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For every child, the right to survival
Extreme temperatures and related climate events (heatwaves, dust/sand storms, cold waves) are increasingly impacting Tajikistan’s population—particularly children, pregnant women, and newborns, whose health and well-being can deteriorate quickly under severe heat stress or inadequate shelter conditions. 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, highlighting the scale and urgency of climate-related health risks for children nationwide.
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). In addition, existing arrangements remain largely event-based and are not yet fully embedded within routine health system functions, regulatory frameworks, or medical statistics.
Building on the ongoing collaboration between UNICEF and the Public Health Emergency Response Centre (PHERC), the next phase of work will shift from piloting to system strengthening and institutionalization. The consultant will support: (i) updating the existing SanPiN (sanitary rules/norms) for health and educational facilities, with a focus on the relevant annex on hygienic requirements and including the required coordination for approval with MoHSPP, Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) and the Ministry of Justice (as applicable); (ii) integrating and standardizing heat/cold/dust-related health reporting within MoHSPP medical statistics, including national roll-out arrangements; (iii) updating the Multi-hazard Extreme temperatures Action Plan for 2027–2029 as a multi-hazard instrument (heat/cold/dust) while maintaining its official title; (iv) strengthening intersectoral readiness through simulation exercises based on the interagency SOP linking MoHSPP, Hydromet and CoES; and (v) establishing a practical monitoring and supportive supervision approach to ensure uptake and quality. This shift is critical to ensure that climate-related health preparedness moves from ad-hoc response to a sustained, system-level function.
This consultant’s role is vital to ensuring that vulnerable populations (children, pregnant and lactating women, newborns, and the elderly) receive targeted prevention and care measures, and that health workers and decision-makers have the right tools, guidance and coordination mechanisms to manage climate-induced health risks in a timely, consistent, and scalable manner across the country.
How can you make a difference?
The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen Tajikistan’s health system preparedness and response to climate-related health risks—specifically heat, cold and dust/sand storms—by institutionalizing practical tools, guidance and intersectoral coordination mechanisms. Building on results from the initial phase of UNICEF–PHERC collaboration, the assignment will consolidate and formalize existing tools and approaches within national regulatory, reporting, and preparedness frameworks, enabling their routine and sustained application. The consultancy will support a shift from pilot and event-based responses to system-level, multi-hazard preparedness, ensuring that updated standards, reporting mechanisms, and coordination arrangements are operational, endorsed, and ready for national roll-out in close coordination with MoHSPP and key intersectoral partners. This consultancy focuses on institutionalizing anticipatory action within the health system by clarifying hazard-specific triggers/thresholds, pre‑agreed early actions, and SOP-based activation/decision-making so that early warning leads to early action before impacts escalate.
1. Regulatory strengthening (SanPiN):
Support MoHSPP/PHERC to review and update existing sanitary rules/norms (SanPiN) applicable to health facilities, with a focus on the relevant annex on hygienic requirements, to incorporate climate risk preparedness measures and protect vulnerable groups, and to support the required coordination and formal approval process with MoHSPP and the Ministry of Justice (as applicable). This includes defining hazard‑specific exposure thresholds (triggers) and linked mandatory preventive/protective measures for health facilities.
2. Institutionalized data and reporting:
Integrate and standardize heat/cold/dust-related health reporting tools and procedures within the MoHSPP medical statistics system, including guidance and arrangements for national roll-out. Routine reporting will also strengthen the evidence base for AA learning and periodic review of triggers/thresholds and actions.
3. Multi-hazard Extreme temperatures Action Plan 2027–2029:
Update the MoHSPP Multi-hazard Extreme temperatures Action Plan for 2027–2029 as a multi-hazard planning instrument (heat/cold/dust), embedding lessons learned and tools developed through UNICEF–PHERC collaboration, and linking actions to roles, triggers, and implementation timelines.
4. Intersectoral SOP operationalization:
Strengthen intersectoral arrangements between MoHSPP, the Agency for Hydrometeorology, and the Committee of Emergency Situations through scenario-based simulation exercises, after-action reviews, and feedback-driven refinement of SOP-related guidance.
5. Monitoring, capacity building and uptake:
Establish a light monitoring and supportive supervision mechanism and provide targeted training to enable practical uptake of updated guidance (SanPiN, SOP, reporting tools and Action Plan) at sub-national level.
Description of the assignment:
The consultant will provide technical, analytical and coordination support to MoHSPP/PHERC and UNICEF to advance climate-related health preparedness and response with a focus on institutionalization and practical uptake. The work will be implemented in close coordination with MoHSPP units and PHERC, and through structured consultation with key stakeholders (including Hydromet and CoES where relevant for early alerts, information exchange and response). The consultancy will ensure that early warning is systematically translated into early action through agreed triggers/thresholds, activation pathways, and roles/responsibilities.
Work assignment: Tasks/Milestone: Deliverables/Outputs: Anticipated Timeline: % of payment:
1.Inception package:
Del.1 Inception report (methodology, stakeholder engagement plan, detailed workplan) submitted; rapid regulatory analysis note on SanPiN and institutionalization pathway for medical statistics submitted; initial mapping of hazard-specific triggers/thresholds, pre-agreed actions, and decision/activation chain developed and submitted, March-Apr2026 (20 w/ds), 10% payment
2. Updated SanPiN package (hygienic requirements annex)/
Del.2 Updated SanPiN hygienic requirements annex developed and submitted (draft and final versions); stakeholder consultation summary submitted; hazard-specific threshold values (triggers) and linked mandatory measures documented and submitted for MoHSPP review/coordination as applicable./Apr-June2026(40 w/ds)/25% payment
3. Institutionalized reporting package
Del.3 MoHSPP medical statistics reporting tools/forms and methodological guidance finalized and submitted; draft internal instruction for roll-out developed and submitted; training package developed and training delivered (training report and participant list submitted); brief note on minimal digital continuity needs submitted./May-Sept2026(40 w/ds)/25%
4. Multi-hazard Extreme temperatures Action Plan for 2027–2029
Del.4 Updated Multi-hazard extreme temperatures Action Plan for 2027–2029 developed and submitted (draft and final versions); consultation inputs summary submitted; implementation matrix (roles, timelines, indicators) developed and submitted, Sept-Dec. 2026(40 w/ds), 20% payment
5. Simulation exercises (SimEx) + SOP refinement:
Del.5 Simulation exercise package (scenarios and facilitation materials) developed and submitted; 1–2 SimEx conducted; after-action review report submitted; SOP refinements/addenda proposed and submitted./June2026-Feb2027(20 w/ds)/10% payment
6. Monitoring & Final reporting
Del.6 Monitoring checklist(s) developed and submitted; supportive supervision notes submitted; final report submitted; handover note (tools package and roll-out recommendations) submitted./June2026-Feb2027 (20 w/ds)/10% payment
Contract duration: 15 March 2026 - 28 February 2027
Total:180 w/ds
Travel Local: 4 trips (Rasht, Bokhtar, Khujand and Khorog)
DSA: 9 nights
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Terms of Reference: 
ToR Heat stress Nat. Consultant for advert.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Medicine, Health Management/Health Informatics, or a related field.
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Work Experience:
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in public health emergency preparedness/response, health data/reporting (medical statistics/HMIS), research, or epidemiological work, including coordination with sub-national authorities.
• Demonstrated experience drafting or supporting development of national guidance documents (e.g., sanitary rules/norms, reporting guidance, SOPs, action plans) and facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations.
• Experience or familiarity with climate-related health risks (heatwaves, cold waves, dust/sand storms) and relevant WHO guidance is an advantage.
• Experience delivering trainings/workshops and providing supportive supervision/mentoring to health staff is an advantage.
Skills
Strong analytical and report writing skills, ability to manage time efficiently and meet deadline
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Language Requirements: [Insert the primary UN language you need for the fluency requirement]
Interested candidates shall submit the following documents:
- CV/Cover letter
- Completed EOI form (Annex 2) Annex 2 and Annex 3.docx
- Completed financial proposal in TJS-all inclusive, indicting breakdown of fee per day and cost of the travel (Annex 3 above to be completed)
- Contact of three references (recent direct supervisors)
- Applications without technical and financial proposals will not be considered.
Applications must be received in the system by 3 March 2026 on UNICEF website.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
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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.
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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.
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