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International consultant for National Curriculum Development in Environment, Climate Change and Energy

Ashkhabad

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Ashkhabad
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Environment
    • Meteorology, Geology and Geography
    • Education, Learning and Training
    • Renewable Energy sector
    • Climate Change
  • Closing Date: Closed

International consultant for National Curriculum Development in Environment, Climate Change and Energy Objective of the assignment: The objective of the proposed Consultancy is to provide technical support to the Ministry of Education in review and integration of climate change, environmental and energy issues in the current school curriculum taking into account climate- and environment- related risks and opportunities. This activity will directly contribute to achievement of SDG target 12.8 “By 2030 ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature”. It is expected that consultant in consultation with UNICEF will work closely with the Ministry of Education to review/develop a national curriculum in climate change with a purpose of integrating into the primary and secondary curricula, also paying close attention to gender-sensitive issues. The curriculum should also introduce the concept and issues of climate change in an easily understood manner. Work Assignment The key work assignments are outlined as follows: • Review and assess the current relevant primary and secondary schools curricular; • Review the available existing resource materials for children by UNICEF for adaptation; • Prepare curricular materials that include digital learning aides and child appropriate multimedia for climate change; • Provide technical inputs to the upcoming state education programme for further incorporation of environment, climate and sustainability aspects into education process; • Conduct a roundtable meeting with the representatives of the Ministry of Education, National Institute of Education and National Red Crescent Society to discuss the mission recommendations and draft school curriculum; • Provide a final consultancy report upon completion of the above tasks with recommendations and final drafts of the school curriculum.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Background

In 2016, Turkmenistan adopted all Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), including 51 targets and 22 indicators of environment-related SDGs.Turkmenistan has one of the harshest climates in the Central Asian region with populations living in northern regions also being severely affected by the Aral Sea crisis, land degradation, salinization and desertification. Climate change poses an additional threat to Turkmenistan manifesting itself in higher temperatures and likely lower rainfall, increased risk of flooding of the Amu Darya River, flash runoffs, heavy rains and intense heat periods.

The likely impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are more pronounced for children, especially girls and women. They face greater dangers from increases in water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea, reduced access to water, likely reduced functionality of sanitation facilities, and under-nutrition thus undermining hard-won development gains.

Educating students about the risks and crucial safety measures from an early age and throughout the school years helps to build a sense of resilience and promote a culture of disaster and climate change preparedness. Students can benefit from the knowledge and understanding of the hazards likely to affect them. They can also receive guidance on how to reduce risk, prepare and respond to the impacts of multiple hazards and risks related to climate change and disaster.

Teachers have a critical role to play in the successful implementation of the climate change education programmes. They help the students make sense of the information available to them, not only in specialised subjects but also in general. Appropriate understanding, training on the issues related to Environment, Climate Change and Energy places the teachers in a better position to impart knowledge to students, create and maintain a safe learning environment, and help build a culture of disaster and climate change preparedness.

In 2012, UNICEF Turkmenistan Country Office undertook the country wide “Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives in Schools” which included introducing DRR into the curriculum and undertaking School Safety Assessments, supported by DipECHO. Currently, primary and secondary school curriculum contain environment-related subjects (Nature-study, Basics of Life Skills, Ecology, Biology, Geography). With a view to support the Government of Turkmenistan in implementation of the SDG 12 targets and indicators, in particular target 12.8 related to improvement of education on sustainable development, including environment, climate change and energy, UNICEF would like to expand its DRR initiative by incorporating Climate Change, Environment and Energy issues into the School Curriculum, as well as piloting school based interventions in two select provinces, namely Dashoguz and Akhal Velayats. Based on the outcome of the pilot, UNICEF together with its partners, Ministry of Education (MoE) and National Red Crescent Society will advocate for nation-wide scaling up of the school-based interventions. This initiative will contribute to the National Climate Change Strategy in the country.

In this regard, UNICEF Office in Turkmenistan requires specific consultancy services to review and incorporate climate change, energy and environment into the current school curriculum.

 

Objective of the assignment:

The objective of the proposed Consultancy is to provide technical support to the Ministry of Education in review and integration of climate change, environmental and energy issues in the current school curriculum taking into account climate- and environment- related risks and opportunities. This activity will directly contribute to achievement of SDG target 12.8 “By 2030 ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature”.

It is expected that consultant in consultation with UNICEF will work closely with the Ministry of Education to review/develop a national curriculum in climate change with a purpose of integrating into the primary and secondary curricula, also paying close attention to gender-sensitive issues. The curriculum should also introduce the concept and issues of climate change in an easily understood manner.

 

Work Assignment

The key work assignments are outlined as follows:

  • Review and assess the current relevant primary and secondary schools curricular;
  • Review the available existing resource materials for children by UNICEF for adaptation;
  • Prepare curricular materials that include digital learning aides and child appropriate multimedia for climate change;
  • Provide technical inputs to the upcoming state education programme for further incorporation of environment, climate and sustainability aspects into education process;
  • Conduct a roundtable meeting with the representatives of the Ministry of Education, National Institute of Education and National Red Crescent Society to discuss the mission recommendations and draft school curriculum;
  • Provide a final consultancy report upon completion of the above tasks with recommendations and final drafts of the school curriculum.

 

 

Tentative timeline for deliverables:

 

Tasks/deliverables

Number of days

Timeline*

1

Initial assessment of the current curriculum and plan of suggested revisions

6 working days (home based)

10 August 2017

2

First draft of suggested curriculum changes and materials and roundtable meeting

10 working days (on mission)

15 August or
15 October 2017

3

Mission report, including final drafts of the new curriculum

4 working days (home-based)

30 August or
30 October 2017

* Timeline may change depending on the agreement with the partners. Payment schedule will be determined later.

 

Required skills and experience

  • Advanced university degree in the area of Social Sciences/Environment/Geography or another relevant degree;
  • Strong experience in curriculum development and development of methodology of teaching;
  • Good technical knowledge and internationally recognized experience in environment/climate change programs;
  • Knowledge of the Central Asian region and the related environment/climate change issues;
  • At least five years of professional work experience in education sector (programme planning, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation);
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to liaise effectively with government officials and representatives of international organizations;
  • Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource for training programs;
  • Familiarity with UNICEF’s mandate and goals; working experience is an advantage;
  • Sound verbal and written English skills;
  • Good knowledge of Russian is an asset.

 

Reservations

All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

 

Working Conditions
The consultant will work under direct supervision of UNICEF Deputy Representative and will work home based as well as in UNICEF office premises in Ashgabat city during the planned visit to Turkmenistan. UNICEF will provide support in terms of obtaining visa and meetings with the partners.

Should the contractor fail to complete the assigned tasks, UNICEF will have the right to withhold up to 50% of the consultancy payment.

 

Procedures and logistics:

UNICEF does not provide or arrange health insurance coverage for the consultants.

 

Expression of interest

UNICEF accepts applications from individual consultants. For the purpose of selection, a consultant is requested to submit a Technical Proposal, which will include the following documents and information:

  • A completed Expression of Interest form (see Appendix A) and responses to the questions, including the professional fee/rate, per person day;
  • A proposed timeframe;
  • Proposed consultant’s curriculum vitae, P11;
  • A summary of experience in similar assignments;
  • A financial proposal with a description of unit costs (in US Dollars). The financial offer includes a daily fee, travel expenses, accommodations and daily allowances.

    The proposal will be a key basis for the selection.

To view our competency framework, please click here

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

This vacancy is now closed.
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