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For every child, the right to educationย
Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova has established support systems to respond to the needs arising from the large influx of refugees. Moldovan authorities have taken important steps to prevent major disruptions in the education of Ukrainian refugee children and to ensure their access to appropriate educational programmes. These measures include the adoption of official decisions and special provisions in the education sector, the development of methodological guidelines, the delivery of capacity-building programmes, and the implementation of information and awareness-raising activities aimed at facilitating Ukrainian childrenโs access to local schools and kindergartens.
Despite the undertaken measures, only 3,510 Ukrainian children are currently enrolled in the Moldovan education system[1]. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugeesโ Participatory Assessment Report โUkraine Situation: Republic of Moldova, 2024[2]โ, while progress has been made in refugee enrolment, many families continue to prefer online education, primarily due to language barriers. Similarly, the Ministry of Education and Research (MER), in the adopted Roadmap for the Inclusion of Refugee Children in Moldovan Schools[3], identified language differences and curriculum discrepancies as the most common barriers preventing Ukrainian children from attending schools in Moldova. Roadmap underscores language support as a key area for intervention and a prerequisite for achieving full inclusion.
To respond to this urgent need, UNICEF supported the MER in developing a standardized Romanian Language Curriculum for Refugee and Repatriated Children, which was approved by the National Council for Curriculum on 20 October 2025. The curriculum introduces an innovative methodological approach aligned with current educational requirements for the linguistic, social, and cultural integration of children who are not proficient in Romanian.
To ensure effective implementation of the Romanian Language Curriculum for Refugee and Repatriated Children, UNICEF will contract individual consultancy services to develop the Guidelines and Toolkit to support educators in delivering the curriculum in a consistent and quality assured manner.
[1] Source: Ministry of Education and Research https://mec.gov.md/
[2] https://reliefweb.int/report/moldova/ukraine-situation-republic-moldova-participatory-assessment-report-2024
[3] https://mec.gov.md/sites/default/files/490-2025_mec_refugiati_foaie_de_parcurs_0.pdf
How can you make a difference?ย
1. Purpose of the assignment
The purpose of this individual consultancy is to develop practical resources โ Implementation Guidelines and a Toolkit, to support the effective application of the Romanian Language Curriculum for Refugee and Repatriated Children. These resources aim to bridge the gap between the curriculumโs theoretical framework and its practical application by providing a structured, user-friendly approach and actionable guidance for educators and other stakeholders.
The Implementation Guidelines and Toolkit will serve as a comprehensive roadmap, offering clear directions, practical tools, and adaptable templates to support the consistent delivery of the curriculum. By addressing the operational complexities of implementation, these resources will facilitate the translation of recommendations into practice and contribute to achieving quality, inclusive, and sustainable learning outcomes for the target groups.
2. Objectives of the consultancy
Design clear and structured Implementation Guidelines that provide educators, school managers, and relevant stakeholders with step-by-step guidance on planning, delivering, and monitoring the Romanian Language Curriculum in diverse educational settings. Develop a Practical Toolkit containing adaptable teaching tools, templates, sample lesson plans, assessment instruments, and practical examples that support the development of Romanian language competencies at levels A1, A2, and B1, in line with the CEFR. Ensure alignment with inclusive and learner centered approaches that address the specific needs of refugee and repatriated children, including those with interrupted schooling and diverse linguistic backgrounds. Promote consistency and quality in curriculum implementation across educational institutions by providing standardized resources that can be applied at national and subโnational levels and adapted to different learning contexts.3.ย Deliverables and delivery dates
Tasks
Deliverables
Tentative timeframe*
Inception and Analytical Review: Desk review of relevant national and international policies and practices Mapping the key lessons learned and methodological considerations relevant to the Moldovan context Preparation and submission of the Inception Report (8-12 pages), including: summary of findings from the review; proposed methodology and structure for the Implementation Guidelines and Practical Toolkit, detailed workplan and timeline for subsequent phases Inception Report approved by UNICEF and MER (in Romanian)Weeks 1-2
Development of the Implementation Guidelines: Drafting of comprehensive Implementation Guidelines aligned with the approved Romanian Language Curriculum, national education policies and international standards Development of step-by-step guidance on planning, delivery, monitoring, and learner progression Integration of inclusive, learner-centred, and culturally responsive pedagogical approaches Submission of draft Guidelines to UNICEF and MER for review and incorporation of feedback Draft version of the Implementation Guidelines (in Romanian)Weeks 3-6
Design and development of a Practical Toolkit with ready-to-use resources: Preparation of sample lesson plans, teaching and learning activities, and assessment tools aligned with CEFR levels A1, A2, and B1 Development of templates and practical examples supporting listening, reading, speaking, and writing competencies Submission of draft Toolkit to UNICEF and MER for review and incorporation of feedback Final version of the Practical Toolkit (in Romanian)Weeks 7-10
Quality Assurance and Finalization: Final quality check of all deliverables Harmonization of the Guidelines and Toolkit to ensure coherence and usability Preparation of final consolidated package of deliverables ready for dissemination, Create a PPT presentation, in English, on the main consultancy outcomes Final versions of the Implementation Guidelines and Practical Toolkit PPT presentation on the consultancy outcomesWeeks 11-12
4. Work location and official travel involved
The work will not require travel. In case the Consultant decides to visit and interview local schools, refugee families, etc., they are expected to cover costs, arrange, and schedule such visits, including transportation. The UNICEF office will facilitate introductions to key informants.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have
For every Child, you demonstrate
UNICEFโs 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
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with othersย
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
For more details on the consultancy assignment and requirements, please refer to attached Terms of reference (ToR):
ย 2026_ToR_Romanian Language_Guidelines and Toolkit_VA.pdf
HOW TO APPLY:ย Your online application should contain your Technical and Financial Offer (templates below):
ย Technical Offer_Romanian Language_Guidelines and Toolkit.docx
ย Financial Offer_Romanian Language_Guidelines and Toolkit.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.ย 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 aย wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks andย 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 | 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. 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:ย ย
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 suitableย candidates from targeted underrepresented groupsย are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally requiredย 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.ย
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 applicantsโ bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEFโs 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.