International Consultant- Capacity building for climate change adaptation through mainstreaming in public education systems at elementary, second and university levels

Result of Service Strengthening institutional, technical and financial capacities for climate change adaptation in Iraq.

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration 8 month

Duties and Responsibilities 1. Organizational Setting, Purpose and Objective: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA) delivers advisory services and capacity building support to countries to achieve environment and sustainable development objectives.

The Republic of Iraq is considered one of the most vulnerable countries in the Arab region to the impacts of climate change. A higher frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as drought, sand and dust storms have been experienced in recent years. These events are leading to rising environmental degradation throughout the country, threatening Iraq’s progress towards sustainable development.

The Iraqi government considers adaptation to be a priority for the country, particularly in addressing the impacts of climate change on poor and vulnerable communities and has made some progress towards managing the impacts of climate change. However, despite short-term and ad hoc adaptation interventions, Iraq’s ability to initiate a plan for medium- and long-term adaptation to unfolding and emerging climate change impacts is facing significant challenges, such as limited institutional capacity to integrate adaptation into policies and plan and insufficient and irregular collection, analysis and dissemination of data and information. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Readiness project seeks to address these barriers by strengthening institutional, technical and financial capacities to ensure that medium to long-term adaptation needs are integrated into national development planning in Iraq.

Within the context of the NAP process of strengthening broad stakeholder engagement and capacity in adaptation planning and implementation in Iraq, including building capacity of stakeholders on the impact of climate change, the objective of this consultancy is to mainstream climate change and climate change adaptation in elementary and secondary public-school systems and in university system (e.g. University of Baghdad and Nahrain University).

This work will be carried out in close collaboration and coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and relevant institutions engaged in elementary, secondary and university institutions, the Ministry of Environment which is responsible for the NAP process and the Sectoral Working Group on Education and Climate Awareness.

The International Consultant (IC) will work closely with two National Consultants (NCs) and will report to the Regional Climate Change Coordinator at UNEP West Asia Office. He/she will also work in close collaboration and coordination with UNEP National Officer in Iraq and the NAP Coordinator in the Climate Change Center of the Iraqi Ministry of Environment.

(I) Duties and Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Regional Coordinator for Climate Change at UNEP, and in consultation with the NAP Coordinator, the Ministry of Environment, NAP project stakeholders, the IC will carry-out, inter alia, the following duties and responsibilities: Task: Lead the capacity development for climate change adaptation through mainstreaming in public education systems at elementary, secondary and university levels. (i) Develop a methodology, work plan and inception report The work plan and inception report will be approved by UNEP and will include: ¿ A methodology to be applied for the assignment (mainstreaming climate change adaptation in public education systems at elementary, secondary and university levels). ¿ A schedule and activity task list to be carried out to undertake the assignment by the International Consultant, and two national consultants. ¿ A list of stakeholders to be consulted and agreed work modalities, preparatory work and outputs with the selected national consultants - Deliverable (i): Work plan and inception report

(II) Existing curricula and non-curricula content analysis and integration of climate change at elementary, secondary and university levels (assisted by two national consultants) Review existing curricula and non-curricula activities: the International Consultant will assess the existing curricula and non-curricula activities aimed at elementary, secondary and university levels, including teacher training curricula, to assess current integration of environment and climate change subject matters, and identify entry points for integrating climate change adaptation, recommendations on mainstreaming climate change adaptation in education curricular for elementary, secondary and university curricula and teacher training curricular. This will also lead to recommendations to develop educational content covering climate change concepts. Produce a climate change education integration plan: the international consultant will develop and propose a climate change integration plan in the existing curriculum and proposed adaptation actions that could be undertaken on site at the education institutions for the followings. The integration plan should ensure grade-specific learning objectives and standards related to climate change to ensure a progressive understanding of the topic as students advance through different grade levels. - Fourth-sixth grades in elementary schools, seventh-twelfth graders in secondary schools in piloted schools. - Humanitarian and science curricula in university of Baghdad (ex. Engineering, Economics, Public Policy, Education) in University of Baghdad. - Practicum course for master's students in Education in University of Nahrain. Guide the piloting phase of integration: climate change concepts have thus far not been largely incorporated at the elementary, secondary and university levels. The international consultant will propose an implementation piloting strategy of climate change integration in selected public schools and universities through a modified curriculum that contains climate change concepts including climate change adaptation that aligns with educational standards and addresses the specific needs of the selected schools and universities and hands-on activities, case studies, and real-world examples to make the curriculum engaging and relevant to students with supported training programme. Participate in a stakeholder workshop: The stakeholder workshop is key to the success of piloting phase. The international consultant will have to chance to examine the results of the piloting phase on the integration of climate change and present a draft piloting report and collect feedback from participants. Produce a final piloting report : The international consultant will produce the final piloting report with key findings on the mainstreaming of climate change with recommendations on the way forward which addresses feedback and contributions from stakeholders, including the NAP project team and institutional partners (e.g. Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and UNEP). Deliverable (ii): - An Assessment report setting out a content analysis of curricula and non-curricula activities. - A climate change education integration implementation plan. - Draft piloting report on mainstreaming process applied in selected schools and universities. - Final piloting report with key findings of the mainstreaming of climate change integrated in elementary, secondary and university curricula and associated teacher training curricula/toolkits including proposed adaptation actions implemented on site at the education institutions and recommendations that rise from the implementation

Qualifications/special skills At least a Master’s degree in public policy, environmental sciences, economics, education or a closely related field is required. At least 7 years previous work experience in environmental education including either as a practitioner and/or at policy level, and/or in curricula development and/or teacher training curricula is required. At least two previous similar assignments of integrating environmental management and sustainability, including climate change, into educational curricula, teacher training, and/or informal educational settings is required. Previous work experience in the Middle East desirable, preferably in Iraq. Excellent communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize documents and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports and documents and an ability to work independently Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high-ranking members of international, regional and national institutions is an asset.

Languages Excellent Arabic and English writing, reading and verbal communication skills are required.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.