National Expert on Green Economy Integration in VET Curricula

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and empower women globally. The organization merges the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates in multiple countries, working towards the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women, and the achievement of equality between women and men. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need.

Job Overview:
The position of National Expert on Green Economy Integration in VET Curricula is crucial for the transformation of Vocational Education and Training (VET) systems in Moldova to meet the demands of a green economy. The expert will be responsible for conducting a structured, evidence-based revision of curricula in selected VET schools, developing green economy modules tailored to specific vocational profiles, and providing guidance on embedding sustainability aspects across existing subjects. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including VET school directors, curriculum specialists, teachers, students, and private sector stakeholders, to ensure that the revised curricula reflect the principles of a green economy. The expert will also build the capacity of VET teachers to deliver the new content effectively, ensuring that the education system aligns with national and EU standards for sustainable development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake four main tasks: 1) Conduct a situational analysis and integration needs assessment of the current state of green economy content in the curricula of five selected VET institutions, which includes reviewing existing curricula, interviewing stakeholders, and identifying gaps and opportunities for integration. 2) Develop a Green Economy Curriculum Integration Framework that defines green competencies, transversal principles, and thematic module outlines for at least three VET profiles. 3) Revise the VET school curricula based on the developed framework, ensuring that the updated curricula include integrated green economy content, learning outcomes, teaching methods, and assessment modalities. 4) Design and deliver a targeted capacity-building program for VET teachers, which includes developing training materials, conducting workshops, and providing post-training support to ensure effective implementation of the revised curricula.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Environmental Science, Ecology, Sustainable Development, Education, Curriculum Development, or related disciplines. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additional qualifications in curriculum design, green economy certifications, or teacher training methodologies are considered strong assets. Candidates should also have at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in green economy, sustainable development, or environmental policy, with a focus on education or workforce development. Experience in curriculum development within VET contexts and in designing training programs for educators is required, along with the ability to produce high-quality technical documents in both Romanian and at least one other language.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or equivalent in fields such as Environmental Science, Ecology, Sustainable Development, Education, Curriculum Development, or related areas. A first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may be accepted. Additional certifications in curriculum design, green economy, or teacher training methodologies are advantageous.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in areas related to green economy, sustainable development, or environmental policy, particularly in the context of education or workforce development. Candidates should have experience in curriculum development or revision, preferably within VET or technical education contexts, and prior experience in designing and delivering training programs for educators on green economy topics is an asset. Familiarity with the Moldovan VET system and relevant national legislation is also beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in Romanian is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Russian and English is considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, with travel within Moldova included in the deliverables fee. Payments will be made upon certification by UN Women that the services related to each deliverable 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. 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.