National Consultant to support the implementation of Life Skills and Comprehensive Sexuality Education Programmes at UNFPA

Background:

UNFPA is one of the pioneering agencies in working with young people and has contributed to shaping the youth space within the UN system. Through the Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and the UNFPA’s Strategy on Youth, known as My Body, My Life, My World, UNFPA supports global, regional, and national youth networks and organizations in advancing youth development issues, human rights, humanitarian action, and peacebuilding efforts.

Adolescents and youth policy underpinned by enabling laws, youth participation, leadership, and accountability are at the core of UNFPA’s mandate and the three transformative results. Sexual and reproductive health and rights are integral to adolescents and young people’s transition into adulthood. Decisions about these are closely tied to their education, employment, sustainable livelihood, and participation in decision-making processes.

In Moldova, the UNFPA country office has a strong focus on Adolescents and Youth Empowerment and a separate relevant output as part of the UNFPA Moldova Country Programme 2023 – 2027 to achieve this scope: Strengthened national capacity and policy in the youth and education sectors to empower adolescent girls and youth through life-skills development and participatory civic engagement for advancing human rights, bodily autonomy, and gender equality.

During the last years, UNFPA has strongly supported the Ministry of Education and Research to improve the quality of life skills and comprehensive sexuality education in general education and vocational education and training, to create a youth-friendly learning environment in schools settings, to build the capacity of Youth Centers in programmes delivery and expand the network geographically, to increase the capacity of local public authorities in designing and developing results-oriented youth programmes and budgets, to support young people in their civic engagement, participation and implementing youth initiatives in their communities. UNFPA is also supporting CSOs, youth networks to deliver out-of-school comprehensive sexuality education to young people, including from vulnerable groups and connect them with youth friendly health services.

Purpose and scope of consultancy: (Description of services, activities, or outputs)

The National Consultant will be responsible for effective planning, coordination and implementation of the interventions related to the comprehensive sexuality education programme as part of the Adolescents and Youth Portfolio of the UNFPA Moldova Country Office. Will closely work with civil society organizations that are UNFPA implementing partners, with the Ministry of Education and Research, Network of Youth Friendly Health Center, Network of Youth Centers, young people, UN agencies, development partners and donors, and other stakeholders working with and for young people.

The Consultant will work under overall guidance and in close coordination with the UNFPA Programme Analyst on Youth who leads the Adolescent and Youth Portfolio.

The consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks:

• Coordinating and managing day-to-day programme implementation that leads to achieving the expected results in synergy and complementarity with other programmes under the Adolescents and Youth Portfolio of UNFPA.
• Leading and ensuring the implementation of the programme work plan according to UNFPA rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Ensuring the effective management of human resources pertaining to the Programme, including developing terms of reference for international and national consultants, and experts, etc.
• Managing the financial resources of the Programme efficiently, including budgeting, expenditure tracking, and reporting.
• Coordinating the work of implementing partners related to the programme.
• Ensuring constructive regular communication, coordination, reporting to donors supporting the programme interventions, anticipating, and flagging any deviations from the work plans, and proposing solutions in coordination with UNFPA Programme Analyst on Youth.
• Supporting advocacy and resource mobilization strategy in the respective area by compiling and synthesizing relevant background material for use in discussions and public events, supporting the programme proposals development, etc.
• Building partnerships with national and local public authorities, the private sector, civil society organizations, and other actors from the youth field.
• Leading and coordinating the organization of meetings, workshops, conferences, trainings, study tours, and related activities relevant to the implementation of the Programme.
• Ensuring high-quality information and visibility of the programme interventions and results to the mass media and stakeholders.
• Advocating for and promote programme interventions by compiling and synthesizing relevant background materials, drafting programme summaries, articles, publications, speeches, and presentations for delivery via journals, meetings, public events and in other fora.
• Contributing to the creation and sharing of knowledge, by synthesizing and documenting findings, success stories, best practices, and lessons learned within the programme area, to share with colleagues and partners, at the local and national levels.
• Carrying out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership, which contributes to the programme efficient implementation.

Duration and working schedule:

The activities under the present assignment will commence on 1st January 2025 and conclude by 31 June 2025. (possibility of extension). The volume of consultancy has been estimated as for a full-time schedule. The Individual consultant is expected to work full time, from Monday to Friday. In some exceptional situations, the Individual Consultant may be required to attend events/work during the weekend.

Place where services are to be delivered:

The consultant will work full-time at the premises of UNFPA.

Expected Travel:

National Consultant may be required to have in-country or out-of-country travels. UNFPA will cover the associated costs related to this travel, as per UNFPA policies and procedures.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

The UNFPA Moldova Country Office is looking for a National Consultant who has the following educational background, qualifications, and expertise:

Education:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent of five years’ university degree) in education, youth development, public health, public management, population studies, law, and/or other related social science field.
• A university degree (Bachelor’s) plus two additional years of relevant qualifying experience will be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least two (two) years of working experience in the design, management, and implementation of projects and programs and/or working in a relevant position to this post.
• Experience in youth, children’s rights, gender equality, life skills, sexual and reproductive health and rights, or comprehensive sexuality education is required.
• Prior experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, governmental institutions, and/or NGOs, is desired.
• Experience in working with the UN would be an asset.

Languages:

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

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.