Consultancy Assignment on the development of a course on Geological Heritage Conservation

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**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC) Duty Station: Cairo Job Family: Natural Sciences Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 28-Apr-2022 (EXTENDED) UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism Background ---------- The concept of UNESCO Global Geoparks brought a new paradigm to the conservation of geological heritage and sustainable socio-economic development through the UNESCO Global Geoparks. These sites are recognized as single and unified geographical areas ensuring the conservation of geological heritage of international global value. They undergo a holistic approach to management entailing geodiversity preservation, community-based geological heritage conservation, education and sustainable development. 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 169 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. Currently UNESCO Global Geopark Network counts 169 UNESCO Global Geoparks distributed in 44 countries of which 5% (7 sites) are distributed in six different countries in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region, namely Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay and only 0.7% (1 site) in Morocco in the Arab States. The low representation of both regions in UNESCO Global Geopark Network clearly reflects the gaps in knowledge of this type of land resources conservation and weakness in the institutional capacities in these regions. In this context, the GEO-Schemas project aims at designing schemes to ensure the readiness of aspiring Geopark Sites in Latin American and the Caribbean, West – and North Africa (the Arab States) of which the development of courses on geosciences and geological heritage. The project will foster local development through the establishment of an enabling environment to ensure the viability and sustainability of both LAC and Arab and African UNESCO Global Geopark Networks. It will provide the foundations of regional and sub-regional hubs of knowledge including learning and training programmes on the designation of aspiring Geopark sites and on the effective management of geological heritage. The project will provide the ground for technology transfer and cooperation through sharing good practices on the conservation and sustainable management of geological resources, leveraging the livelihood of local communities and Geotourism. To this end, UNESCO is aiming to develop a course on **Geological Heritage Conservation: In Simplified Sciences and in Practices** catered for Latin America and Caribbean, and West and North Africa. The course shall be addressed to schools and addresses children, kids and adolescents to see the sense of belonging to the land and have future ambassadors keen to protect geological heritage in the Arab Region and Latin America and the Caribbean. **Task description** -------------------- Within the framework of the Ecology and Earth Sciences Programme of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences in the Arab States in Cairo (UCO) and UNESCO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Montevideo Office (MTD) under the overall supervision of the UCO and MTD Directors and the direct supervision of the EES Programme Specialists at UCO, and MTD the consultant will: 1. Review existing books, educational toolkits and materials addressed to schools in the field of natural heritage conservation (i.e. plants, animals, birds, ecosystems, natural habitats, mineral gems, etc.) 2. Collect data through regional and national surveys with teachers and educators in schools especially UNESCO school network and perform analysis on existing capacities related to environmental education with a focus on conservation of geological heritage 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) (e.g. illustrations, storytelling, narratives, fairy tales, etc.); 4. Develop the outline of the modules addressed to different age categories including children, kids and adolescents with the storyline and narrative of each module, learning objectives and messages to take from each module; 5. Develop a Teachers' Handbook including three sections addressed to children, kids and adolescents. Coordination/ Consultation -------------------------- 1. Regular contact, on weekly basis with EES Programme Specialists and the project team at UCO and MTD on the advancement of the assignment and copy the PS, the project’s coordinator and assistant on all correspondences made for the purpose of this assignment; 2. Assist in the communication and coordination with representatives of the Member State as well as UNESCO National Commission, and relevant institutions and community members for the provision of the material and information needed to perform the above assignment. Deliverables ------------ 1. Inception report including methodology of work, thematic areas addressed, workplan and main modules topics; 2. Teachers Handbook developed as a basis for the educational toolkits addressed to children, kids and adolescents. This shall include the modules, methodologies oft teaching and accompanying material; 3. Three educational toolkits developed for each of the 3 categories (children, kids, and adolescents); 4. Educational toolkit package including all the materials (i.e. stories, narratives, games, puzzles, etc.) ready for production. TIMETABLE --------- **Item No.** **Deliverables** **Delivery Date** 1 - Inception report with detailed timetable. 15 June 2022 2 - First version of the Teachers' Handbook. 30 July 2022 3 - Final version of the Teachers' Handbook. 15 September 2022 4 - Three educational toolkits, each addressed to one of the 3 categories with associated tools (i.e. narratives, stories, games, etc.) 30 November 2022 5 - Hands-on training of the handbook and the 3 toolkits. 15 December 2022 6- Final version of the Teachers' Handbook, the 3 educational toolkits, and the Educational toolkit package. 25 December 2022 **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Building partnerships (M) Driving and managing change (M) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Leading and empowering others (M) Making quality decisions (M) Managing performance (M) Strategic thinking (M) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS ----------------------- ***Education*** - University degree (preferably PhD level or equivalent) in environmental education, learning methodologies for children, kids and adolescents, geosciences and earth sciences, conservation of geological heritage with emphasis on educational methodologies and didactics, or in other fields closely related to the focus of the consultancy assignment. ***Work Experience*** - Four to Six years of relevant professional experience focused on one or more of the areas cited below: 1. Environmental education for children, kids and adolescents, 2. Development of educational tools, 3. Biodiversity and geodiversity conservation and management, 4. Nature-based activities in protected areas, natural parks and , 5. Protected Areas Management and sustainable development. - Minimum 2 years of proven experience in effective delivery of teaching to children or educational materials for children ***Skills/Competencies*** - Professional knowledge about, and direct experience in, geosciences and earth sciences, conservation of geological heritage with emphasis on development; - Strong organizational, analytical and problem solving skills; - Excellent written and oral communication skills; - Excellent networking, partnership building and interpersonal skills; - Good computer and other IT skills including social media; - Proven ability to work in a multicultural environment and as part of a team. ***Languages*** - Very good (written/spoken/reading comprehension) in English is required. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS ------------------------ it is desirable to have teaching experience in the field related to the assignment. it is preferably to have PhD level or equivalent in environmental education, learning methodologies for children, kids and adolescents, geosciences and earth sciences, conservation of geological heritage with emphasis on educational methodologies and didactics, or in other fields closely related to the focus of the consultancy assignment **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.](https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl) 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. **Footer** ---------- UNESCO applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States [(last update here)](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution) are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.