Background
To apply, interested persons should upload the combined* Technical Proposal/Methodology (if applicable), CV and Offeror’s Letter to “UNDP Jobs” by navigating to the link below and clicking “APPLY NOW”, no later than the date indicated on the “UNDP Jobs” website. Applications submitted via email will not be accepted**: -
UNDP Job Site – https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id= 85732 (cut and paste into browser address bar if the link does not work)
* PLEASE NOTE: The system allows the upload of one (1) document ONLY – if you are required to submit a Technical Proposal/Methodology, this document along with your CV/P11 and Offeror’s Letter, MUST be combined and uploaded as one.
NOTE: The Financial Proposal should not be uploaded to “UNDP Jobs”**.
**Please email the password-protected Financial Proposal to procurement.bb@undp.org. The subject line of your email must contain the following: “BBRSO74552 Financial Proposal – Your Name”
If the password for your Financial Proposal is required, it will be requested by the Procurement Unit.
Any request for clarification must be sent in writing to procurement.bb@undp.org within three (3) days of the publication of this notice, ensuring that the reference number above is included in the subject line. The UNDP Barbados & the OECS Procurement Unit will post the responses*** two (2) days later, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to: -
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A detailed Procurement Notice, TOR, and all annexes can be found by clicking the above link.
*** UNDP shall endeavour to provide such responses to clarifications in an expeditious manner, but any delay in such response shall not cause an obligation on the part of UNDP to extend the submission date of the Proposals, unless UNDP deems that such an extension is justified and necessary
Background
The effect of Hurricane Maria in September 2017 had a big impact on the education system, damaging school infrastructure, as well as showing the need for preparedness mechanisms. Hurricane Maria led to the complete closure of schools and colleges for more than a month (September 18 to October 23) in the severely-affected districts, forcing more than 13,000 children and youth to stay out of educational institutions for a significant period as the academic year was just starting. The average/standard total days of schools in session in a year is 186 days. Most students lost 20 days (10 percent).
Hurricane Maria highlighted the need to strengthen national capacities to develop and implement Education in Emergencies (EiE) strategies to improve preparedness and ensure children’s right to continued education in times of crises.
Although the education sector is included in the National Emergency Response Plan, there are no education-specific plans and procedures, and child protection, psychosocial support and climate change impact are not integrated into the emergency plans. This has been identified as a significant gap, as well as the need for psychosocial support activities, and incorporating child protection protocols into the education emergency plans.
Under the leadership of the Chief Education Officer, IsraAID, UNDP and UNICEF will work together to support the different key actors in the Ministry of Education (MoE) to design and test an Education in Emergency Strategy, that includes clear procedures and actions based on the principle of guaranteeing the Right to Education for all children and adolescents in Dominica.
Contingency planning is the key to preparedness, and it is a process itself to strengthen the national capacities and processes. Emergencies can be avoided, risks can be managed, and impacts can be mitigated when effective preparedness takes place prior to the crisis. Contingency planning is an often-overlooked element of emergency preparedness and response. Outlining actions to respond to a range of threats is a critical step towards ensuring access to quality education for all learners in times of crisis. The purpose is to ensure that the Ministry of Education can effectively resume operations after a disaster by clearly setting out management policies, procedures, and resources to be activated in emergency situations.
In addition, there is a need to ensure that the MoE can rapidly recover from emergencies by safekeeping essential information and records with information essential to establishing detailed recovery procedures, and a management directive for implementation of disaster recovery.
The need for a contingency plan is critical to the functioning of the education sector. The process in which it is developed and implemented is even more critical. The contingency plan generally aims to empower all persons involved to take responsibility for risk reduction and preparedness in their daily lives. This Contingency Plan for the Education Sector places emphasis on building resilience at both systemic and institutional levels by promoting preparedness measures that build on disaster risk reduction education whilst engaging all partners, as well as those in other departments (youth division, Office of Disaster Management) (ODM), social welfare).
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the leadership of the Chief Education Officer, IsraAID, UNDP and UNICEF will work together to support the different key actors in the MoE to design and test an Education in Emergency Strategy, that includes clear procedures and actions based on the principle of guaranteeing the Right to Education for all children and adolescents in Dominica.
Specifically, the Consultant will:
Provide input into a proposed methodology for undertaking the work. This will include a work plan and approach for collaboration on the review and inputs to inform the development of the Dominica Education Sector Contingency plan (process and content)
Conduct situational analysis of the current Education and National Disaster Preparedness sector plan
Identify critical gaps, vulnerabilities and capacities, and clarify roles, responsibilities and accountabilities to effectively address those gaps base on both needs and capacities of relevant institutions
Support the Ministry of Education to develop national contingency plan (through workshops, meetings and focus groups with key stakeholders)
Provide guidance to MoE and key actors on EiE strategies and approaches which ensure a capacity to address INEE minimum standards for EIE and Child Protection in Emergency, and reflect good practice in emergency education responses
Develop Standard inclusive Operating Procedures on what to do before, during and after an emergency referring to UNDP, INEE, CDEMA, OECS, UNESCO and UNICEF standards and resources on comprehensive safe school program framework
To train key actors in MoE in Education in Emergency and contingency planning
Conduct a National Drill to test the plan
Compile and document Dominica Education Sector Contingency plan (process and content) as a knowledge management product
Competencies
I. Years of experience:
Advanced degree in education, disaster management and/or social science
Experience in the development and implementation of contingency plans, and working with governmental partners in emergency operations
Expertise in rapid assessments and gap analysis assessments
Education sector experience is an asset
II. Competencies:
- Experience working in the Caribbean is highly desirable
Ability to work productively in a multi-cultural environment
Ability to work independently, and within a team, manage competing priorities and perform well under pressure within tight deadlines
Demonstrated capacity to plan and manage effective and creative education responses in emergency situations of conflict and emergency
Demonstrated capacity for initiative and the application of technical knowledge in EiE, Humanitarian Standards, Disaster Risk Reduction, Child Protection
Demonstrated ability to facilitate workshops and meetings
Good planning and management skills with excellent writing and presentation skills
Demonstrated collegial work ethic and good capacity to work effectively in a team
Demonstrated collegial work ethic and good capacity to work effectively in a team
Excellent inter-personal, facilitation and negotiation skills to effectively liaise with key stakeholders
Strong oral and written communication skills with a proficiency in English
Demonstrated competencies in computer-based word processing and spreadsheet applications, workshop organisation, public speaking and sensitivity to cultural differences
Required Skills and Experience
Post-graduate degree in education, disaster management, social sciences, development studies, climate change, or related field