International Individual Consultancy for providing high-level advisory support to Government Ministries on EU integration process
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, opportunity
Moldova has made progress in promoting inclusive growth since the early 2000s. Moldovan political commitments have deepened the path toward European integration. In 2022, Moldova received candidate status for integration with the European Union and, in June 2024, started negotiations with the EU. However, many reforms have yet to be further developed and implemented in line with EU good practices and standards to support accession to the European Union. In the context of these dynamics, the role of line ministries (Education, Labour and Social Protection, and Health) is crucial. Advisory support is needed to assist Government in complex integration and consultation processes but also help them to navigate through EU institutions, practices, and child-related policies.
UNICEF conducted a comparative analysis of the European Social Rights Pillar, which revealed Moldova’s significant progress in achieving greater coverage and child-sensitive policies. Moldova set out concrete initiatives to assess and align national standards in line with EU negotiating chapters (e.g., chapters 19, 26, 28) on Social Rights.
In a proactive move to align with EU standards and good practices, the line ministries requested UNICEF's high-level advisory support on EU integration. This support, which builds on previous initiatives and complements current technical assistance, will facilitate the alignment of national standards and practices with EU principles. The outcomes of this technical assistance are expected to provide a clear vision for the next steps in EU integration for Moldova, particularly line with the 20 principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights and EU negotiating chapters (e.g., chapters 19, 26, 28), towards a fair, inclusive, and opportunity-rich society.
How can you make a difference?
1. Purpose of the technical assistance
The overall objective of the technical assistance is to support the UNICEF and the government, particularly the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) and the Ministry of Education and Research (MER), in implementing their reforms agenda and, in particular, to assist the ministries in developing the capacities required for EU integration, including the deep and child-sensitive policies.
2. Objectives of the technical assistance
The consultant will advise on good EU practices and knowledge sharing, support policymaking strategic planning, strengthen capacities, and enhance stakeholders’ knowledge and awareness of EU policies, legislation, and regulations. Specific advice will be given to ensure the political and institutional feasibility of the reforms and their effective implementation. The specific objectives are as follows:
- Support in chapter negotiation and identifying key gaps between Moldova policies and EU. Dedicated support to the government by working with MLSP and MER to guide the implementation of the EU Social Rights Pillar Policy Brief recommendations and EU negotiating chapters. Also, support the alignment of national reforms with the best practices of the EU in social policy matters that aim to strengthen the national system and transpose good practices that address multidimensional vulnerability and poverty among families with children.
- Content and substance support include contributing to drafting reports and elaborating national policies that align with EU practices, identifying key issues and areas for improvement, and proposing visions and measures to ensure the effective implementation of social policies with a child-sensitive lens.
- Advocacy and coordination support. Guide in expanding the network with EU institutions, including accessing the EU funding mechanisms on implementation. This will involve identifying key EU institutions and contacts, establishing and maintaining relationships with them, and facilitating the process of accessing EU funding to implement social policy initiatives. And
- Provide technical advisory support to UNICEF management and sector-specific sections, including guiding the development of the European Child Guarantee in Moldova.
3. Deliverables and timelines
Tasks
Deliverables
Timeline*
Develop a methodology approach, scope of technical assistance
Inception report with methodology (3-4 pages)
5 working days
Provide advisory support to UNICEF management and sections and have online consultation meetings
At least 7 consultations organized
- Contribute to development of an EU child guarantee framework
5 working days
- Provide advisory support to Ministry of Education and Research
Organize regular online meetings to advise Ministry’s management
Contribute to development of strategic vision on EU integration for MER.
- At least 10 online consultations organized
15 working days
Organize regular online meetings to advise UNICEF management and sector specific sections
At least 15 consultations organized
5 working days
- Provide advisory support to Ministry of Labour and Social Protection
Organize regular online meetings to advise Ministry’s management
Contribute to development of strategic vision on EU integration for MLSP.
- At least 25 consultations organized
35 working days
4. Definition of supervisory arrangements
The specialist 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 above.
5. Work location and official travel involved
The work will be done remotely and requires several missions to Chisinau to meet with the national stakeholders. If needed, meetings will be organized online, and 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.
- Eight years of professional experience in policy-making or technical assistance related to social policy and inclusion.
- Experience in qualitative data analysis.
- Strong knowledge of EU standards and practices.
- Previous experience in EU government, EU commissions, national government institutions from EU countries on social policy is a strong asset.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required, knowledge of Romanian would be a strong 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)
2024 TOR_International Indiv Consultant_EU High-Level Adviser_VA.docx
HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain the Financial Offer (template below). Please secure the Financial Proposal *.pdf document with a password on document view; the password will be requested only from technically qualified candidates.
Financial Offer_EU High-Level Adviser.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 (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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Source:
unicef.org
