UNDP Jobs - 64695- Local Consultant – integration of climate change

Local Consultant – integration of climate change into education curricula (FBiH)

Location :

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

23-Mar-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

a) Purpose

The purpose of this project is to strengthen national capacities to integrate environmental and energy concerns into development plans at all levels and systems for effective implementation of the sectoral priorities. This will be achieved through assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina in preparation and submission of its Third National Communication (TNC) to the CoP of the UNFCCC and enhancement of national capacities in field of climate change though the process. The TNC will be prepared and submitted to the UNFCCC in accordance with its commitments as a non-Annex 1 Party to the Convention (as mandated by Articles 4 and 12 of the UNFCCC). The project will also result in increased capacity to produce subsequent communications that meet all guidelines established by the CoP and that can serve as a source of information for national policies and measures in climate change and in key economic and social sectors.

b) Objective

The 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and subsequent international agreements have recognized that education is an essential element for mounting an adequate global response to climate change. Education is critical in helping populations understand and address the impacts of climate change, and in encouraging the changes in attitudes and behavior needed to help them address the causes of climate change, adopt more sustainable lifestyles and develop skills that support different modules of economies, as well as to adapt to the impact of climate change.
In particular, education can enhance the resilience of vulnerable groups and communities, especially in developing countries, who will be disproportionately affected by these changing conditions. Climate change is increasingly recognized as an emerging crisis requiring radical and immediate action.
The changes needed range from the local to the global: from the daily activities of individuals, to economic and social development and new forms of global governance. While progress towards putting global frameworks into place has been slow, there is increased political commitment to confront climate change at the national level and make use of education to address climate change.

The overall objective of this assignment is to provide an analyses of climate changes contents presence in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina university curricula and possibility of integration into education system of FB&H and B&H as a whole, including:

Analysis of climate change contents presence in FB&H university curricula;
Analysis of the need to incorporate climate change into curricula;
Evaluation of the ability to integrate climate change in curricula for I, II and III cycle of studies;
Analysis of the target group (programs) in which it is possible to integrate climate change topics;
Make final recommendations and integrate results into a final report for B&H (in close cooperation with the consultant to be engaged on the identical task for the entity of Republic of Srpska).

c) Background Information
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) became a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on December 6, 2000, and the Kyoto Protocol was ratified on April 22, 2008. The Initial National Communication (INC) of BiH to the UNFCCC was submitted in 2010.
The SNC was completed in June 2013. The SNC has advanced the state of climate modeling, impacts assessment, and policy analysis in Bosnia and Herzegovina and it has also established a measurement baseline for public awareness and outlined key capacity needs. Furthermore, work on the SNC has enhanced the individual capacity of climate researchers in Bosnia and Herzegovina in government, academia, and NGOs, and it has strengthened the organizational capacity of the UNFCCC focal institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Civil Engineering and Ecology of RS. Finally, the INC and the SNC have served as an important source of information for the country’s Climate Change Adaptation and Low Emission Development Strategy.
This Project will not only support the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina in meeting its above specified obligations as a UNFCCC signatory but will also serve as a significant strategic document for sustainable development. The cross-cutting nature of the TNC process will foster relationships across entities and economic sectors, by establishing linkages between environment and other sectors. The report compiled by the consultant will make an integral part of the Third National Communication to the UNFCCC.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant should work in consultation with and under the guidance and supervision of the GEF Project Manager (PM) and in close cooperation with the consultant to be engaged on the identical task for the entity of Republic of Srpska in order to prepare a joint final report for B&H. Specifically, his\her responsibilities are, but not limited to, the following:

Deliverables and timelines
The consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:
Deliverables (outputs) Deadline

Analysis of climate changes contents presence in FB&H university curricula;
Analysis of the need to incorporate climate change into curricula;
Evaluation of the ability to integrate climate change in curricula for I, II and III cycle of studies;
Analysis of the target group (programs) in which it is possible to integrate climate change topics 4 weeks upon signature of contract;
Final recommendations for integration of climate change into FB&H curricula;
Final inputs for integration of climate change into B&H curricula – final report for Bosnia and Herzegovina 8 weeks upon signature of contract.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Knowledge on BiH gender equality mainstreaming institutions, regulations and mechanisms;
Excellent communication skills;
Excellent analytical skills;
Strong oral and writing skills;
Extensive knowledge of computer applications;
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Ability to work independently as well as part of a fairly big team;
Ability to operate under strict time limits.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced degree in natural sciences;

Experience:

Minimum 10 years of experience in areas relevant to climate change;
Knowledge of the environmental issues in BiH;
Good understanding of climate change and sustainable development issues;
Knowledge and understanding of the UNFCCC and its relevance in BIH context;
Substantial involvement in the preparation of the Initial or Second National Communication is an asset

Language Requirements:

Fluency in both written and spoken English and local languages is a must

Application procedures

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (if applicable). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
Financial Proposal - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days, travel, per diems and any other possible costs). Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.

Please scan all above mentioned documents and upload as one attachment only online through this website.Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Note:

For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 62 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy.
Due to large number of potential applicants, only competitively selected candidates will be contacted for remaining steps of the service procurement process.