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For every child, the right to opportunity

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) of the Republic of Moldova has made significant progress in strengthening the social protection system over the past decade. However, evolving socio-economic challenges, including child poverty, demographic shifts, fiscal space constraints, migration, and increased vulnerability among certain population groups, have highlighted the need to initiate a social assistance reform.

To support evidence-based decision-making and effective monitoring of the RESTART reform, the Ministry, with technical assistance from UNICEF, has developed a Power BI-based data platform that consolidates and visualizes key performance indicators across the social protection system. The platform serves as a critical management and monitoring tool, enabling the Ministry to track reform implementation, assess service delivery performance, monitor social service coverage, and identify emerging challenges in real time.

As the RESTART reform transitioned to a new phase focused on institutionalization and long-term sustainability, ensuring the continued functionality, maintenance, and further development of the Power BI platform has become a strategic priority. In addition to maintaining and updating the platform, there is a need to establish clear operational procedures, technical documentation, and knowledge management mechanisms that will enable the Ministry to independently manage and further develop the system over time.

In this context, UNICEF seeks to contract a national consultant to provide technical support for the maintenance and enhancement of the RESTART Power BI data platform and to develop a comprehensive operational manual for its administration and maintenance. The consultancy will contribute to strengthening the Ministry’s capacity to sustain data-driven management practices and ensure the long-term usability, reliability, and institutional ownership of the platform. Scope of Work

How can you make a difference?

Terms of Reference: 2026 ToR_Nat Indiv Consultant_Management of information system_VA.docx

1. Scope of work

The purpose of this consultancy is to ensure the continuous functionality, maintenance, and improvement of the RESTART Power BI data platform, and develop a comprehensive operational manual that will enable the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to sustainably manage, maintain, and further develop the platform beyond the duration of the consultancy. The assignment will support evidence-based management of the social assistance reform and strengthen institutional capacity for data analysis, performance monitoring, and decision-making. The detailed work plan, schedule, and modalities of the assignment will be agreed upon with the selected consultant. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with Directorate for Management Policies and Coordination of the Activity of Territorial Social Assistance Agencies, and Information and Communication Technology Service representatives of Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

The consultant will perform the following tasks:

Maintenance and improvement of the RESTART Power BI platform, including dashboards, reports, indicators, and data visualizations related to the implementation of the social assistance reform;
Organization, verification, and quality control of data processed and presented in the Power BI platform, as well as provision of methodological support to consultants and relevant stakeholders to ensure accurate interpretation and presentation of data;
Provision of technical support to employees of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Territorial Social Assistance Agencies (ATAS), Territorial Social Assistance Structures (STAS), and other relevant institutions in the use and administration of the Power BI platform; • Monitoring the functionality of the RESTART Power BI platform, identifying technical issues, and implementing corrective actions necessary to ensure uninterrupted operation;
Contributing to the further development and optimization of data management, reporting, and performance monitoring processes within the social protection system through the Power BI platform;
Development of an operational manual for the maintenance and administration of the Power BI platform, including procedures for data management, updating, troubleshooting, quality assurance, and user administration;
Documenting the platform architecture, data flows, methodologies, and operational processes necessary to ensure continuity and institutional knowledge retention;
Conducting knowledge-transfer activities and providing guidance to designated MLSP staff responsible for the future maintenance and administration of the platform;
Other activities related to the maintenance, sustainability, and further development of the Power BI platform.

2. Deliverables

Work Assignments Overview	Deliverables/Outputs	Delivery deadline (in weeks/months) and input days to complete the deliverable
Inception phase and rapid assessment of Power BI platform	Deliverable 1 Technical assessment of Power BI platform (architecture, dashboards, data flows) developed Priority actions for maintenance and improvement identified	17 July 2026 (5 working days)
Continuous maintenance and data quality assurance	Deliverable 2 Continuous platform maintenance ensured Data verification and quality control mechanisms applied Updated dashboards and indicators based on MLSP needs developed	11 September 2026 (20 working days)
Technical support and user assistance to MLSP and stakeholders	Deliverable 3 Improved user capacity in platform usage demonstrated through reduced errors/issues (at least 20 consultation sessions organized with nominated focal persons from MLSP)	30 October 2026 (15 working days)
Development of operational manual and technical documentation	Deliverable 4 Draft operational manual covering administration, data updating, troubleshooting, and user management	18 December 2026 (20 working days)
Knowledge transfer and capacity building	Deliverable 5 At least 2–3 workshop sessions conducted for MLSP and relevant stakeholders based on operational manual Designated MLSP staff coached on platform administration and maintenance	22 January 2026 (5 working days)
Finalization of documentation and system handover	Deliverable 6 Final operational manual incorporating feedback submitted Formal handover of knowledge and system administration responsibilities to MLSP Sustainability recommendations provided	29 January 2026 (5 working days)

3. Payment schedule

Payment will be made on submission and acceptance of deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

Minimum requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in computer science and related fields.
Minimum 3 years of experience in the field of information systems, programming, and data management.
Experience in management of social protection data.
Knowledge of programming (Power BI, Java, Oracle DB etc.) or management of information programs.
Expertise in analysis and synthesis.
Fluency in Romanian, and good working knowledge of English.

Desirables:

Experience in the field of vocational training/education is an advantage.
Knowledge of the social assistance reform RESTART is an advantage.

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):

Curriculum Vitae (CV) including records on past experience in similar projects/assignments and concrete outputs obtained
Cover Letter, outlining why the consultant is the most suitable for the work, including previous relevant experience
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) - Financial Offer_Management of information system.docx

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.

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.

Deadline extended: National Individual Consultant on management of information system and programme service delivery performance