National Individual Consultancy to provide technical support to NBS and MER in revision of classification of national educational programmes, in line with ISCED 2011

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 structure of education systems varies widely between countries. UNESCO’s International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) is the reference classification for organising education programmes and related qualifications by education levels and fields. The ISCED classification was initially developed by UNESCO in the mid-1970s and was first subsequently revised in 1997, 2009 and 2011. The revised ISCED 2011 classification was adopted by the UNESCO General Conference at its 36th session in November 2011 and has been implemented in all EU data collections since 2014. The first edition of the national Classification of Educational Programmes has been elaborated in 2006 (MoldCED 2006) in line with ISCED 1997 and approved by the NBS and the MER to serve as an instrument suitable for assembling, compiling and presenting comparable indicators and education statistics both on the national and the international level. The MoldCED 2006 is based on the concepts and definitions of ISCED 1997, taking into consideration the Law on Education No. 547-XIII from 21 July 1995 and its later amendments. 

The current assignment will help the NBS and the MER to address of the recommendations of the Global Evaluation Report of the National Statistical System of the Republic of Moldova (2019), and the Sectoral Evaluation Report of Education Statistics of the Republic of Moldova (2021), conducted by Eurostat, to align the national educational classification system with ISCED 2011. The latest concluded that the education statistics in the Republic of Moldova partly comply with EU and other international standards. The main difficulty lies with the administrative data produced by the MER on Technical Vocation Education (based on the National Code of Education) that do not fully comply with the NBS classification (based on ISCED 2011) in what regards specifically the post-secondary non-tertiary education (ISCED 2011, level 4) and tertiary education levels (ISCED 2011, levels 5-7). Amendments to the Code of Education would be required to ensure compliance with ISCED 2011.

Based on the above, UNICEF is seeking for technical expertise to support the NBS and the MER in revision of the national educational programmes in line with the latest international standards to compile, generalize and present comparative statistical data and indicators, both nationally and internationally (revision of the MoldCED 2006 in line with ISCED 2011 is a part of the NBS Action Plan for 2024, Activity 117). Amendments to the Code of Education will be proposed to comply with international definitions related to educational levels. The importance 3 of this activity derives from the need to adapt the statistical infrastructure to international and EU standards in statistics, in the part related to the development of statistical classifications. 

How can you make a difference? 

The purpose of the technical assistance:

The consultant will provide technical expertise in revision of the classification of the national educational programmes, as specified in the Code of Education (no.152/2014, art.12), in line with the ISCED 2011. Collaboration with the MER and the NBS will be ensured throughout the process and the following tasks will be conducted:

• detailed analysis of classification and description of the content of the educational programmes in the Republic of Moldova as specified in the Code of Education.
• comparative analysis of national educational programmes and the latest classification of the educational levels and programmes as per ISCED 2011 to identify discrepancies, if any.
• mapping of classification of national educational programmes in line with ISCED 2011 and development of proposals to adjust classification of the national educational program to be compliant with ISCED 2011.
• elaboration of the new version of classification of national educational programmes according to ISCED 2011, considering MoldCED and proposed amendments to the Code of Education.

All the tasks will be implemented in close collaboration with the NBS and the MER, whose staff will guide expert’s activity and endorse all deliverables provided by the consultant. Throughout the process, consultative meetings will be organized by the consultant and key deliverables as specified below.

Deliverables and timelines:

Tasks

Deliverables

Timeline*

• Desk review of classifications, reports, recommendations etc. and develop detailed workplan and timeline (including kick off meeting with the NBS, the MER and UNICEF to agree on the process)
• Assessment schedule and workplan, kick off meeting documentation (in Romanian)

2 days

• Conduct a comparative analysis of classification and description of the current educational programmes and their compliance with ISCED 2011 (desk review and collaboration with the MER and the NBS)
• Short analytical brief to outline the results of comparison of national educational levels/ programmes and ISCED 2011, including proposed amendments to the Code of Education (validated with the MER and the NBS) in Romanian

14 days

• Elaboration of the new version of the classification of national educational programmes in compliance with ISCED 2011, considering MoldCED and proposed amendments to the Code of Education (including coordination meetings with the NBS and the MER, addressing comments and follow up)
• Draft version of new classification of national educational programmes, according to ISCED 2011, that will include purpose, coverage and definitions, concept of educational programmes and the structure of the national educational system by levels, specification of educational levels, covering ISCED level 0 – ISCED level 8 (validated with the NBS and the MER) in Romanian

15 days

• Finalisation of new classification of national educational programmes, according to ISCED 11, addressing comments and suggestions from the NBS and the MER
• Final version of new classification of national educational programmes, according to ISCED 2011 (in Romanian)

3 days

• Document the assessment by compiling and arranging all deliverables to closure the contract
• Documentation of the assessment

1 day

Monitoring of the assessment will be ensured by reporting on progress for each deliverable via email. Regular meetings will be organized by consultant with the NBS, the MER and the UNICEF (at least three – kick off meeting, initial presentation of the results of the analysis and final validation meeting)

Payments will be rendered upon successful completion of each task and submitted deliverables as outlined above.

Definition of supervisory arrangements:

The Consultant will work under direct supervision of the UNICEF Moldova Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist and in close collaboration with the Education Specialist. UNICEF will regularly communicate with the Consultant and provide feedback on deliverables performance and all other necessary support to achieve objectives of the assignment, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to the Consultant performance and the quality of work.

All the activities and deliverables undertaken by the Consultant shall be discussed and planned in consultation with UNICEF. Throughout the assignment, necessary guidance will be provided by UNICEF and the NBS – the key stakeholder who will provide all necessary data and clarifications and facilitate liaison with the MER etc.

All products will be subject to UNICEF and the NBS review before approval. All deliverables will be presented in Romanian to ensure proper consultation process with the NBS and the MER.

All deliverables need to be submitted in electronic format (Word, Excel, Visual etc.)

Work location and official travel involved:

No in-country travel is envisaged.

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

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in educational sciences, administrative sciences, law. 

Knowledge / Experience:

• Minimum five years of progressively responsible professional experience in education domain.
• Analytical capacity and proven experience in analysis of national and international normative acts, as well as alignment with EU standards.
• Knowledge of international standards (UNESCO, EU).
• Relevant experience in working with international organizations (working with UNICEF/other UN Agencies highly preferred).

Skills:

• Strong writing and communication skills especially in team environments, highly preferred.
• Ability to work independently with confidence and self-motivation, necessary. 
• Highly organized and proactive with timely production of materials, necessary.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in Romanian and working knowledge of English.

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 Education Statistic_ ISCED_VA.pdf

HOW TO APPLY: 

Your online application should contain:

• Completed profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system, with copy of academic credentials 
• Cover letter including summary of relevant experience with similar type of assignments 
• Curriculum Vitae
• Technical proposal (template below) that will include:

(i) proposed approach and methodology;

(ii) estimated timeline and milestones;

(iii) potential risks and mitigation measures and

(iv) reference to related work previously conducted by the consultant.

• Financial proposal (in MDL), that will include the daily fee to undertake the deliverables listed in the ToR (template below).
• Indication of candidate’s availability to undertake the assignment.

Financial Offer_Consultancy_Education Statistic ISCED.xlsx

Technical Offer_Consultancy_Education Statistic_ ISCED.docx

Please secure the Financial Proposal *.pdf document with a password on document view; the password will be requested only from technically qualified candidates. 

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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