National Individual Consultant to support the development of the Second Implementation Programme of the Youth Sector Development Strategy for the period 2027-2030 Individual Consultant Long-term contract National Position

National Individual Consultant to support the development of the Second Implementation Programme of the Youth Sector Development Strategy for the period 2027-2030

Job no: 592780

Contract type: Consultant

Duty Station: Chisinau

Level: Consultancy

Location: Republic of Moldova

Categories: Adolescent Development

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.

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

For every child, the right to participation 

Recognizing the importance of investing in youth development, the Government of the Republic of Moldova adopted the Youth Sector Development Strategy “Youth 2030” (Government Decision No. 168 of 29 March 2023), which serves as the main national framework guiding the development of the youth sector. The Strategy promotes a holistic, ecosystem-based approach, emphasizing coordinated action among public authorities, youth organizations and development partners, with a focus on strengthening youth participation in decision-making, expanding access to youth services and programmes, promoting innovation and civic engagement, and ensuring inclusion of vulnerable groups.

At the midpoint of its implementation, a mid-term evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Education and Research assessed progress achieved and identified key challenges affecting implementation, alongside recommendations to enhance the effectiveness and impact of youth policies. In light of these findings and the evolving policy context, the Government is initiating the development of the Programme for the next phase of implementation of the Youth Strategy 2030, which will operationalize its priorities through clearly defined actions, implementation mechanisms and institutional responsibilities for the upcoming period.

How can you make a difference?  

1. Purpose of assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the Ministry of Education and Research (MER) in the development of the Programme for the next phase of implementation of the Youth Strategy 2030, building on the findings and recommendations of the mid-term evaluation of the Strategy and responding to the evolving needs of young people in the Republic of Moldova.

The consultancy will support the development of a comprehensive, coherent and evidence-based programme, translating the strategic priorities of the Youth Strategy 2030 into a structured framework for the upcoming implementation period. The programme will serve as a roadmap for implementation, defining priority actions, implementation mechanisms, institutional responsibilities and monitoring indicators to strengthen the effectiveness, coordination and impact of youth policies and programmes.

The consultant will work in close coordination with the Ministry of Education and Research and the inter-institutional working group and will lead the development and drafting of the programme document, ensuring that it reflects the findings of the mid-term evaluation and integrates feedback resulting from consultations and policy discussions coordinated by the Ministry. The consultancy will also ensure that the programme is developed in line with national public policy development requirements and contributes to strengthening alignment with national priorities and the broader context of the Republic of Moldova’s EU accession process.

2. Scope of work

The consultant will provide technical assistance to MER in the development of the Programme for the next phase of implementation of the Youth Strategy 2030, ensuring continuity in the implementation of the Strategy and reflecting the findings and recommendations of the mid-term evaluation.

The assignment will be implemented in close coordination with MER and the inter-institutional working group established for this purpose and will follow a structured process of analysis, drafting and validation.

The work will be delivered through the consecutive completion of the following stages:

I. Development of workplan and methodology

Develop a detailed workplan outlining the main stages, tasks and timeline for the assignment;

Define the methodology, approach and structure for the development of the programme document;

Clarify roles and coordination mechanisms with MER and the inter-institutional working group.

II. Desk review and analytical assessment

Review relevant policy documents, strategies, evaluations (including the mid-term evaluation of the Youth Strategy 2030), analytical studies, reports and statistical data related to the youth sector;

Identify key gaps, challenges and areas for intervention for the next phase of implementation;

Systematize and synthesize key findings to inform the programme development process.

III. Development and drafting of the programme

Define priority intervention and strategic directions aligned with national priorities and relevant policy frameworks;

Develop the structure of the programme document in coordination with MER;

Draft the programme document, including priority actions, implementation mechanisms, institutional responsibilities and monitoring indicators.

IV. Validation and refinement of the programme

Participate in meetings of the inter-institutional working group and present draft versions of the programme;

Revise and refine the programme based on feedback received from consultations and the policy review process coordinated by MER;

Ensure coherence, clarity and alignment of the programme with national policy requirements.

V. Finalization and submission

Finalize and submit the programme document in a format ready for official approval;

Support MER in reviewing comments received during the inter-institutional consultation and approval process and adjust the document accordingly, as required.

The programme will be developed in accordance with the provisions of Government Decision No. 386 of 17 June 2020 on planning, elaboration, approval, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of public policy documents.

The estimation of costs for implementation measures and the organization of consultations with stakeholders are outside the scope of this consultancy. Consultations will be organized and coordinated by MER, while the consultant will support the integration of feedback received through these processes into the programme document.

3. Deliverables 

Work Assignments Overview

Deliverables/Outputs

Development of workplan and methodology

Inception Report including:

detailed methodology and approach

structure of the programme document

workplan and timeline

Development and drafting of the programme

First draft of the Programme for the next phase of implementation of the Youth Strategy 2030, including:

priority actions

implementation mechanisms

institutional responsibilities

monitoring indicators

Revision and refinement of the programme

Revised draft of the Programme reflecting:

feedback from working group

inputs from consultations coordinated by MER  alignment with policy requirements

Finalization and submission of the programme

Final Programme document, ready for submission for approval by MER

Revision and refinement of the programme

Revised draft of the Programme reflecting:

feedback from working group

inputs from consultations coordinated by MER  alignment with policy requirements

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

Master’s degree in Public policy, public administration, social sciences, political science, education, economics or related fields

Minimum 5 years of professional experience in policy research, policy development, strategic planning or consultancy services related to youth, education or social development.

Demonstrated experience in developing public policy documents, such as national strategies, action plans, programmes or policy frameworks for government institutions or international organizations.

Relevant experience working with government institutions or inter-institutional working groups will be considered an asset.

Relevant previous experience with UNICEF, UN agencies or international organizations will be considered an asset.

Excellent Romanian language skills (written and spoken). Knowledge of English is an asset.

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_Youth Programme Strategy Implementation_VA.docx

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain your Financial Offer (template below):

  Financial Offer_Youth Programme Strategy Implementation.docx

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 results

Advertised: 30 Apr 2026 GTB Daylight Time
Deadline: 10 May 2026 GTB Daylight Time

Tagged as: Consultant, Education, Evaluation, Research, Strategy, Youth

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