Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
Over the past decade or more, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) has created automated systems for separate aspects of its work. As a result, it now has 14 different information systems.  These include systems to facilitate online application processes (front-office work), automate business processes (back-office work), and store data on beneficiaries and the type of support they receive.  However, these systems have been created in such a fragmented manner, and use such different software and technologies that it is impossible to link them up and make them interoperable.

This situation creates numerous inefficiencies. For example, citizens may have to submit the same documents several times in order to apply for different types of benefits or support.  Case managers cannot access documentation on all the past and present support received by any given household or individual beneficiary. Apart from not having access to data which can help improve the timeliness and type of support provided, this situation has also reduced the Ministry’s capacity to identify and eliminate fraud.  It hinders evidence-based policymaking, as data cannot be easily retrieved and merged to assess targeting efficiency. The latter is currently a source of great frustration within the Ministry, as it limits the data available to guide and inform the current reform processes. Lack of digital links to the territorial offices means that there is no way to document geographical inequalities in access to social services.

The Ministry has drawn up a Theory of Change (TOC) to underpin digitalization in the context of the Restart Reform Programme. Among them are three intermediate outcomes, namely:

• Most-used social and employment services are pro-activated;
• Majority of social and employment services are radically simplified and digitalized;
• A national network of single window centres for social and employment services is functional through a new Automated Information System (eSocial).

The “Digital Transformation of Social Protection” Project, implemented by UNDP, aims to achieve the above objectives by addressing the fragmented digital infrastructure of the social protection system. UNDP Moldova envisioned a digitalization-oriented workstream dedicated to the meticulous redesign and digitalization of the social protection services. It aims to significantly enhance the functionalities of provision of social services, optimizing them for improved usability by MLSP personnel, management, and the public at large. UNDP has committed its support to the Ministry in constructing a new, integrated digital system – eSocial – for social protection services. The eSocial platform is Moldova’s central digital infrastructure for managing social service programs. It is designed to consolidate multiple fragmented systems and processes under a common digital umbrella. Through secure, role-based access and integration with government platforms like MPass, MNotify, MLog, and MPay, eSocial enables standardized workflows, centralized data, and inter-institutional coordination. Additionally, the establishment of the Digital Center for Social Innovation (DCSI) within the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in 2024, is working to ensure self-sufficiency in software development and adaptation of automated systems to future demands.
The MLSP is currently implementing several major reforms, namely that of social services (RESTART); that of the National Employment Agency (NEA); that of the State Labour Inspectorate (SLI); and that of the National Council for Determination of Disability and Work Capacity (CNDDCM). Through the “Digital Transformation of Social Protection” Project, UNDP is supporting the digital aspects of all the reforms listed above, conferring transparency and efficiency to the comprehensive reform effort. This transformation will enable the Ministry to connect social benefits, services, employment programs, and energy subsidies into a coherent support framework. It strengthens Moldova’s capacity to build a shock-responsive, citizen-centered, and evidence-driven social protection system—aligned with the principles of human dignity, inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goal 1.3: “Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems for all.”
Duties and Responsibilities

As a core member of the technical team supporting the digital transformation of Moldova’s social protection system, the Database Specialist will play a key role in the design, implementation, and maintenance of robust, secure, and scalable database solutions for the eSocial platform. The incumbent will ensure stable, high-performing, and secure data flows across all integrated systems, including connections to state-owned M-services.
The Database Specialist will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP), the Digital Center for Social Innovation, and external service providers to ensure smooth operations and alignment with national digital infrastructure standards.

Database Architecture & Optimization

• Design, configure, and optimize relational database structures to support the eSocial platform and its modules.
• Ensure performance, scalability, and reliability of all database environments across development, testing, and production stages.

Data Flow Stability & Connectivity

• Ensure the stability and reliability of data flows, integrations, and database connections – monitoring performance and addressing any latency, failure, or security risks.
• Maintain continuous availability and seamless synchronization between systems.

Integration with National M-Services

• Implement and maintain data-level integrations with state-managed digital infrastructure and services including, but not limited to, MPass, MConnect, MNotify, MSign, MLog, MPay, and MCloud, etc. in compliance with national interoperability standards provided by STISC and the E-Governance Agency.

Data Security & Compliance

• Enforce database access policies, data encryption, backup and recovery strategies, and audit logging in line with national data protection and cybersecurity requirements.
  Support secure handling of sensitive personal data across integrated systems.

Collaboration & Technical Support

• Work collaboratively with backend developers, DevOps, QA engineers, and institutional IT teams to ensure consistent and reliable delivery of technical solutions.
• Provide technical support during deployments, testing, troubleshooting, and bug resolution.

Documentation & Knowledge Transfer

• Document database designs, integration flows, configurations, and standard operating procedures.
  Contribute to institutional capacity-building through knowledge sharing with MLSP IT staff and long-term sustainability planning.

Quality Assurance of Contractor Deliverables

• Review and validate database-related deliverables produced by external contractors to ensure compliance with agreed technical standards, data architecture principles, performance benchmarks, and security requirements.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas

• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project related issues.
• Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
• Promote advocacy for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Database Specialist will work under the supervision of the UNDP Moldova Employment and Social Protection Programme Specialist, in close cooperation with the UNDP Moldova Country Office and overall project team, for an effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving project-related issues and information delivery.

He/she also will collaborate with other UN projects, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and other national stakeholders, such as the e Governance Agency, the National Employment Agency, etc. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
Competencies

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross Functional and Technical competencies:

• 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 Development- Knowledge Facilitation
  • Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.
• Digital- Experience Design
  • Knowledge of experience design methodologies and ability to design end-to-end experiences that meet user and business needs.
• Data – Data analysis
  • Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making.
• Digital & Innovation – Digital transformation design
  • Practical and strategic skills in digital transformation for governments and organizations.
• Digital- Data Governance
  • Knowledge of data science, skills to develop data management tools, organize and maintain databases and operate data visualization technologies.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master”s degree or equivalent) in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in NET development.

Required skills:

• At least experience of 2 (two) years in C#, ASP.NET, MVC, and Entity Framework.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and delivering complex IT projects, in the public or private sector.
  Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
• Professional experience in integration of front-end frameworks with JavaScript, HTML, CSS.
  Knowledge of database design and management using SQL Server or similar systems.
• Familiarity with version control systems, preferably Git

Desired skills:

• Experience in working on interventions/projects in the ICT, smart technologies areas, and/or enhancement of public services.
• Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations.
• Additional training and/or certification in project management (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, Agile, etc.) would be an advantage.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Romanian is required.
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

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