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For every child, the right to protection!

Background:
Children are among the most vulnerable to climate-related and other covariate shocks. Floods, droughts, extreme heat events and other crises disproportionately affect children through increased poverty risks, disruption of education and health services, heightened exposure to violence, child labour, malnutrition and psychosocial stress.

Adaptive Social Protection (ASP), as advanced in global policy frameworks of the World Bank and UNICEF, integrates social protection, disaster risk management and climate adaptation approaches. ASP strengthens the capacity of national systems to anticipate, prepare, respond, and adapt to shocks. It promotes scalable and flexible social protection programmes, early warning-informed responses, coordinated institutional mechanisms, and sustainable financing arrangements that enable timely and predictable support to affected populations.

In this context, UNICEF will support the development of the National Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) Strategy for children and their families, including its Implementation Plan. The strategy will define the national vision, institutional and governance arrangements, financing mechanisms, preparedness measures and monitoring framework required to ensure that Uzbekistan’s social protection system becomes more resilient, inclusive and responsive to shocks.

Scope of Work
Under the overall supervision of UNICEF and in close coordination with the NASP, the International Consultant will, in partnership with the National Consultant, lead the development of the National ASP Strategy and its Implementation Plan in Uzbekistan.

The assignment will cover the undertaking of a desk review, including the findings of the Climate Vulnerability Needs Assessment; the development of the draft ASP Strategy and its implementation plan; and the presentation and submission of the draft Strategy.

The International Consultant will serve as the lead technical expert and bear ultimate responsibility for the quality, coherence and timely delivery of the National ASP strategy.

Objectives of the Consultancy
The primary objective of this consultancy is to support the institutional strengthening and system-level reform of Uzbekistan’s social protection system through the development of the national ASP Strategy and its Implementation Plan, in partnership with the National

Consultant and in close coordination with the National Agency for Social Protection. Specifically, the consultancy aims to:

A. Analyze the existing social protection, disaster risk management and climate adaptation architecture to identify structural, institutional and operational entry points for integrating adaptive social protection within the national system;
B. Develop a coherent and nationally owned ASP Strategy that establishes a clear reform vision, defines governance and coordination arrangements, and embeds adaptive mechanisms within the broader social protection framework;
C. Design a time-bound and cost-effective implementation plan with defined institutional responsibilities, sequencing of reforms and a results-based monitoring framework to guide systemic implementation.

Building on this, the consultancy aims to contribute to the transformation of the social protection system into a more resilient, shock-responsive and institutionally coordinated system capable of anticipating and managing climate-related and other covariate shocks, strengthening interagency alignment, improving preparedness mechanisms, and ensuring that adaptive reforms protect children and other vulnerable populations while safeguarding long-term social and economic resilience.

Recommended Methodology
The International Consultant will design and lead the implementation of a structured and evidence-based methodological framework to ensure comprehensive, system-oriented and policy-coherent development of the National Adaptive Social Protection Strategy and its Implementation Plan. The assignment will be implemented in a manner that ensures analytical rigor, institutional feasibility, and alignment with international best practices on adaptive social protection.

Management
UNICEF’s Social Policy Section will act as the focal point for this consultancy. A designated UNICEF Programme Officer will oversee the assignment, provide technical guidance, and ensure overall coordination with the National Agency for Social Protection (NASP).

The International and National Consultants will work in close collaboration throughout the assignment. The International Consultant will define analytical requirements, drafting structure and timelines, while the National Consultant will provide contextual inputs and facilitate national coordination. Regular coordination meetings will be held to review progress, address technical issues and ensure alignment of outputs. The International Consultant will maintain version control and ensure editorial coherence of draft documents, while the National Consultant will support consolidation of stakeholder inputs and institutional feedback. The International Consultant bears ultimate responsibility for the final technical quality and submission of the Strategy and Implementation Plan.

UNICEF will facilitate coordination with NASP and relevant stakeholders, including support in organizing technical meetings, consultations and validation events. Close collaboration with NASP technical counterparts will be maintained to ensure access to relevant documentation, alignment with national priorities and integration of institutional feedback into successive drafts of the Strategy.

The Consultant will provide regular progress updates to UNICEF and submit all deliverables in accordance with agreed timelines. Key milestones, including submission of the inception approach, the draft Strategy and the final Strategy, will be reviewed and cleared by UNICEF in consultation with NASP.

Operational and logistical arrangements for meetings and consultations within Uzbekistan will be coordinated by UNICEF in collaboration with NASP, as required.

The consultant is expected to undertake at least one mission to Uzbekistan for on-site data collection (if not home-based in Uzbekistan). UNICEF will assist with in-country logistics, including arranging meetings and providing office space during visits. However, the consultant must use their own work equipment (laptop, software, etc.), as UNICEF will not provide computers. Travel costs (international travel, if applicable) should be included in the financial proposal, and any necessary visa expenses will be borne by the consultant (UNICEF can facilitate the visa process with official letters as needed). In line with UNICEF policy, no cash payments will be made in-country; all payments will be processed through banking channels. The consultant is responsible for securing their travel insurance and health coverage for the duration of the assignment.

Payment

Payments will be disbursed upon successful completion of key deliverables.

Scope of activities - Deliverables - Days

1. Inception Phase. Reviewing programme documents and Strategic Desk Review, including the preliminary findings of the Climate Vulnerability Needs Assessment - 20 days
Deliverable 1.1: The Inception Report will provide the structured analytical and methodological foundation for the development of the National ASP Strategy and its Implementation Plan. The report will combine the inception framework and the results of the initial strategic desk review.

The report will include:

• A clear articulation of the objectives, scope and expected outputs of the assignment, aligned with the development of the National ASP Strategy and its Implementation Plan;
• A comprehensive analytical review of the existing social protection system architecture, institutional arrangements and governance mechanisms, including assessment of disaster risk management and climate adaptation frameworks relevant to adaptive social protection;
• An analytical review of the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 201 dated 30 October 2025 on the introduction of the unified system of strategic planning and development, and its implications for the institutional positioning, coordination mechanisms and implementation modalities of the ASP Strategy.
• Integration of key findings from the Climate Vulnerability Needs Assessment and identification of institutional, policy and operational entry points for embedding adaptive social protection features within the national system;
• Preliminary reform directions and strategic considerations to inform the drafting of the National ASP Strategy;
• A stakeholder engagement and consultation plan, including coordination arrangements with the National Consultant and NASP;
• A detailed workplan with timelines, milestones and sequencing of activities, including confirmation of the agreed timeline for submission of the first full draft of the Strategy and Implementation Plan;
• An annotated outline of the National ASP Strategy and its Implementation Plan, including proposed structure, chapters and annexes.

2. Strategy Development and Institutional Refinement Phase: Developing the draft National Adaptive Social Protection Strategy and its Implementation Plan through structured policy drafting, institutional analysis and consultations. This phase will include translating analytical findings into a coherent reform framework, articulating governance, financing and preparedness mechanisms, and refining strategic directions in close coordination with the National Consultant and NASP. The process will ensure institutional feasibility, policy coherence and alignment with national priorities, while integrating child-sensitive, gender-responsive and disability-inclusive considerations throughout the drafting process.

Deliverable 2.1: First Draft of the National Strategy on Adaptive Social Protection - 46 days
The First Draft of the National Strategy on Adaptive Social Protection will present a coherent and evidence-based reform framework for strengthening adaptive and shock-responsive social protection in Uzbekistan. The draft strategy will be developed in full compliance to the requirements on scope, style and structure as specified in the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 201 dated 30 October 2025.

The draft Strategy will include:

• A clearly articulated national vision and strategic objectives for adaptive social protection, aligned with existing national policy frameworks;
• A defined institutional and governance architecture, including coordination mechanisms and integration pathways between social protection, disaster risk management and climate adaptation systems;
• A strategic framework outlining financing approaches, preparedness measures and priority reform directions necessary to strengthen the resilience and responsiveness of the national system
• Key findings from the Climate Vulnerability Needs Assessment

Deliverable 2.2: Draft Implementation Plan and Results Framework

The Draft Implementation Plan will accompany the Strategy and provide a structured and operational roadmap for implementation. The Implementation Plan will include:

• A time-bound and sequenced roadmap of priority actions with clearly defined institutional responsibilities;
• An indicative costed framework aligned with proposed reform measures;
• A results-based monitoring framework with measurable indicators and key milestones to guide and track implementation progress.

3. Validation, Consolidation and Finalization Phase Facilitating the structured review, validation and refinement of the draft National Strategy on Adaptive Social Protection and its Implementation Plan through institutional consultations and formal review processes. This phase will focus on consolidating feedback, strengthening alignment with national priorities, and finalizing the Strategy for formal consideration and endorsement - 20 days

Deliverable 3.1. Revised and Final National Strategy on Adaptive Social Protection and Implementation Plan.
The Final Strategy and Implementation Plan will reflect consolidated technical inputs and outcomes of the consultation process. The final strategy document will be developed in full compliance to the requirements on scope, style and structure as specified in the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 201 dated 30 October 2025. The final document will include:

• Integration of key findings from the Climate Vulnerability Needs Assessment, written comments and recommendations from the Strategy Working Group and relevant stakeholders;
• Strengthened alignment with national institutional frameworks and policy priorities;
• A finalized and internally coherent Strategy and Implementation Plan ready for formal submission to NASP.

Deliverable 3.2. Final Presentation and Validation Package
The Final Presentation Package will support national validation and endorsement of the Strategy and will include:

• A structured presentation summarizing the strategic framework, key reform directions and implementation roadmap;
• Participation in technical validation meetings and the national conference presenting the finalized Strategy;
• Consolidated documentation of key consultation outcomes, as relevant to the final submission.

Total: 86 days

Travel International is applicable.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [TOR int'l consultant.docx]

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: 
  • Master’s degree degree in law, social sciences, international relations, or other relevant field; advanced degree in the same fields will be an asset;
  • An advanced (postgraduate) degree in the same or related areas will be considered a strong asset.
• Work Experience: 
  • At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in social protection systems reform, including demonstrated involvement in the design or development of national strategies, institutional frameworks or large-scale policy reforms;
  • Demonstrated experience in coordinating or leading interventions, proven expertise in adaptive or shock-responsive social protection, including integration of social protection with disaster risk management and climate adaptation systems, preferably in middle-income or transition country contexts;
  • Demonstrated experience working with government institutions and development partners in complex reform environments, including preparation of high-level policy documents and implementation roadmaps as well as familiarity with relevant international normative frameworks, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD);
  • Prior experience working in Uzbekistan or CIS region and/or with UNICEF or other UN agencies is an asset;
  • Proven track record in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, including analytical summaries and documentation of results and lessons learned.
• Language Requirements: 
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.
  • Knowledge of Russian is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. 

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.