UN Youth Volunteer in Protection (Education)

UNHCR’s operations in Moldova are part of the Multi-Country Office in Budapest. We follow and comment on developments in policy, legislation, and the daily practice of refugee protection. We are working with the Moldovan government and partner organizations. We are committed to creating public support for asylum-seekers, refugees and stateless persons.

The escalation of conflict in Ukraine, which started on 24 February 2020, has resulted in civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, forcing people to flee to surrounding countries such as Moldova seeking safety, protection, and assistance. As of 22 July 2024, over 1,000,000 refugees had crossed from Ukraine into Moldova, primarily women and children, with over 124,000 refugees currently present in the country, nearly half of whom are children. The Government of Moldova has the primary responsibility for the refugee response, including ensuring access to services and assistance, and serves as the overall coordinator for the refugee response. In the education sector, the Ministry of Education and Research (MER) leads the response, with the support of the co-leads UNICEF and UNHCR.

Currently, there are a number of challenges related to the education of Ukrainian and other refugee children in Moldova. Enrollment of Ukrainian children in Moldovan schools remains extremely low, with the majority of children believed to be studying the Ukrainian online curriculum. While recent initiatives of the Ministry of Education have made school enrollment easier, enrollment rates have not risen significantly. Children’s absence from a school setting raises concerns about their social-emotional health, learning outcomes, and child protection risks. Additional challenges exist for specific groups of children, such as children with disabilities and Roma children.

The UNHCR Education team co-leads the Education Working Group, jointly with UNICEF, and under the leadership of the Ministry of Education and Research (MER). UNHCR’s activities in the education sector focus on advocacy related to school enrolment, support to MER with strategic direction and fundraising, and higher education initiatives.

Working in complementarity with the education team, the UNHCR child protection team supports the identification and referral of refugee children at risk, the prevention of abuse and neglect, and capacity building of national and local authorities. Additionally, UNHCR co-chairs the Child Protection Sub Working Group, together with UNICEF, which currently meets monthly. Refugee children in Moldova at heightened risk, and for whom specific interventions may be needed, include unaccompanied and separated children, Roma children whose families engage in harmful traditional practices, children out of school or studying exclusively online, children with disabilities, and adolescent girls. The child protection team also engages with refugee youth and supports the provision of child and youth-friendly information sharing. The Child Protection team works closely with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP), in particular its division on child protection.

Under the direct supervision of the Child Protection Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• Provide general support to the UNHCR education team.
• Support coordination of the Education Working Group and keeping sector members up to date on relevant activities.
• Support with coordination and collaboration between UNHCR, UNICEF, and the Ministry of Education and Research on key initiatives, including the adoption, costing, and implementation of the government Roadmap and Action Plan on inclusion of refugee children in Moldovan schools.
• Support with the development of child and youth-friendly materials related to education.
• Support with information sharing related to higher education.
• Support engagement and event planning with the Moldovan National Youth Council.
• Support with the organization of relevant trainings in the education and child protection sectors.
• Attend events and trainings related to education.
• Disseminate and promote UNHCR's global policies, standards, and guidance on education.
• Conduct field missions, as needed, to engage with refugee communities and local authorities.
• Support with the preparation of reports, analyses, and assessments related to education.
• Support the child protection team, as needed.
• Other tasks, as identified by the supervisor.