National consultancy to support the organization of a high-level dissemination and advocacy event on investment in the local production of therapeutic foods, 23 w/ds, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

The purpose of the consultancy is to coordinate the organization of the high-level advocacy event in support of local production of therapeutic nutrition foods in Tajikistan, based on the findings of the feasibility study on the local production of RUTF/RUSF, with participation of relevant government and non-government stakeholders (e.g. ministries, committees, agencies, development partners, donors and IFIs, the private sector stakeholders and the local civil society).

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, Health and Nutrition 

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

• Liaise with the identified relevant ministries, committees, agencies and private sector through official communication on behalf of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies and ensure moderation by a senior official of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, participation by the identified stakeholders and meaningful contribution to the event;
• Sensitize and advocate, together with UNICEF, about the local potential for the introduction and production of therapeutic child foods and the study results to key officials of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, Committee on Investments and Tajikstandard, other officials and private industry;
• Coordinate the development, collection and presentation of relevant resources and materials for the event from appointed speakers;
• Coordinate the development and review of a Resolution from the meeting and submission to the Government of Tajikistan through the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies;
• Properly document the discussion during the event;
• Communicate with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health’s relevant budget planning departments to understand the internal processes and administrative rules for the planning of procurement of the locally produced therapeutic child foods.

The consultant will work closely with UNICEF’s Nutrition and Communication teams and engage with key government stakeholders, private sector and civil society. Briefly, the assignment will consist of three key activities:

Activity 1: Facilitate the preparations for the high-level advocacy event in support of local production of therapeutic nutrition foods in Tajikistan.
The consultant will facilitate and meaningfully contribute to the organization of the high-level advocacy event in support of local production of therapeutic nutrition foods in Tajikistan, by providing inputs to the event agenda, processing of official letters inviting government officials, private sector and the civil society to the event; ensure MoINT’s support, full engagement and coordination of the event organization process, including the approval of the agenda and sending out official invitations; communicating closely with the relevant government agencies whose inputs are key for the purpose of the event and facilitate the preparation of reports and presentations by them as per the approved agenda.
Activity 2: Facilitate the actual conduct of the high-level advocacy event on investment to the local production of RUTF with participation of all relevant stakeholders.
The consultant will continuously liaise with the relevant government ministries and agencies to ensure their actual participation in the high-level advocacy event in support of local production of therapeutic nutrition foods in Tajikistan, including the moderation of the event by the MoINT high-level officials; drafting, reviewing of the Resolution by the MoINT and its dissemination to the participants for review and approval; sensitizing speakers on the issue and guiding them on the key talking points for their presentation, collecting the presentations and taking notes during the event, and other assignments.

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

• Education: University degree in Food Technologies, Public Policy, or other related social sciences fields.
• Work experience: Minimum 8 years of experience working in the national government structures particularly overseeing the food industry, experience of overseeing and cooperating with the private food production sector, and civil society, particulary within MoINT, MoHSPP, MoEDT, MoF, etc.
• Knowledge of national food production systems, national legislation and technical regulations on food production, knowledge of national key stakeholders, access to the private sector key players
• Expertise and skills in working in a government setting and writing official government-style letters and resolutions
• Good organizational, coordination and facilitation skills, especially on the food production sector
• Languages: Fluency in Tajik, Russian. Knowledge of English is an asset.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Filled EOI form (Annex 2) - Annex 2 and 3 at the following link

2. Technical proposal

3. Financial proposal (Annex 3) 

4. Two samples of previously delivered similar assignments.

5. Contacts of current and previous supervisees/referees

Applications without technical and financial proposals will not be considered.

Applications must be received in the system by 26 November 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 | 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.