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.

For every child, the right to education

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Moldova is seeking a national Technical Engineer to support improvements to accessibility in eight model schools under the European Union-funded programme “Advancing Quality Education and Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All”, jointly implemented by UNICEF and UNDP.

The consultancy will contribute to more inclusive, accessible and resilient learning environments by supporting the timely, efficient and quality implementation of construction and refurbishment works.

Under the guidance of the UNICEF Moldova Construction Specialist, the consultant will work with implementing partners, design firms, supervision engineers, contractors and other stakeholders to:

Support procurement processes by preparing and reviewing technical tender documentation, assessing contractors’ technical and financial proposals, and responding to bidders’ technical queries.
Monitor construction progress through regular site visits, identify implementation challenges, and follow up on corrective actions to support compliance with approved designs, technical standards, safety requirements and project schedules.
Support quality assurance of construction works, materials and workmanship, including compliance with accessibility requirements, eco-efficient solutions and disaster risk reduction measures.
Monitor environmental, social, health and safety aspects of the works and document findings, deficiencies and required corrective actions.
Support inspections, completion and handover, including verification of defect closure, testing records, as-built drawings, warranties, and operation and maintenance documentation.
Prepare progress reports, maintain project records, and compile the consolidated completion and close-out package, including lessons learned and recommendations.

Site visits will cover schools in Ocnița, Orhei, Drochia, Briceni, Florești, Bălți, Criuleni and Dondușeni.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference attached to this vacancy announcement Download File TMC0007067_external_TOR.pdf.

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

Minimum requirements

Education

A university degree at Bachelor’s level in civil engineering, construction engineering, architecture, water infrastructure, environment and climate, or another relevant area.

Work experience

A minimum of two years of relevant experience, at the national and/or international levels, in technical project assessment, design, monitoring and site supervision, quality assurance and/or other directly related technical fields.
Previous experience in designing and supervising construction/refurbishment projects, covering at least one project.

Knowledge and skills

Practical experience in supervising and guiding teams of technical staff, and in managing and monitoring the effective use of resources.
Good analytical and communication skills.

Language requirements

Fluency in oral and written Romanian is required.

Desirables

A Certificate of Technical-Professional Attestation issued by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development as a designer, technical supervisor or site manager in a field relevant to the assignment.
Advanced command of written and spoken English and Russian.
Good knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programmes, procurement principles, financial and legal aspects of construction issues, ethics and risk management of construction projects.
Previous relevant experience working with United Nations agencies.

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 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, discrimination, fraud, corruption and other forms of misconduct.
UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference, safeguarding and background verification checks. These checks may include verification of academic credentials and employment history, screening against relevant United Nations misconduct databases, and requests for misconduct disclosures from current and former employers, professional associations, other relevant organizations and participating organizations under inter-agency safeguarding initiatives, including the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), where applicable.

How to apply

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).
A cover letter outlining previous relevant experience in managing similar projects, including the applicant’s roles and responsibilities.
A separate financial proposal, using the Template Financial proposal template - Technical Engineer - TMC0007067.xlsx attached to this vacancy announcement. The proposal must specify an all-inclusive consultancy fee in Moldovan lei (MDL), broken down by the deliverables described in the Terms of Reference, and include all associated administrative and travel costs.

The cover letter and CV constitute the technical submission specified in the ToR.

Remarks:

If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract are not considered staff members under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and are not entitled to staff benefits such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage. Their conditions of service are governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants are responsible for determining and paying their applicable taxes and duties.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Technical Engineer Consultant, Chisinau, Moldova, 8 months (Remote)