International Consultant for the Development of the United Nations Moldova's Cooperation Framework 2028-2032

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations, addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN operates in various countries, including Moldova, where it aims to support national development priorities and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UN Moldova is currently initiating a new Cooperation Framework (CF) for the period 2028-2032, which will guide the UN's strategic contributions to Moldova's development goals and align with the country's EU accession process.

Job Overview:
The position of International Consultant for the Development of the United Nations Moldova's Cooperation Framework 2028-2032 involves a comprehensive role in preparing, implementing, and administering the assignment related to the new Cooperation Framework. The consultant will be responsible for conducting a desk review, developing an inception report, and facilitating strategic prioritization processes with various stakeholders, including government entities, development partners, and civil society. The consultant will also ensure that the framework aligns with Moldova's EU integration trajectory and the 2030 Agenda, focusing on inclusive and equitable development support. This role requires strong analytical skills, the ability to engage with diverse groups, and a deep understanding of international development initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The selected consultant will undertake a variety of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Conducting a desk review and developing an inception report that outlines a detailed methodology and work plan based on the existing Cooperation Framework Roadmap approved by the UN Country Team (UNCT).
• Engaging in regular communication and coordination with the Resident Coordinator (RC), UNCT, and other relevant teams to facilitate discussions and gather inputs.
• Developing and implementing methodologies to elicit inputs from the UNCT to identify and formulate strategic priorities for the Cooperation Framework.
• Facilitating strategic prioritization and validation processes in consultation with all partners, including government, development partners, and civil society, to identify strategic priorities and develop a theory of change and results framework.
• Providing quality assurance for the process and inputs from various stakeholders, identifying gaps and areas for improvement.
• Formulating the Cooperation Framework for 2028-2032 in alignment with UNCT and partner strategic inputs.
• Integrating feedback from various stakeholders throughout the process and preparing the final Cooperation Framework document for endorsement by the Government of Moldova.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires advanced qualifications, including an advanced university degree in international development, economics, social sciences, or a related field. A Master's degree is required, while a PhD is considered an asset. Additionally, a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in international development initiatives, particularly with development organizations, is essential. Candidates should possess extensive knowledge of systems thinking, qualitative and quantitative analytical methods, and the ability to identify beneficiaries' needs and match them with appropriate solutions. Technical competence in complex analysis using mixed methods is required, along with familiarity with the UN's role, UN reform processes, and strategic programming at the country level. Excellent writing and analytical skills are necessary, demonstrated through experience in preparing strategic and programming documents.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced university degree in international development, economics, social sciences, or a related field. A Master's degree is mandatory, while a PhD is advantageous. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of international development and the specific challenges faced by Moldova in its pursuit of sustainable development and EU integration.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of professional experience specifically in international development initiatives. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with development organizations and possess extensive knowledge of systems thinking and analytical methods. Experience in facilitating consultations with diverse stakeholders, including government, civil society, and international partners, is essential for the successful execution of the role.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages, particularly Romanian or Russian, may be considered an asset, as it would facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the consultant's effectiveness in the role.

Additional Notes:
The expected duration of the assignment is from September 2026 to May 202

• The consultant will work on a full-time basis and will be responsible for leading the development of the Cooperation Framework, which is expected to be endorsed by the Government of Moldova by May 202
• The UN emphasizes that it does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a transparent and fair hiring process.