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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, a chance  

How can you make a difference? 

The Education and Climate teams at UNICEF ROSA, and Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Country Offices are seeking a consultant to support work on Education and Climate under the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP). They will focus primarily on consolidating regional knowledge on the intersection between education and climate in the region, as well as on activity reporting, conducting the review of climate related education data and documents. The consultant will support UNICEF’s objectives on

1. Strengthening climate smart and resilient education systems, policies, and frameworks,
2. Empowering students and teachers with climate knowledge and green skills through curriculum, teaching, and learning material and learning assessments of formal foundational learning subjects, and
3. Modelling climate action solutions at schools and non-formal education centres for government upscaling.

The consultant will be working closely with education and climate teams in Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and ROSA, on the following activities:

1. Perform an extensive review and analysis of existing climate related national education data, policies, plans, and Comprehensive School Safety Frameworks (CSSF) and other relevant documents at a global, regional and national level (in Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka and other countries in South Asia, as feasible), considering respective levels of climate vulnerability of countries and relevance of solutions being implemented compared to levels of carbon emission and related environmental issues (e.g., plastic waste).
2. Conduct a comprehensive mapping of best practices and gaps of climate knowledge and green skills in existing curriculum, teaching and learning materials and learning assessments for foundational learning in the 3 countries.   
3. Conduct a comprehensive mapping and reviews of climate action solutions/interventions at schools and non-formal education centres that enhance skills and knowledge of adolescents to promote climate agenda in each of the three countries and recommend a holistic model package of actions for each country to promote through formal and non-formal education.
4. Provide support, as relevant based on country context, to Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka country offices for providing recommendations to Governments on policy frameworks, climate action solutions (in schools and non-formal education centres) and improvement of climate knowledge and skills in curriculum, teaching and learning material and learning assessments. The support will include:  i) in Sri Lanka: facilitation of the national dialogue on climate and education policy framework that is under development in Q1 2025; written feedback and recommendations to improve and help draft policy framework and action plan; ii) in Bhutan: written recommendations for a policy framework for climate change education and for a school child-responsive climate-induced disaster preparedness and resilience plan, guidelines and training modules/package for teachers; and recommendations for policy framework for climate change education (including early warning system and disaster resilience); Integration of climate change and green skills in the curriculum, teaching materials and assessment focusing on foundational learning; iii) in Nepal: recommendations on effective strategies for further scaling-up climate action through government mechanisms such as the Comprehensive School Safety package and Green Schools policy in support of ongoing partnerships aimed at building a climate smart, green and resilient education system.  
5. Develop a sharp regional investment case that provides policy and programmatic action based on the best practices identified, and with the goal of possible adaptation to country level investment case in each South Asian country.
6. Create guidelines and depository of tools and resources with best practices and lessons learned for regional knowledge sharing on i) climate smart systems, policies, and frameworks covering resilience, mitigation actions and climate adaptation, ii) climate inclusive curriculum, teaching and learning material and learning assessment, iii) climate action solutions/interventions in schools and non-formal education centres.
7. Support the conceptualization, coordination, and implementation of a multi-country learning event on education and climate, virtual or face to face depending on resources and time availability.

Methodology/ Work Assignments Overview

This consultancy will have a total of 230 days to be completed between January 2025 and January 2026. Preferably based in Kathmandu, Nepal for the duration of the contract but remote-based consultancy is also an acceptable option. Below is an overview of the work assignments: 

• Inception report with methodology and detailed work plan, timeline, and proposed stakeholders for consultations in all 3 countries and relevant regional actors.  Output: Inception report
• Review and analysis of existing climate related national education data, policies, plans, and Comprehensive School Safety Frameworks (CSSF) and other relevant documents at a global, regional and national level, building on The Heat is On! .pdf  Output: Review, analytical framework and report with main findings.

• Mapping and analysis of scalable climate action solutions/interventions in schools and non-formal education centers that enhance skills and knowledge of adolescents to promote climate agenda in the 3 countries, aligned to the country context and experience. Output: Report on scalable climate action solutions in schools and non-formal education centres

• Comprehensive mapping, review, and analysis of best practices and gaps of climate knowledge in the existing curriculum, teaching and learning material and learning assessment for foundational learning in the 3 countries, in coordination with partners (e.g. UNESCO in Sri Lanka). Output: Report with mapping and analysis of curriculum, teaching and learning material, and learning assessment

• In-country support (including missions), as relevant based on country context, to Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka country offices for providing recommendations to Governments on i) policy frameworks, on ii) improvement of climate knowledge and skills in curriculum, teaching and learning material and learning assessment and iii) model package of climate action solutions for each country to promote through formal and non-formal education.(in schools and non-formal education centres). Output: Support to countries and reports with country-specific recommendations.

• Development of a sharp regional investment case that provides policy and programmatic action based on the best practices identified, and with the goal of possible adaptation to country level investment case in each South Asian country. Output: Regional investment case

• Guidelines and depository of tools and resources with best practices and lessons learned for regional knowledge sharing on i) climate smart systems, policies, and frameworks, ii) climate inclusive curriculum, teaching and learning material and learning assessment, iii) climate action solutions in schools and non-formal education centres. Output: Depository of tools and resources for regional knowledge sharing.

• Conceptualization, coordination, and implementation of a multi-country learning event on education and climate (virtual or face to face depending on resources and time availability). Output: Event concept note, agenda and support to event implementation and facilitation
• Coordination of the activities during the entire period of the consultancy. Output: Coordination and final (summary) report

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• An advanced university degree with experience in Climate science, disaster risk management, international relations, Education, Environmental Science/Policy, Social Policy, Economics, or a field related to climate and disaster risk reduction. Two years of additional relevant work experience that was gained after obtaining a bachelor’s degree may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.
• A minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience in Education, preferably with experience working on curriculum, teaching, and learning material, learning assessment or education policy.
• Proven relevant experience and knowledge on climate action and environmental policy.
• Relevant experience working in non-formal education is an asset.
• Relevant experience in the South Asia region is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in an UN system agency or organization is an asset
• Proven experience in conceptualizing, coordinating, and implementing learning events is an asset

Competencies & Skills:

• Excellent quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills
• Good knowledge of research methodologies, including but not limited to experience with in-depth interviews, focus groups, and literature reviews.
• Good knowledge of climate action agenda, curriculum, teaching and learning material, learning assessment or education policy.
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English.
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness.
• Drive to achieve results for impact.
• Thinks and acts strategically.
• Works collaboratively with others

Submission of applications:

• Letter of Interest (cover letter)
• CV or Resume
• Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available)
• Technical proposal for the consultancy indicating methodological approach and the timeline for the delivery of the various stages of the consultancy.
• Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost for this assignment as per work assignment. Applicants should submit their financial proposals per deliverable. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.