National Consultant to support PME unit, 135 w/ds, Dushanbe, Tajikistan (for Tajik nationals only)

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 favouritism. 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.
UNICEF Tajikistan is committed to improving the well-being of children and adolescents through effective equity-focused planning, monitoring, and evaluation of its programs. To enhance its capabilities in these areas, the PME unit seeks a consultant with expertise in strategic programme planning, results-based management (RBM), data collection and analysis.

How can you make a difference? 

The primary purpose of this consultancy is to provide comprehensive technical support to the Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PME) unit of UNICEF Tajikistan, with the aim of significantly strengthening its planning, monitoring, and reporting processes. The consultancy will focus on several key areas:

• Sectoral support in data analysis, visualization and interpretation
• Support with Equity Analysis exercise
• Support sections with preparing high quality ToRs and providing quality assurance services on Research, Studies and Evaluations

DUTY STATION/DURATION:

Duration: 135 working days between 1 September 2024 – 31 May 2025

Supervisor: Planning, Monit. & Evaluation Specialist, UNICEF Tajikistan

2. Field monitoring module (FMM). The consultant will support gradual and smooth transition to FMM to plan and record crucial information from the field monitoring visits. Establish a support system to address any issues or challenges faced by users during the transition period. This support system will provide timely assistance and troubleshooting to ensure smooth operation. By supporting the gradual and smooth transition to the FMM, the consultant will help UNICEF Tajikistan enhance its field monitoring processes, improve data accuracy and timeliness, and ultimately strengthen the overall effectiveness of its programs. The successful implementation of the FMM will ensure that crucial information from field monitoring visits is captured systematically and used to inform decision-making and program improvements.

3. Quality assurance on Research, Studies and Evaluations (RSEs). The consultant will support the quality assurance of Terms of Reference (ToRs), inception reports, and final reports for evidence generation activities, including research, studies, and evaluations. This includes ensuring that all documents meet UNICEF’s standards and requirements. Additionally, the consultant will update these documents in the UNICEF platform, Evidence Information Systems Integration (EISI).

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

• Education: University degree in Statistics, Economics, Data Science, Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences, or a related field.
  An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant discipline is an asset.
• Working experience: At least 1 year of relevant work experience in monitoring and evaluation, statistics, preferably in an international development context
• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., Stata, SPSS) and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI); Proficiency in research and data collection methods is required to gather and analyze data on socio-economic indicators.
• Languages: Be proficient in English and fluent in Russian/Tajik languages
• 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; Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

• Cover letter/application/CV.
• Completed EOI form (Annex 2)
• Completed financial proposal (Annex 3). Please use Annex 2 and 3 at the following link
• Contact of three references
• Applications without financial proposal will not be considered.

Applications must be received in the system by 9 August 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 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.