UNICEF works in some of the worldโs toughest places, to reach the worldโs most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.ย
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.ย
And we never give up.ย
For every child, educationย
The Republic of Moldova embraces an education policy that is consistent with the European and international education standards that responds to the current issues and needs of the education system and its beneficiaries. Aligned with the objectives of the Development Strategy โEducation 2030โ ย (DS), the education system still faces challenges related to the quality of education and poor learning outcomes. Improving the quality of education is part of Moldova's integration efforts, as education is a cornerstone for economic development, social cohesion, and overall progress.
The projected trajectory of the planned curriculum reform initiated by the Ministry of Education and Research (MER) is influenced by both international trends, such as globalization, international student assessments, and the need for defining the knowledge and abilities that are seen to be most valuable in a society and necessary to prepare the children for the future.
UNICEF as grant agent and coordinating agency of a GPE System Capacity Grant, supports the MER in the curriculum reform. The overarching objective of the proposed project is to develop and institutionalize a comprehensive curriculum evaluation and development process within the general education system. This initiative aims to address the deficiencies highlighted in the existing curriculum framework, particularly considering the poor performance of Moldovan students in international assessments.
How can you make a difference?ย
The purpose of this consultancy is to support the MER in the review and development of the new National Curriculum documents for the selected sections. The consultant will also conduct the public consultations and develop the reports on the results of public consultations.
1. Objectives of the consultancy
The national consultant will be responsible for achieving the following objectives:
Review the existing Reference Framework for National Curriculum (RFNC) to help address the forms of exclusion and to ensure full alignment with the education sector policies. Preparation of a report with findings to address forms of exclusion and ensure direct links with policies in the Education Sector (Dimension - The Conceptual Framework and Its Completeness for the Disciplinary Curriculum: Specific Competencies and Competency Units) based on the proposed methodology. Design recommendations and methodological tools for the new RFNC to ensure the uniform and justified distribution of instructional time (criteria and their justification). Develop the section The purpose, document destination, justification for the need to develop a RFNC, and anticipated changes of the new RFNC. Develop the section on the Values promoted by the school curriculum. Develop the section Educational objectives. Development of the educational objectives section and establishment of benchmarks for learning outcome assessment standards of the RFNC. Develop the section Implementation and monitoring of a new generation curriculum: Managerial Aspects. Professional training of teaching staff from the perspective of implementing and developing a new generation curriculum of the RFNC. Develop the section Criteria and indicators for evaluating the delivered curriculum. Methodological tools and instructions for experts of the methodology for the evaluation of curriculum implementation. Development of the section Quality criteria and indicators in curriculum development from the perspective of continuity. Methodological tools and instructions for experts of the methodology for curriculum development. Design the Section Quality criteria and indicators in curriculum development for the subject. Conduct national consultations of the drafts developed.2. Details of how the work should be delivered
During the assignment, the consultant will be guided by the Concept of School Curriculum Development[1] developed by the MER. He/she will take into consideration the Governmentโs priorities related to the education sector priorities, including the Development Strategy Education 2030, the SDG targets, as well as the National Development Strategy \"European Moldova 2030\".
The consultant will be part of a team of experts and will work under the guidance of a lead expert selected by UNICEF. He/she will also work in close collaboration with MER, including the General Department of Policies in the Field of General Education, National Agency for Curriculum and Evaluation (NACE) and UNICEF and ensure the reach out and engagement of broad audience during the assignment. In convening national consultations, provide support to MER in following the next three principles:
Adopt a whole-of-government approach, ensuring multi-sectoral representation beyond education, to include health, social protection, food and nutrition, labour, environment, and connectivity. Include multiple constituencies to ensure meaningful engagement of the full set of education stakeholders. They could be the voices of students and youth organizations, teachers and teacher associations, girls and young women, civil society groups, parliamentarians, the private sector, development partners, education advocates, community and religious leaders, academia, research institutions and university networks. ย Focus on youth, with whom the transformation in education starts.[1] https://mec.gov.md/sites/default/files/concept-26-aprilie-compressed_6630a85a97a2e.pdf
3. Deliverables and timelines
Tasks
Deliverable
Timeline*
Activity 1. Review the existing RFNC to help address the forms of exclusion, gender inequities and to ensure full alignment with the education sector policies
Elaboration of a report with findings to address forms of exclusion and ensure direct links with policies in the education sector (Dimension - the Conceptual Framework and Its Completeness for the Disciplinary Curriculum: Specific Competencies and Competency Units) based on the proposed methodology.Report with pertinent findings on RNCF, including the ways to ensure consistency in curriculum approaches within and across subjects, time allocation within subjects, between subjects, and the establishment of specific competencies structure, etc.
5 days
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Development of recommendations and methodological tools to address forms of exclusion and ensure direct links with policies in the educational sector (Dimension - the Conceptual Framework and its completeness for the disciplinary curriculum: specific competencies and competency units) based on the proposed methodology.Recommendations and methodological tools for the new RFNC to ensure the uniform and justified distribution of instructional time (criteria and their justification)
4 days
ย ย ย ย ย ย
ย ย
Conduct public consultations of the draft report/study (preparing the agenda, identifying the target group).1 round table x 0,5 day facilitated Report on the public consultations conducted with the identified target group
1 dayย ย ย ย
ย ย ย
ย
Subtotal:
10 days, in November 2024
Activity 2. Develop a new gender responsive and inclusive RFNC
Analysis of how EU and OECD countries determine the weight of value formation activities within disciplinary curriculaReport on the results of data analysis based on the experiences of other countries (in Romanian)
2 days
ย
Develop the section Values promoted by the school curriculum, Development of the set of values and specification of how they are formed across all school subjects. Determining the minimum proportion of formative activities per subject of the RFNCSection on the values promoted by the school curriculum developed
4 days
ย
Develop the section of the RFNC Purpose, document destination, justification for the need to develop a new national curriculum framework, and anticipated changesSection of the RFNC Purpose, document destination, justification for the need to develop a new national curriculum framework, and anticipated developed
2 days
ย
Develop the section Educational objectives. Development of the educational objectives section and establishment of benchmarks for learning outcome assessment standardsSection of the RFNC Educational objectives. Development of the educational objectives section and establishment of benchmarks for learning outcome assessment standards developed
4 days
ย
Develop the section Implementation and Monitoring of a new generation curriculum: managerial aspects. Professional training of teaching staff from the perspective of implementing and developing a new generation curriculumSection of the RFNC Implementation and monitoring of a new generation curriculum: managerial aspects. Professional training of teaching staff from the perspective of implementing and developing a new generation curriculum developed
3 days
ย
Facilitate public consultations of the new RNCF - 1 Round Table (max. 125 participants). 1 Round Table (max. 125 participants) Report on the public consultations conducted with the identified target group.1 days
ย
Subtotal:
ย
16 working days, during November - December 2024
Activity 3. Development of a robust Methodology for the Evaluation of Curriculum Implementation
Development of the section Criteria and indicators for evaluating the delivered curriculum. Methodological tools and instructions for experts.The section Criteria and indicators for evaluating the delivered curriculum. Methodological tools and instructions for experts developed
2 days
ย
Development of the Section Criteria and Indicators for Evaluating the Delivered Curriculum. Methodological Tools and Instructions for ExpertsThe section Criteria and Indicators for evaluating the delivered curriculum. Methodological tools and instructions for experts developed
7 days
ย
Online Presentation of the draft to academia.Online presentation delivered Report on the results of the public consultation
1 days
ย
Subtotal:
ย
10 days in February โ March 2025
Activity 4. Development of a robust Methodology for Curriculum Development
Development of the section Quality criteria and indicators in curriculum development from the perspective of continuity. Methodological tools and instructions for expertsThe section Quality criteria and indicators in curriculum development from the perspective of continuity. Methodological tools and instructions for experts developed
2 days
ย
Development of the section Quality Criteria and Indicators in curriculum development for the subjectThe section Quality criteria and indicators in curriculum development for the subject developed
5 days
ย
Online presentation of the draft to academiaOnline presentation delivered Report on the results of the public consultation
1 days
ย
Develop the Final Report Final report presented toย ย ย ย ยMER and UNICEF
Summary report (up to 6 pages) in English Summary of results in PPT in English2 days
Subtotal:
ย
10 working days, during May โ June 2025
Total:
ย
46 days
4.ย Definition of supervisory arrangementsย
The consultant will work under the oversight of the Education Officer of UNICEF Moldova, in close coordination with the Education Specialist. Payments will be rendered upon successful completion of each task, as per the schedule outlined above.ย
5. Work location and official travel involvedย
The work will be performed mainly remotely and will only require participation in meetings at MER, or other location within Chisinau.
The UNICEF office will facilitate introductions to key informants.
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