National Consultant: Integrating Climate and Environment into Teacher Training

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, established in 1945, is a specialized agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting world peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. With a mission to build peace in the minds of men and women, UNESCO operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. The organization focuses on fostering educational opportunities, promoting cultural diversity, and advancing scientific research, with a commitment to sustainable development and environmental education.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position is primarily focused on integrating climate change and environmental sustainability into teacher training programs in the Maldives. The consultant will be responsible for reviewing existing teacher training resources, identifying priority topics related to climate and environmental education, assessing the readiness of teachers and school leaders to teach these topics, and updating training materials accordingly. This role is crucial in enhancing the capacity of the education sector to address climate change and promote sustainable practices among educators and learners. The consultant will collaborate closely with the Ministry of Education (MoE), the National Institute of Education (NIE), and other educational institutions to ensure that the training materials align with national frameworks and UNESCO guidelines. The overarching goal is to equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and pedagogical strategies to effectively deliver climate education, thereby fostering resilience among learners and education systems in the Maldives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment and mapping of existing teacher training resources to identify gaps and opportunities for integrating climate change, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk reduction (DRR) topics.
• Collaborate with the MoE and NIE to define priority topics and learning outcomes that align with national educational frameworks.
• Assess the readiness of teachers and school leaders to teach climate/environment/DRR topics through an online survey, focusing on their knowledge, attitudes, and teaching practices.
• Update existing teacher training materials and develop new supplementary teaching aids that promote learner-centered, inclusive, and action-oriented pedagogies.
• Organize consultation and validation workshops with stakeholders to review and finalize the updated training materials.
• Ensure that the developed resources are endorsed by the MoE and integrated into the NIE's core curriculum and mandatory teacher qualification programs.
• Deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timelines and maintain regular communication with UNESCO and project partners throughout the consultancy.

Required Qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in education, curriculum development, teacher education, pedagogy, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), environmental education, or a related field. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree with three years of relevant experience.
• A minimum of seven years of progressive professional experience in the education sector, with demonstrated expertise in curriculum development, teacher training, and the development of teaching and learning materials (TLMs).
• Strong knowledge of global standards and best practices in curriculum design and teacher education, particularly in integrating climate change and environmental sustainability into educational frameworks.
• Proven experience in designing and revising curricula and teacher training resources, ideally in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) or similar contexts.
• Familiarity with the Maldives' education system, including experience working with the MoE and NIE.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in relevant fields such as education, curriculum development, or environmental education. A Bachelor's degree may be acceptable if accompanied by significant relevant experience in the education sector.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least seven years of professional experience in the education sector, with a focus on curriculum development, teacher training, and the integration of climate change and environmental education into teaching practices. Experience in conducting capacity assessments and familiarity with the Maldives' educational landscape are highly desirable.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proficiency in Dhivehi is also required, as it is essential for effective communication within the local context.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is remote and is expected to last for a duration of six months. The consultant will be responsible for their own logistics, including office space and administrative support. The application process requires candidates to submit a cover letter, CV, technical proposal, financial proposal, and samples of relevant work. The selection process may include interviews and assessments, and candidates are encouraged to apply by the specified deadline.