National consultant to support Ministry of Education and Science to develop mid-term action plan 2027-2030 aligned to Nat. Education Dev. Strategy, Dushanbe, Tajikistan (for Tajik nationals only)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to, education,

Education sector planning and reform implementation in Tajikistan are guided by the National Strategy for Education Development of the Republic of Tajikistan until 2030 (NSED) and its medium-term operational framework. The NSED is aligned with the National Development Strategy until 2030 (NDS) and relevant national development programmes. It provides the overarching strategic framework for implementing national education policy priorities and is operationalized through the Mid-Term Education Action Plan (MTEAP). The MTEAP translates the strategic objectives of the NSED into prioritized and costed actions for a defined implementation period, clearly outlining reform priorities, timelines, funding sources, and responsible institutions.

As the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan (MoES) enters the final cycle of implementation of the National Strategy for Education Development, the development of the MTEAP 2027–2030 represents a critical milestone to consolidate achievements, address persistent system bottlenecks, and accelerate priority reforms to ensure the attainment of national education goals by 2030. This final MTEAP will play a pivotal role in translating the remaining strategic objectives of the NSED into actionable and results-oriented interventions. Following the mid-term review of the Partnership Compact, this exercise will also contribute to identification of the triggers for the successive round of funding from the Global Partnership for Education.

Previous MTEAPs benefited significantly from technical assistance provided by development partners and independent consultants. Building on these experiences, the MTEAP 2027–2030 should be fully led and owned by the MoES, with a development process that is internalized, transparent, and inclusive. The MTEAP should be informed by lessons learned from prior implementation cycles, education sector reviews, performance monitoring data, and sustained multi-stakeholder dialogue.

In support of these objectives, UNICEF seeks an individual national consultant to provide technical assistance to the MoES in the development of the Mid-Term Education Action Plan 2027–2030, ensuring alignment with national policy and planning frameworks. The national consultant will work jointly with UNESCO International Institute for Education Planning (UNESCO IIEP) to facilitate the expertise of a team of national experts from the MoES and development partners/Local Education Group, who will contribute to the implementation of the assigned tasks and delivery of agreed outputs.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the overall leadership of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan (MoES), the national consultant will support the development of the Mid-Term Education Action Plan (MTEAP) 2027–2030 in joint collaboration with MoES technical teams and under the technical guidance of UNESCO IIEP and UNICEF. The consultant will work closely with relevant MoES departments, the Local Education Group (LEG), and other stakeholders to ensure technical coherence, policy alignment, and quality assurance throughout the process:
•Coordinate information gathering process through templates, interviews and consultations throughout the respective phases of MTEAP 2027-2030 development.
•Work closely with the MoES thematical teams/focal points to ensure timely preparation and consolidation of technical inputs for the thematical teams to start drafting various sections of the MTEAP 2027-2030.
•Ensure alignment of key outputs to the Tajikistan’s national context, including revision of translated materials
•Understand the key features of the Financial Simulation Model that will be used for costing of the MTEAP 2027-2030 and actively participate in the discussions around its application in the MTEAP development
•Support in the timely organization of consultations and delivery of agreed outputs.

Description/scope of the assignment:
The methodology proposed herein is MoES-owned and led process, following national standards as outlined in the guidelines for MTEAP development and other relevant guidance and documents. The scope of work under this consultancy is clarified below:
•Organize and coordinate the preparation of a summary of the education sector review findings, drawing on the Joint Sector Review (JSR) report to be provided by UNICEF, and ensuring alignment with ongoing sector dialogue and reform priorities.
•Consolidate the education sector’s policy vision, strategic direction, and the key performance indicators and their targets, with reference to key national policy and planning documents, including the National Development Strategy 2030, the Medium-Term Development Programme, the National Strategy for Education Development 2030, the MTEAP 2024–2027, the MoES Partnership COMPACT Mid-Term Review Report, the National Concept on Inclusive Education, the National Concept and Strategy on Digital Education Transformation, the National Roadmap on Competency-Based Education, and other relevant frameworks. This consolidation will inform the key policy outcomes, strategies, and state programmes to be implemented through the three-year MTEAP 2027–2030.
•Ensure that MoES thematic teams and designated focal points prepare and submit technical inputs related to the MTEAP 2027–2030 strategic priorities, outputs, targets, strategies, and indicative costing per subsector and thematic area, including preschool education, general secondary education, higher education, and education finance and governance.
•Support the organization of workshops and working sessions to jointly establish key MTEAP activities with MoES
•Facilitate consultations on, and consolidation of, the technical inputs for the MTEAP 2027–2030 management framework, including the costing and financing framework and the results and indicators matrix, in close cooperation with MoES officials, members of the Local Education Group, and other relevant stakeholders.
•Support the finalization of the draft MTEAP 2027–2030 by collecting, consolidating, and validating additional inputs from MoES technical teams and focal points, and by sharing draft and revised versions in a timely manner with UNESCO IIEP and UNICEF for technical review and feedback.
•Facilitate the discussion on identification of the Partnership Compact triggers

Throughout the process, ensure liaison between UNESCO-IIEP and MoES technical team, including through the organization of face-to-face and remote meetings.

Work assignment:

Tasks/Milestone: Deliverables/Outputs: Anticipated Timeline: % of payment:

I. Prepare a detailed methodology for the development of the MTEAP 2027–2030, including:
(i) a summary of key Education Sector Analysis/Joint Sector Review findings;
(ii) the articulation of the MTEAP vision and policy outcomes; and
(iii) the definition of thematic areas, strategic priorities, and key interventions. This task will be undertaken in close collaboration with MoES technical teams and under the technical guidance of UNICEF and UNESCO IIEP, and the methodology will be submitted for review and endorsement by the MoES and the Local Education Group (LEG).

Del.1:
Detailed approach for MTEAP 2027–2030 development and LEG endorsement; Feb.-March 2026, 15 days, 1st payment–50 % upon submission of deliverables # 1 and #2

II. Based on the templates prepared and proposed by UNESCO IIEP and UNICEF and with inputs from MoES focal points, ensure the drafting and consolidation of the different chapters of MTEAP.

Del.2: Finalized a peer reviewed (by UNESCO IIEP, UNICEF/LEG members) first draft of the MTEAP. April – June 2026 (20 days)
Support the mobilization of the experts from the MoES and partners for timely data collection and consolidation for the purpose of developing MTEAP monitoring and evaluation framework. Deliverable 3: Develop the MTEAP M&E framework and support data collection to support the development of MTEAP costing framework. June 2026 (20 days) 2nd payment – 40% upon submission of deliverable #3)

III. Support the mobilization of the experts from the MoES and partners for timely data collection and consolidation for the purpose of developing MTEAP monitoring and evaluation framework.
Del.3: Develop the MTEAP M&E framework and support data collection to support the development of MTEAP costing framework; June 2026, 20 days, 2nd payment; 40% upon submission of deliverable #3

IV. Work with UNESCO IIEP and UNICEF in the consolidation of all MTEAP sections and finalization of the MTEAP 2027-2030 for review by MoES and LEG members. Del. 4: Consolidate feedback from MoES and DCC/LEG members and finalize MTEAP sections with support by UNICEF and local technical experts. July 2026 (15 days) 3rd payment – (10% upon submission of deliverable #4)

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  ToR _national conslt on MTAP.docx 

Contract duration: Feb.-July 2026 (70 w/ds)

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced university degree in the fields of economics, sciences of education or related fields, with focus on education policy planning, administration, leadership and M&E. PhD level in relevant field is an asset.
• Work Experience: ‘

  At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in the area of education policy planning, administration, leadership and M&E.

  Expertise:  Strong knowledge of education system. Expertise in development of policy documents and proven capacity to work as an expert in education policy development and provide constructive review of the needs and challenges in education sector. Knowledge of the region and context is an asset.

  Skills: Strong coordination skills, analytical and conceptual thinking. Ability to work with large teams and guide policy discussions. Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills with stakeholders. Ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to tight timeframe.  Fluency in Tajik and English is required. Knowledge of Russian is an asset

  Language Requirements: Fluency in Tajik and English is required. Knowledge of Russian is an asset

  Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

  1. CV and cover letter.

  2.Technical proposal describing approach/methodology to achieve the tasks of the TOR, workplan with concrete timeframes.

  3.Financial proposal in TJS, indicting fee per day (Annex 3 to be completed) Annex 3 Financial proposal.docx

  4.Contact of three references.

  5.Applications without technical and financial proposals will not be considered.

  Applications must be received in the system by 31 Jan. 2026 on UNICEF website.

                                                                                                                                                                                                 For every Child, you demonstrate:

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 jobs-near-me.org 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.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

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.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.