National Consultant for Employment Programmes Assessment

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues. The organization operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men in all areas of life. UN Women works with national partners, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, to implement international and national commitments to women's rights and gender equality. In Moldova, UN Women is guided by its Country Strategic Note for 2023-2027, which aligns with the UN-Moldova Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The organization focuses on four impact areas: Governance & Participation in Public Life, Economic Empowerment & Resilience, Ending Violence against Women & Girls, and Peace & security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security, Humanitarian Action & Disaster Risk Reduction. UN Women collaborates with various national and international partners to address gender disparities and promote women's economic empowerment, particularly in vulnerable communities.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant for Employment Programmes Assessment will play a crucial role in evaluating existing active employment programmes and labour market placement measures implemented by Territorial Employment Offices (TEOs) in Moldova. The consultant will assess the effectiveness of these programmes in addressing gender-specific barriers and meeting the needs of diverse groups of women, including those from vulnerable backgrounds such as NEET women, women with disabilities, women with children, elderly women, and Roma women. The consultant's work will involve mapping existing programmes, analyzing their design and delivery from a gender perspective, and identifying barriers that hinder women's access to these programmes. The ultimate goal is to generate actionable recommendations to enhance the gender-responsiveness and inclusiveness of employment services, thereby improving access and outcomes for women in the labour market. This position requires a deep understanding of gender dynamics, women's economic participation, and the specific challenges faced by vulnerable groups in employment contexts. The consultant will work closely with UN Women, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, and other stakeholders to ensure that the assessment is comprehensive and reflective of the needs of the target populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a range of tasks, including:

• Mapping existing active employment and labour market programmes offered through the eight targeted TEOs, including job placement services, vocational training, internships, and entrepreneurship support.
• Analyzing programme eligibility criteria, outreach methods, and delivery modalities from a gender equality perspective.
• Assessing whether programmes effectively address the specific needs of vulnerable groups, such as NEET women, women with disabilities, and women with children.
• Identifying barriers that hinder women's access to and participation in employment programmes.
• Developing evidence-based recommendations to improve the gender-responsiveness and inclusiveness of active employment measures.
• Conducting stakeholder consultations through interviews and focus groups to gather qualitative insights on programme effectiveness.
• Finalizing the Programmes Review Report based on stakeholder feedback, highlighting good practices and scalable approaches. The consultant will also be expected to deliver reports and timesheets in English and, if necessary, in Romanian, ensuring that all technical deliverables are developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master's degree or equivalent in law, political and economic sciences, social sciences, public administration, or related fields. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. The consultant must have at least 5 years of experience in labour market analysis, active employment measures, or programme evaluation, preferably with a gender focus. Additionally, at least 2 years of experience working with vulnerable groups, particularly in the field of gender equality, is required. Experience in monitoring legislative processes and organizing awareness campaigns and training sessions on women's rights and social protection is considered an asset. Familiarity with government institutions, UN agencies, and civil society organizations in Moldova is also advantageous, as is experience working with NEET women, women with children, and persons with disabilities.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as law, political and economic sciences, social sciences, or public administration. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by additional qualifying experience. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of gender issues and employment policies.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in labour market analysis, active employment measures, or programme evaluation, with a strong emphasis on gender issues. Experience working with vulnerable groups, particularly in the context of gender equality, is crucial. The consultant should also have at least 2 years of experience in roles that involve monitoring legislative processes and organizing training sessions or awareness campaigns focused on women's rights and social protection. Familiarity with the local context in Moldova, including experience with government institutions and civil society organizations, is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in Romanian and English is required for this position. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages is essential for conducting stakeholder consultations, preparing reports, and engaging with various partners. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, but Romanian and English are mandatory for the role.

Additional Notes:
The assignment is expected to be carried out over a period of 6 months, with a potential for extension based on performance and the needs expressed by national counterparts. The start date is anticipated for November 2025, with completion by March 2026, unless extended by UN Women. The consultant will be required to travel to eight regions to gather data and build awareness, with transportation costs covered as part of the payment. Performance will be evaluated based on criteria such as timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of deliverables. The consultant will work closely with UN Women and other stakeholders to ensure that the assessment is comprehensive and meets the needs of the target populations.