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For every child, the right to education

The Republic of Moldova embraces an education policy that is consistent with the European and international education standards that responds to the current issues and needs of the education system and its beneficiaries. Aligned with the objectives of the Development Strategy “Education 2030” (DS), the education system still faces challenges related to the quality of education and poor learning outcomes. Improving the quality of education is part of Moldova's integration efforts, as education is a cornerstone for economic development, social cohesion, and overall progress.

The creation of an effective, innovative, and inspiring learning and development environment summarizes the vision of all policy strategic documents. In a rapidly changing world, children need to be equipped with the knowledge, skills and competences needed to thrive in the 21st century. The projected trajectory of the planned curriculum reform initiated by the Ministry of Education and Research (MER) is influenced by both international trends, such as globalization, international student assessments, and the need for defining the knowledge and abilities that are seen to be most valuable in a society and necessary to prepare the children for the future. UNICEF as grant agent and coordinating agency of a GPE System Capacity Grant, supports the MER in the curriculum reform.  The overarching objective of the proposed project is to develop and institutionalize a comprehensive curriculum evaluation and development process within the general education system. This initiative aims to address the deficiencies highlighted in the existing curriculum framework, particularly considering the poor performance of Moldovan students in international assessments.

In addition to the challenges in curriculum development and evaluation, Moldova faces significant gaps in curriculum budgeting. Despite the critical role that financial resources play in implementing and sustaining curriculum changes, there has been a historical lack of capacity and experience in this area. One notable deficiency is the absence of a comprehensive evaluation of the actual cost of curriculum implementation.  As a result, budgetary decisions related to curriculum development and revision have often been made without a thorough assessment of financial feasibility and without a clear understanding of the financial implications of curriculum changes.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Purpose of the assignment 

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the MER in the development of a tool to assess the distribution of funds across various curriculum components.

2. Objectives of the consultancy 

• Conduct a structured analysis of the national curriculum budgeting and financing process
• Design and develop of a digital tool to assess funds distribution across various curriculum components

3. Details of how the work should be delivered

The consultant will work closely with the MER staff responsible for the implementation of the national curriculum and financial planning. As part of this collaboration, the framework plans (planurile cadru) for primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary education levels will be thoroughly analyzed. These plans, recently approved by the Ministry, will serve as the foundation for the development of a practical tool  https://mec.gov.md/sites/default/files/plan-cadru_2025-2026_23_04_.pdf. The tool will be designed in Excel format and will include all elements of the framework plans, providing a comprehensive and structured resource to support implementation and financial forecasting. All the main elements of the framework plans will be considered:

• Standard framework plans
• Alternative framework plans
• Innovative framework plan for upper secondary level

The next step in the process will be the piloting phase, with MER responsible for formulating the piloting concept and approach.

In the final phase, the consultant will conduct capacity-building sessions for designated MER staff, and selected school staff, focusing on the practical application and utilization of the developed tool.

The consultant will work in close collaboration with MER, including the General Department of Policies in the Field of General Education, Public Finance Management Department, National Agency for Curriculum and Evaluation (NACE) and UNICEF

4. Deliverables and delivery dates 

*Exact deadlines will be mutually agreed upon contract signature. 

5. Reporting requirements 

The consultant will report to the UNICEF Education Officer, who will regularly communicate with the consultant and provide feedback and guidance on the performance and all other necessary support so to achieve objectives of the consultancy, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to the performance and quality of work.  

All activities and deliverables undertaken by the consultant shall be discussed and planned in consultation with UNICEF. The consultant is expected to deliver each component of the workplan electronically (Word format) in Romanian. At each stage, the deliverable shall be sent to the UNICEF Education and Social Policy Officers, with the MER in copy.

6. Work location and official travel involved 

The work will mainly be performed remotely and will only require participating in meetings at MER, or other locations in Chisinau. The UNICEF office will facilitate introductions to key informants.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• Advanced academic degree in economics, finance, education/policy, social studies and/or other relevant fields.
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in public finance management, with a particular focus on state budgeting processes, financial planning, and resource allocation within the education or public sector
• Demonstrated experience in leading and facilitating large-scale national public policy consultations within the education sector, engaging diverse stakeholders and ensuring inclusive, evidence-based dialogue to inform policy development and reform.
• Demonstrated experience in working with government institutions.
• Strong networking and stakeholders’ engagement skills.
• Relevant experience in working with UN Agencies will be an asset.
• Fluency in Romanian and working knowledge of English is required.

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_Nat Indiv Consultancy Digital tool curriculum budgeting SCG GPE_VA.docx

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

 Technical Offer_Digital Budgeting Tool.docx

 Financial Offer_Digital Budgeting Tool.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.

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.