During 2024 – 2028, UNDP is implementing the Programme “Transforming education in Moldova through Model Schools”, funded by Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). The Programme’s general objective is to enhance quality and effectiveness of Moldova’s education system through the transformation of district schools into Model Schools. To achieve this, the Program will target the following specific objectives:

Objective 1: Transform five schools into Model Schools with a modern learning environment and facilities enabling better learning outcomes and improved efficiency of the school network.

Objective  2: Facilitate the development of 21st century skills of students through improving teaching and learning practices and supporting organizational development.

Under this Programme, in close partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research, UNDP will support:

Under Component 1: Capital renovations in five model schools to ensure student friendly learning spaces and furniture, and accessible facilities for teachers/students with disabilities (ensuring accessibility of all learning, administrative, outdoor, WASH facilities).

Under Component 2:

• The evaluation and revision of the national curricula, enhancing the quality of curricular materials and educational content.
• Strengthening the initial and continuous teachers training in the implementation of STEAM and interdisciplinary approaches, use of active teaching methods such as project-based learning, problem-based learning, inquiry-based learning and others, with special focus on science disciplines, integration of green and sustainability practices into the curricula.
• Improving local level education governance and school management and autonomy to enhance the quality of education.

The programme duration is 48 months, with a total budget of USD 18.9 million.

• Ensuring effective content and operational management of the activities related to curricular revision, capacity building, awareness and institutional development, local education governance, and others;
• Coordinate the implementation of activities at the national and local levels. Facilitate community engagement where relevant;
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and promote awareness for the transformative approaches in education;
• Oversee day-to-day operations and implementation of project activities;
• Exercise close monitoring of project activities and produce monitoring reports;
• Ensure the timely and efficient delivery of Project outputs and products, as per the Project Document, leading to the achievement of expected results;
• Develop Work Plan, periodic narrative progress and final reports and expenditures status reports and submit to the supervisor;
• Ensure the implementation of the activities under the Project work plan according to indicators for achieving planned results, as well as the overall management of the Project in line with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures;
• Support UNDP CO in effectively managing human resources pertaining to the Project, consultants and short-term experts; conduct periodic performance appraisals; build, lead and motivate a solid team of professionals;
• Support the efficient management of the Project financial resources, including budgeting and budget revisions, as well as expenditure tracking and reporting;
• Continuously record and maintain Project issues and risks and suggest mitigation measures;
• Lead and coordinate the organization of meetings, workshops, conferences, trainings, study visits and related activities relevant to the implementation of the Project;
• Maintain a continuous effective dialogue with the key stakeholders, central and local government authorities, other UN agencies and actors active in the sector, CSOs, partner organizations, international and national experts in the areas of the Project intervention in view of identifying synergies and avoiding overlapping of assistance;
• Maintain a close collaboration with other related UNDP projects to ensure synergies and complementarities;
• Ensure high quality information and visibility of the project activities to the mass media and stakeholders and support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local, national, and as required at international levels;
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of  the Office and the Organization.

Key Results:

The key results have a direct impact on the overall successful achievement of the Transforming education in Moldova through Model Schools Programme. Accurate analysis and presentation of information enhances UNDP’s position as a strong development partner. The information provided facilitates decision-making of the Project Board, the Beneficiary and UNDP management.

 Institutional Arrangement

The Component Manager/ Education will work under the supervision of the Project Manager and the Inclusive Growth Cluster Leader and will ensure the provision of development services and products commensurate with the scope of the Programme and assigned area of responsibility of the highest quality and standards to national and local counterparts and clients through applying HRBA and GE approaches. S/he will supervise the Education Analyst and will coordinate the part time consultants, as envisaged in programme’s organizational chart.

The Component Manager/ Education will work in close cooperation with the team in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex project/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

• Achieve Results – LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
• Think Innovatively – LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
• Learn Continuously – LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others, and support their learning.
• Adapt with Agility – LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
• Act with Determination – LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
• Engage and Partner – LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion – LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

People Management Competency: UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross Functional and Technical competencies:

• Business Management- Results-based Management
  • Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programs, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Business Management- Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Business Direction & Strategy- System Thinking
  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
• Business Management – Monitoring and evaluation
  • Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programs, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and program management and results.
  • Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programs and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
• Digital – Agile’ methodologies and practices
  • Ability to manage projects and processes through continuous iteration, learning and improvement. Ability to manage a self-organizing cross-functional teams, foster a team culture of curiosity and learning. Being nimble and being able to improvise and quickly adjust to unforeseen events or changes in conditions or context.
• Partnership Management- CSO Engagement
  • Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs.