National Individual Consultant for the Final Evaluation of implementation of the National Child Protection Programme for 2022-2026

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them reach their full potential. We are committed to promoting the rights of every child, viewing it as a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, fostering a sense of purpose while serving children and communities globally.

Job Purpose

The National Individual Consultant will conduct a final evaluation of the implementation of the National Child Protection Programme for 2022-2026 in the Republic of Moldova. This evaluation is crucial as the programme nears its end, aiming to assess its overall performance, results, and the extent to which national reforms have strengthened services, reduced institutionalization and violence, and improved outcomes for vulnerable children. The findings will provide evidence to guide future policy decisions for the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and national partners, inform the next phase of child protection reforms, and ensure the continuity of strengthening the national child protection system. The evaluation will also consider Moldova's progress in implementing the European Child Guarantee, providing critical evidence on how national reforms have addressed barriers and ensuring future policy commitments are grounded in verified results and system realities.

Responsibilities

The consultant will assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, sustainability, and equity of the National Child Protection Programme and its Action Plan (2022-2026). This includes examining the programme's contribution to strengthening the national child protection system, preventing and responding to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and expanding quality family-based alternative care while reducing institutionalization. The consultant will also evaluate support for children in contact with the law, integration of vulnerable children (including refugees) into comprehensive assistance systems, enhancement of cross-sector collaboration among health, education, social protection, and justice sectors, and the sustainability of implemented interventions. The evaluation will cover the entire programme duration (January 2022-June 2026) across national, subnational/local, community-based, and individual child/caregiver levels. Key deliverables will include actionable lessons and strategic recommendations for government policy and budget planning, care reform and deinstitutionalization efforts, strengthening child protection service resilience, and informing the next UNICEF Country Programme (2028-2032).

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in child protection, social policy, programme evaluation, or related fields. Experience in conducting evaluations of government programmes and familiarity with the child protection system in Eastern Europe is highly desirable.

Skills

Child Protection Systems, Programme Evaluation, Policy Analysis, Research Methodologies, Data Analysis, Report Writing, Stakeholder Engagement, Project Management, UNICEF Procedures, Human Rights Frameworks, Inter-agency Coordination, Vulnerable Children

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