Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

During 2024 – 2027, UNDP and UNICEF are jointly implementing the Project “Advancing Quality Education and Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All”, funded by the European Union. The project”s overarching objective is to contribute to human capital development in the Republic of Moldova, improving the quality and relevance of education and lifelong learning opportunities for all to better match the labour market demands. To achieve this, the Programme will target the following specific objectives:

1. Strengthen institutions and systems for teacher and school leader professional development and support the implementation of education policies to enhance the quality of teaching and learning (Development Strategy “Education 2030”).
2. Improve equitable access for all children to quality education, promoting the development of an inclusive, digital, and resilient education system.
3. Upgrade learning environments through the renovation of selected school infrastructures and facilitate the development of 21st-century skills, contributing to better education opportunities for pupils and students and improved efficiency of the school network.

Under this joint Project, UNDP will support the professional development of teachers, promote life-long learning opportunities for adults, and be responsible for implementing interventions under the specific objective number 3 mentioned above, which aims at increasing the quality, relevance, and efficiency of learning. More specifically, it will support the Ministry of Education and Research in enhancing the learning environments and improving the teaching-learning conditions by setting up modern learning spaces and improving the school infrastructure of 10 model/aspirational schools.

It will also aim to redesign existing STEEAM learning spaces to facilitate better learning, provide modern technologies and teaching-learning resources, and support the roadmaps for the continuous development of digital learning space. The activities will ease the accessibility of students from remote areas to the model/ aspirational schools through access to transportation means and the development of an integrated national system for school bus management. In addition, this component aims at designing and rolling out a digital transformation & STEEAM model in upper-secondary education focusing on teachers” mentorship in using new educational technologies, adopting new pedagogical approaches, supporting the development of digital educational resources for science disciplines, and supporting the capacity of school managers to embark upon the process of e-transformation in education.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Private Sector Engagement Coordinator will be mainly responsible for coordinating the engagement of the private sector companies under the “Moldova for Education” campaign, which is a nationwide initiative of the Ministry of Education and Research, aimed at engaging the private sector in improving the quality of education in the country. This initiative aims at mobilizing businesses to contribute in various forms to support the development of the Model Schools network.

He/she will be in charge of identifying potential partners, organizing meetings and fundraising activities and working with local business representatives, individuals, and organizations to foster their engagement with the campaign.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Private Sector Engagement Coordinator is expected to carry out the following tasks:

1. Coordinate effective project planning and implementation

• Develop a detailed project plan outlining fundraising activities, timelines, and milestones;
• Perform any other relevant activity-related tasks, as requested by the Project Manager/Project Team, for the successful implementation of the assignment.

2. Establish partnerships and open channels of communication

• Identify potential partners, organize meetings, and carry out presentations for potential donors and sponsors and establish partnerships with them;
• Map potential private sector partners and potential types of contributions to the “Moldova for Education” campaign;
• Establish a communication channel and ensure/lead regular communication between the private sector companies, the Model School Network, the Ministry of Education and Research, UNDP, UNICEF and other relevant partners;

3. Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set

• Communicate with the model schools and analyze the current needs and gaps of the infrastructure, organizational development and educational activities within the Model Schools network and propose a list of potential interventions/contributions;

4. Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s)

• Contribute to the conceptualization of private sector engagement from the perspective of career guidance and orientation, organizational development, digital transformation, etc.
• Collaborate with communication teams to develop promotional materials and raise awareness about the project;
• Provide support to the organization of visits and events under the “Moldova for Education” campaign including, but not limited to charity drives, campaigns, and donor meetings;

The Private Sector Engagement Coordinator must ensure the provision of development services and products of the highest quality and standards to national counterpart and client through applying HRBA and GE approaches, as well as, through both supervision and direct contact with project beneficiaries.

Key Results:

The key results have a direct impact on the overall successful achievement of the EU4EDU Programme. Accurate analysis and presentation of information enhances UNDP’s position as a strong development partner. The information provided facilitates decision-making of the Project Board, the Beneficiary and UNDP management.

The key result of this contract will consist in the development of a sustainable mechanism for the engagement of private sector companies in the Moldova for Education” campaign.

Institutional Arrangement

The Private Sector Engagement Coordinator works under the general supervision and collaborates closely with the Project Team, both Infrastructure and Educational Components.

The incumbent contributes to an effective and efficient implementation of EU4EDU programme through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management and monitoring of project activities. The Private Sector Engagement Coordinator applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Private Sector Engagement Coordinator works in close collaboration with the Project team as well as the team in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1 – Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1 – Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1 – Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1 – Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1 – Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1 – Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1 – Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Direction & Strategy – System Thinking:

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Direction & Strategy – Negotiation and Influence:

• Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates win-win’ situations.

Business Management – Communication:

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Business Management – Monitoring & Evaluation:

• Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively;
• Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
• Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.
• Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks.
• Ability to anticipate client”s upcoming needs and concerns.

Partnership Management – Private Sector Engagement:

• Ability to identify, conduct outreach, and manage relationships with the private sector.

Partnership Management – Relationship management:

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Partnership Management – Private sector resource mobilization:

• Ability to identify, develop and manage partnerships that leverage private sector technical expertise and resources.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master”s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Project Management, Economics, Marketing, International Development, Digitalization & Innovation, Social Sciences, Education, or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in project management, design of educational/innovation programmes, partnership development, fundraising, CSR, or similar.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
• Knowledge and experience in working in/with both the private sector and education sector (particularly CSR and ESG), in building and brokering partnerships between the public and private sector, organizing private/public sector-focused events.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.
• Previous experience in the education sector or education sector programmes.
• Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, governmental institutions, NGO or private sector/consulting firm.
• Experience of work in the regions and/or in programmes financed by European Union.
• Good networking abilities and partnership development.
• Leadership and team management skills.
• Results-oriented with a focus on achieving project objectives.
• Ability to perform and deliver expected results in a fast-paced working environment.
• Strong sense of initiative and ability to work independently.
• Strong written and communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to identify relevant findings and prepare analytical documents clearly and concisely.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English, Romanian and Russian is required.
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language is an asset.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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