonstration of high standards in cooperation and communication with UNICEF and counterparts

6. Definition of supervisory arrangements

The consultant will work under the oversight of Social Policy Specialist of UNICEF Moldova. Payments will be rendered upon successful completion of each task, as per the schedule outlined in the ToR.

7. Work location and official travel involved

The work will require local travels to conduct in-person visits and interviews with the different government officials. The consultant is expected to cover costs, arrange and schedule such visits, including transportation. The UNICEF office will facilitate introductions to key informants.

If you would like to find out more about this consultancy (deliverables, payment schedule etc), please review the complete ToR here:

  2025_TOR MLSP_Technical assisstance Social Assistance RESTART_VA.docx

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of eight years of relevant professional work experience in Project management or project coordination.
• A minimum of two years of managerial experience in Social Protection, including public institutions and/or civil society organizations.
• Good understanding of social assistance reform RESTART is considered an asset.
• Relevant background/familiarity with UN agencies' work, policy makers and technical staff of the national government is considered an asset.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in Romanian and working knowledge of English are required. Knowledge of Russian would be an advantage.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts is desirable.

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain your CV (Curriculum-Vitae) and Financial Offer (template below):

 Financial Offer_RESTART.xlsx

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

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.  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.