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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, Education 

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.

The Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) in Tajikistan intends to enhance its capacity for effective coordination, leadership and ownership of sector engagement and processes in line with the priorities of the National Strategy for Education Development 2030 and Partnership COMPACT document. Under GPE’s grant UNICEF supported the MoES to set up and operationalize a dedicated Coordination and Analytical Unit at the MoES that will support the MoES and development partners in day-to-day operations in areas such as strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), gender-responsive data analysis and reporting, sector progress assessments, and stakeholder coordination. The Coordination and Analytical Unit is located within the current MoES structure and up to five hired staff of the Unit build their capacities for planning, M&E and coordination, preparing them for full transition to civil service. The GPE’s System Capacity Grant (SCG) will fully support equipping, training and rolling out activities of the new Unit in the initial two years from the date of approval of the SCG application and launch of programmatic activities. Upon the completion of the two-year period, the functions and activities of the Unit will be transferred to the MoES. The MoES in consultation with development partners agreed on way forward with respect to strengthening technical capacity of the Unit through external experts to set up a simple development partner coordination mechanism, provide hands-on support on topics not limited to strategic planning, data analysis, stakeholder mapping, coordination, and progress monitoring. The capacity building of the Unit’s staff will be closely coordinated with partners and their respective technical assistance interventions. In follow up to the above objectives, UNICEF is seeking a national individual consultant to build capacity of the staff of the Coordination and Analytical Unit with respect to improving sector coordination through mutual accountability, coordinated financing and effective resource mobilization and improved monitoring of performance indicators of education sector. 

How can you make a difference? 

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Duration: 60 working days between August 2025 - December 2025
Supervisor: Education Specialist, UNICEF Tajikistan and the Director of Coordination Unit.

TOR with detailed deliverables and concrete timeframes is at the following link  ToR Coordination Unit LVC.docx

The national consultant will work closely with the staff of the Unit under direct supervision of the Director of Unit, Coordinating Agency (EU) and UNICEF team to enhance mutual accountability in the sense for the MoES/Unit to possess full and detailed information on the sources of financing and investment in the education sector and timely monitoring of performance indicators, which results in information regularity and effective coordination. The Unit includes the following operational functions:

• Strengthening effective monitoring and reporting on the progress of National Strategy for Education Development) NSED-2030 and Mid-Term Education Action Plans implementation, including monitoring education programmatic interventions at central and regional levels, delivered by the MoES and development partners.
• Undertaking continuous coordination and dialogue with development partners.
• Developing and disseminating annual joint sector reviews via national dialogue platforms, which will serve as the main tool for assessing progression in the NSED-2030 implementation.
• Coordinating the roll out of other sector assessments and studies, including quality assurance.
• Building capacity to strengthen education policy design and implementation, such as by undertaking the development of data management systems, efficient financing of education priorities, evidence generation and overall coordination of domestic and overseas financial and technical aid.
• Supporting the MoES in planning and development of the Mid-Term Education Action Plans and monitoring of key performance indicators.
• Ensuring stronger alignment of national policy priorities, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and public resource allocations, such as through joint reporting by the Local Education Group (LEG) members against SDG4 sub-goals and targets.
• Undertaking the secretarial functions of the LEG.
• Support the MoES in stocktaking of various sources of financing in the education sector through regular mapping of partner activities (private sector and local communities) and support modalities, which will be revised and updated, and operational routines and embedded in the work of the new Unit.

The national consultant under direct supervision of the Director of the Unit and UNICEF Education Specialist will be responsible for delivering the following services:

(a) Develop Exit Strategy for the new Unit to ensure smooth transition of the Unit into the system of the MoES after the project stops financing the Unit after Sep 2025, with regard to creating new staff post in the staffing regulations, their job descriptions, recruitment plan and ensure budget strategy to operate the unit.

(b) Develop Terms of Reference/Job Descriptions for the 10 staff of the new Unit at central level and regional level, with staff profiles, skills set requirements and key deliverables for the two-year duration of the project.

(c) Develop training plan for the staff of the Unit with regard to planning, monitoring, analytical capacities and strategies for resource mobilization; and identify training courses in coordination with UNICEF and MoES teams.

(d) Ensure effective communication and consultation with the LEG and the MoES while strengthening the Terms of Reference the Local Education Group.

(e) Support and advise the Director of the Unit preparing for and undertaking Local Education Group meetings, advocacy and awareness raising efforts at the national and regional (e.g. organizing side events or public events, preparing public events and publications etc.).

(f) Support and advise the Director of the Unit in the coordination of fund-raising efforts.

(g) In case of national level events (Joint Sector Reviews, Local Education Group meetings, conference and workshops etc.) provide all necessary administrative, logistical and technical support for him/her to discharge this function.

(h) Support coordination of implementation of the workplan of projects delivered by development partners, and report on progress to Director of the Unit.

(i) Consolidate analysis and evidence regarding policy and normative gap areas in the education sector and advise and support the Director of the Unity on presentation of such findings to policy and decision-makers.

(j) Support the work of the Unit and liaise among MoES staff and development partners, including provision of interpretation and translation English/Tajik/Russian.

(k) Coordinate and support implementation of the Workplan with relevant development partners/organizations at the national and regional levels.

(l) Map and explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation and coordination with actors dealing with national education priority areas i.e. digital, climate, inclusive education, education management system, competency-based education, national learning assessment etc.

(m) Encourage active involvement of existing stakeholders, liaise with new and non-traditional actors and propose areas for future or further engagement with the Unit by such actors in consultation with the Local Education Group members.

(n) Support communication outlets and facilitate to produce content material to them (e.g. website, social media, and electronic communication/updates etc.).

o) Under the leadership of the Director of the Unit, support media events and develop media products (press releases, articles, web story etc.).

(p) Ensure visibility and design compliance in communication products such as leaflets, folders, banners, reports etc.

(q) Serve as secretary for the Local Education Group (prepare meetings, report from meetings, keep minutes and records).

(r) Support the Unit in preparing and organizing its meetings, including reporting. Overall responsible for information management (maintain and update address list of key stakeholders, maintain and update electronic filing system, repository of knowledge, update photo library).

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

• Education: Advanced university degree in the fields of monitoring and evaluation, education policy and leadership, social science
• Working experience: At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in the area of in education policy planning, coordination, M&E, management and operational levels.
• Expertise: Strong knowledge of education policies and practices. Expertise in development of policy documents, education frameworks, action plans is required. Knowledge of the region and context is an asset.
• Skills: Strong coordination skills, analytical and conceptual thinking. Ability to work with large teams and guide policy discussions. Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills with stakeholders. Skills in data management, developing online databases. Ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to tight timeframe.
• Languages: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of English and Tajik is required, and 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 TJS-all inclusive, indicting fee per day (Annex 3 to be completed). Annex 3 at the  Annex 3.docx
• 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 16 July 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.