Nat Indiv Consultant_Develop a Guide Implementing STEAM with Impact: A Replicable Model for Educational Institutions, conduct trainings and pilot a STEAM integration model in 10 model schools_Ecosystem & Stakeholder Engagement

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to 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.

National and sectoral education strategies emphasize competency-based learning, cross-curricular integration, innovation in teaching and learning, and strengthened teacher professional development. STEAM education plays a strategic role in the context of the initiated curriculum reform by shifting learning from content transmission to the development of competencies required for complex, real-world problem solving. By integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, STEAM supports deeper conceptual understanding, relevance of learning, and the application of knowledge across disciplines. Within the new curriculum framework, STEAM serves as a pedagogical and curricular bridge between subject-based learning and competency-based education.

In alignment with national education priorities and international commitments to strengthen future-ready competencies, this initiative seeks to develop and pilot a structured, scalable, and replicable model for integrated STEAM education. While elements of STEAM have been introduced across schools, implementation remains uneven and often limited to isolated activities, highlighting the need for a coherent framework that supports systemic adoption within the new curricula and institutional structures.

Based on the above, UNICEF Moldova is seeking the technical assistance of three national consultants to develop and pilot a replicable STEAM integration model.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Purpose of the assignment 

The general purpose of the assignment is to help schools build a future-focused learning environment where digital maturity and STEAM capability development are central to improving student outcomes and preparing learners for an evolving world. Digital technologies are increasingly leveraged not only to enhance learning efficiency, but to enable deeper inquiry, creativity, and innovation across the curriculum.

STEAM learning will be intentionally embedded through interdisciplinary approaches and will be empowered to investigate authentic challenges, generate and test ideas, use digital tools to create and prototype solutions, and reflect on their learning. Both the management and school staff will grow their capability through collaborative professional learning focused on high-impact digital and STEAM pedagogies, that will be conducted through two main activities:

• Develop a comprehensive guide for implementing a scalable and replicable STEAM integration model across the schools, accompanied by institutional self-assessment tools that enable schools to evaluate their readiness, identify gaps, and continuously improve STEAM adoption. The guide will outline practical frameworks of creating school level STEAM environment through innovative teaching methods, adopting cross-curricular topics, curriculum alignment strategies, educator capacity-building approaches, and assessment metrics to ensure effective, sustainable, and context-responsive STEAM integration.
• Provide support to ten model schools for piloting STEAM integration models

2. Objectives of the consultancy 

The following specific objectives are to be accomplished through the national consultancy (3 experts): 

• Assessment and identification of needs in ten model schools
• Assessment of management teams regarding their level of experience in STEAM education, innovative leadership and teaching methods, their understanding of cross-curricular education, the use of cross-curricular themes, collaboration between teachers, and institutional openness to integration whole school approaches.
• Develop the Guide Implementing STEAM with Impact: A Replicable Model for Educational Institutions
• Conduct trainings with the management teams on the whole school approach to adopting STEAM approaches, innovative teaching and learning methods, application of cross-curricular themes, the extent of collaboration among teachers, and the institution’s openness for curricular integration and innovation.
• Organize trainings for the teaching staff in ten model schools based on a methodology of training. The Methodology will clearly stipulate the content and delivery approaches for the management and teaching staff.
• Provide methodological support to ten model schools during the piloting phase

3. Details of how the work should be delivered

During the assignment, the consultants will be guided by the recently approved Reference Framework of the National Curriculum[1] developed by the MER and UNICEF. They 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”.

Selected experts will form a joint expert team, working in close coordination to develop the guide and collectively support schools during the piloting phase.

The strong emphasis on STEAM education will be based on structured, phased interventions based on the real needs of educational institutions; institutional coherence, through the ability to integrate cross-curricular education and by using the STEAM framework as a way of organizing learning, not as a separate discipline. The transfer from the individual practice of the teacher to the way the school functions as an integrated educational system will be reflected in transdisciplinary learning, supporting consistent and innovative STEAM-aligned pedagogies.

Expert 1 / Lead Expert will be responsible for designing the institutional STEAM architecture, clarifying the role of disciplines within integrated learning, and strengthening internal collaboration structures among educators and school leadership. 

Expert 2 will lead the development of school self-assessment tools and progress indicators, while establishing and strengthening institutional collaboration mechanisms and leadership practices to support the implementation of the new integrated curriculum and cross-curricular STEAM education.

Expert 3 will guide the development of the school as an ecosystem, integrating projects, events, and community engagement, while clarifying roles and responsibilities for teachers, coordinators, and students to support effective implementation of the integrated curriculum (Consultant under present TOR).

The experts will work in close collaboration with MER, including the General Department of Policies in the Field of General Education, and UNICEF Education Officer and Education Specialist. The concept of the guide, methodology of trainings and the schedule shall be approved by MER and UNICEF.  

The work will be delivered by completion of the following main stages: 

1. Assessment and identification of needs in ten model schools
2. Assessment of management teams regarding strategic and organizational leadership capabilities, level of experience in innovative teaching methods, understanding of cross-curricular themes, collaboration between teachers, and institutional openness to integration
3. Develop the Guide Implementing STEAM with Impact: A Replicable Model for Educational Institutions
4. Capacity building of the management staff
5. Conduct trainings in ten model schools on the application of the Guide Implementing STEAM with Impact: A Replicable Model for Educational Institutions
6. Methodological Support for Pilot Schools

---

4. Reporting requirements 

The consultant will report to the UNICEF Education Officer, who will regularly communicate with the consultant and provide feedback and guidance on the performance and all other necessary support so to achieve objectives of the consultancy, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to the performance and quality of work.

5. Work location and official travel involved

The work will mainly be performed remotely and will require participating in online meetings with MER and UNICEF, and travel to other locations throughout the country.

The UNICEF office will facilitate introductions to key informants.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

Minimum requirements:

• Advanced academic degree in education science/policy, curriculum and instruction, education technology.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the development of curricula, curricula products for general education.
• Proven expertise in innovative teaching methodologies, including project-based learning, inquiry-based learning, design thinking, and interdisciplinary curriculum design.
• 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 Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

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

 2026_TOR_Nat Indiv Consultancy_STEAM Model Schools_Ecosystem & Stakeholder Engagement.docx

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain your Technical and Financial Offer (templates below):

 Technical Offer_STEAM Model Schools_Ecosystem & Stakeholder Engagement.docx

 Financial Offer_STEAM Model Schools_Ecosystem & Stakeholder Engagement.xlsx

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from targeted underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.