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, hope  

Since 1994, UNICEF’s Office in Turkmenistan has been working with the Government to fulfil its obligation in realization of child rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

For more information about UNICEF Turkmenistan please click here  

UNICEF Country Office in Turkmenistan is currently in the last year of its current country programme 2021-2025 and development of the new country programme 2026-2030 is in process with the subsequent preparation of the Country Programme Management Plan.

The deliverables of this consultancy will feed into the Global PBR submission May 9^th, 2025, and the development of the Country Programme Management Plan (CPMP) and submission for Programme and Budget Review in autumn.  That would include analysis of the office structure vis-à-vis the updated programme priorities and affordability of the proposed structure to operationalize these priorities. For this purpose, an affordability analysis will be updated (analysing all available resources – IB, RR and OR) that the CO has, as well as projections of IB/RR and the hard pipeline for OR to provide recommendations on a structure that is sustainable and fit for purpose. This will include, among other things: recommendations on rationalization of positions based on Global PBR guidance and CPMP guidance, programme re-alignment prioritization results and financial feasibility, and recommendations on potential efficiency gains in non-staff operational costs.  Based on these, and the CO’s context, it is expected this consultancy will advise on the key considerations to factor in for a PBR and supporting the CO to prepare documentation for the submission.

The consultant will work under the overall oversight of the Country Representative and under the supervision of the Operations Manager and working closely with the Deputy Representative Programme  in consultation with the CPMP Task Force.

How can you make a difference? 

The consultant will support the inputs into the Global PBR, once the guidance is provided and design of the Country Programme Management Plan (CPMP) for the upcoming country programme through a well-informed and participatory process. This approach will leverage insights gathered from staff during the CPD planning phase reviews and consultations. The consultant will collect input from senior management, various levels of the organizational structure, staff and staff association. Additionally, the consultant will participate in Global PBR and CPMP taskforce and section meetings at country level, collaborating with HR and management to develop an office structure that effectively achieves the proposed outcomes for the next Country Programme Document (CPD) for 2026–2030.

1. Review Skills and Office Structure:

• Assess the current skills profile of staff in each section vis-à-vis the CPD to identify capacity needs for implementing the new country programme.

• Assess how well the current office structure aligns with the new CPD programme requirements and with Global PBR and CPMP Guidance.

2. Adaptation to Future Focus Initiative (FFI) including Operational and Programming efficiencies:

• Identify opportunities for efficiency gains within the office structure and recommend effective strategies to address the identified staff and non-staff opportunities.
• Support the conduct of a cost analysis for the proposed new structure using financial data provided by the Country Office
• Align the staff structure and costs with the direction of the business model's work going on regionally and globally. Consider the regional/global assessments and recommendations on areas of efficiency across technical/ operational/ compliance functions, and possibility of consolidating transactional roles to common service centers.
• Integrate the adjustments in the office structure in response to potential shifts in the upcoming country programme and budget constraints.
• Outline impact and mitigation strategy

3. Prepare 2026-2030 CPMP with annexes and PBR submission package:

• Facilitate the engagement and consultation of staff in the review process and development of the office structure that is fit for the new context and purpose considering Global PBR guidance and CPMP guidance
• Support with development of the CPMP narrative, IRRF and affordability/funding analysis using the templates and taking in consideration the recommendations emerging from the review of efficiencies and ‘right-sizing’ processes
• Support the CO to prepare the budget for the Global PBR, via regional submission process, taking in consideration the expected Global PBR Guidelines that speaks to business model approaches
• Assist with the verification of CPMP and PBR submission package.

For more details and submission requirements, please review the attached TOR: 

 2025 TOR_CPMP preparation International Consultancy Final for adv.pdf

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

•  Qualifications and Experience (15 points)

  Advanced University Degree in development studies, business administration, international relations, social sciences, economics, management, Human Resources, or related field, with senior level background on Human Resources Management and/or Organizational Development planning, as well as experience in developing staff structures, profiles, and assessments in different environments.

• Experience, Knowledge and Skills (20 points)

  • A minimum of 10 years’ experience in designing, leading, and managing initiatives that foster programme and human resources management, and organizational change and design.
  • Good understanding of UNICEF’s development role and its position on women and children’s issues.
  • Sound and up to date knowledge of UN and UNICEF policies and practices in programme design.
  • Good analytical, negotiating and advocacy skills.
  • Excellent facilitation and communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
  • Previous experience in planning process and practical experience in ECA region is an asset
  • Excellent report writing skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills

  Languages (15 points)

  Fluency in English, including excellent writing skills. Knowledge of the Russian language is an asset.  Sound and up to date knowledge of UN and UNICEF policies and practices in programme design. Good analytical, negotiating and advocacy skills.

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.