Climate Education Specialist (Home based Retainer) - Nassau, Bahamas

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

WEC Background

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally, is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support.  

 WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country-specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.  

The NDC Partnership

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition advancing the Paris Agreement by strengthening capacity and collaboration for country-owned climate and development action. 

With over 270 members, including over 140 countries and more than 120 institutions, the NDC Partnership aligns partner support behind country priorities, builds shared knowledge and generates evidence to inform effective NDC implementation, sustained investment and higher ambition that drives sustainable development. Working through a country-driven model, countries set the agenda by identifying their NDC priorities, and partners deliver coordinated, high-impact support that increases efficiency and reduces duplication. 

The NDC Partnership has unmatched insight into on-the-ground climate realities, drawn from diverse expertise and collaborative learning across its membership. Grounded in country action, these insights shape the global climate agenda.

The NDC Partnership Support Unit is jointly hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC). 

The Bahamas has demonstrated strong leadership on climate action among Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and joined the NDC Partnership in 2021 to strengthen implementation of its climate commitments. Through its NDC 3.0, submitted in November 2025, the country committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% below 2010 levels, achieving at least 45% renewable energy generation, and increasing the uptake of electric and hybrid vehicles by 2035. The Government is also advancing its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to strengthen resilience across key sectors, including water resources, agriculture, health, tourism, infrastructure, and coastal and marine ecosystems.

Recognizing climate change as one of the greatest threats to national development and human security, The Bahamas has identified capacity building, public awareness, and institutional strengthening as critical enablers of climate resilience. The Climate Change and Environmental Advisory Unit (CCEAU), under the Office of the Prime Minister, leads coordination of the national climate agenda.

Within this context, the Government has identified the integration of climate change into the education system as a strategic priority to build long-term capacity, strengthen climate literacy, and support achievement of national climate goals. Rather than developing a standalone climate curriculum, the Government seeks to mainstream climate change across existing learning areas while strengthening teacher capacity, curriculum resources, partnerships, and institutional systems. To support this effort, the position will work closely with the Ministry of Education, Technical and Vocational Training, the CCEAU, and other key stakeholders to advance climate education and foster a more climate-resilient society.

The incumbent will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and will work in close collaboration with the different ministerial offices. S/he will be responsible for the technical delivery of project outputs aimed at integrating and institutionalizing climate change education within The Bahamas’ national education system, through curriculum enhancement, capacity building, stakeholder coordination, policy support, and monitoring frameworks, while ensuring alignment with national priorities and relevant climate strategies.

• This is a retainer national vacancy/position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with possibility of an extension depending on satisfactory performance and on availability of funds.  

• This is a Home based position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office but from the government facilities. Therefore, the incumbent will need to use his/her own laptop and software.

• As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of The Bahamas or have a valid residence permit in Bahamas. 

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Climate Education Specialist will provide specialized technical support to the Government of the Bahamas, particularly the Climate Change and Environmental Advisory Unit (C2EAU) and the Ministry of Education and, to design and operationalize the integration of climate change into the national education system.

1. Project Initiation, Planning, and Development of the Inception Report

• Conduct an initial review of relevant national climate policies, education frameworks, existing climate change education materials, and other pertinent documentation to inform project implementation.
• Hold inception and kick-off meetings with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, Technical and Vocational Training, the Climate Change and Environmental Advisory Unit (CCEAU), and other relevant entities, to validate the project scope, objectives, priorities, and expectations.
• Develop a stakeholder map and stakeholder engagement strategy identifying key actors, their roles, and mechanisms for effective participation throughout the project.
• Develop a detailed workplan and calendar, including timelines, milestones, task sequencing, responsibilities, and key decision points across the project duration.
• Identify potential implementation risks and propose appropriate mitigation measures to ensure timely and effective project delivery.
• Prepare an Inception Report outlining the methodology, approach, key activities, deliverables, and implementation arrangements for the assignment.
• Present the draft inception report, workplan, implementation calendar, stakeholder engagement strategy, and risk management approach to stakeholders for review and validation, and incorporate feedback as appropriate

2. Climate Education Assessment

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the national curriculum, existing climate change content, teacher readiness, learning resources, institutional capacity, and professional development needs to identify opportunities and requirements for strengthening climate change education within the national education system.
• Conduct a gap analysis to identify key weaknesses, challenges, and opportunities in the current curriculum, resources, teacher preparedness, and institutional support systems. 
• Prepare a needs assessment outlining priority areas for curriculum enhancement, capacity building, resource development, and institutional strengthening. 
• Develop evidence-based recommendations to guide the integration and implementation of climate change education within the national education system. 
• Present the assessment findings, gap analysis, needs assessment, and recommendations to stakeholders for review and validation, and incorporate feedback as appropriate.

3. Curriculum Integration

• Provide technical support for embedding and strengthening climate change education across existing curriculum areas, including General Science, Primary Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Social Studies, Agriculture, Health Science, Family Life Education, Mathematics, and Technical and Vocational Education.
• The Specialist shall work with Curriculum Officers to ensure integration and accentuation align with existing curriculum review processes rather than creating a separate climate curriculum.
• Develop a Curriculum Integration Framework outlining approaches for embedding and strengthening climate change education across targeted curriculum areas.
• Develop Learning Progressions that define the expected progression of climate change knowledge, skills, values, and competencies across grade levels.
• Prepare Scope and Sequence Recommendations that identify the placement, sequencing, and progression of climate change concepts within existing curricula.
• Develop Teacher Implementation Guides that provide practical guidance, pedagogical strategies, and classroom activities to support the effective delivery of climate change education.

4. Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening

5. Partnership Development and Coordination

• Support coordination and collaboration among the Ministry of Education, relevant national ministries, educational institutions, civil society organizations, international organizations, private sector entities, and other climate change stakeholders to advance climate change education initiatives, including the identification and promotion of strategic partnership opportunities that enhance project implementation and sustainability. Promote authentic learning opportunities. 
• Support the integration of experiential learning opportunities through guest speaker engagements, field experiences, and citizen science initiatives.
• Facilitate access to technical expertise and specialist knowledge to support climate change education activities.
• Support resource mobilization and partnership-building efforts to strengthen the implementation and sustainability of climate change education initiatives.

6. Development of Communication Resources

• Develop policy briefs, case studies, climate education toolkits, student and teacher resources, awareness-raising materials and campaigns, infographics, and digital resources to support the implementation, communication, and uptake of climate change education initiatives.

7. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Develop a Climate Education Monitoring Framework, including indicators, reporting templates, data collection tools, and school reporting mechanisms, to support the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of climate change education initiatives, ensuring alignment with the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), NDC 3.0, and existing Ministry of Education reporting systems.

8. Advisory Support

• Provide embedded technical advisory support to the Climate Change and Environmental Advisory Unit (CCEAU), the Ministry of Education, the Curriculum Division, and teacher education institutions to strengthen climate change policy development (including but not limited to Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE), curriculum reform, climate adaptation initiatives, and national reporting processes.

9. Reporting and Knowledge Management

• Prepare monthly progress reports, quarterly technical reports, workshop and stakeholder engagement reports, lessons learned documentation, and a final consultancy report to support project monitoring, knowledge management, reporting, and continuous improvement throughout the implementation of climate change education initiatives.

Required

• A master’s degree preferably in public policy, education, development, climate change, natural resource management, environmental management, and any other relevant field of study.  
• A bachelor's degree in a related discipline with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (7 total) may be accepted instead of an advanced university degree

Required

• At least 5 years’ experience in public and/or private sector with a focus on education, climate change, project management, or any related field.
• Experience in developing, supporting, and implementing climate and education related initiatives;
• Knowledge of the country’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change 

Desired

• Experience in education, policy development and curriculum reform.  
• Experience in curriculum development and education programme design.  
• Demonstrated experience in designing, developing, and delivering teacher professional development programmes and capacity-building initiatives, particularly in educational or climate-related fields
• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes, including COP, Subsidiary Bodies, NDCs, and national climate planning processes. Strong coordination, communication, and facilitation skills across diverse stakeholder groups.  
• Experience in partnership development, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilization.  

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