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, 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.

UNICEF Tajikistan Second Decade program addresses the needs of adolescents and youth in the country while contributing to achievement of UNICEF global strategic vision on second decade and national priorities of Tajikistan. The program focuses on adolescent health, education, skills, protection, and the rights of adolescents in meaningfully contributing to the society. Tajikistan’s population is young, with 70% of population under 30 years the country is at the early stage of demographic dividend, yet, is not able to benefit from it for economic growth and development. Despite increased access to education, children and adolescents are failing to improve learning and skills for life and work. Adolescents lack the skills required for successful transition from school to work life, cannot realize their full potential and maximize their contribution to their communities. 30% of young people aged 15-24 are NEET, 89 % of them being girls (LFS 2017). Lack of opportunities for meaningful participation hinders the empowerment and fulfilment of the basic rights of adolescent’s. More than 93% of adolescents do not know any rights and only 16% of them take part in community meetings (ABS 2017). There is a lack of Adolescent focused health promotion and care especially mental health that need strengthening to ensure complete development of its young people.

How can you make a difference?

DUTY STATION/DURATION:

Duration: 102 working days between 1 November 2024 – April 30, 2025
Supervisor: ADAP Officer, UNICEF Tajikistan

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

• Education: University degree in the area of Education, International Relations, Media, Management, or another relevant fields
• Work experience: At least 1-3 years of relevant work experience in adolescent and youth development and participation, preferably in an international development context
• Effective management of social media platforms and communication channels (for YPAG and YN4WC telegram networks
• Skills: Ability to design engaging and visually appealing documentation, including reports and promotional materials.
• Experience in youth engagement and youth empowerment
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment
• Good organization and coordination skills
• Teamwork and collaboration (being able to work collaboratively within a team and with diverse groups of people)
• Ability to manage time efficiently and meet deadlines
• Mindset of continuous improvement (be open to receiving feedback and willing to learn and grow during the internship
• Communication/Knowledge of languages: Fluency in English, Tajik and Russian is required. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, in facilitating outreach and engagement with youth networks

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

• CV/Cover letter
• Completed EOI form (Annex 2)
• Completed financial proposal in TJS – Annex 3 at the following link
• Contact of three references
• Links of previous media works/human interest stories
• Applications without financial proposal will not be considered.

Applications must be received in the system by 30 October 2024 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 tendersglobal.net 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.