Background

The goal of the UNDP “Strengthening Parliamentary Governance in Moldova” Project, further on referred to as the SPGM project, is designed to address the main needs of the Parliament of Moldova in the areas of law-making, oversight and representation during the on-going process of domestic reform spurred by closer relations with the EU. The project also assists in making the Parliament’s legislative activity more open, transparent and participatory through establishing tools and mechanisms for the engagement of civil society, professional associations and the public. Project interventions will offer and encourage equal opportunity for male and female participation.

In its efforts towards becoming a transparent institution, actively involved in the direct dialogue with citizens and civil society, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova (PRM) has undertaken numerous steps to strengthen its outreach and educational role. Starting with 2013, the parliament launched multiple informational and educational activities to provide citizens a better insight of the law-making and decision-making processes, thus encouraging participatory democracy.

Building on the Parliament’s Communications Strategy and Action Plan,  as well as the Concept on Civic Education titled “My Parliament”, the legislature aims to further enhance its public engagement and education roles in line with the best international parliamentary practices.  In this context, the parliament intends to create a consolidated vision on approaches and innovative tools to engage citizens in the work of the legislature.

Therefore, UNDP is looking to hire a consultant to support the parliament in developing a 4-year civic education programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

The expected output for the consultant’s assignment is to support the PRM in designing a comprehensive framework describing the mission, vision, objectives and activities for enhancing parliament’s role in the provision of civic education on the work and role of parliament in line with the best international practices. The consultant is expected to identify a range of activities that can be carried out by the parliament’s existing team of communication and media experts in cooperation with other stakeholders. In order to achieve the stated objective, the Consultant will have the following responsibilities:

1. Prepare an inception report containing the methodology, detailed work plan, final schedule for the assignment;
2. Undertake a comprehensive desk review of the relevant national legal framework, policies and strategies on provision of civic education. Identify and document international best practices for the implementation of civic education programmes;
3. Provide a mapping of ongoing civic education programmes in the country by identifying the major stakeholders in the process of design, accreditation and delivery of civic education programmes and potential synergies. Review existing initiatives and methodologies employed by various stakeholders in civic education at national level, in order to identify the success factors, challenges, risks and opportunities;
4. Organize a roundtable on parliamentary civic education with participation of staff from two other European parliaments;
5. Based on the findings of the desk review, mapping and the round table proceedings, develop a report outlining the key conclusions and recommendations for the Parliament of Moldova in developing a civic education programme;
6. Draft parliament’s civic education programme describing the mission, vision, objectives and activities that could be carried by the PRM in the context of an enhanced education and outreach role. The programme should be accompanied by an activity plan that should include the following:

• List of activities, services and campaigns that could be carried out by the Parliament of Moldova as well as of key stakeholders to be engaged at different stages of implementation;
• Brief outline of the possible activities, services and campaigns, containing a description of the scope, expected outputs and outcomes, interventions, target groups and a list of necessary resources for implementation;

1. Provide support to the parliament in organizing the presentation of the civic education programme and activity plan for feedback and finalization.
2. Undertake two missions to Chisinau, according to the tentative schedule:

• First half of October 2018 for data collection
• Second half of November 2018 for presentation of the civic education programme strategy and activity plan

Competencies

Deliverables and tentative timeframe:

*This is a tentative timeframe. The final dates for providing the deliverables will be confirmed after the consultations with the Parliament and UNDP.

The consultant will work under the guidance of the UNDP Technical Specialist for substantive aspects of the assignment, and under the direct supervision of the UNDP Senior Project Officer – for administrative aspects. The consultant will report to the Parliament appointed representative and the UNDP Technical Specialist.

The consultant will work closely with the parliament’s General Communication and Public Relations Department.

For detailed information, please refer to Annex 1 – Terms of Reference.

Required Skills and Experience

I. Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in communications, public administration, strategic management, or any other relevant social sciences;

II. Years of experience:

• At least 5 years of practical experience in designing and/or implementing public outreach and education concepts and training curricula on participatory democratic processes;
• Proven experience (at least 3 previous projects) in conceptualizing and developing civic education, public outreach concepts for national legislatures or international organizations working in democratic governance
• Experience in working with UN agencies is an asset

III. Competencies:

• Demonstrated interpersonal and diplomatic skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels and to present ideas clearly and effectively;
• Excellent research and analytical skills;
• Time and project management skills;
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of Romanian and/or Russian is an asset.

• Proven commitment to the core values of the United Nations, in particular respecting differences of culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, language, age, HIV status, disability, and sexual orientation, or other status;

The UNDP Moldova is committed to workforce diversity. Women and men, persons with different types of disabilities, LGBTI, Roma and other ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the Republic of Moldova, are particularly encouraged to apply.

UNDP Moldova Job Page: http://sc.undp.md/jobdetails/1753/