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Consultancy on Knowledge for Youth-Led Climate Action in the Arab Region

Cairo

  • Organization: UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
  • Location: Cairo
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Youth
    • Environment
    • Meteorology, Geology and Geography
    • Climate Change
  • Closing Date: Closed

Terms of Reference

I. Introduction

Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent. Higher temperatures, extreme weather events such as droughts and flash floods, and reduced rainfalls are already having observable effects in the Arab region. These effects are likely to get worse in the future due to fragile ecosystems and socioeconomic infrastructures prevailing in the region, with sectors such as agriculture and food production, human health, and tourism being among the most vulnerable. The potential for job creation for young people in these sectors and others will depend in some aspects on the future climate. Should climate change impacts intensify in the future, young persons in the region under 30 years old – accounting for almost 60% of the current population - will suffer significantly in terms of well-being and livelihoods.

Arab countries are developing policies and taking action to address climate change, influenced in part by the advocacy of civil society organizations in the region, many of which are youth-led. Arab youth activists, researchers and entrepreneurs are playing an important role in designing and driving innovative bottom-up solutions to reduce climate change impacts, raising awareness and building resilience in their communities. The active engagement of Arab youth in climate action and their effective participation in climate decision-making depend on their ability to access, generate and disseminate relevant climate knowledge.

Knowledge is at the heart of youth-led climate action and an important success factor. Indeed, youth source scientific knowledge and other types of information to build advocacy narratives and design interventions that address climate change. Youth also generate climate-related knowledge in the form of academic and non-academic material. Finally, youth transmit knowledge as part of awareness raising campaigns and other actions using a multitude of communication means, notably digital and social media platforms .

In this context, the following key questions deserve further attention:

  • Where do young Arab climate actors source knowledge? What challenges do they face accessing knowledge? What knowledge gaps do they face?
  • What knowledge do young Arab climate actors generate? What are the focus areas? How collaborative and multi-disciplinary are the knowledge generation processes?
  • What modes of knowledge dissemination do young Arab climate actors favour? What use are they making of the digital and non-digital spaces? How successful are they in reaching policymakers and the general public?

In order to get initial youth feedback on the subject, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences in the Arab States held a preliminary e-Consultation with Arab Youth Climate Actors on Knowledge Needs on 22 June 2020, the report of which can be found here (available in Arabic only). The consultation confirmed the need to dig deeper into the knowledge dimension of youth climate action in the region.

OVERVIEW / BACKGROUND

II. Purpose and scope of the assignment

II.1. Purpose

UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences in the Arab States (Cairo Office) intends to issue a Report on Knowledge for Youth-Led Climate Action in the Arab Region. The Report is expected to:

  • Draw a profile of young Arab climate actors with focus on the knowledge dimension, by:
    • providing a critical assessment and in-depth understanding of the knowledge inputs and outputs of Arab youth climate action;
    • mapping youth contributions to climate knowledge in the Arab region, including knowledge generation in academic and non-academic settings;
  • Provide summary findings and concrete recommendations for strengthening the knowledge dimension of youth-led climate action in the Arab region for better impact.

 

II.2. Geographic scope

The Report is expected to cover youth climate action at the regional and sub-regional levels (e.g. Mashreq, Maghreb, GCC…). In addition, the Report is expected to cover national-level youth climate action in a minimum of three (3) selected Arab countries as case studies, to be agreed between the Consultant and UNESCO, and preferably covering the different Arab sub-regions.

II.3. Definition of key terms

For the purpose of this report, youth climate actors include all young persons 15-30 years of age who are involved, individually and/or through their education institutions, youth networks or social enterprises, in actions addressing climate change in the Arab region.

“Knowledge” is understood in its wide definition to include scientific knowledge (in the natural and social sciences) in addition to any other type of information supporting climate action such as policies, plans, information about funding and training opportunities, etc.

 

II.4. Target readers

The readership for this report includes young Arab climate actors, in addition to government and non-government development and knowledge partners concerned with climate action.

 

II.5. Expected product

The Report is expected to be originally produced in either Arabic or English, to be subsequently translated into the other language by UNESCO (outside this assignment). The Report is estimated to be around 60 pages in length, excluding annexes, and to follow the UNESCO publications guidelines.

WORK ASSIGNMENTS

III. Main tasks

The Consultant will undertake the major tasks outlined below, in close consultation with UNESCO Cairo Office.

 

A. Landscape analysis

The Consultant is expected to refine the scope and detail the methodology to be adopted for preparing the Report. He/she will undertake a literature review, and scan the landscape, identifying/analysing institutions, programs, partnerships and initiatives of relevance to this assignment. He/she will develop the data collection tools to be used (e.g. Survey questionnaire, interview guide, focus group guide, etc.), and propose a multi-stakeholder consultation process to finalize and vet the Report.

Main deliverables:

  • Detailed concept note of the Report, including conceptualization of the knowledge dimension in youth climate action, an annotated Report outline, and updated detailed methodology, the Arab countries to be covered, etc. The concept note is to be approved by UNESCO.
  • Data collection tools, to be approved by UNESCO

B. Data collection

The Consultant will implement the approved data collection methodology under (A). He/she will submit the raw collected data to UNESCO.

Main deliverable:

  • Compilation of collected data (e.g. data tables, transcription of interviews, reports of focus groups, etc.

 

C. Preparation of draft report

The Consultant will analyse collected data and prepare a draft of the Report to be submitted for UNESCO feedback. He/she will undertake the multi-stakeholder consultation process about the draft as agreed under (A).

Main deliverables:

  • Draft Report, to be submitted for UNESCO feedback.
  • Report of consultation process.

 

D. Finalization of report

The Consultant will revise and finalize the Report, taking into consideration UNESCO feedback and the results of the consultation process. He/she will copy edit the Report for language, references, etc. ensuring adherence to UNESCO publication guidelines. He/she will produce an executive summary.

Main deliverable:

  • Final, language edited Report, including executive summary, subject to the approval of UNESCO.
Short Description

IV. Timeframe
The assignment is to be completed within a maximum timeframe of 6 months starting from the date of signature of the contract (expected in early November). The Consultant should submit as part of his/her proposal a detailed timeframe for the submission of the various deliverables listed above.

 

V. Payment schedule
The fees budgeted for this assignment will be paid in two instalments as follows:

  • 1st instalment of 50% upon the submission of deliverables (A) and (B).
  • 2nd instalment of 50% upon the submission of deliverables (C) and (D).

The consultant is to provide a financial proposal .

 

VII. Supervisory arrangements

The Consultant will undertake this assignment under the overall supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Cairo Office and in full coordination with the Programme Specialist, Social and Human Sciences at the said Office.

Long Description

In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the Individual Consultant is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender-mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Education: Advanced university degree in sustainable development, environment or related field. PhD is desirable.
  • Experience: At least 7 years of professional experience in the field of sustainable development the Arab region and the publication of papers on climate change or closely related areas. Expertise in the area of youth research is highly desirable.
  • Skills: Capacity to research and analyse documents, undertake primary data collection, synthesize information, and write clearly and concisely.
  • Language: Knowledge of both Arabic and English is required. French is an asset.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

PhD is desirable.

Expertise in the area of youth research is highly desirable.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

Footer

Your proposal should be submitted through the UNESCO career website no later than 31 October 2020. It is the individual’s responsibility to ensure that his/her proposal is received by the deadline. Applicants are encouraged to attach relevant previous work under “Employment History.” Queries can be addressed to j.el-baba@unesco.org with a copy to  a.el-sheikh@unesco.org and c.park@unesco.org.

This vacancy is now closed.
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