Deadline extended: National Individual Consultant to support the MER in the review and development of the new National Curriculum documents for the section related to enabling learning environments and curriculum values

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, 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 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.

How can you make a difference? 

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the MER in the review and development of the new National Curriculum documents for the selected sections. The consultant will also conduct the public consultations and develop the reports on the results of public consultations.

1. Objectives of the consultancy

The national consultant will be responsible for achieving the following objectives:

1. Review the existing Reference Framework for National Curriculum (RFNC) to help address the forms of exclusion and to ensure full alignment with the education sector policies.
2. Preparation of a report with findings to address forms of exclusion and ensure direct links with policies in the Education Sector (Dimension – The Conceptual Framework and Its Completeness for the Disciplinary Curriculum: Specific Competencies and Competency Units) based on the proposed methodology.
3. Design recommendations and methodological tools for the new RFNC to ensure the uniform and justified distribution of instructional time (criteria and their justification).
4. Develop the section The purpose, document destination, justification for the need to develop a RFNC, and anticipated changes of the new RFNC.
5. Develop the section on the Values promoted by the school curriculum.
6. Develop the section Educational objectives. Development of the educational objectives section and establishment of benchmarks for learning outcome assessment standards of the RFNC.
7. Develop the section Implementation and monitoring of a new generation curriculum: Managerial Aspects. Professional training of teaching staff from the perspective of implementing and developing a new generation curriculum of the RFNC.
8. Develop the section Criteria and indicators for evaluating the delivered curriculum. Methodological tools and instructions for experts of the methodology for the evaluation of curriculum implementation.
9. Development of the section Quality criteria and indicators in curriculum development from the perspective of continuity. Methodological tools and instructions for experts of the methodology for curriculum development.
10. Design the Section Quality criteria and indicators in curriculum development for the subject.
11. Conduct national consultations of the drafts developed.

2. Details of how the work should be delivered

During the assignment, the consultant will be guided by the Concept of School Curriculum Development[1] developed by the MER. He/she will take into consideration the Government’s priorities related to the education sector priorities, including the Development Strategy Education 2030, the SDG targets, as well as the National Development Strategy “European Moldova 2030”.

The consultant will be part of a team of experts and will work under the guidance of a lead expert selected by UNICEF. He/she will also work in close collaboration with MER, including the General Department of Policies in the Field of General Education, National Agency for Curriculum and Evaluation (NACE) and UNICEF and ensure the reach out and engagement of broad audience during the assignment. In convening national consultations, provide support to MER in following the next three principles:

• Adopt a whole-of-government approach, ensuring multi-sectoral representation beyond education, to include health, social protection, food and nutrition, labour, environment, and connectivity.
• Include multiple constituencies to ensure meaningful engagement of the full set of education stakeholders. They could be the voices of students and youth organizations, teachers and teacher associations, girls and young women, civil society groups, parliamentarians, the private sector, development partners, education advocates, community and religious leaders, academia, research institutions and university networks.
• Focus on youth, with whom the transformation in education starts.

[1] https://mec.gov.md/sites/default/files/concept-26-aprilie-compressed_6630a85a97a2e.pdf

3. Deliverables and timelines

Tasks

Deliverable

Timeline*

Activity 1. Review the existing RFNC to help address the forms of exclusion, gender inequities and to ensure full alignment with the education sector policies

1. Elaboration of a report with findings to address forms of exclusion and ensure direct links with policies in the education sector (Dimension – the Conceptual Framework and Its Completeness for the Disciplinary Curriculum: Specific Competencies and Competency Units) based on the proposed methodology.

Report with pertinent findings on RNCF, including the ways to ensure consistency in curriculum approaches within and across subjects, time allocation within subjects, between subjects, and the establishment of specific competencies structure, etc.

5 days

1. Development of recommendations and methodological tools to address forms of exclusion and ensure direct links with policies in the educational sector (Dimension – the Conceptual Framework and its completeness for the disciplinary curriculum: specific competencies and competency units) based on the proposed methodology.

Recommendations and methodological tools for the new RFNC to ensure the uniform and justified distribution of instructional time (criteria and their justification)

4 days

1. Conduct public consultations of the draft report/study (preparing the agenda, identifying the target group).

• 1 round table x 0,5 day facilitated
• Report on the public consultations conducted with the identified target group

1 day 

Subtotal:

10 days, in November 2024

Activity 2. Develop a new gender responsive and inclusive RFNC

1. Analysis of how EU and OECD countries determine the weight of value formation activities within disciplinary curricula

Report on the results of data analysis based on the experiences of other countries (in Romanian)

2 days

1. Develop the section Values promoted by the school curriculum, Development of the set of values and specification of how they are formed across all school subjects. Determining the minimum proportion of formative activities per subject of the RFNC

Section on the values promoted by the school curriculum developed

4 days

1. Develop the section of the RFNC Purpose, document destination, justification for the need to develop a new national curriculum framework, and anticipated changes

Section of the RFNC Purpose, document destination, justification for the need to develop a new national curriculum framework, and anticipated developed

2 days

1. Develop the section Educational objectives. Development of the educational objectives section and establishment of benchmarks for learning outcome assessment standards

Section of the RFNC Educational objectives. Development of the educational objectives section and establishment of benchmarks for learning outcome assessment standards developed

4 days

1. Develop the section Implementation and Monitoring of a new generation curriculum: managerial aspects. Professional training of teaching staff from the perspective of implementing and developing a new generation curriculum

Section of the RFNC Implementation and monitoring of a new generation curriculum: managerial aspects. Professional training of teaching staff from the perspective of implementing and developing a new generation curriculum developed

3 days

1. Facilitate public consultations of the new RNCF – 1 Round Table (max. 125 participants).

• 1 Round Table (max. 125 participants)
• Report on the public consultations conducted with the identified target group.

1 days

Subtotal:

16 working days, during November – December 2024

Activity 3. Development of a robust Methodology for the Evaluation of Curriculum Implementation

1. Development of the section Criteria and indicators for evaluating the delivered curriculum. Methodological tools and instructions for experts.

The section Criteria and indicators for evaluating the delivered curriculum. Methodological tools and instructions for experts developed

2 days

1. Development of the Section Criteria and Indicators for Evaluating the Delivered Curriculum. Methodological Tools and Instructions for Experts

The section Criteria and Indicators for evaluating the delivered curriculum. Methodological tools and instructions for experts developed

7 days

1. Online Presentation of the draft to academia.

• Online presentation delivered
• Report on the results of the public consultation

1 days

Subtotal:

10 days in February – March 2025

Activity 4. Development of a robust Methodology for Curriculum Development

1. Development of the section Quality criteria and indicators in curriculum development from the perspective of continuity. Methodological tools and instructions for experts

The section Quality criteria and indicators in curriculum development from the perspective of continuity. Methodological tools and instructions for experts developed

2 days

1. Development of the section Quality Criteria and Indicators in curriculum development for the subject

The section Quality criteria and indicators in curriculum development for the subject developed

5 days

1. Online presentation of the draft to academia

• Online presentation delivered
• Report on the results of the public consultation

1 days

1. Develop the Final Report

• Final report presented to

MER and UNICEF

• Summary report (up to 6 pages) in English
• Summary of results in PPT in English

2 days

Subtotal:

10 working days, during May – June 2025

Total:

46 days

4. Definition of supervisory arrangements 

The consultant will work under the oversight of the Education Officer of UNICEF Moldova, in close coordination with the Education Specialist. 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 performed mainly remotely and will only require participation in meetings at MER, or other location within 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 education science/policy, social studies and/or another relevant field.
• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in the development of curricula for general education
• Proven experience in conducting broad national public policy consultations in the education sector.
• Proven experience in gender equality and inclusivity in education.
• 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 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_Nat Indiv Consultant_Values_Curriculum.docx

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_Values Curriculum.docx

Financial Offer_Values Curriculum.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 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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