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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, 

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.

How can you make a difference? 

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Duration: 90 working days between May 2025 - December 2025
Supervisor: CEED Specialist, UNICEF Tajikistan and Regional Adviser, Sustainability and Climate Section, ECARO.

TOR with the detailed deliverables and concrete timeline is at the following link  TOR_Climate Change Education.docx

The overall aim of the consultancy is to provide technical and advisory guidance to UNICEF Country Offices (COs) and the national governments on the institutional strengthening of the educational systems of Central Asian countries through integration the whole school approach to climate change education. The key objectives of the assignment include:

1. Develop a framing document on UNICEF’s vision and approach to climate change education, green skills, school safety and climate resilient infrastructure in Central Asia.

2. Develop a roadmap tailored to each country’s context for enhancing and expanding climate change education.

3. Support the COs and governments, where relevant, in climate change education integration in curricula reform.

4. Support the COs, where relevant, in developing training materials and implementing capacity enhancing in service training of teachers.

5. Support the COs in development of proposal for Generation Unlimited and Private Fundraising and Partnerships

6. Support the COs and Business Model Initiative Steering Committee, whenever required 

Under the supervision of the Regional Adviser, Sustainability and Climate Section, ECARO and CEED Specialist, UNICEF Tajikistan, the consultant will be responsible for the implementation of the following tasks and delivering the specified outputs. This assignment requires active consultation and close collaboration with various UNICEF sections of Central Asian Country Offices to ensure alignment with organizational goals and integration of expertise across relevant areas. The consultant will work closely with sector specialists to gather insights, validate findings, and ensure that the deliverables comprehensively address climate change education, as well as potential strategies for resilience and adaptation in Tajikistan.

Key Tasks:

1. Define a framework for UNICEF’s contributions on development and integration the climate change education, green skills school safety and climate resilient infrastructure in schools of Central Asia.
2. Develop a roadmap tailored to the country context for Central Asia countries to guide the education sector in mainstreaming climate change education strategically and systemically, in line with UNICEF ECARO guidance for climate change education and green skills.
3. Provide support and guidance to develop competencies of teachers and capacitate them in obtaining necessary skills to raise knowledge and understanding of climate change issues among students.
4. Integrate climate change in curricula review
5. Support COs in development of the proposal(s)for promoting CCE and green skills development of adolescents and youth through non-formal education in collaboration with ADAP and PFP teams
6. Provide timely and quality inputs into BMI Steering Committee work and coordinate with other consultants.
7. Integrate climate change, green skills and environmental local considerations into ongoing CBE reform in Tajikistan through formal and additional education structures and initiatives.

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

• Education: An advanced university degree in one of the following fields: education, public policy, environmental and/or social sciences or another relevant field
• Work experience: Minimum eight (8) years’ work experience in education policy and programming with focus on climate change and environment
• Experience in capacity building, government relationship building, training and/or facilitation an asset
• Previous experience working in the ECA region is an asset;
• Knowledge of the United Nations system or other international organizations is an asset;
• Knowledge of international development, humanitarian issues and children’s rights is an asset.
• Skills and attributes desired:
• Proven experience in programme assessments and strategy development
• Understanding of education systems and policies related to climate change and green skills
• Excellent communication, facilitation and presentation skills
• High level of analytical ability to analyse qualitative and quantitative data, including using relevant software packages;
• Demonstrated ability to produce high quality, concise, analytical and insightful reports and presentations in English;
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas;
• Strategic thinking and critical analysis.
• Commitment and drive, with a clear focus on results.
• Ability to manage competing priorities under pressure, whilst maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines
• Languages: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Russian is an asset.

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 (Annex 3 to be completed). Annex 3 at the link 
• At least 2 papers / concept notes 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 20 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.