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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, Health 

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, advocacy, and operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. 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.

Tajikistan has made remarkable progress in strengthening its cold chain infrastructure, ensuring vaccines are stored and transported safely to maintain their potency. Investments in modern equipment and improved logistics have enhanced the efficiency of immunization services, particularly at the health facility level. However, as the system evolves, hundreds older refrigeration units become obsolete or non-functional, requiring timely replacement to sustain uninterrupted immunization services. The accumulation of idle cold chain equipment in health facilities not only takes up valuable space but also hampers operational efficiency and maintenance planning, creating logistical challenges that could impact vaccine availability. To ensure a sustainable immunization supply chain, it is essential to establish systematic decommissioning processes that facilitate the smooth transition from outdated units to modern, energy-efficient alternatives.

Beyond operational concerns, proper disposal of idle cold chain equipment is critical to ensuring compliance with environmental safety norms. Many outdated refrigeration units contain refrigerants with a high Global Warming Potential (GWP), which, if not properly handled, contribute to climate change and pose risks to human health. Without structured disposal mechanisms, improper handling of cold chain equipment (CCE) waste, including the uncontrolled release of refrigerants and hazardous materials, can lead to long-term environmental damage. A clear framework for safe refrigerant recovery, recycling, and responsible disposal is necessary to align cold chain decommissioning with global best practices in environmental sustainability.

As part of its international commitments, Tajikistan has ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, pledging to phase out high-GWP refrigerants and transition to climate-friendly alternatives. Establishing a well-regulated system for the replacement and proper disposal of outdated cold chain equipment will not only fulfill this obligation but also contribute to a more resilient, efficient, and environmentally sustainable immunization supply chain.

Tajikistan’s commitment to improving cold chain sustainability requires expert technical support to develop structured and environmentally responsible decommissioning processes. To address the mentioned challenges, UNICEF is hiring an international consultant to support the country with development of structured and environmentally responsible decommissioning and disposal processes. The consultant will work closely with national stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population (MOHSP), Republican Center of Immunoprophylaxis (RCIP) and the Committee for Environmental Protection to assess current CCE disposal practices, identify gaps, and propose sustainable solutions.

The overall purpose of this assignment is to support Tajikistan in developing a structured, efficient, and environmentally sustainable system for the decommissioning and disposal of outdated Cold Chain Equipment (CCE). As the country transitions to modern and energy-efficient refrigeration technologies, it is essential to ensure that obsolete equipment is safely phased out without disrupting immunization services. This assignment will focus on establishing clear procedures for handling non-functional CCE, managing refrigerants responsibly, and ensuring compliance with international environmental protocols, such as WHO PQS guidelines and the Kigali Amendment.

By addressing technical, operational, and policy challenges, this initiative will help reduce logistical inefficiencies, prevent the accumulation of idle equipment in health facilities, and minimize environmental hazards associated with improper disposal. Ultimately, this work will enhance the sustainability of immunization services while ensuring that CCE decommissioning aligns with global best practices in waste management, environmental safety, and health system strengthening.

How can you make a difference? 

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Duration: 40 working days between May 2025 - August 2025
Supervisor: Health Specialist, UNICEF Tajikistan

The Consultant will work under the guidance of the Health Officer and overall guidance of and in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population, and other relevant departments and centers of MOHSP to do the following:

Assessing Current Practices and Identifying Gaps
A critical component of this assignment is to evaluate the existing decommissioning and disposal practices of Cold Chain Equipment (CCE) in Tajikistan. This requires a comprehensive review of current procedures to determine how outdated and non-functional equipment is managed across health facilities. The assessment will examine the extent of idle or obsolete CCE accumulation, analyzing its impact on immunization operations, storage capacity, and logistical efficiency. Furthermore, the study will identify key policy, technical, and financial barriers that hinder the proper disposal of outdated cold chain equipment.

Developing Environmentally Sustainable Disposal Solutions
Focus on developing safe and standardized procedures for refrigerant recovery, recycling, and disposal, ensuring full compliance with WHO PQS guidelines. Given the environmental impact of high-GWP refrigerants found in many outdated refrigeration units, the study will emphasize the need for climate-friendly disposal alternatives that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the assignment will explore cost-effective and scalable disposal models, including potential collaborations with waste management companies and private-sector recycling initiatives.

Strengthening Policy and Regulatory Frameworks
Support the development and refinement of national guidelines, providing a structured approach for the safe removal, handling, and disposal of outdated equipment. Clear roles and responsibilities will be established across key government entities, including the Ministry of Health, environmental authorities, and cold chain managers, to ensure a coordinated and accountable system for managing CCE disposal. Additionally, financial planning mechanisms will be explored to secure sustainable funding for decommissioning efforts, ensuring that obsolete equipment is not simply discarded or left unused due to budget constraints.

The detailed TOR with concrete deliverables and timeline is at the following link  TOR_CCE decommissioning and disposal_international.docx

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• Education: Advanced university degree in Public Health, Environmental Science, Cold Chain Management, Waste Management, Supply Chain Logistics, or a related field.
• Working experience: Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in cold chain equipment (CCE) decommissioning, refrigerant recovery, health waste disposal, and environmental compliance, preferably in low- and middle-income countries.
• Demonstrated expertise in assessing, designing, and implementing CCE disposal strategies in alignment with environmental and safety standards.
• Proven experience working with international and/or UN agencies in the field of cold chain management or health logistics.
• Strong technical knowledge of refrigerant handling, disposal protocols, and safe waste management practices.
• Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation to support evidence-based recommendations and reporting.
• Excellent stakeholder coordination, facilitation, and communication skills, with the ability to lead workshops, engage technical working groups, and consult effectively with government counterparts.
• Superior technical writing skills for the development of reports, operational guidelines, and policy briefs.
• Languages: Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.
  
  

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

• CV and cover letter.
• Technical proposal describing approach/methodology to achieve the tasks of the TOR, workplan with concrete timeframes
• Financial proposal in USD-all inclusive, indicting fee per day and cost of the travel (Annex 3 to be completed). Annex 3 at the link 
• At least 2 papers / examples of work previously developed by the candidate or when candidate provided substantial inputs to the documents.
• Applications without technical and financial proposals will not be considered.

Applications must be received in the system by 7 May 2025 on UNICEF website.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.