Training on Ecosystems Grounded-Approaches to manage natural hazards in Arab Region

Contract

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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 1 to 6 months Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 25-Mar-2021 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- **Background:** Recently, the Arab region has been experiencing devastating natural disasters, such as storms, floods, landslides, earthquakes, wildfire and extreme weather conditions. The impact of these phenomena affected the environment while putting ecosystems at risk, increasing the vulnerability of the socio-ecological systems and putting a strain on natural resources. The threats are observed in food security among other land use and management categories functions. Countries in the Arab region needs support in strengthening government preparedness and societal readiness, transfer of knowledge and technology to cope with the impacts of natural disasters and climate change. They show the need to have at hands cost effective best practices to mitigate these impacts by capitalizing on the ecosystem services (i.e. supporting, regulating services) to sustain human livelihoods and ensure sustainable development. International policies brought to the forefront the adoption of ecosystems/nature grounded models to formulate national and local strategies and action plans to better mitigate and manage multiple hazards risks of which ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), ecosystem-based approaches to disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR), and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). In this context, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences in the Arab States is aiming to develop a multidisciplinary training course for the Arab region to introduce Ecosystems Grounded Approaches (EGA) to mitigate the impacts of natural hazards and climate change in the various ecosystems in the region. The course will account for different government and social structures prevailing in the region as well as land uses and management to ensure the adaptability and the application of the training material. It will capitalize on an assessment of existing capacities in the various thematic fields which fall under the umbrella of nature-based approaches to DRR and climate change. Long Description ---------------- **Assignment:** Within the framework of the Ecology and Earth Sciences Programme of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences in the Arab States in Cairo (UCO), under the overall supervision of the Director of UCO and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist for Ecology and Earth Sciences at UCO, the consultant shall develop a training package on Nature Grounded Approaches (NGAs) used to mitigate multiple hazards risks and climate change impacts in the prevailing ecosystems in the Arab Region. To this end, the consultant shall undertake the following tasks: 1. Review existing courses and training directly and indirectly related to nature grounded approaches; 2. Assess and evaluate the levels of knowledge of these EGAs among stakeholders \[Policy Makers, Researchers, Teachers, Practitioners (Engineers, Architects, Farmers), etc.\] in 3 countries from the Mashreq, Maghreb, and Gulf sub-regions; 3. Propose teaching / learning concept (s) and methodology (ies) on which basis the training course will be developed; 4. Develop the outline of the training course, synopsis of each module including learning objectives; messages to take from the module and skills built/ improved/strengthened; 5. Develop the modules and curricula of the training course accounting for series of cases from the region; Long Description ---------------- VI. Develop the training package including the following: 1- Training material: - Storylines, narratives 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 trainees. 3- Guidelines for trainers on how to conduct the training and use the training package. 4- List of proposed names of speaker. Long Description ---------------- **Coordination/ Consultation:** 1. Regular contact, on weekly basis with EES Programme Specialist (PS) and the EES team at UCO on the advancement of the assignment and copy the PS and assistant on all correspondences made for the purpose of this assignment; 2. Communicate and coordinate with international and regional experts as deemed necessary to ensure the inclusiveness of the training package in relation to Eco-DRR, EbA, and NBS approaches; 3. Address the feedback provided by the PS and EES team in a timely manner on deliverables; 4. Perform other tasks as needed for this consultancy assignment. **Deliverables:** 1. Report on the existing courses and trainings directly and indirectly related to nature grounded approaches; 2. Report on the existing knowledge on these nature grounded approaches in the 3 selected countries; 3. Detailed outline of the training course; 4. Full training course package including list of proposed names of speakers; PowerPoint presentations, podcasts; documentaries; reference documents; figures; infographics; and other material as needed. **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- **Education:** *PhD degree with research studies focused on ecosystem management, conservation biology; natural hazards risks management; nature grounded approaches or in other fields closely related to the focus of the consultancy assignment.* ***Work Experience*** *At least ten (10) years of relevant professional experience focused on one or more of the areas cited below:* 1. Ecosystem restoration and management; 2. Conservation and management of natural resources/biodiversity; 3. Disaster risk reduction, management and mitigation; 4. Conservation biology. **Languages** ------------- Fluency (oral and written) in English required and knowledge of Arabic language is desirable **TimeTable** ------------- The consultant shall submit the deliverables by the following dates Report on the existing courses and trainings directly and indirectly related to nature grounded approaches April 30, 2021 Report on the existing knowledge on these nature grounded approaches in the 3 selected countries May 30, 2021 Detailed outline of the training course April 15, 2021 Full training course package with all relevant material July 31, 2021 **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. Application Deadine is 25 March 2021 Please upload the following docuemnts through Employment History Form: 1. Technical proposal including the intensive course concept, methodology of work, and timeline; 2. Financial offer that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs per activity and excluding any travel if necessary and DSA from the lump sum amount. 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. 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. 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. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.