Anunțuri de Angajare

PROJECT TITLE: SKILL-UP MOLDOVA
POSITION: VET Coordinator
STARTING DATE: Tentatively May/June 2026 (this vacancy is announced in anticipation of signing of the Multi Partner Contribution Agreement)
CONTRACT PERIOD: 12 Months with the possibility of extension (max. 36 months)
TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Full-time position
LOCATION: Chisinau, Moldova

The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) is recruiting a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Coordinator (full time, f/m) for the project Skill-up Moldova.

1. Background and Introduction

Austria has a long-standing partnership with the Government of Moldova, which has been a priority partner country since 2004. ADA, Austria’s federal agency for development cooperation and humanitarian aid, supports its partner countries in implementing programmes and projects and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ADA’s focus in Moldova lies on projects with focus on equal opportunities in labor market inclusion.

ADA has been delegated by the European Union (EU) to implement a project with a volume of EUR 2.5 Mio. focusing on skills development (Skill-up Moldova). The overall objective of the action is to strengthen the Moldovan VET system as a driver of EU-aligned reforms, equipping the workforce with the skills needed.

Within this Action, the following Outcomes are foreseen:

Outcome 1: Enhanced design of upskilling and reskilling programmes in selected priority sectors, and strengthened recognition and Validation of Non-Formal and Informal Learning and prior acquired skills (VNIL/VNFIL/RVPL), contributing to better alignment between skills and labour market demand.

Outcome 2: The policy framework for VET teacher management and continuous professional development (CPD) is strengthened, and VET and LLL teachers/training providers are empowered to deliver industry-relevant upskilling and reskilling programmes in priority sectors, including gender- responsive approaches for increased participation of women and other underrepresented adult learners.

Outcome 3: Strengthened operational capacity of Centres of Excellence to function as sectoral innovation hubs, structured facilitators of employer-skills dialogue, and coordinated providers of pedagogical and technical support to affiliated VET institutions.

The project will be completed over a period of 36 months. To support the ADA Office for Technical Cooperation in Chisinau in ensuring the successful implementation of this project, ADA is recruiting an experienced VET Coordinator for a maximum of 36 months starting tentatively in May/June 2026. The position will be based in Chisinau.

Further background information and documents regarding Austria’s engagement in Moldova are available on our homepage: https://www.entwicklung.at/en/.

2. Detailed Terms of Reference

Role Summary: The VET Coordinator will be an experienced expert in VET with proven experience in EU-funded project management. Special knowledge and experience in international cooperation, education, and a human rights-based approach are among the assets. The position will support the successful implementation of project activities, ensuring alignment of VET provision with labour market demand, strengthening VET teacher capacity, and enhancing operational performance of Centres of Excellence. The coordinator will contribute to achieving the project’s three main outcomes.

Key responsibilities include coordination with public authorities, VET institutions, private sector representatives, and development partners to enhance cooperation mechanisms between education and industry. The position will also contribute to strengthening institutional capacities of VET providers by supporting curriculum development, teacher training initiatives, and quality assurance processes. In addition, the coordinator will assist in data collection, analysis, and reporting. This position is based in Chisinau, with frequent trips to Moldovan provinces and occasionally abroad.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

VET Programme Implementation and Support

• Support the design, pilot, and rollout of upskilling/reskilling programmes in priority sectors
• Facilitate the recognition and validation of non-formal and informal learning (VNIL/VNFIL/RVPL) mechanisms.
• Coordinate with Sector Skills Committees, VET institutions, and industry to ensure programmes meet labour market needs.
• Promote inclusion and gender-responsive approaches in adult learning and workforce development initiatives.
• Regularly monitors and analyses the project environment and timely adjusts the implementation as needed.
• Assist in developing training modules, mentoring systems, and industry-aligned learning resources for VET teachers and trainers.
• Promote adoption of innovative pedagogical approaches and digital tools for teaching.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building for training providers and teachers.
• Assist Centers of Excellence in operational planning, management, and delivery of sectoral support.
• Support employer engagement initiatives, structured dialogue forums, and partnerships between VET providers and industry.
• Coordinate pedagogical and technical support to affiliated VET institutions.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of Centers’ activities and outputs.

Coordination and representation

• Represent ADA in meetings as necessary and assigned by the TL.
• Self-coordination of responsibilities, tasks deadlines and teamwork.

Reporting

• Provide timely input and comprehensive reporting of the project according to the EU and ADA requirements as set out in the MPCA and PID (reporting on log frame, SDG and GAP III indicators).
• Provide substantial input to the Annual Report, monitoring and ad-hoc reports and respond to any special reporting requirements of the EU, ADA, relevant ministries and stakeholders.
• Contribute to regular progress reports (monthly, quarterly, annual) by providing updates on private sector and VET-related activities.

Visibility

• Support the communication and visibility activities.

3. Requirements and Qualifications

Educational and Professional Experience

• University degree in Education, Economics, Business, Public Administration, or another related field.
• Minimum 7 years in managing international development projects of similar scope and nature; successful experience with EU funded projects in Eastern Europe is an asset.
• Proven experience with results-based project management and in project cycle management (including monitoring and evaluation).
• Demonstrated knowledge of the VET sector in Moldova.
• Knowledge of international development cooperation principles and quality standards, including gender, diversity, inclusiveness and environment.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent written and oral communication/reporting, representation skills in English are required; knowledge of Romanian and/or Russian is an advantage.
• Ability to effectively manage and coordinate a multi-disciplinary team of staff, experts and consultants.
• Ability and willingness to travel within Moldova and occasionally abroad.
• Excellent interpersonal/social and communication skills.
• Adherence to highest standards of ethics.
• Self-motivation and proactive working style.
• Ability to work in multinational and multicultural environment.
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Technical Proficiency

• Good command of regular Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, SharePoint, Office 365, Project, Teams and “online documents” etc.).

4. How to apply
Please submit your application to chisinau.application@ada.gv.at by COB 12 May 2026 at 24:00 hrs.(12:00 p.m. Moldova time), indicating position name “VET Coordinator” in the subject, with the following attached documents:

• Letter of motivation in English, including salary expectations and highlight your relevant experience for the assignment.
• Curriculum vitae in English.
• Names, contact details and working relationship of three professional references (at least one referee should have been your direct supervisor).
• Copies of academic certificates and testimonials.

This project position is subject to the pending signature of the Contribution Agreement between the EU and ADA. ADA retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration. 

Women are especially encouraged to apply. ADA supports gender equality on all levels and attaches great value to a gender balance in senior positions. In case of equal qualification for the position and at the absence of other outweighing factors, preference will be given to the female candidate. We also welcome applications of persons with a migrant background and/or of persons with disabilities.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence and no application fees or information with respect to bank account details are required by ADA for our recruitment process. Please note that in the event of an invitation for an in-person interview, ADA is unable to reimburse costs incurred. Candidates must expect that references from previous employers will be requested by ADA. Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

Note: These Terms of Reference are intended to provide an overview of the position and the key responsibilities. They may be subject to revisions and refinements based on project needs, ADA regulations, and EU guidelines.

Please see also pdf version of the vacancy announcement