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.

Extreme temperatures and related climate events (heatwaves, dust/sand storms, cold waves) are increasingly impacting Tajikistan’s population—particularly children, pregnant and lactating women, and newborns, whose health and well-being can deteriorate quickly under severe heat stress or inadequate shelter conditions. Additionally, climate-change-related hazards adversely affect water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. Recent analyses indicate that 57 per cent of children in Tajikistan experience high or extremely high water vulnerability, illustrating the interlinked nature of climate impacts on health and WASH. According to UNICEF subnational Children’s Climate Risk Index in Tajikistan, 2,564,645 (74.2%) children under 18 are exposed to >=1 type(s) of heat stress and 1,480,502 (42.85%) children under 18 are exposed to >=1 type(s) of cold wave stress which poses a significant threat to children’s well-being in the country.

In 2023, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population (MoHSPP) approved an Action Plan aimed at Safeguarding Health from the Heatwaves Effects, 2024–2026. While this plan outlines steps to mitigate heat-stress impacts and strengthen the health system’s readiness, it lacks robust data on child and maternal health outcomes, as well as the integrated consideration of other climate hazards (dust/sandstorms, cold waves).

How can you make a difference? 

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Duration: 180 working days between May 2025 - January 2026
Supervisor: Emergency Specialist, UNICEF Tajikistan

The consultant will operationalize data-collection mechanisms in 4 pilot districts; prepare child- and maternal-sensitive communication materials; and assist in coordinating standard operating procedures (SOPs) across key national agencies (MoHSPP, Hydromet, and CoES) for a timely response and analyze major existing guidelines.

This consultant’s role is vital to ensuring vulnerable populations (children, pregnant and lactating women, newborns, and the elderly) receive targeted prevention and care measures, and that health workers have the right training and tools to manage climate-induced health risks.

1. Data and Evidence: Develop and pilot a comprehensive data-collection and reporting framework in 4 pilot districts to capture the impact of heatwaves (additionally dust/sandstorms/cold waves) on children, mothers, and other vulnerable groups.

2. Communications & Awareness: Produce child- and maternal-focused communication and awareness-raising materials on heat-stress prevention, first aid, and protective measures, aligning with MoHSPP guidelines and local contexts.

3. SOPs and Coordination: Contribute to drafting SOPs and refining intersectoral arrangements between MoHSPP, Agency for Hydrometeorology, and Committee of Emergency Situations to ensure timely alerts and response measures during emergencies. Ensure that newly developed SOPs and any recommended guidance are harmonized with existing policy documents and tools (e.g., home visiting guidelines, counselling packages) used by service providers.

4. Capacity Building: Support development of short training modules and workshop materials for frontline health workers—especially in maternal and neonatal wards—on best practices to reduce health risks during heatwaves and other climate events with a focus on adolescents. In developing the training modules, the consultant to review current national guidelines and counselling tools to ensure alignment and consistency

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

1. Data-Collection Mechanism & Pilot Implementation

• Collaborate with the Public Health Emergency Response Centre to finalize a standard reporting form (based on the Action Plan’s annexes) for 4 pilot districts. Liase with MoHSPP units, frontline health workers, and other relevant service providers to ensure the form captures appropriate indicators and is user-friendly.
• Train local district health officials on the use of these forms; oversee data collection through the months of heatwaves and sand/dust storms (May-September) and cold waves (November-February).
• In pilot districts, hold brief consultations with affected communities (e.g., mothers, pregnant/lactating women, caregivers) to gather perspectives on their immediate needs for heat/cold/dust-storm stress mitigation.
• Conduct a basic analysis of monthly data (through the close collaboration with sub-national health authorities), focusing on newborn, child and maternal morbidity during periods of heatwaves, sand/dust storms and cold waves.
• Review existing analyses, including UNICEF’s ‘Children, Climate and Environment in Tajikistan’ report to enrich the data-collection framework and contextual understanding.

2. Communications & Awareness Materials

• Develop or adapt brochures/leaflets (or other IEC materials) targeted at parents, caregivers, and pregnant and lactating women on heatwave/dust storm/cold wave health-risks prevention.
• Propose mass-media messaging (radio, TV) in child and adolescents-friendly language to be rolled out by MoHSPP and UNICEF.
• Ensure content aligns with UNICEF’s Social Behavior Change principles and addresses vulnerable populations.

3. SOPs for Intersectoral Response

• Conduct a rapid review of existing policies and regulations that govern climate-related health responses, identifying any gaps relevant to implementing SOPs effectively.
• Perform a quick mapping of existing health and social services relevant to heat/cold/dust-storm response to ensure that SOPs align with on-the-ground capacities.
• In consultation with MoHSPP, draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that link the Ministry, Hydromet, and the Committee of Emergency Situations.
• Outline clear roles and timelines for early alerts, data sharing, and integrated response.
• Integrate additional guidance for sand/dust storms and cold waves so it can be appended to the existing Heatwave Action Plan (2024–2026).

• Develop at least one standardized training module (half-day or one-day) on climate-related health risks for maternal/child health workers, including content on facility-based measures (ventilation, safe ward conditions, hydration).
• Coordinate with relevant medical education centers (e.g., Republican Family Medicine Center, Tajik State Medical University, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Republican medical college) for possible integration of these materials into pre-service or in-service curricula.

The detailed TOR with concrete deliverables and timeline is at the following link  ToR_Heat_stress_Consultant.docx

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

• Education: University degree in Environmental Sciences, Climate Studies, Social Sciences, Disaster Risk Management, Public Health, Epidemiology, or a related field.
• Work experience: Minimum 5 years of experience in public health data collection research, or epidemiological work. Experience in climate/health risk analysis or resilience programs is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with WHO guidelines or UN frameworks on heat stress, dust storms, or cold waves is an advantage.
• Technical expertise: Demonstrated experience in evidence generation
• Demonstrated experience writing guidelines, SOPs, or strategic plans
• Expertise in developing and piloting data-collection systems that are sensitive to local climatic variations
  Competencies/skills:
• Proven experience coordinating multi-stakeholder processes (e.g., government agencies, local health workers and local communities).
• Language: Proficiency in English and fluency in Russian/Tajik languages.
  

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

• CV and completed EOI (Annex 2 at the link below).
• Financial proposal in TJS-all inclusive, indicting fee per day (Annex 3 to be completed). Annex 3 at the link 
• Contact of three references.
• Applications without EOI and financial proposals will not be considered.

Applications must be received in the system by 14 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.