Nat. Indiv. Consultant to support conducting the Final Evaluation of the EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Programme, aimed to improve access to quality child and adolescents’ friendly social services.

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, results

From 2019 to 2024, Moldova experienced significant socio-economic changes, influenced by both internal reforms and external challenges. Moldova’s economy showed signs of recovery, particularly in 2024, with a 2.2% growth in the first half of the year. This recovery was driven by rebounds in domestic trade, manufacturing, and the energy sector. Despite economic growth, poverty remains a significant issue, especially in rural areas. Low labour force participation and employment rates continue to impede poverty reduction efforts. Moldova’s progress towards EU accession has driven structural reforms aimed at improving governance, reducing regulatory burdens, and enhancing competitiveness.The socio-economic situation in the Cahul and Ungheni regions has seen significant improvements from 2019 to 2024, largely due to the EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Programme (hereafter the Programme), that has played a crucial role in driving socio-economic development in targeted regions, making them more prosperous and sustainable. The Programme is based on the European Commission Decision on the Implementation of the 2018 Annual Action Programme for the Republic of Moldova and is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme. The purpose of the five-year Programme lies in strengthening the economic, territorial and social cohesion in the Republic of Moldova by facilitating smart, green, inclusive, sustainable and integrated socio-economic local development and improving the living standards of citizens in the focal regions: Cahul and Ungheni. To achieve this major goal, the Programme aims to address the urban-rural gap and regional disparities, stimulate economic growth, create jobs for men, women and young people in the focal regions and improve the attractiveness of the focal regions (small towns and villages) taking into account climate change and gender perspectives in Programme’s activities.

How can you make a difference? 

The consultancy aims to support the Programme in achieving its objectives as outlined below.

Specific objectives:

1. To strengthen transparency, accountability of local public authorities and citizen participation in local governance processes in the focal regions;
2. To improve citizens’ access to quality public services and utilities in the focal regions;
3. To create employment opportunities for men and women in the focal regions and improve the attractiveness of the focal regions for investors and entrepreneurs;
4. To promote the smart specialization of the economy of the focal regions through the development of the clustering and value chain approach

The Programme was implemented through the following components:

Component 1: Transparency, accountability of local public authorities and citizen participation in local planning and governance

Component 2: Improved access to, and quality of local public services and utilities

Component 3: Employment opportunities through favourable conditions for attraction of investment, job creation and entrepreneurship

Component 4: Smart economic specialization through the clustering and value chain approaches

The Programme is implemented jointly by UNDP and UNICEF. UNDP is the Implementing Partner of this programme and is responsible for producing outputs and use of resources. UNICEF is contributing to the implementation of Component 2, Activity 2.2, Action 2.2.3 (see in Annex), focused on improving the access to, and quality of local public services and utilities. Interventions under this result seek an improved access to quality child and adolescents’ friendly social services within a child friendly modern social infrastructure and delivered by a well-trained social workforce. The main counterparts of this Programme  are the local stakeholders including representatives of the local public authorities, civil society organizations and the private sector, Regional Development Agencies, Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova, the State Chancellery, Organization for Entrepreneurship Development. More details on socio-economic development of Cahul and Ungheni regions and the Programme implementation at local level are available on https://eu4cahul.md and https://eu4ungheni.md. The purpose of the final evaluation is to provide a comprehensive and objective assessment of the EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Programme, covering its entire implementation period from November 2019 to November 2024. This evaluation is being conducted to ensure accountability, assess achievements, and extract valuable lessons for future programming. The evaluation comes at a critical juncture as the Programme is nearing completion, providing an opportunity to reflect on its overall success and challenges. Given the Programme’s objectives of addressing regional disparities, promoting inclusive socio-economic development, and enhancing public services, the evaluation will assess to what extent these objectives have been achieved. The final findings will be presented to local governments, central authorities, UNDP, UNICEF, and the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.

The objective of evaluation is to assess the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and impact of the Programme, as per the OECD DAC Evaluation Criteria. The evaluation will include review of the programme design, and assumptions made at the beginning of the programme development process. It will assess whether the programme results were on track; capacities built, and cross cutting issues of gender and human/child rights, disability and green development have been addressed.

Evaluation Team composition: a Team Leader (international consultant) who will collaborate closely with two national consultants (hired by UNDP and UNICEF), ensuring comprehensive evaluation coverage across both regions (more details outlined under respective section).The National Consultant (hired by UNICEF) will support the Team Leader by conducting specific evaluation tasks and providing expertise and knowledge of social services (education, health, inclusion, social protection, adolescents participation, culture and sports), focusing on UNICEF component.

Specifically, the National Consultant hired by UNICEF will perform the following tasks:

• Collection of background materials upon request by Evaluation Team Leader
• Provision of relevant inputs in developing methodology, work plan and Evaluation report outlines upon request by Evaluation Team Leader;
• Assist to the Evaluation Team Leader in desk review of materials;
• Assist the International Consultant in developing the mission agenda and establishing meeting with relevant stakeholders;
• Participation in debriefings with UNDP/UNICEF representatives;
• Arranging field visits and assisting the Evaluation Team Leader in interviewing local stakeholders at project sites, provision of interpretation in communication with beneficiaries when required;
• Assist the Evaluation Team Leader in elaboration of a summary matrix of the project implementation key findings based on interviews and site visits performed;
• Participate in briefings with UNDP/UNICEF representatives;
• Assist the Evaluation Team Leader in developing the first draft of the Evaluation report;
• Assist the Evaluation Team Leader in finalization of the Final Evaluation Report through incorporating suggestions received.

UNICEF expects the local consultant to contribute to the evaluation process and products described below, particularly focusing on UNICEF component:

• Evaluation inception report (10-15 pages). The inception report will include the evaluation methodology, work plan, ad evaluation matrix. It will be produced after a desk review and preliminary discussions with UNDP and UNICEF and before any formal evaluation activities begin.
• Evaluation debriefings. A summary of key findings will be presented to UNDP and UNICEF Immediately following the site visits and interviews.
• Draft evaluation report (40 – 60 pages of narrative analysis, including executive summary is suggested) Evaluation report will be accompanied by Annexes).
• Evaluation report review (audit) trail. The Programme unit and key stakeholders in the evaluation should review the draft evaluation report and provide an amalgamated set of comments to the evaluator within an agreed period of time, as outlined in these guidelines. Comments and changes by the evaluator in response to the draft report should be retained by the evaluator to show how they have addressed comments.
• Final Evaluation report
• Presentations to stakeholders and/ or evaluation reference group (if required).
• Evaluation brief and other knowledge products or participation in knowledge-sharing events, if relevant to maximize use.

Tasks for the National Consultant	Deliverable	Indicative timeline*
Background materials collected and analyzed.	Evaluation outline	8 working days by mid-January 2025
Provide inputs to methodology and work plan	Inception Report (as per template in Annexes)	2 working days by end January 2025
Organize Field visits and meetings with relevant parties to collect information	Summary key findings presented to UNDP and UNICEF	13 working days by beginning of February 2025
Provide input to the first draft evaluation report	Draft evaluation report (as per template in Annexes)	10 working days by beginning of March 2025
Provide input to the presentation of the evaluation report (findings, conclusions, recommendations)	Online presentation	2 working days by mid-March 2025
Inputs to the final evaluation report	Final evaluation report. Relevant knowledge products	5 working days by the end of March 2025
Total estimated number of working days – 40, between December 2024-March 2025

*Exact deadlines will be mutually agreed upon contract signature.

Language requirements: All documentation related to the assignment shall be in English

The Consultant will ensure that the process is in line with the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Ethical Guidelines. The Consultant should be sensitive to beliefs, manners and customs and act with integrity and honesty while interacting with stakeholders and beneficiaries. Furthermore, the Consultant should protect the anonymity and confidentiality of individual information. All participants should be informed about the context and purpose of the Assessment, as well as about the confidentiality of the information shared. The Consultant is allowed to use documents and information provided only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.

Definition of supervisory arrangements 

The National Consultant will act as an Evaluation Team member and will work under direct supervision of UNICEF M&E Specialist and oversight of UNICEF Education Officer (UNICEF Project Manager) and under the leadership and guidance of Evaluation Team Leader / International consultant.

Payments will be rendered upon successful completion of each task, as per the schedule outlined above.

Work Location and Official Travel Involved

The work will be home-based, with at least 2 trips to the regions of Moldova – Cahul and Ungheni, in order to conduct field visits and collect information.  The consultant is expected to cover costs, arrange and schedule such visits, including transportation. UNICEF and UNDP offices will facilitate introductions to key informants.

The travel costs including expenses related to site visits, meetings with implementers, partners, and key stakeholders (local transportation), should be indicated separately in the financial proposal.

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

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Public Administration, Regional Development Social Studies and/or other relevant fields; Master’s degree is an advantage;
• At least 5 years of professional experience in areas relevant to this assignment (local development, social services focusing on children/ families and adolescents/ youth – education, health, inclusion, social protection, adolescents’ participation, culture and sports etc.;
• Experience in contributing to the evaluation of projects related to development of social services for children and youth, as outlined above;
• Experience working with local stakeholders, including public authorities and civil society organizations, particularly in field coordination and logistical support for evaluation activities;
• Proven knowledge of results-based management approaches (especially results-oriented monitoring and evaluation).
• Fluency in Romanian and strong spoken and writing skills in English. Knowledge of Russian is 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)

 ToR_EU4Moldova Final Evaluation_National Consultant_UNICEF_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_EU4Moldova Final Evaluation_National Consultant_UNICEF.docx

 Financial Offer_EU4Moldova Final Evaluation_National Consultant_UNICEF.xlsx

Content of technical proposal

• Motivation Letter, explaining why the consultant is the most suitable for the work, including previous relevant experience (please provide brief information on each of the above qualifications, item by item, including information, links/copies of documents that prove participation in similar assignments).
• Proposed approach and methodology (max 1500 words)
• Curriculum Vitae including records on past experience in similar projects/assignments and concrete outputs obtained.

Content of financial proposal

The applicant should fill in the Financial Offer and specify daily fees to complete the tasks/deliverables described in the ToR in MDL. Other expenses directly related to the ToR assignments and deliverables such as travel costs (including expenses related to site visits, meetings with implementers, partners, and key stakeholders, local transportation) and others, should be indicated separately in the financial proposal, unless specified that UNICEF will cover them separately.  

Other considerations

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. 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 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.