Consultancy on development training course-Advancing Geoscience & 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 a training course 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 training course on **Advancing Geoscience and Geological Heritage Conservation** catered for Latin America and Caribbean, and West and North Africa. The course shall introduce the basis of geosciences with relevance to geological heritage with an ultimate aim to strengthen national and regional capacities and skills in geological heritage conservation. The course shall consider the science behind conservation and management of geological heritage. It is a 5 working day course aiming to improve the knowledge about the science and policy behind UNESCO Global Geoparks. The training course will be converted to Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) which will be managed by UNESCO and made available after the project ends. By the end of the training workshop, syllabus and material will be evaluated, reviewed and finalized. The participants of the course will form the nuclei for an organic E-network and list-servers which will expand to bring new members from the targeted groups over time in the LAC and North Africa (Arab States) regions. **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 the 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 documents and training documents including handouts, modules and courses material on geoscience and geological heritage conservation, and highlight the contribution of UGGp to the sciences and their role in promoting a more sustainable use of geological resources. 2. Collect data through regional and national surveys and perform analysis on existing capacities related to the conservation of geological heritage and identify areas of weakness that need to be accounted for in the training course; 3. Propose the best teaching and learning approaches and corresponding methodology (ies); 4. Develop the outline of the training course with the storyline and narrative of each module, learning objectives and messages to take from each module; 5. Develop the modules and curricula of the training course emphasizing on initiatives related to fundamental and applied research, including topics among others such as geodiversity and geoheritage 6. Develop the material of the training course including the following: 1. Scientific material • Storylines, narratives, learning objectives and messages to take, and text; • PowerPoint presentations and related infographics and figures; • Reading material and references, external links to internet resources; • Practices quizzes and assessments; • Learning tools including podcasts and documentaries; • Other needed material 2. Brief user guide for the attendees. Coordination/ Consultation -------------------------- 1. Regular contact, on weekly basis with EES Programme Specialists and the project team at UCO and MNTV 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 thematic areas addressed and modules topics 2. Handbook on Advancing Geoscience and Geological Heritage Conservation including modules, presentations, case studies, hands-on experiences, etc. 3. Offering the intensive course with designed Agenda and material finalized for all sessions to be delivered. 4. Training Course Full package: - Modules; - Pool of questions for quizzes; - Podcasts; presentations; reports, - Working documents, policy papers, and scientific articles; and graphics/infographics. TIMETABLE --------- **Item No.** **Deliverables** **Delivery Date** 1 - Inception report with detailed timetable. 23 May 2022 2 - First version of the Handbook on Advancing Geoscience and Geological Heritage Conservation. 30 June 2022 3 - Final version of the Handbook on Advancing Geoscience and Geological Heritage Conservation. 30 August 2022 4 - Agenda of the training course and modules, quizzes, presentations, and associated documents. 05 September 2022 5 - Training course offering. 20 September 2022 6- Course full package finalized further tot evaluation of the course offered. 01 November 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 geosciences and earth sciences, conservation of geological heritage with emphasis on development, 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. Teaching and course development; 2. Geosciences and earth sciences, 3. Natural resources conservation and sustainable management, 4. Conservation and management of Geological Heritage, 5. Protected Areas Management and sustainable development. ***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. **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.