National Consultant for Costing of State Programme on Nutrition

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child, emphasizing equity and the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families. UNICEF employs a diverse workforce and offers opportunities for professional and personal development, aiming to create a culture where everyone can belong and grow. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential, without discrimination or bias.

Job Overview:
The position of National Consultant for Costing of State Programme on Nutrition involves conducting a comprehensive costing of the multisectoral State Programme on Nutrition for Tajikistan for the period of 2026-203

• The consultant will work closely with UNICEF’s nutrition team and various stakeholders to develop a costing framework that aligns with government budget structures and international best practices. This role is crucial in enabling realistic resource planning, prioritization, and advocacy with partners to address the pressing issue of malnutrition in Tajikistan, which affects a significant portion of the population, particularly children and women. The consultant will be responsible for estimating financial requirements, identifying funding gaps, and providing recommendations for sustainable financing options.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a desk review of the State Programme on Nutrition, sectoral plans, budgets, and expenditure data to gather necessary information.
• Engage with stakeholders, including government ministries and development partners, to validate activities, unit costs, and assumptions related to the programme.
• Develop a structured costing framework that includes activity-based costing, assumptions, and scenarios for the implementation of the programme.
• Calculate the total cost of implementing the programme, detailing costs by year, sector, intervention areas, and activities.
• Map existing and projected financing from government and partners to identify funding gaps and potential funding sources.
• Produce an inception report, draft costing report, and final report with actionable recommendations for sustainability and financing options.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Public Health, Health Economics, Finance, Economics, Public Policy, Nutrition, or a related field. They should have at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in costing, budgeting, or analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">financial analysis of public health, nutrition, or multisectoral programmes. Demonstrated experience in developing and applying costing tools or models for government programmes is essential, along with proven knowledge of health and/or nutrition financing and resource mobilization strategies. Experience working with government institutions and development partners in low- or middle-income countries is also required.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Public Health, Health Economics, Finance, Economics, Public Policy, Nutrition, or a related area is mandatory for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of nutrition programmes and their financial implications.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in areas related to costing, budgeting, or financial analysis specifically within public health, nutrition, or multisectoral programmes. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the consultant can effectively engage with stakeholders and develop a comprehensive costing framework that meets the needs of the State Programme on Nutrition.

Languages:
Excellent verbal and writing skills in Russian and Tajik are mandatory for this position. Knowledge of English is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication with international partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 50 working days between October 2025 and December 202

• The consultant will report to the Nutrition Officer at UNICEF Tajikistan. Candidates are required to submit a CV, cover letter, technical proposal, financial proposal, and two samples of previously delivered similar assignments. Applications must be submitted by 16 October 2025, and only those who meet the qualifications will be considered. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.