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For every child, the right to protection
Moldova continues to advance reforms in child protection, focusing on strengthening family-based care and reducing risks of neglect, abuse and separation as well as reliance on institutionalization. The implementation of the National Child Protection Programme for 2022–2026 (hereafter “the Programme”) is guided by Moldova’s commitments under national legislation and international human rights frameworks. The Country-led evaluation of the Programme is part of the Costed Evaluation Plan and it will be conducted in 2026 to assess the overall performance and results, as the Programme approaches the end of its implementation cycle and it is essential to determine the extent to which national reforms have strengthened services, reduced institutionalization and violence, and improved outcomes for the most vulnerable children. The final evaluation will assess the progress and effectiveness of the Programme and provide the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) and national partners: Ministry of Education and Research (MER), Ministry of Health (MH), Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI), Ministry of Justice (MJ), State Chancellery (SC) with evidence to guide future policy decisions, inform the next phase of child protection reforms, and ensure continuity in strengthening the national child protection system.
The timing of the Final Evaluation is particularly important as Moldova advances the implementation of the European Child Guarantee (ECG), a process aimed at improving access to essential services for children in vulnerable circumstances. The evaluation will therefore provide critical evidence on how well national child protection reforms have addressed these barriers, helping to ensure that future policy commitments under the ECG are grounded in verified results, system gaps, and service‑level realities.
How can you make a difference?
Terms of reference: 2026 TOR_Nat Indiv Consultancy_Evaluation of National CP Programme_VA.docx
The Final Evaluation will assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, sustainability, and equity of the Programme and its Action Plan implemented during 2022–2026. It will examine how well programme interventions contributed to:
Given the evolving national and regional/local context, including humanitarian pressures, increasing poverty, and system constraints, the evaluation is also intended to generate actionable lessons and strategic recommendations to inform:
The evaluation will cover the entire duration of programme implementation, from January 2022 to June 2026, and will review all major intervention areas, geographic coverage, partnerships, and funding modalities. It will assess contributions at:
The evaluation should specifically consider the programme equity dimensions of children in vulnerable situations, including:
The evaluation aims to generate credible findings that will inform both ongoing social and care reforms and Moldova’s future child protection policy document aligned with the EU acquis and the European Child Guarantee. By doing so, it will help national authorities prioritize reforms, strengthen intersectoral coordination, and align investments with EU integration commitments and child protection priorities.
An Evaluation Reference Group (ERG) will be established by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) to support the evaluation process. The ERG will provide strategic guidance throughout the evaluation, including the finalization of the evaluation scope and questions, facilitating access to key stakeholders and documentation, reviewing deliverables, and validating findings. The ERG will play an advisory role and will not interfere with the evaluation team's independence or the integrity of the evaluation process.
Deliverables
Work Assignments Overview
Deliverables/Outputs
Delivery deadline* (in weeks/months) and input days to complete the deliverable
Inception phase 2-3 weeks
Facilitate Introductory meetings with MLSP (evaluation manager), the ERG, and key national partners to confirm expectations and clarify roles.
Compile and prepare for review of background documents, reports, monitoring data, laws and regulations, and relevant studies.
Contribute to stakeholders mapping and refining of the evaluation matrix
Contribute to Inception Report
Facilitate submission evaluation methodology and data collection tools to the national Ethical Review Committee (in liaison with UNICEF)
Inception Report and presentation to Evaluation Reference Group (ERG) (in Romanian and English).
10 July 2026
(8 days)
Data Collection 4-5 weeks
Scheduling and organizing interviews and consultations with national authorities (MLSP, line ministries).
Facilitate organization of field visits and consultations with LPAs, social workers, service providers, and community level actors.
Facilitate organization of Focus group discussions with caregivers, youth, and vulnerable groups (as feasible).
Scheduling and organizing meetings with NGOs, UN partners, and development partners involved in care reform and service delivery.
Facilitate check-ins with the ERG
Initial summary of emerging findings (brief note) (in English).
10 September 2026
(10 days)
Analysis and validation 2-3 weeks
Consolidation and analysis of all qualitative and quantitative data.
Preparation of the Draft Evaluation Report.
Validation workshop with MLSP, ERG, and key stakeholders to verify findings, discuss interpretations, and refine recommendations.
Integration of stakeholder feedback into the draft report.
Draft Evaluation Report (in English), Validation workshop
5 October 2026
(8 days)
Finalization and dissemination 2-3 weeks
Contribution to finalisation of the evaluation report, including summary brief and recommendations matrix.
Inputs to presentation of preliminary findings, main conclusions and recommendations to MLSP, ERG members, and key partners.
Final Evaluation Report (fully proofread and professionally formatted for dissemination), accompanied by an Executive Summary and a Presentation (in English and Romanian)
30 October 2026
(4 days)
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have
Minimum requirements:
Desirables:
For every Child, you demonstrate
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from targeted underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.
