JOB DESCRIPTION

Result of Service

Under the direct guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator and overall supervision of the Head of the RCO, supported by the Data Management Officer and Partnerships and Development Finance Officer, the Consultant will be responsible for the preparation, coordination, writing content, editing and final quality assurance of the UNSDCF 2027–2030 for Tajikistan. The assignment will be implemented in line with the 2024 revised Cooperation Framework Guidance and relevant DCO guidelinesю

Work Location

Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Expected duration

7 months: December 2025 – June 2026 (Two phase contract)

Duties and Responsibilities

I. Background The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Tajikistan has launched preparation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the period 2027-2030. The UNSDCF is the most important planning and implementation instrument for UN development activities at the country level, aligning with national priorities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To support UNCT in this process, the UN Resident Coordinator Office in Tajikistan seeks the services of an experienced International Consultant to guide and facilitate the design of the UNSDCF, ensuring alignment with government priorities, UN development system reform requirements, human rights and gender equality principles, and regional/global commitments. Key country information Tajikistan, a landlocked Central Asian country with over 10 million people, has demonstrated strong economic growth, reaching 8.4% in 2024. This positive trajectory is supported by declining inflation and public debt, despite global uncertainties. Tajikistan is a presidential republic with a centralized governance structure, where political stability is accompanied by governance challenges, including limited decentralization and restricted civic engagement. Regional dynamics, such as dependency on personal remittances, mostly from the Russian Federation, (49% of GDP in 2024) and cross-border tensions with neighboring countries, particularly over water resources, influence national priorities and UNSDCF implementation. Governance reforms and commitments to human rights remain pivotal, addressing gaps in institutional capacity and public service delivery. These dynamics underscore the importance of the UNSDCF’s focus on inclusive governance, human rights, and resilience to geopolitical and economic shocks. Strategically, Tajikistan ranks 88 out of 167 countries on the Global SDG Index as of 2025, making notable progress in poverty reduction, with the national rate decreasing to 19.9% in 2024. However, significant challenges remain, including high child poverty (20.4 % in 2023) and persistent moderate or severe food insecurity (25.1% of households in 2023). The government must enhance social protection services and address malnutrition, with over 6% of children under age 5 underweight and nearly 14% stunted. Tajikistan”s economic resilience is bolstered by remittances and growth in agriculture, industry, and services. To mitigate vulnerabilities related to external shocks and trade deficits, the government is prioritizing structural reforms and private sector development. Healthcare remains a critical area for improvement, with over 65% of health spending coming from out-of-pocket expenses, which undermines progress toward the SDGs. Strengthening institutional capacities and enhancing coordination are essential for effective implementation of health and social services. In education, while enrollment rates have risen, the quality and relevance of education are lacking. To equip youth for the dynamic labor market and meet NDS-2030 targets, significant increases in education funding are required. Lastly, addressing deep-rooted gender inequality is crucial. With a Global Gender Gap Index rank of 129 out of 148 countries in 2025, Tajikistan must implement gender-responsive development strategies to empower women and combat violence, thereby fostering a more inclusive and sustainable future. Tajikistan”s economy struggles with a weak connection between GDP growth and productive employment. Although non-agricultural sectors like construction and manufacturing have grown, their employment share remains low. Agriculture employs over 60% of the workforce, often linked to low productivity and wages. Personal remittances from migrants at 49% of GDP in 2024, are vital for poverty reduction and provide an essential income source for many low income households. In 2022 by signing the current UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2026 (UNSCDF) the Government of Tajikistan and the United Nations committed to working together to achieve country priorities in alignment with: » The National Development Strategy (NDS 2030) and Mid-term Development Programme (MTDP); » The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and nationalized targets. » The human rights commitments of Tajikistan and other agreed international and regional development goals and treaty obligations. UNSDCF 2023-2026, built on the successes of our past cooperation, including major lessons and recommendations of the previous programming cycle signifies collaborative efforts between the Government of Tajikistan and UN to advance national priorities and the SDGs. The transformational changes from cooperation are expected to contribute toward sustainable economic growth and the creation of decent jobs, more effective and accountable public institutions and delivery of essential social services, and stronger social inclusion and resilience. Under the direct guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator and overall supervision of the Head of the RCO, supported by the Data Management, Results Monitoring & Reporting Analyst and Partnerships and Development Finance Officer the Consultant will be responsible for the preparation, coordination, writing content, editing and final quality assurance of the UNSDCF 2027–2030 for Tajikistan. The assignment will be implemented in line with the 2024 revised Cooperation Framework Guidance and relevant DCO guidelines, and will include the following: Led by the UN Resident Coordinator and with full engagement of the United Nations development system, the Consultant will involve a broad range of stakeholders from the national to local levels (communities, civil society organizations, including Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, the private sector, academia, parliament, international financial institutions, national human rights institutions, international non-governmental organizations, media, labour unions and other relevant parties) and international partners. The Consultant will support the UNSDCF 2027-2030 internal prioritization with UN Country Team and external strategic meeting with government counterparts based on the development challenges review and opportunities identified in the UNCA and a systems perspective of the development landscape in Tajikistan, and identify leverage points to accelerate the 2030 Agenda through the prism of globally defined transformative transitions. The Consultant will use participatory and consultative approaches to engage with the wide and diverse range of stakeholders and conduct specific meetings with UNCT and the RC to advance the development of the comprehensive UNSDCF 2027-2030. The Consultant will:

• Maintain a clear focus on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs, including acceleration entry points, the six transitions, leaving no one behind, and the UN Cooperation Framework programming principles.
• Build on the development nature of UN support established under previous Cooperation Frameworks, setting out strategic priorities with limited, focused outcomes and outputs.
• Articulate the UN development system’s value proposition and comparative advantage vis-à-vis other partners.
• Compose concrete catalytic development solutions (outcomes), measurable through SDG outcome indicators, achievable within the cooperation cycle.
• Write output statements that concretely articulate measurable collective UN contributions to outcomes, with output-level SDG indicators.
• Align the Results Matrix indicators to Tajikistan’s national SDG indicator framework.
• Develop and articulate a coherent Theory of Change (ToC) at all levels (vision, priorities, outcomes, outputs), outlining desired development changes, pathways of change, key assumptions, risk responses, and the catalytic role of the UN.
• Incorporate in written narrative, systemic and structural social, economic, environmental and governance issues to promote peaceful societies, sustainable growth, and inclusive development.
• Incorporate cross-boundary and regional issues, including migration and human mobility.
• Comply with regional and global UN frameworks and standards, while integrating cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, disability inclusion, LNOB, human rights, youth, climate change, resilience, and digitalization.

Qualifications/special skills

• A minimum of 10 years of the relevant professional experience specifically in international development initiatives and development organizations is required.
• Profound knowledge of the UN system and UN common country programming, UNDAF, UNSDCF processes and its operationalization is required
• At least 10 years of extensive knowledge of and experience in systems thinking and applying, qualitative and quantitative analytical methods, as well as results-based management is required
• Knowledge, expertise and hands-on experience in international relations, sustainable development and SDGs nationalization, green economy and climate change, governance, human rights and conflict prevention. Extensive experience in strategic planning, policy advice, institutional and partnership building and implementation of large development programmes is required.
• Excellent drafting skills. Provide 1-2 examples of written documents.
• A strong understanding of the Tajikistan and Central Asia context is highly desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English is required

Additional Information

The Consultant should undertake the UN Security Training (BSAFE). This requirement applies for all Consultants, attracted individually or through the Employer. The financial offer of the consultant should include professional fee only. Travel will be arranged by RCO.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.