UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

Purpose of Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) in analysing the disability system, progress, achievements, and challenges in the disability determination process in the Republic of Moldova. This includes assessing the existing disability framework to develop a Road Map for the designing criteria for determining disability in children and adults, in line with international/EU Member States’ practices, aligned with the biopsychosocial model and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health - Children and Youth version (ICF-CY). The main deliverable will be a practical, forward-looking roadmap for revising and piloting the disability assessment criteria in the Republic of Moldova.

Scope of Work

Moldova has made progress in disability rights, but significant gaps remain in ensuring full inclusion, equal access to services, and adequate support—especially for children with disabilities. The current disability assessment system is partly reformed but still inconsistent in identifying needs and linking them to services across sectors like health, education, and social protection.

UNICEF will hire a consultant to review and strengthen this system, with a focus on making it more integrated, needs-based, and aligned with international standards (including the CRPD and ICF frameworks).

The consultant will:

Assess the current disability assessment and determination system
Identify gaps and challenges in processes, criteria, and coordination
Develop a practical roadmap for reforming the system
Ensure stakeholder engagement and validation throughout the process

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: Download File External ToR_Rapid Mapping and Roadmap Development on Disability Assessment Criteria.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education:
- An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, Social Protection, Healthcare, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, or another relevant technical field.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of five years of experience in disability public policy, disability program implementation, or providing technical assistance in the disability sector is required.
Language Requirements:
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and working knowledge of Romanian would be an advantage.
Skills:
- Experience in disability assessment and determination is required.
Desirables:
- A strong understanding of the social policy and institutional context in European countries with prior professional experience in Moldova is considered a significant asset. A separate financial proposal is needed.

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

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 reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. 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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal for Rapid Mapping and roadmap development on disability assessment criteria .docx

Remarks:

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.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Rapid Mapping and Roadmap Development on Disability Assessment Criteria Consultant, Moldova,5 months, Moldova, Remotely