Consultant for Inclusive Childcare Services

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to 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 in the area of gender equality. UN Women merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. The organization operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women has a significant presence in various countries, including Moldova, where it implements projects aligned with national strategies and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Moldova (2023-2027).

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in developing inclusive and quality childcare services aimed at redistributing unpaid care work and fostering women's full participation in the economy. This position is part of the project 'Ending Violence, Expanding Livelihood Opportunities for Women and Accelerating Gender Governance in Moldova (EVOLVE4GE)', which addresses key challenges faced by women and girls in Moldova, including gender-blind policies, economic participation disparities, and high prevalence of gender-based violence. The consultant will assess existing public childcare services, develop guidance and quality standards for inclusivity, and enhance the capacity of caregivers and professionals through training and educational tools. The role requires collaboration with local and national stakeholders to ensure an integrated approach to inclusive services for children with disabilities, particularly those with autism spectrum disorders. The consultant will report to the Project Officer on women’s economic empowerment and will be responsible for delivering progress reports based on the outlined workplan.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks: 1) Assessing the general conditions and available educational tools in at least five public kindergartens outside Chisinau, developing guidance and minimum quality standards for inclusive childcare services. 2) Developing and delivering at least ten basic training sessions for caregivers and professionals to enhance their understanding of the needs of children with disabilities and promote inclusive practices. 3) Providing practical recommendations on educational tools and training materials to ensure accessibility and gender sensitivity in services. 4) Coordinating with local and national stakeholders to ensure an integrated approach in providing inclusive services for children with disabilities. 5) Submitting a final report summarizing activities, good practices, and key recommendations for inclusive childcare services and capacity-building needs. The assignment is expected to be completed within a period of 10 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and needs.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree in social sciences, psychology/clinical psychology, psycho pedagogy, educational sciences, 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. Additional training or certification in working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Cerebral Palsy (CP), and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is considered an asset. This may include practical training, short courses, or certifications from recognized institutions specializing in autism and other psycho-emotional disabilities.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as social sciences, psychology, clinical psychology, psycho pedagogy, or educational sciences. Alternatively, a first-level university degree along with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Additional training or certification in working with children with disabilities, particularly those with ASD, CP, and ADHD, will be viewed favorably.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of relevant experience in conducting psychological and therapeutic interventions, including organizing social integration activities for children, is required. Additionally, at least three years of experience in delivering training on basic life and functional skills tailored to the individual needs of children is necessary. Experience in applying Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy techniques will be considered an asset, as will experience working with governmental agencies or international organizations.

Languages:
Fluency in Romanian and Russian is required for this position. A working knowledge of English or any other official UN language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a diverse environment.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, with a maximum of five trips outside of Chisinau required. UN Women will coordinate transportation for these trips. Payment will be disbursed monthly upon submission and approval of deliverables and timesheets, with certification from UN Women that services have been satisfactorily performed. The number of days worked will be determined solely by UN Women. The consultant is expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures, including a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct.