Development of Intensive Course on Leadership in Geological Heritage Conservation - Arab Region

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Cairo

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 25-Mar-2021

 

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

 

Background

UNESCO Global Geoparks are recognized as single and unified geographical areas ensuring the conservation of geological heritage of international global value. The management of these sites adopts a holistic approach to conservation, education and sustainable development. It is based on a participatory approach whereby local communities are involved in conservation and sustainable development activities. In 2001, UNESCO launched the work on geoparks and in 2004, seventeen (17) European and eight (8) Chinese geoparks came together at UNESCO headquarters in Paris to form the Global Geoparks Network (GGN). To date, there are 161 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 44 countries. UNESCO supports its Member States to establish UNESCO Global Geoparks all over the world. Since 2017, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences in the Arab States is striving to work with Member States to establish the Arab Geopark Network.

In this context, the Bureau is aiming to develop an intensive course on Leadership in Geological Heritage Conservation for the Arab Region to improve the readiness of countries to work on the designation of UNESCO Global Geoparks. The course shall consider the science behind conservation and management of geological heritage and the application of global and national policies instruments and tools. It is of interdisciplinary nature and it will be addressed to professionals and practitioners working in the field of geological heritage conservation. The intensive course will present UNESCO Global Geoparks concept.  It will build the capacity of Member States representatives to prepare nomination dossier and to develop periodic reports and management plans.  It will include the presentation of UNESCO Global and regional Geoparks networks and set of case studies from countries.

For more information, please visit the following:

1/. UNESCO Global Geoparks: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/earth-sciences/unesco-global-geoparks/

2/. Global Geopark Network: http://www.globalgeopark.org/

Assignment

Within the framework of the Ecology and Earth Sciences Programme of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences in the Arab States in Cairo (UCO), under the overall supervision of the Director of UCO and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist for Ecology and Earth Sciences at UCO, the consultant shall develop an intensive course on Leadership in Geological Heritage Conservation (LGHC) for the Arab region. The intensive course will focus on the conservation of geological heritage in the Arab Region, the designation process of UNESCO Global Geopark from A to Z and building the leadership skills needed for the management of Geological Heritage in the Arab Region.

To this end, the consultant shall undertake the following tasks:

1. Review existing documents and training documents and courses material on geological heritage conservation and management and UNESCO Global Geoparks;
2. Collect data and perform analysis on existing capacities related to the conservation and management of geological heritage in the Arab region and identify areas of weakness that need to be accounted for in the training package;
3. Propose the best teaching and learning approaches and corresponding methodology (ies);
4. Develop the outline of the intensive course with the storyline and narrative of each module, learning objectives and messages to take from each module;
5. Develop the modules and curricula for an intensive course;

VI. Develop the material of the intensive course including the following:

a.Training material

• Storylines, narratives, learning objectives and messages to take, and text;
• PowerPoint presentations and related infographics and figures;
• Reading material and references, external links to internet resources;
• Practices quizzes and assessments;
• Learning tools including podcasts and documentaries;
• Other needed material

b. Brief user guide for the trainees.

c. Guidelines for trainers on how to conduct the course and use the intensive course package.

d. List of proposed names of speakers.

Consultation/ Coordination

1. Regular contact, on weekly basis with EES Programme Specialist (PS)  and the EES team at UCO on the advancement of the assignment and copy the PS and assistant on all correspondences made for the purpose of this assignment;
2. Communicate and coordinate with Global Geopark Network members to ensure the good coverage of all aspects of geological heritage conservation in the context of UNESCO Global Geoparks;
3. Address the feedback provided by the PS and EES team in a timely manner on deliverables;
4. Perform other tasks as needed for this consultancy assignment.

Deliverables:

1. Report on the existing directly and indirectly related training, courses and material to geological heritage and UNESCO Global Geoparks;
2. Status of knowledge on intellectual and technical leadership in geological heritage conservation in the Arab Region;
3. Outline of the intensive course on LGHC – Arab Region with storyline of each module and teaching/learning approaches and methodologies;
4. LGHC- Arab Region intensive course including all material.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) Timetable Inception report and methodology of work April 30, 2021 Report on the existing training, courses and material related to geological heritage conservation and management and UNESCO Global Geoparks May 15, 2021 Status of knowledge on intellectual and technical leadership in geological heritage conservation in the Arab Region June 15, 2021 Outline of the intensive course on LGHC with storyline of each module and teaching/learning approaches and methodologies June 22, 2021 Course package on LGHC-Arab Region inclusive of all material needed Sept. 15, 2021

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

PhD degree with research studies focused on geosciences or earth sciences; natural sciences; conservation and management of geological heritage, biodiversity conservation and management; protected areas management; or in other fields closely related to the focus of the consultancy assignment.                                                                                          

Work Experience

At least (10) years of relevant professional experience focused on one or more of the areas cited below:

1. Geosciences and Earth Sciences,
2. Conservation and management of Geological Heritage,
3. Biodiversity conservation and management,
4. Protected Areas Management and sustainable development,
5. Sustainable management of natural resources.

Languages

Fluency (oral and written) in English required and Arabic is 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.  Application Deadine is 25 March 2021

Please attach the following docuemnts in the Employment History Field:                     

1. Technical proposal including the intensive course concept, methodology of work, and timeline;
2. Financial offer that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs per activity and excluding any travel if necessary and DSA from the lump sum amount.

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. 

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.

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