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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to Justice 

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.

Over the years, UNICEF has consistently supported the Government of Tajikistan to reform the juvenile justice system. The goal is to establish a child-friendly justice system that upholds the rights of children in contact with the law. This encompasses the protection of child offenders, victims, and witnesses of crime throughout all stages of the judicial procedures. UNICEF has focused its assistance on policy development, strengthening the capabilities of law enforcement and justice professionals, as well as child protection workers.
The country has adopted several important programs, laws, and initiatives to protect the rights of the children in contact with the law, including the Juvenile Justice System Reform Programme for 2023-27 and its Action Plan; the social reintegration and rehabilitation of children in closed and semi closed institutions for 2020-24; the National Programme on Prevention of Offences by Children for 2020-24 and the Action Plan for the implementation of the programme. In accordance with the juvenile justice reform programme, the Ministry of Justice has established an inter-agency working group to coordinate the efforts of various state ministries and agencies involved in the reform process.
The Programme’s action plan foresees elaboration of the Concept Note/Programme on diversion of children in conflict with the law in 2024. Establishment of effective diversion systems is particularly critical in Tajikistan. In 2021, UNICEF jointly with the Supreme Court of the Republic of Tajikistan conducted a review of criminal court cases involving children. The data demonstrates a gradual and concerning decrease in the application of measures to divert children from the formal justice system. Between 2019 and 2021, 1,313 children were involved in minor and moderate level crimes eligible for diversion, yet they have been sentenced and have now criminal records.
In 2024 and 2025 UNICEF in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Working Group under the Ministry of Justice has elaborated draft Programme on Diversion. It is anticipated that the Programme to be sent to the state institutions early next year and adopted. At the same time, in order to pilot diversion as per the programme Standard Operating Procedures on referral of cases among participating ministries and agencies, including but not limited to General Prosecution Office, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population etc. In addition to this current draft law on mediation shall foresee mediation in justice system. Furthermore, MoU shall be signed between state institutions and non-governmental organizations to pilot diversion through NGOs.
UNICEF is seeking an individual national consultant to support the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Tajikistan (MoJ) in the process of finalization of the programme of the concept note on diversion and to provide recommendations on strengthening the system of child offence prevention.

How can you make a difference? 

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Duration: 80 working days between 10 November 2025 - 30 May 2026
Supervisor: Child Protection Officer, UNICEF Tajikistan

TOR with detailed deliverables and concrete timeframes is at the following  ToR Nat conslt for Inter Agency WG MoJ.docx

The consultant is expected to work closely with the Ministry of Justice and two working groups under the Ministry of Justice on juvenile justice system reforms and on elaboration of the draft law on mediation. The Consultant provides support to the Ministry of Justice and other relevant ministries and agencies to elaborate standard operating procedures that will describe in detail the referral pathway of the cases of children allegedly committed crimes through law enforcement to social sector to divert children in conflict with the law. In addition, the consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Justice and existing inter-agency working group to elaborate draft mediation law. The consultant will support the working group in elaboration of a special chapter on mediation in justice system for children in conflict with the law. Since diversion and piloting require close collaboration of state institutions and non-governmental organizations, the Consultant will craft the draft Memorandum of Understanding between these two sectors.

The consultant is expected to perform and accomplish the following tasks:

• Elaborate draft standard operating procedures for state institutions on diversion of children in conflict with the law. State institutions signatories of the SOPs are identified based on the analysis of the draft Diversion Programme in consultation with the Ministry of Justice. Legal basis for signing SOPs by state institutions shall be advised on, including policy changes as needed.
• Elaborate draft Memorandum of Understanding between state institutions and NGOs to pilot diversion.
• Elaborate special chapter of the law on mediation dedicated to diversion through mediation.
• Provide support to UNICEF’s international consultants in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for inter-agency cooperation on identification, prevention, referral and response child survivors of violence, ensuring alignment with national legislative standards.

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

• Education: Advanced degree in the field of law and other relevant field including social science, public reforms etc.
• Work Experience: At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in the area of legal advice, practicing law, legal studies, legal professions training, legal and policy reforms.
• Experience in elaboration of state documents, including bylaws, programmes, concept notes etc.
• Robust coordination abilities, analytical and conceptual insight, especially when collaborating with state institutions.
• Skills: Excellent writing, communication, and desk review skills.
• Language Requirements: -Fluency in Tajik and Russian is mandatory.

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
• Contact of three references.
• 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 30 October 2025 on UNICEF website.

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.

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.

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.