National Consultant for Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It operates globally, focusing on eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between genders. UN Women provides technical assistance to national partners, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, and advocates for women's rights and gender equality across various sectors. The organization is guided by its Country Strategic Note for 2023-2027 in Moldova, which aligns with the UN-Moldova Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and the UN Women Global Strategic Plan. UN Women aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly focusing on Sustainable Development Goal 5, which emphasizes women's participation in decision-making processes. The organization operates in multiple countries and employs a diverse workforce committed to its mission of promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant for Vocational Education and Training (VET) will play a crucial role in supporting UN Women's initiatives aimed at enhancing women's access to quality employment and sustainable livelihoods in Moldova. The consultant will provide technical and advisory support to ensure that VET-related interventions are coherent and effectively aligned with the national education and training system. This position involves conducting a desk review of existing inclusive training methodologies, assessing their relevance in the Moldovan context, and reviewing VET-related project interventions to ensure alignment with national education reforms. The consultant will also identify implementation constraints within VET institutions and provide practical recommendations to strengthen the relevance and applicability of interventions. The role requires effective communication and coordination between UN Women, the Ministry of Education and Research, VET institutions, and the private sector to facilitate partnerships and enhance women's economic opportunities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for conducting a brief desk review of inclusive training methodologies relevant to VET systems, assessing their applicability in Moldova. They will review all VET-related project interventions to ensure alignment with national education reforms, including the Education 2030 Strategy. The consultant will assess the feasibility of these interventions within VET institutions, identify implementation constraints, and provide practical recommendations to enhance coherence and relevance. They will facilitate communication between UN Women, the Ministry of Education and Research, VET institutions, and private sector partners. Additionally, the consultant will prepare a final report summarizing the key results and recommendations for further improvements based on the interventions conducted during the assignment.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in education, social sciences, public policy, international development, labour economics, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. The consultant should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in vocational education and training (VET), skills development, employment services, or education policy. Experience working with government institutions, particularly in the education or labour sectors, is required. Candidates should demonstrate experience in integrating national frameworks related to gender equality and inclusion of vulnerable groups in programs and policies. Experience with UN agencies or civil society organizations is an asset, as is experience working with vulnerable groups, particularly NEET women, women with children, and persons with disabilities.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as education, social sciences, public policy, international development, or labour economics is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in vocational education and training (VET), skills development, employment services, or education policy. Candidates should have demonstrated experience working with government institutions, particularly in the education or labour sectors, and experience in applying national frameworks related to gender equality and inclusion of vulnerable groups in programs and policies. Experience with UN agencies or civil society organizations is considered an asset, as is experience working with vulnerable groups, particularly 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 prepare reports and deliverables in English, while technical deliverables should be developed in Romanian. Strong verbal communication skills are essential for facilitating technical dialogue among stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based and is expected to last up to 8 months, with a possibility of extension based on performance and needs expressed by national counterparts. The assignment is set to start in May 2026 and conclude by December 2026, unless extended by UN Women. Payment will be made per day worked, upon certification of satisfactory performance and submission of deliverables. The consultant's fee may be payable in installments, and the number of days worked will be determined solely by UN Women. The consultant's payment will include transportation costs, and all travel must be coordinated with UN Women. The position emphasizes core values such as integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, and candidates are expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and standards of conduct.