National Individual Consultant - Legal expert - Chisinau, Moldova, Programme/Social Policy Section - 4 months (remote/work from home))

Contract Duration: 4 months

Working arrangement: Chisinau, Moldova - remote work

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.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Personal Assistance Service (PAS) is an important tool for social inclusion, enabling persons with disabilities to live independently and participate actively in community life, in line with the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which the Republic of Moldova ratified in 2010. Currently, the regulatory framework governing the organization and functioning of the PAS is defined by Law No. 60/2012 on the social inclusion of persons with disabilities and Government Decision No. 314/2012 approving the Framework Regulation on the organization and functioning of the PAS, together with the Minimum Quality Standards. However, the existing modalities for employing personal assistants and delivering the service do not adequately meet real needs, resulting in inequities in coverage, quality, and financial sustainability. While the number of beneficiaries has steadily increased in recent years, the human and financial resources allocated have not evolved proportionally to demand. The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) intends to revise and improve the contracting and delivery framework of the PAS to ensure a more equitable, flexible, and needs oriented system. This will include differentiating levels of support and exploring alternative financing and contracting mechanisms, with the ultimate goal of strengthening inclusion and improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities. The consultant, in coordination with the financial expert, shall prepare legislative recommendations and costing scenarios for the revision of contracting and delivery modalities of the Personal Assistance Service.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0003483 External ToR Template.pdf

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Advanced (Master's) degree in Public/Administrative Law, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Protection

Work Experience:

• At least 8 years of professional experience in legal analysis and regulatory reform, particularly in social services, labor law, or public service contracting
• Proven record of experience in reviewing and drafting legal frameworks related to service delivery mechanisms, contracting modalities, and public or social service provision

Skills:

• Strong familiarity with national legislation on social protection, disability rights, labor relations
• Excellent skills in working with a complex group of stakeholders, including government institutions, service providers, and civil society organizations

Desirables:

• Demonstrated knowledge of international standards, particularly the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), would be an asset

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in Romanian and high command of English

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 people 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 promoting 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) TMC0003483 Financial proposal template.docx
• A detailed technical proposal: Description of relevant experience in similar types of assignments (maximum 500 words). The submission should also include links to the candidate’s previous work that are relevant to the Terms of Reference (TOR).

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.