Project reference: Strengthening Social Cohesion through Civil Society and Mass-Media in Moldova (COSMA)- Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
How to Apply
Please send your updated CV of max 3 pages to gdsivacancies@gdsi.ie by the 20 February 2026. Ensure your email subject line reads “ CSOM – [indicate Expert Role]” based on the position you are applying for.
Submission Deadline
All applications must be received by the 20 Feb 2026
Assignment Duration
The intended start date for the project is 01/07/2026, and the contract’s implementation period will extend over up to 48 months from this date
Location
The primary place of operation will be Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. Travel within Moldova may be necessary.
About the Assignment
Contribute to a flagship Swiss-funded governance and social cohesion programme in Moldova. As part of a dedicated Facilitation Unit, you will support civil society organisations and independent media to strengthen citizen-centred approaches, promote accountability, and foster social cohesion in a complex
and highly dynamic context.
Project Description
Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), this vital initiative is designed to bolster social cohesion, democratic governance, and inclusive nation-building in Moldova.
The project aims to empower civil society organisations and mass media to function as agents of accountability, cohesion, and transformation, using citizens’ priorities as entry points.
The overarching goal is to contribute to a resilient and inclusive Moldovan society by strengthening citizen participation, accountability mechanisms, and the sustainability of civil society and independent media, particularly at the local level.
Expert Profiles:
1. Experts profiles:
1.1. Team leader
Qualifications and skills (Minimum requirements)
- Higher education qualification in governance, civil society, media, social cohesion, peace- building, public administration, management, or a related field
- High-level facilitation and mediation skills
- Strong leadership, coordination, and communication skills
General professional experience (Minimum requirements)
- At least 10 years of international professional experience in governance-related programmes, including civil society and media development, social cohesion and/or peace-building interventions in complex and politically sensitive contexts.
Specific professional experience (Minimum requirements)
- Proven experience in managing and coordinating complex interventions
- Experience in enabling projects and programmes to operate in a facilitation rather than direct implementation role
- Proven experience in establishing effective coordination and collaboration with other projects and programmes
- At least five years of professional experience in Eastern Europe
- Track record of managing complex projects/programmes of at least CHF 3,000,000 with a multi-partner set-up
- Extensive experience in Project Cycle Management (PCM), financial and human resources management
- Extensive knowledge of adaptive and change management
- Expertise in mainstreaming gender equality, social inclusion, and good governance
- Awareness of the EU accession process and its implications for governance reform, civil society, and media
Language requirements
- Excellent English (written and spoken)
- Working knowledge of Romanian or Russian is an advantage
1.2 International Expert
Qualifications and skills (Minimum requirements)
- Higher education qualification in governance, public administration, social sciences, media or communication studies, peace-building, or a closely related discipline relevant to civil society and democratic governance programmes.
- High level of facilitation and mediation skills
General professional experience (Minimum requirements)
- At least 10 years of international professional experience in areas such as good governance, civil society, mass media, social cohesion and/or peace-building
Specific professional experience (Minimum requirements)
- Experience preferably in Eastern Europe
- Access to the latest academic work and technologies and ability to translate them into practice
- Competences in community engagement, media literacy, communication strategies, behavioural change communication, social psychology, intersectional pedagogy, experiential learning approaches, mediation, conflict resolution, and policy advocacy
- Experience in PCM, adaptive management, and change processes
- Experience in mainstreaming gender equality, social inclusion, and good governance
- Track record of coordination and collaboration with donor-funded projects/programmes
- Knowledge of SDC systems and procedures is a strong asset
Language requirements
- Fluency in English
- Knowledge of Romanian or Russian is an advantage
1.3. National Expert
Qualifications and skills (Minimum requirements)
- Higher education qualification in governance, public administration, social sciences, media or communication studies, peace-building, or a closely related discipline relevant to civil society and democratic governance programmes.
- Strong facilitation, coordination, and communication skills
General professional experience (Minimum requirements)
- Professional experience in good governance, civil society, mass media, social cohesion and/or peace-building
Specific professional experience (Minimum requirements)
- Very good knowledge of civil society and mass media sectors in Moldova
- Experience in community engagement, dialogue facilitation, advocacy, or policy processes
- Experience contributing to donor-funded projects or programmes
- Understanding of Moldova’s political, social, and economic context
- Experience contributing to effective and efficient CSO and media development programmes or funds
Language requirements
- Fluency in English, Romanian, and Russian
- English will be the project’s official and reporting language