Deadline Extended: Individual Consultancy to support the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and Ministry of Education and Research in carrying out social policy reforms

Consultant Teaching & Training Programme & Policy

Contract

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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, a chance

Moldova has made significant progress in reducing poverty and promoting inclusive growth since the early 2000s. Policy reforms have deepened the path toward European integration, but many reforms have yet to be further developed and implemented to support Moldova's accession to the European Union and to mitigate the negative impacts of the current socioeconomic crisis. The recent crisis intensified with increasing energy price hikes and inflation, which accelerated to an all-time high of 27% last year.

The Government launched transformative reforms of its Social Protection and Education systems to enhance governance, quality and access. Within this, the Government intends to improve access to social protection and education services and strengthen financial sustainability. Both interventions aim to strengthen the local line offices and ensure better coordination between the central and local levels. It is essential to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) and the Ministry of Education and Research (MER).

How can you make a difference?

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant hired under this contract will work closely with the government team from both Ministries under the leadership of the Minister of Labour and Social Protection and the Minister of Education and Research. The consultant will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection to implement the second phase of the RESTART reform and to the Ministry of Education and Research to increase access to and enrollment in pre-school education, specifically among the most vulnerable children, such as Roma, children with disabilities, children from rural areas and poor families and improve the financial sustainability of preschool education. The consultant is expected to be regularly in touch with the mentioned team. The consultant will provide technical support and ensure that the RESTART and Education sector reforms are aligned with best international practices, national priorities, UN standards and policies so that no one is left behind.

2. Objectives of the Consultancy

The primary objectives of the consultancy are as follows:

*For the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection*****:

• Support data collection and analysis on the EU Social Rights. The consultant will contribute to a brief analysis to i) generate evidence on gaps between national policies and practices and the European Pillar of Social Rights and ii) transfer/apply findings to the ongoing social assistance reform.
• Support the social assistance reform conducted by the MLSP, including the drafting development plans for social services, budget planning, analysis of data, developing concept notes MIS of social sector and reporting.

*For the Ministry of Education and Research*****:

• Revise the existing seven funding schemes for preschools, which aim to assist the MER in updating the funding schemes and funding allocation framework for preschools covering children 3-6/7 years of age. The task is to conduct a thorough analysis of the preschool education network financing and elaborate a financing formula that considers the number of children per institution, including considering various vulnerabilities of children, such as children with disabilities. The previous financing models were developed based on simulations using actual financial information for all kindergartens in the country for the fiscal year 2017, which needs to be updated based on the latest available data.
• Support the development of the plan on restructuring the school network and concept for regionalizing the 'Rayon' (local districts) education departments. Currently, the education departments at the rayon level are managed by the Rayon Councils. These administrative bodies implement the state policy in education and administer the resources allocated from the state budget to the school network. The Ministry of Education and Research aims to regionalize the education departments to gain efficiency and improve resource allocation. The concept document should contribute to greater autonomy in the decision-making processes of schools and territorial education, developing training programs for the administrative staff. This shall also facilitate collaboration between schools and communities and contribute to a robust monitoring and evaluation system.

4. Details of how the work should be delivered

The technical assistance will be provided based on the need to advise and support MLSP and MER in implementing respective reforms in each sector. The support provided by the consultant, will be carried out in cooperation with the government technical staff, UNICEF staff and consultants and other UN agencies.

5. Deliverables and delivery dates

Relevant Partner

Tasks

Deliverables

Workdays

MLSP

• Support the international consultant on data collection and analysis on Social Rights Pillar (Joint work with other consultants (including International). Provide technical advice on financial issues of social protection and contribute to budget planning for the next year

Joint draft policy brief on EU social rights pillar

10

MER

• Revision of all formulas for preschool education, and in consultation with UNICEF and MER, selection of at least two most relevant and applicable to pe piloted

Propose at least two formulas for funding pre-school education

20

MLSP

• Contribute to Gap Analysis of social services and analyse findings of the analysis and develop policy recommendations

Analysis of the Gap Analysis findings and recommendations

10

MLSP

• Support for the preparation of development plans for social services

Plan for development of social services

10

MLSP

• Support for the preparation of the MMPS annual report, including on RESTART reform

Annual report, including on RESTART reform

10

MLSP

• Development of the concept/ToR of an automated information system for social services and support in setting up the public IT institution under the MMPS

Concept of the automated information system for social protection services

10

MER

• Development of a Concept Document for restructuring the school network

Concept Document for restructuring the school network

15

MER

• Development of an Action Plan for regionalizing the rayon education departments

Action Plan for regionalizing the rayon education departments

20

* Exact deadlines will be mutually agreed upon contract signature.

To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the individual consultant, under the guidance of UNICEF and MLSP and MER, will:

• Review and adjust as necessary the legal documents and work plan for the assignment, including the data collection, as per UNICEF, MLSP and MER recommendations.
• Conduct briefing and de-briefing meetings with UNICEF, including UNICEF consultants, the MLSP and MER, as well as other partners as required;
• Review and adjust if necessary, deliverables.

6. 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 so to achieve objectives of the consultancy, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to consultant’s performance and quality of work. Also, the consultant will work closely with UNICEF Early Childhood Development Officer (for Education reform), UNICEF Programme Officer (for RESTART reform) and UNICEF consultants (for EU Social Rights Pillar).

7. Work location and official travel involved

The work may 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.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• Advanced university degree (Masters or PhD) in law, social sciences, public policy or international development policy.
• A minimum of seven years of professional experience in social research, social policy or technical assistance related to public policy, Public Financial Management, budget analysis, fiscal reforms
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative analysis;
• Strong knowledge of current policy debates on Social Reforms carried out in Moldova;
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise policy documents;
• Previous experience in social policy is an asset;
• Demonstrated working experience with government officials, local authorities, and UN agencies;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in Romanian and a working knowledge of English are required. Knowledge of Russian would be an advantage.

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)

2023 TOR_Senior Expert to support MLSP & MER_VA.docx

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain the Technical Offer and Financial Offer (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_Senior Expert support MLSP & MER.docx

Financial Offer_Senior Expert support MLSP & MER.xlsx

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

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 visa (if applicable) and 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.

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Added 5 months ago - Updated 5 months ago - Source: unicef.org