Education Specialist  in UNDP project

The overall objective of the assignment is to effectively implement and coordinate activities of the Project related to the education, development of educational and training programs, and organization of trainings for different target groups. The  assignment includes  the following  key objectives:

• development of educational programmes on environmental monitoring and Aarhus Convention and organization of trainings under newly developed programs;
• establishment of 7 environmental monitoring clubs on the basis of “green schools”;
• development of professional training programmes  for pedagogues and teachers, including distance education, and organization of education of teachers of "green schools" in the fields of waste management, biodiversity protection, water supply, energy and community actions,  monitoring of air quality;
• assistance in establishment of 11 resources centres for  "green schools";
• launch of “green schools” program in the kindergartens; (vi) development of network of “green schools” all over Belarus and monitoring over the work of “green schools”.

Work Performed/or responsibilities:

Education Specialist assists the Project Manager in successful implementation of project activities. The main responsibilities are:

• Ensure effective engagement of CSOs and public into development of training and professional education programs and methodical materials on environmental monitoring, activities of Aarhus centres, running of “green schools” program;
• Ensure training of all the stakeholders, including pedagogues, teachers, environmentalists based on the newly developed trainings and education programs in Belarus;
• Organize trainings abroad to ensure further development of “green schools” network and exchange of experience;
• Ensure further development of “green schools” program in the country, also through establishment of environmental monitoring clubs and resources centres for “green schools”, and monitoring over functioning of the network of “green schools”.

He/she works under supervision of and in coordination with the Project Manager. The Education Specialist will be based in Minsk and report to the Project Manager. He/she assists the Project Manager in supervising consultants and staff hired under relevant project activities.

Summary of key functions:

Overall components management

• Assume primary responsibility for the daily 1-4 project components management  in relation to educational activities (including coordination of  development of  educational programmes on environmental monitoring and Aarhus Convention; organization of trainings under the newly developed programs;  establishment of 7 environmental monitoring clubs on the basis of “green schools”;  coordination of design of professional development programmes  for pedagogues and teachers, including distance education, and organization of education of teachers   of "green schools" in the fields of waste management, biodiversity protection, water supply, energy and community actions,  monitoring of air quality; organization of training on running of “green schools” program in the kindergartens; assistance in establishment of 11 resource centres for “green schools”; monitoring over functioning of  “green schools” network;  organization of training of the stakeholders abroad and participation of  Belarusian specialists in international events)- both organizational and substantive matters, budgeting, planning and general monitoring of the implementation of the activities  to ensure the results are in accordance with the Project Document and the rules and procedures established in the UNDP Programming Manual;
• Coordinate relevant project activities with other project activities and relevant technical assistance programs in Belarus.

Partnership building

• Liaise with relevant ministries (including Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Education), national institutes and other relevant institutions to involve their staff in the relevant project activities as necessary and gather and disseminate information relevant to the project tasks, which he/she is responsible for;
• Ensure involvement of CSOs and public into implementation of the activities under the Project to meet requirements of the Project Document, and in line with UNDP procedures;
• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the relevant project activities.

Components administrative and financial management

• In consultation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Education and other stakeholders as may be relevant prepare Regulation of the competition on selection of CSO to develop to educational programmes, including distance education, and organization of training on the issues covered by the Aarhus Convention and on environmental monitoring;
• Coordinates organization of trainings and education based on the newly developed programs on the issues covered by the Aarhus Convention and environmental monitoring;
• Ensures establishment of at least 7 environmental monitoring clubs, in 6 regions of the country and in Minsk, including: (i) preparation of Regulation on environmental monitoring clubs; selection of “green schools” for establishment of environmental monitoring club; finalization of list of equipment for environmental monitoring for the clubs;
• In consultation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Education and other stakeholders as may be relevant  prepare Regulation on the competition to select 2 CSOs to design of professional development programmes for pedagogues and teachers, including distance education, and organization of education of teachers   of "green schools" in the fields of waste management, biodiversity protection, water supply, energy and community actions,  monitoring of air quality;
• Coordinates and organizes trainings under newly developed programmes for the pedagogues and teachers of  “green schools”;
• Prepares methodical and other basic documents (guides, recommendations, etc.) to expansion of “green schools” network;
• Develops methodology for monitoring “green schools”;
• Monitors over functioning of the network of "green schools" all over the country;
• Coordinates expansion of the "green schools" project to kindergartens, including selection and equipping of kindergarten to operate as a model and a resource center for “green schools” for preschoolers, organization of training on running of “green schools” program in the kindergartens;
• Assists in  establishment  and equipping  11 resources centres for  "green schools" is ensured, including:

1. National Resource Centre at the National Centre for Ecology and Local Studies;
2. Resource centres for summer camps at “Zubryonok” and “Nadezhda” children's health-improving centres;
3. Resource center for Rural  "green schools" at the Centre for Folk Arts and Crafts in Kopyś;
4. Inclusive resource center at the National Rehabilitation Centre for Children with Disabilities;
5. Six auxiliary regional “green schools” resource centres in environmental monitoring: per one in each of the region;

• Assists in organization of monitoring of air quality by the green schools;
• Organizes trainings/ study tours on “green schools: and environmental monitoring for CSO, teachers and public authorities abroad;
• Assists the Project Manager in drafting terms of reference for national and international consultants and subcontractors;
• Prepares and provide briefing and background materials to the Project Manager, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, UNDP and other relevant stakeholders;
• Monitors the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the relevant project activities’ budget lines;
• Assists in transfer of assets to the Project beneficiaries within his/ her competence;

Reporting:

• Drafts necessary progress and financial reports, as required by the relevant UNDP, EU and national procedures.

Other:

Undertake any other actions related to the project as requested by the Project Manager.



 

• Job knowledge and expertise: knowledge of modern methods of organization of trainings; understanding of the job requirements; practical knowledge of development of educational programs;  initiative and readiness to improve the skills: provides innovative solutions; proposes new approaches to achieve the goals;
• Leadership: determines appropriate resources, methods, partners, information and solution; actively shares experience and knowledge;
• Result Orientation: assesses the performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work; demonstrates ability to manage data and prioritize tasks;
• Communication: builds professional networks with partners, establishes and maintains contacts with various partners and stakeholders, including civil society organizations.
   

• University degree in pedagogics, psychology or public sciences or any other related field.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in the sphere of education:  development of educational programs, teaching, provision of seminars and trainings;
• Experience of working with governmental bodies, civil society and NGOs;
• Relevant working experience in international projects would be an asset;
• Computer literacy and advanced knowledge of office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Power Point Presentations, etc.);
• Working knowledge of English, including the ability to draft, edit and finalize documents in English;
• Fluency in Russian and/or Belarusian.
   

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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