UNDP Jobs - 48197- National Consultant to Develop a National Strategy

National Consultant to Develop a National Strategy for Climate Change Education - (this position is open to Sierra Leonean Nationals only)

Location :

Freetown, SIERRA LEONE

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

25-Jul-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

45 days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

45 days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Sierra Leone Meteorological Department (SLMD) in the Ministry of Transport and Aviation (MTA) is implementing a UNDP-supported, Global Environment Facility-financed project on Climate Information and Early Warning Systems (CIEWS). The project seeks enhance long-term informed decision planning, management and early warning activities related to climate change impacts in Sierra Leone, through) i) transfer of technologies for enhanced capacity of SLMD, and; ii) integration of climate information into development plans and early warning systems.

Presently, the National Climate Change Secretariat within the Environment Protection Agency Sierra Leone (EPA-SL) with support from UNDP and the European Union is undertaking awareness raising on impacts of climate change and actions should be taken by Sierra Leonean to reduce their vulnerability to climate risks. However, the project identified that there is limited knowledge related to climate change in Sierra Leone. In a bid to complement the effort of the EPA-SL as an implementing partner of the project to promote climate change education and awareness raising in the country, t the project will partner with EPA-SL and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to implement a communication and outreach plan, as well as design an education strategy for climate change. The present consultancy will focus on the education strategy, while simultaneously collecting data to inform the communication and outreach plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the National Project Manager, the consultant will be expected to work in close collaboration with SLMD, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), the Environment Protection Agency/National Secretariat for Climate Change (EPA/NSCC), Njala University and University of Sierra Leone to:

Assess the present level of public awareness of climate change-related issues in Sierra Leone; including knowledge of the causes of climate change, and a broader understanding about meteorological, physical and biological aspects, sustainable interactions with the environment and technological innovations for mitigation and adaptation;
Produce an inventory of formal (including school curricula) and informal programmes and initiatives in Sierra Leone that is relevant to increasing public knowledge on climate-change issues, including an assessment of their effectiveness, needs and opportunities;
Analyze best practices from other countries and provide an overview of educational initiatives that could be adapted to the Sierra Leone context.
Design a strategy to improve climate change education in Sierra Leone, integrating best practices from other countries.

Deliverables:

Outline of planned activities and draft questionnaire to assess public awareness levels to be submitted to Project Manager within 5 days after signing of contract;
Progress report is to be submitted to Project Manager no later than 25 days after signing of contract;
Presentation during Project Steering Committee meeting;
Final report to be submitted to Project Manager within 45 days after signing of contract, including all information listed above and annexes with documentation of interviews, list of people consulted, and references;
Submission of draft climate change education strategy.

Competencies

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in English in order to communicate complex, technical information to technical and general audiences;
Skill in negotiating effectively in sensitive situations;
Skill in achieving results through persuading, influencing and working with others;
Skill in facilitating meetings effectively and efficiently and to resolve conflicts as they arise;
Fair understanding of gender mainstreaming;
Demonstrated understanding of donor-funded national climate change programmes and projects;
Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high-ranking members of national institutions;
Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Good oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors;
Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Good team players, have ability to work under minimum supervision and maintain good relationships.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

An Advanced University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Education or other relevant field.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years relevant professional experience (e.g. education programmes development, capacity building, climate change research);
Demonstrated ability to relate climate change issues to national educational, political, social, and economic policies and programmes;
Experience in implementing institutional needs assessments;
Strong analytical skills, particularly applied to curriculum review and development.

Language:

Fluent in English (spoken and writen).

Evaluation criteria and Payment Modalities

The candidate will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria. The consultant should score a minimum of 70% (out of 100%) for the technical evaluation, which will then qualify the firm for evaluation of the financial offer (30%). The technical evaluation will take into account the following as per weightings provided:

Educational Background 10%;
Practical experience relevant to the TOR 30%;
Methodology of approach in accomplishing the consultancy including though not limited to (a) timelines, (b) data collection and sources, (c) strategies addressing possible risks and barriers: 60%.

Payment to the consultant will be made in three installments upon satisfactory completion of the following deliverables:

1st installment: 40% upon approval of plan and draft questionnaire by the Project Manager;
2nd Installment: 30% upon approval of the progress report;
3rd Installment: 30% upon approval of the final report.

Application Procedure

Qualified and interested firm are hereby requested to apply. The application must contain the following:

Brief motivation letter;
Achievement-based CV.

Technical proposal detailing but not limited to timesframe, data collection and sources, strategies addressing possible risks and barriers and management responses, Financial proposal (inclusive of all costs, travel, printing, etc.).

Kindly upload ALL of the above as one single PDF file.

NB:

Applications will only be considered if they include ALL the above mentioned documents.