National Individual Consultant to Identify Legal Barriers for foreigners’ (non-citizen) children access to health care services in the Republic of Moldova

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, help

The escalation of hostilities in Ukraine has triggered Europe’s largest refugee crisis with millions of persons fleeing Ukraine having arrived in neighbouring countries. According to the latest estimates, since 24 February 2022, over 1,100,000 individuals have fled from Ukraine to the Republic of Moldova. Out of this total, approximately 124,000 refugees (which represents some 5 per cent of the population of Moldova) currently remain in the country, and more arrive each day (data as of end of November 2024). The refugee population is comprised mainly of women (59% including all age groups) and children (43%, out of them 52% boys and 48% girls), who mainly live in urban areas.

A significant development in this transition was the implementation of Temporary Protection (TP) status in March 2023, which provides refugees with a more secure and stable legal status, allowing them access to essential services within a formal institutional framework. About 64,000 refugees were granted the TP status only 26% being children (14% boys and 12% girls). Considering budget constraints, the Republic of Moldova’s Ministry of Health (MoH) and the National Health Insurance Company (NHIC) established the benefits package granted to Ukraine refugees with TP status, outlining specific medical services. In the early stage of implementation of the TP status, only Ukrainians with TP could access primary healthcare. Subsequent to the Commission on Exceptional Situations (CES) decisions, the NHIC was authorized to cover emergency and primary health care costs for displaced Ukrainians who pre-enrolled for TP and children regardless of their TP status.

Over the last months, the Government of the Republic of Moldova has been discussing with UNHCR and other international partners to draft a national inclusion plan for refugees and an integration plan for migrants and other foreigners. The inclusion plan will be linked to the National Development Plan, which outlines the priorities for various sectors such as education, health, and social services, among others, and the associated costs. This will be used to discuss financial and technical support with donors. The deliverables under this consultancy will contribute to the development and implementation of the roadmaps on Rule of Law consisting of Chapters 23 & 24 and for Public Administration Reform (PAR) in accordance with Negotiating Framework EU – Republic of Moldova.

How can you make a difference?

1. Purpose of the individual consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to identify legal barriers for foreigners’ (non-citizen) children to access the health care services in Moldova. The focus of the consultancy is to map the relevant national laws and bylaws that apply to foreigners’ (non-citizen) children to access the health care services, and to identify and analyze barriers, challenges, gaps, as well as good practices related to ensuring access for all. The consultancy will also aim to develop relevant recommendations regarding the application and interpretation of such laws and bylaws for the same purpose. It is expected that implementation of the recommendations will lead to ensure that refugees children will have guaranteed access to quality emergency prehospital, primary, specialized, and hospital healthcare, compensated medicines, and medical devices through the regular national mechanisms.

The development of the recommendations will be a participatory and inclusive process, considering the views of multiple stakeholders, and reflecting the specific needs and realities of the refugees in Moldova. This consultancy is planned to be conducted from January 2025 to May 2025.

2. Specific objectives of the individual consultancy

The National Consultant will provide technical assistance, supporting the UNICEF team and the Ministry of Health in the context of the Sectoral Working Plan “Phased integration of foreigners in the health system” as per the roadmap on Rule of Law, (as per Chapters 23 & 24 of the EU negotiations framework) and for Public Administration Reform, and particularly in the following:

Mapping of relevant legislation

In the process of mapping the relevant national legislation, the Consultant will carry out desk research to identify how international, regional obligations and EU accession engagements are reflected in the national legal framework.

Review and Analysis

• Legal and Policy Review: Comprehensive review of relevant national and EU legal documents, policies, studies, and best practices.
• Existing Frameworks: Evaluation of current child health services provision practices within the prehospital, primary, specialized, and hospital healthcare to identify gaps and areas for improvement.

Key informant Interviews

The Consultancy will include, as relevant, interviews with key informants (national stakeholders, experts, front-line workers) to gather more information and to understand, analyse and explore the national legal challenges which are examined by the research.

Key findings

Based on the evidence collected above, the Consultant will undertake a critical analysis of the application of the laws and bylaws in Moldova, resulting in the drafting of the key findings and recommendations on ensuring refugees children universal access to qualitative health services in Moldova. Clear definitions of key terminology referring to varied categories of foreigners.

Development of Recommendations and Advocacy work

Through the legal analysis described above and the ongoing national dialogue with authorities and key stakeholders, the Consultant will develop recommendations with a focus on addressing the identified gaps and challenges in the application of relevant national laws and bylaws and providing suggestions to improve foreigners’ (non-citizen) children universal access to qualitative health services in Moldova. These recommendations should, in turn, inform advocacy efforts and actions to be included in the phased integration mechanism for foreigners developed by the MoH and further followed up with adjustments and development of relevant bylaws.

Participation in a consultation meeting of the Ministry of Health Working Group to finalize the recommendations for the integration of foreigners’ (non-citizen) children in the national health system.

To present research findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders, including relevant UN agencies.

Development of the drafts of documents for revising/adjusting the legal and normative framework governing the provision of health care to foreigners’ children in the national health system. Preparation of supporting notes.

3. Details of how the work should be delivered

Under the direct supervision of the UNICEF Health Specialist, the consultant will perform relevant activities and deliver services for achieving the following outputs:

• Desk review of Legal and Policy framework and of relevant legal documents, policies, studies, and existing practices that apply to foreigners’ (non-citizen) children to access the health care services and identify and analyze challenges, gaps.
• Consultation process with stakeholders, including, focus groups, and interviews if needed.
• Drafting the initial Report on legal barriers for foreigners’ (non-citizen) children to access the health care services in Moldova.
• Participation in a consultation meeting to finalize the recommendations for the integration of refugee children in the national health system.
• Present research findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders, including relevant UN agencies, including the TWG Health Sectoral working group responsible for the implementation of the Phased integration mechanism of foreigners in the Republic of Moldova under the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Internal Affairs and other relevant public agencies.
• Review and Refinement of the Report based on stakeholder’s feedback.
• Developing of the drafts of documents for revising/adjusting the legal and normative framework (adjustments and/or development relevant law and bylaws). Preparation of supporting notes.

All activities and deliverables undertaken by the consultant shall be discussed and planned in consultation with UNICEF.

4. Deliverables and delivery dates

** Exact deadlines will be mutually agreed upon contract signature.

5. Reporting requirements

The consultant will report to UNICEF Health Specialist who will regularly communicate with the consultant and provide feedback and guidance on his/her performance and all other necessary support to achieve objectives of the consultancy, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to consultant’s performance and quality of work. Each product will be subject to UNICEF review before approval. The consultant is expected to deliver each component of the workplan electronically (in Word format).

6. Performance indicators for evaluation of results

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

• Completion of tasks specified in the ToR.
• Compliance with the established deadlines for submission of deliverables.
• Quality of work. Documents are clear, concise, easily understood, and ready to be applied.
• Demonstration of high standards of cooperation and communication with UNICEF and with counterparts.

7. Evaluation criteria for selection

The candidate is expected to reflect in the submission the qualifications, knowledge and experience related to the requirements listed above. Technical evaluation will be performed through a desk review of applications, evaluation of technical proposals, and if necessary, may be supplemented by an interview.

The total amount of points to be allocated for the price component is 30. The maximum number of points (30) will be allotted to the lowest price proposal of a technically qualified offer. Points for other offers will be calculated as Points (x) = (lowest offer/ offer x) * 30.

The selection process is aimed at selecting the applicant who obtains the highest cumulative score (technical evaluation + financial offer evaluation points) following “best value for money” principle.

8. Payment schedule

The payment will be made in 1 instalment/lumpsum, upon submission and acceptance of all deliverables stipulated in the table above. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

9. Work location and official travel involved

The consultancy will be performed remotely. The work will not require local travels.

10. Definition of supervision arrangements

The selected consultant will work under direct supervision and in close consultation with UNICEF Health Specialist. Fees will be rendered upon written approval by the UNICEF Supervisor, and contingent upon the quality and achievement of deliverables. 

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

• An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in Law, Human Rights or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of proved relevant working experience in the field in human and/or child rights and refugee rights.
• Analytical and report writing skills.
• Experience of working unsupervised, ability to work under pressure, prioritize work and use personal initiative.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the foreigners and refugee protection system in the Republic of Moldova would be a strong asset.
• Prior experience of working with UN Agencies and familiarity with UNICEF’s work and mandate, would be an asset.
• Fluency in Romanian, working knowledge of English.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

For more details on the consultancy assignment and requirements, please refer to attached Terms of reference (ToR)  

 2024_ToR_Nat Indiv Consultant_ILB F_VA.pdf

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_ILB F.docx

 Financial Offer_ILB F.xlsx

To view our competency framework, please visit here. 

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 jobs-near-me.org 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. 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 is 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.