Individual Consultant - Education for Sustainable Development

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Bangkok

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 22-APR-2024

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

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Under the project of ‘Empowering Learners Through Transformative Education for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific’ supported by the Government of Japan/MEXT, UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok is supporting Indonesia and Tonga in their efforts to formulate and implement ESD for 2030 Country Initiatives. A whole-institution approach is being utilized to advance ESD in the two Member States, by providing technical assistance, capacity building, broad-based consultations among diverse stakeholders beyond education, and facilitating knowledge exchange to address urgent environmental issues, support the transition to green and digital economies, and enable sustainable development.

As of now, Indonesia has completed the national consultation and is in the process of finalizing the Country Initiative Template. Tonga is planning a national consultation meeting and training workshop scheduled for early May 2024 and preparing a draft Country Initiative. A regional ESD for 2030 hybrid meeting is planned for July 2024 to enable knowledge exchange on mainstreaming ESD in learning systems, among selected Member States and key partners across the Asia-Pacific Region. Continued effort is required to fulfil the objective of the project in building the capacity of Member States to advance with ESD for 2030 at national and local levels, and empowering learners as agents of change for human and planetary sustainability.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Within the framework of ESD for 2030, the consultant shall prepare for and produce a series of conference materials, analysis, presentation, documents, reports, and communication packages on the project of Empowering Learners Through Transformative Education for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervisory Arrangement:

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, and guidance of Chief of Education (ED) Section, and the direct supervision of Programme Specialist for Education, the Individual Specialist is expected to undertake the following work:

a) Prepare the finalized meeting package (presentation, status of ESD country initiative in Tonga, two concept notes (consultation and training), agendas, and school visit programme for the ESD Consultation Meeting and Training Workshop in Tonga to be submitted to UNESCO Bangkok by 28 April 2024;

b) Participate online during the ESD Consultation Meeting and Training Workshop in Tonga (1-3 May 2024) to document key messages as rapporteur and contribute to two outcome reports (with gender segregated lists of participants) by reviewing the meeting notes and short reports by 25 May 2024; contribute to the regional analysis and presentation slides for the Regional meeting on ESD;

c) Provide support to the preparation of the ESD for 2030 Regional meeting by creating synergies with the Regional Policy Dialogue and Launch of the “Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development” in Asia-Pacific (5-7 June 2024), by contributing to final presentation by 5 June 2024, and attending the event as rapporteur, and contribute to the outcome report by spotlighting ESD for 2030 country level initiatives in Tonga and Indonesia in report by 25 June 2024.

d) Collaborate with relevant field offices to gather information on the implementation of project activities in Tonga and Indonesia and prepare a draft narrative report for the JFIT ESD project by 25 June 2024.

e) Contribute to the preparation of the ESD for 2030 Regional Meeting in Kuala Lumpur (4-6 July 2024), attend the event to document key messages as rapporteur, and contribute to the outcome report (with gender segregated list of participants) by 25 July 2024.

f) Consolidate inputs about project progress at both national and regional levels and finalize peer reviewed JFIT ESD Project Report based on the draft submitted in June by 25 July 2024.

g) Carry out any other tasks as advised by Director, Chief of Education, or Supervisor in support of programme activities.

Travel:

The Individual Specialist will be required to travel on missions directly related to programmes and projects implementation during the assignment. The Individual Specialist should travel economy class and receive DSA at the standard rate (and which should be reduced, as necessary, when the number of days of DSA exceeds the limits stipulated in the table of rates published by ICSC). DSA is only payable to individuals carrying out assignments away from their usual place of residence or work. The Individual Specialist is expected to make her/his own travel arrangements and should be provided with a lump sum to cover travel-related expenses in accordance with UNESCO rules and regulations. Travel-related expenses (e.g. the cost of tickets, terminal fares and DSA) must be fixed and agreed between the parties. The Individual Specialist is responsible for obtaining UNDSS security clearance prior to each approved mission.

h) Undertake travel from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 30 June – 6 July to conduct sessions at the regional ESD for 2030 meeting in support of ESD and the Greening Education Partnership (GEP) in Asia.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES

a) Finalized meeting package (presentations, two concept notes and agendas) in support of ESD Consultation and Training Workshop in Tonga by 15 May 2024.

b) Two short outcome reports (approx. 5 pages) with gender segregated lists of participants for the ESD Consultation and Training Workshop in Tonga by 25 May 2024.

c) Meeting Notes with a focus on ESD reflections during the Regional Policy Dialogue and Launch of the Recommendation by 25 June 2024.

d) Draft ESD Project Narrative Report by 25 June 2024.

e) Mission report to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 30 June – 6 July on the regional ESD for 2030 meeting in support of ESD and the Greening Education Partnership (GEP) in Asia by 25 July 2024.

f) Outcome Meeting report for the ESD Regional Meeting by 25 July 2024.

g) Finalized ESD Project Narrative Report by 25 July 2024.

All drafts must be in line with UNESCO’s style guide (https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000141812). The consultant must provide of all references to data and other relevant material/resources used for argument presented as footnotes including links to the resources where possible. In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the individual specialist is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

The work shall be completed by 31 July 2024 at the latest.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C)Communication (C)Teamwork (C)Innovation (C)Results focus (C)Planning and organizing (C)Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

- For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• University Degree (Masters) in the field of education, social sciences, public policy or related areas.

  Work Experience:

  • Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience in education
  • Experience in education policy analysis and development
  • Experience in producing content for online websites and networks etc.
    

    Skills/Competencies:

    • Excellent IT skills with proficiency in the use of MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel. PowerPoint, etc.);
    • Good networking and communication skills;
    • Ability to take initiatives and to provide quality and timely support and services.
    • Ability to work under pressure and flexibility to adjust work schedules and priorities.
    • Ability to plan strategically and to translate strategies into action;
    • Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team in a multicultural environment.
    • Capacity for accuracy and attention to detail in preparation of correspondence.
    • Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions.

      Languages:

      • Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.
        

        DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

        • Previous experience with international organization, preferably the United Nations, would be preferable.

          APPLICATION PROCESS

          Interested candidates are invited to submit to UNESCO Bangkok office the specific requirements as below through careers.unesco.org:

          Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and upload the following documents as a single PDF document in place of the Employment History Form.

          Before uploading the document, at the end of the Employment History Form, please insert extra pages with the following required documents:

          • An up-to-date CV stating details of educational qualifications, work experience, including prior experience of similar work
          • A list of past work or reports/publications written with hyperlinks to access such paper if they are available online or samples of such papers if they are only available offline
          • A brief motivation letter
          • A brief proposal (1-2 pages) discussing the approach/methodology to undertake the assignment and the proposed fee in USD to undertake the assignment. Any travel and subsistence requirements should be indicated separately.

            Your proposal and any supporting documents must be in English.

            Note:

            Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process.

            Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in system, please inform us at eisd.bgk@unesco.org

            The complete application shall be submitted on or before 22 April 2024 at midnight Bangkok time.

            UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organisation the best value for money.

            Assessment:

            • Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered.
            • Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.
              

              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.

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