National Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the United Nations reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization merges the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. UN Women 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. The organization works with various national and international partners to implement programs and projects that support women's rights and gender equality, aligning its efforts with international commitments and national strategies. In Moldova, UN Women is guided by its Country Strategic Note for 2023-2027, which is aligned 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 employs a diverse team of professionals and operates in multiple countries, working towards inclusive and sustainable growth while ensuring that no one is left behind.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant position at UN Women involves supporting the review and enhancement of internal capacities and operations of Territorial Employment Offices (TEOs) in Moldova. The consultant will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the procedures and regulations of eight selected TEOs to identify gaps and opportunities for gender integration within their operations. This role is crucial in addressing the barriers faced by women and vulnerable groups in accessing employment services. The consultant will work collaboratively with national stakeholders to develop actionable recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness of TEOs in supporting women, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds such as NEET women, women with disabilities, and women with children. The consultant's work will contribute to the broader goals of promoting gender equality and women's economic empowerment in Moldova, aligning with UN Women’s strategic objectives and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The position requires a strong understanding of gender dynamics, labor market policies, and the specific challenges faced by women in the workforce. The consultant will also engage in stakeholder consultations to validate findings and gather insights, ensuring that the recommendations are context-specific and actionable.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for conducting a thorough review of the internal procedures and regulations of eight Territorial Employment Offices (TEOs) in Moldova. Key duties include:

• Mapping and assessing the internal regulations, operational procedures, and institutional frameworks of TEOs to evaluate their alignment with gender equality and human rights principles.
• Identifying gaps, overlaps, and inconsistencies between national-level policies and local-level implementation practices.
• Analyzing the internal capacity of TEOs to provide inclusive, gender-responsive services to women and vulnerable groups, including NEET women, women with disabilities, and women with children.
• Identifying structural and procedural barriers that hinder equitable access and participation in employment services.
• Assessing coordination mechanisms within TEOs and with other relevant institutions, such as social services and training providers.
• Developing actionable recommendations to strengthen internal processes and capacities for gender integration.
• Conducting stakeholder consultations through interviews, focus groups, or workshops to validate findings and gather additional insights.
• Preparing a final report that includes analysis, key findings, good practices, and actionable recommendations for improving gender-responsiveness and institutional capacity of TEOs.
• Presenting findings and recommendations to UN Women and relevant partners through debriefing sessions or validation workshops. The consultant will also be expected to travel to the eight regions to collect data and ensure effective communication with stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree or equivalent in law, social and economic sciences, human rights, public administration, or related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in policy development, institutional assessments, organizational development, public administration reform, or similar assignments. Additionally, at least 3 years of experience in labor market analysis, active employment measures, or program evaluation, preferably with a gender focus, is considered an asset. Experience working with government institutions, UN agencies, and/or civil society organizations in Moldova is also advantageous, particularly experience 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, social and economic sciences, human rights, or public administration. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively analyze policies and procedures related to gender equality and employment services.

Experience:
The consultant is expected to have a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in areas such as policy development, institutional assessments, and organizational development. Additionally, at least 3 years of experience in labor market analysis or program evaluation, particularly with a focus on gender issues, is preferred. Experience working with government institutions, UN agencies, and civil society organizations in Moldova is highly valued, as is experience engaging with vulnerable groups such as NEET women, women with children, and persons with disabilities.

Languages:
Fluency in Romanian and English is required for this position. The consultant must be able to communicate effectively in both languages, as the deliverables will be prepared in English, with technical documents potentially needing to be developed in Romanian. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but Romanian and English are mandatory for effective communication and reporting.

Additional Notes:
The assignment is expected to be carried out over a period of 6 months, with a potential for extension based on satisfactory 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 various regions to conduct assessments and engage with stakeholders, and all travel arrangements will be coordinated with UN Women. Financial arrangements will include transportation costs, and payments will be made upon certification by UN Women that the deliverables have been satisfactorily completed. The consultant's performance will be evaluated based on criteria such as timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and adheres to a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives.