National consultancy to conduct the landscape analysis on adolescent nutrition in Tajikistan, 70 w/ds, Dushanbe, Tajikistan (for Tajik nationals only) (deadline extended – 21 April 2024)

The overall objective of the consultancy is to take stock of the situation of adolescent nutrition and related policies and programmes in Tajikistan through a landscape analysis and to understand adolescents’ lived experience with food environments, diets and physical activity.

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, Nutrition 

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in 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. 

How can you make a difference? 

• To understand the nutritional status of adolescent girls and boys in Tajikistan, the main forms of malnutrition common among Tajik adolescents, and trends over time.
• To examine the determinants and drivers that affect the nutrition of adolescents in Tajikistan.
• To assess existing policies and programmes across various systems that directly or indirectly impact the nutrition situation of adolescents in Tajikistan.
• To map stakeholders in promoting/hindering adolescent nutrition and their roles.
• To learn from adolescents their own lived experiences and perspectives of food systems, food sustainability and food security to gain an in-depth understanding of how they position themselves within their food systems and environments.
• To provide recommendations on prioritized interventions to improve adolescent nutrition based on the urgency, frequency, scale and consequences of the burden of malnutrition.

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

• Education: Advanced degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Health Policy, Public Policy, or other related social sciences fields
• Work experience: At least 3 years of experience in nutrition, adolescent nutrition or another relevant field.
• Expertise and skills in conducting both quantitative and qualitative research on health and nutrition topics.
• Experience working closely with national government counterparts.
• Good knowledge of health and education systems in Tajikistan
• Knowledge and experience in conducting policy analysis on nutrition-related topics.
• Languages: Excellent analytical skills and writing skills in English. Fluency in Tajik/Russian and English required.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

• Cover letter/application/CV.
• A technical proposal with proposed approach to managing the consultancy deliverables, showing understanding of tasks. 
• Financial proposal specifying consultancy fee, per day of work, requested for the tasks described in the Terms of Reference in TJS as well as travel and subsistence costs: 4 trips. DSA for 3 days. 
• 2 samples of previously delivered similar assignments.
• Applications without technical and financial proposals will not be considered. 

Applications must be received in the system by 25 March 2024 on UNICEF website.

Deadline extended – 21 April 2024.

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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. 

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.