National Consultant for Education Programme Coordination, Monitoring, and Reporting

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission 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 and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs a passionate workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, and it provides an attractive compensation and benefits package to its staff.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant for Education Programme Coordination, Monitoring, and Reporting will play a crucial role in overseeing the implementation of Phase II of the IsDB/GPE project aimed at supporting the national education development strategy in Tajikistan. This position requires effective coordination among various stakeholders, including UNICEF, the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), and affiliated agencies. The consultant will ensure timely delivery of project activities, compliance with donor requirements, and facilitate smooth collaboration among all partners. The role involves enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening quality assurance, and contributing to the timely and results-driven delivery of the project’s objectives. The consultant will also be responsible for managing increased reporting obligations and ensuring systematic data management and harmonized information flows across multiple institutions and consultancies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will serve as the focal point for day-to-day coordination between UNICEF, MoES, and affiliated agencies, facilitating information flow and resolving operational bottlenecks. Responsibilities include supporting the organization of coordination meetings, monitoring implementation progress, participating in programme monitoring exercises, and updating project dashboards. The consultant will also manage data collection, analysis, and performance monitoring, ensuring accuracy in project databases. Additionally, the consultant will coordinate inputs for project reporting, maintain document repositories, and support financial oversight and compliance. The role requires facilitating capacity-building activities and coordinating logistics for project events, workshops, and consultations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in education, public administration, project management, or a related field. A project management certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) is considered an asset. The consultant should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in project coordination and monitoring, preferably in education or development, with experience in multi-stakeholder coordination and donor-funded projects being highly desirable. Familiarity with UN operations is also an asset. Strong knowledge of project management and results-based monitoring, along with financial oversight and compliance skills, is essential. Proficiency in MS Office, SharePoint, and project management tools is required, along with excellent analytical, reporting, communication, and organizational skills.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in education, public administration, project management, or a related field. A project management certification such as PMP or PRINCE2 is advantageous and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in project coordination and monitoring, ideally within the education or development sectors. Candidates should have experience working with multi-stakeholder coordination and donor-funded projects, with prior experience in UN organizations being a significant advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Tajik is mandatory for this position, while knowledge of Russian is considered an asset. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is set to last from March 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027, covering a total of 320 working days over 18 months. The consultant will be expected to submit a CV and cover letter, along with a technical proposal detailing their approach to achieving the tasks outlined in the Terms of Reference (TOR) and a financial proposal indicating the fee per day. Applications must be submitted by January 19, 2026, through the UNICEF website. The position emphasizes UNICEF's core values of care, respect, integrity, trust, accountability, and sustainability, and encourages applications from diverse backgrounds.