UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. 

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling. 

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package. 

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF. 

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

With the new release of the new Strategic Plan (2026-2029) and the last two year of implementation of the Country programme, UNICEF Romania plans to align the results frameworks to highlight the country office contribution to systemic changes and impact on children in Romania. In addition, the country office is implementing for the fourth consecutive year the Ukraine refugee response plan that aims to strengthen the national system to become shock-responsive, ensure children and their caregivers have access to essential services, and all refugees are integrating into the society.

In this aim, UNICEF Romania requires additional support in facilitating the programme planning and monitoring functions relevant that adhere to the organizational standards for planning, monitoring and reporting. This consultancy will be done in close collaboration with the country office team members, but will also be communicated with other UNICEF offices, government and CSO partners to assist UNICEF in developing national capacities for planning, monitoring, evaluation and research, with special attention to the interest, concern and participation of government, community, and civil society stakeholders.

Scope of Work

Given the complexity of the program and the need for robust planning and monitoring systems, the consultancy is required to provide additional specialized expertise and dedicated time to strengthen planning processes, improve data collection and analysis, and ensure compliance with organizational standards and donor requirements. The involvement of an external consultant will ensure responsive modus operandi that requires producing deliverables within the specified timelines, with the necessary focus and expertise, without compromising the quality or progress of existing projects and processes.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Deputy Representative, the consultant will provide support to the country office in coordinating, facilitating and implementing activities for planning, reporting and monitoring. More specifically, the consultant is expected to support the country office in the following areas:

1. Programme Planning and Monitoring. The Country Office has well-prioritized and realistic planning & monitoring activities, that provide all the relevant and strategic information needed to manage the last two years of Country Programme, assess progress towards set targets, and navigate transition to the new 2026-2029 UNICEF Strategic Plan.
2. Reporting. The Country Office is completing timely the reporting requirements, including annual reporting, donor reporting and recurrent humanitarian reporting, by ensuring coordination and support towards development and quality assurance.
3. Planning and Monitoring Capacity Building. The RBM and evidence-based planning and monitoring capacities of the Country Office staff and national partners – government and civil society – are enhanced with the contribution of UNICEF knowledge partners to meet the requirements of their positions.
4. Information Management. The Country Office implements information management activities, including humanitarian performance monitoring/reporting (HPM) related to the ongoing refugee crisis, resulting in quality information for monitoring and reporting activities.
5. Knowledge Management: The Country office has established collaborative working spaces, data visualization products (including maps) to inform evidence-based decision making and support in documenting lessons learnt and good practices.

The consultant is expected to work in close collaboration with the office team members, while maintaining interactions with regional advisors, UN agencies, Government and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) partners.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0001103 External ToR.pdf

Minimum requirements 

• A master's degree in Public administration, International Development, Sociology, Statistics or other social science fields are required.

Years of experience/Knowledge/expertise/Skills required

• A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in planning, monitoring, information management, and data management. 
• ​​Relevant experience in programme/project planning, monitoring and evaluation in a UN system agency or organization is an asset. 
• ​Extensive knowledge of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) principles, frameworks, and best practices in humanitarian and development settings. 
• ​Familiarity with UNICEF mandate and programme. 
• ​Relevant experience in similar activities with UNICEF or other UN organizations/agencies will be considered an asset. 
• ​Fluency in Romanian language and Proficiency in English language, including spoken language, strong report writing and presentation skills are mandatory. 
• ​ ​​Analytical thinking, conceptual ability and strategic planning skills. 
• ​Strong writing and synthesis skills 
• ​Strong teamwork skills 
• ​Computer skills, including various office applications and tools for presentation, monitoring, data management and/or analysis 
• ​Availability to work within the proposed timeframe. 

For every Child, you demonstrate... 

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values 

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status. 

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance. 

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially. 

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System): 

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)  
• Cover letter 
• A separate financial proposal  TMC0001103 FINANCIAL PROPOSAL.docx

Remarks

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information. 

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.  

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.