Individual Consultant (Ocean Literacy)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Bangkok

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 15-May-2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background and Rationale

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) is the United Nations body for ocean science, ocean observation, ocean services and capacity development. Its mission is to promote international cooperation and to coordinate programmes in research, services and capacity building to learn more about the nature and resources of the oceans and coastal areas, and to apply this knowledge to improve management, sustainable development and protection of the marine environment and the decision-making processes of States. IOC has been designated as the coordinating agency for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (Hereafter referred to as “Ocean Decade”).

The UNESCO/IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) is the regional arm of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO/IOC) for the Western Pacific and its adjacent areas. The Sub-Commission carries forward the IOC’s mission in the region, advancing ocean knowledge, fostering international cooperation, and catalyzing ocean science solutions for sustainable development of marine and coastal resources.

While serving as the IOC Regional Secretariat for the Sub-Commission, the WESTPAC Office assumes additional function as the Decade Coordination Office (DCO) responsible for coordinating Decade Actions across all Ocean Decade Challenges in the Western Pacific and its adjacent areas. Hosted by the Government of Thailand, the Office is situated in the Government Complex Building B, Chaengwattana Road, Bangkok. It is administratively attached to the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, facilitating efficient coordination and collaboration in achieving the objectives set forth by the IOC and UNESCO.

Objective of this assignment

Ocean Literacy is defined as “an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you and your influence on the ocean”.  Ocean Literacy has been gaining increasing popularity since 2000s, as it provides a fundamental approach to enhance ocean knowledge, increase public awareness, and more importantly, to empower citizens and stakeholders to act in a more responsible manner for our ocean and its resources.

The scope of Ocean Literacy covers programmes and activities in both formal and non-formal education, public awareness campaigns and communication. In the Western Pacific region, Ocean Literacy, including ocean education and awareness raising activities, has been conducted widely at different levels, but yet fragmentally, lacking a strategic and holistic approach to its development in the region towards the achievement of “leaving no one behind”.\

To promote ocean literacy in the Western Pacific region, an Intersessional Task Force on Ocean Literacy will be formed by the Sub-Commission to drive the development of ocean literacy in the Western Pacific and adjacent areas. Please refer to the Terms of Reference of the International Task Force.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok (UNESCO Bangkok), and the direct supervision of the Head of the WESTPAC Office/DCO, the Individual Consultant shall assist in the establishment of the International Task Force, provide technical and operational support to the Task Force, and develop, coordinate and execute ocean literacy related activities for the Western Pacific and adjacent areas. The consultant will work closely with the task force members to facilitate communication, coordination, and the delivery of key outputs.

The Individual Consultant shall perform the following specific tasks:

• Assist in the establishment of the International Task Force, including supporting the initial setup and collection of recommendations and relevant information.
• Provide day-to-day support for the Task Force’s operation, including planning and managing Task Force meetings, facilitating communication among members, and ensuring efficient and effective delivery of the Task Force.
• Conduct research on ocean literacy, review existing frameworks, tools, and initiatives, and analyze gaps in current ocean literacy efforts.
• Develop, coordinate and implement ocean literacy activities in the region in close communication with the Task Force, ensuring alignment with the needs of Member States and aligned with the UN Ocean Decade goals.
• Identify and engage with relevant stakeholders, including governmental, non-governmental, academic, and private sector partners, to foster collaboration and commitment to ocean literacy initiatives.
• Organize meetings, workshops, and awareness raising activities that serve the objectives of the Intersessional Task Force and engage stakeholders in the development of ocean literacy initiatives.
• Produce knowledge products and communication materials, including progress reports, news coverages, webpage contents, booklets and brochures, summarizing achievements, and enhancing the visibility of ocean literacy related activities.

To ensure the effective delivery of technical and operational support, it is preferred that the consultant carries out the assignment in person at the office. However, remote work arrangements may be considered, depending on the nature of the tasks and in consultation with the supervisor.

Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:

• Monthly progress reports detailing activities undertaken, milestones reached, and upcoming tasks;
• Summary reports of task force meetings and stakeholder engagement efforts;
• A comprehensive ocean literacy strategy document at regional level, including stakeholder mapping and action recommendations;
• Recommendations for a sustainable ocean literacy program that tailored to the Western Pacific region;
• Documentation of ocean literacy activities.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILL REQUIRED

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) required in the diverse and relevant disciplines to ocean literacy, such as education, ocean and environmental science and governance, communication, and policy analysis.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in the relevant field of ocean literacy, ocean education, ocean science and governance, communication and policy analysis.

Skills and competencies

• Initiative-taking and ability to manage competing priorities, organize and prioritize heavy workloads to meet established deadlines, with a strong capacity for accuracy, close attention to detail, and quality of work.
• Excellent drafting skills and ability to draft legal advice on complex and sensitive questions.
• Ability to interact efficiently with a wide range of stakeholders both within and outside the Organization.

• Excellent analytical, diplomacy, and advocacy skills, including the ability to collect, synthesize, and analyze complex information from various sources and convey messages.
• Proven ability to maintain effective working relations in a multicultural environment.
• Good IT skills (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.).

 Languages

Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience acquired at the international level.

 Languages

Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and upload the following documents as a single PDF document in place of the Employment History Form.

Before uploading the file, please order the documents in following order:

• A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.
• Written technical and financial proposals (in English):
  • Approach and methodology for carrying out the assignment (maximum 800 words) and comments on the Terms of Reference, in brief, if any, and
  • The proposed monthly rates or the amount/budget to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in USD. Travel expenses should be drawn up separately as part of the financial proposal.
• Employment History Form
• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) 

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organisation the best value for money.

Assessment

• Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered.
• Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Note:  

• Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process.
• Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in the system, please inform us at iocwestpac@unesco.org

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. 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 a competency-based interview.

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization best value for money.

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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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