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.ย
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 atย undp.orgย 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.ย
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.ย 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.ย 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.ย
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.ย 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 Ministryโs capacity to identify and eliminate fraud.ย 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.ย
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:ย
Most-used social and employment services are pro-activated;ย Majority of social and employment services are radically simplified and digitalized;ย A national network of single window centres for social and employment services is functional through a new Automated Informational System (eSocial).The โDigital Transformation of Social Protectionโ 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 โ eSocial โ for social protection services. The eSocial platform is Moldovaโs 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.ย
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 โDigital Transformation of Social Protectionโ 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 Moldovaโs capacity to build a shock-responsive, citizen-centered, and evidence-driven social protection systemโaligned with the principles of human dignity, inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goal 1.3: โImplement nationally appropriate social protection systems for all.โ
Duties and Responsibilities
Coordinate, develop and ensure effective project planning and implementation:
Provide business process expertise to guide the development and enhancement of eSocial modules, ensuring alignment with MLSP institutional needs and end-user experience; Contribute to the preparation of technical and functional specifications for procurement documents (RfQs, ItBs, RfPs); Support the technical evaluation of bids and proposals during procurement processes; Supervise IT development companies from a business process perspective, validating deliverables against requirements and timelines; Monitor adherence to project milestones, development budgets, and quality assurance standards; Provide continuous feedback and recommendations for improvement based on user testing and post-implementation insights; Review and assess the outputs of external IT development contractors to ensure that implemented functionalities align with the documented business processes, user requirements, and quality standards established for the eSocial platform.Develop strategic partnerships:
Substantively contribute to project communications and visibility efforts. Make recommendations to the management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies; Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners; Support resource mobilization efforts and project development; Collaborate with Beneficiary institutional stakeholders (MLSP, CNDDCM, NEA, SLI, etc.) to identify and document detailed business and technical requirements; Serve as a liaison between IT development teams, institutional users, and MLSP IT departments to ensure coherent communication and expectation management; Facilitate coordination among UNDP, the Ministry, and subordinate agencies to secure input, validate processes, and foster alignment with ongoing reforms; Maintain consistent engagement with stakeholders throughout all development and deployment stages; Coordinate with external state institutions and agencies involved in the digitalization process to ensure alignment, data exchange, and compliance with national standards and interoperability frameworks.Report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set:
Provide leadership and technical advice to the project in developing baselines and indicators for project monitoring and evaluation and coordinate the finalization of detailed results framework;ย Develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting; Translate institutional processes and reform goals into system features, user stories, and functional specifications; Ensure that proposed workflows and system functionalities reflect real user needs and enhance administrative efficiency; Prioritize eSocial features based on institutional urgency, user feedback, and integration dependencies; Support onboarding processes by contributing to user communication strategies, training plans, and transition readiness.Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas:
Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application; Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project related issues;ย 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 UNDPโs engagement in this area;ย Promote advocacy for UNDPโs work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.ยThe incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
Competencies
Core Competencies
Achieve Results:ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.ย Think Innovatively:ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.ย Learn Continuously:ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences. Adapt with Agility:ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.ย Act with Determination: ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results. Engage and Partner:ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration. Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.Cross-Functional and Technical Competencies
Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals. 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. 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.ย Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange. Experience Design: Knowledge of experience design methodologies and ability to design end-to-end experiences that meet user and business needs. Digital Business Analysis: Ability to support digital business processes across a range of digital projects, programmes and activities. Digital Transformation Design: Practical and strategic skills in digital transformation for governments and organizations.ย User Experience and Business Analyst: Capacity to translate efficiently users needs in IT requirements around human-centred design principles.ย Knowledge of Oracle UNDP | People for 2030 โ Competency Framework โ Technical Competencies (2024) Cloud, ServiceNow, SalesForce.com, and Microsoft product an asset.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Master's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field(s) is required, or; Bachelorโs 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 masterโs degree) or 7 years (with bachelorโs degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in project delivery of IT or digital transformation products.Required Skills:ย
At least 2 (two) years of experience in project delivery methodologies (such as Agile, Scrum,) and tools (such as JIRA, Asana etc.). Proven track record of experience in successfully managing and delivering complex IT projects, in the public or private sector.ย 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.ย Knowledge of IT infrastructure, software development processes, and data management practices.Desired Skills:ย
Professional experience in in leading cross-functional teams and working collaboratively with diverse stakeholder groups.ย Experience in working on interventions/projects in the ICT, smart technologies areas, and/or enhancement of public services.ย Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations.ยRequired 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.ยย Professional Certificates:
Additional training and/or certification in project management (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, Agile, etc.) would be an advantage.ยEqual 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.ย
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.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
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