National consultant in National ESD policy review in Uzbekistan

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Tashkent

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

Job Family: Education

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) : 16-OCT-2024

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

OVERVIEW OF THE CONSULTANCY WORKS

I. Background

Towards achieving the SDGs, Education for Sustainable Development for 2030 serves as a global framework to guide and accelerate national initiatives. Building upon the lessons learned from the Global Action Programme on ESD (2015-2019), ESD for 2030 responds to the heightened importance of ESD in promoting learning that contributes to the survival and prosperity of humanity.

ESD for 2030 emphasizes education's role in achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It aims to reorient the purposes, values, and content of education at all levels to contribute to sustainable development and strengthen the quality and relevance of learning. With limited time remaining to achieve the SDGs, it is crucial to accelerate ESD implementation during this decade of action.

Adopted by the UNESCO General Conference and acknowledged by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, ESD for 2030 provides a Roadmap to guide Member States and stakeholders in its implementation. The Roadmap proposes concrete actions across five priority areas: policy, learning environments, capacity building for educators, youth engagement, and local-level initiatives, underscoring ESD's key role in achieving the SDGs and the necessary societal transformation.

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II. Country Initiative on ESD for 2030

As a UNESCO Member State, Uzbekistan is encouraged to develop and implement a 'country initiative' to mainstream ESD in its efforts towards sustainable development. This national-level initiative should have a countrywide impact, building upon existing ESD activities or creating new ones within the context of SDG 4 (e.g., curriculum review, teacher development) and expanding them where possible.

The country initiative should serve as an umbrella, fostering synergies among ongoing ESD activities and integrating new initiatives. It is recommended that the national government education authority (Ministry of Education), in coordination with related ministries (e.g., Ministry of Ecology), lead the design process of this multi-stakeholder initiative. Ideally, the ESD for 2030 country initiative should be integrated into existing national frameworks on the SDGs, particularly SDG 4 but also others such as SDGs 12 and 13, to ensure coherent action at the country level.

The Government of Uzbekistan has formally confirmed its readiness to develop and implement ESD for 2030 at the country level during the ESD-Net 2030 Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting in June 2023. Plans are underway to form a National Committee on ESD to implement initiatives with the inclusion of interested stakeholders from government, non-governmental organizations, and others.

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III. Objectives

Against this background, UNESCO is commissioning an individual consultancy services to support and liaise with the National Committee, conduct a mapping study of existing ESD-focused activities, programs, and projects, identify key stakeholders, align the mapping results with national development strategies and priorities, and provide specific further actions and recommendations for the implementation of ESD 2030 in Uzbekistan, in accordance with the ESD for 2030 Roadmap and country initiative guidelines of UNESCO.

IV. Scope of Work

Under the overall authority of the Head of the UNESCO Tashkent Office and supervision of the National Professional Officer in Education, the consultant shall:

1. Develop and finalize a mapping study methodology on ESD, incorporating UNESCO feedback. The study should cover ongoing efforts, existing policies, and stakeholders related to ESD across all education sectors in Uzbekistan, aligning with SDG 4 and other relevant SDGs.
2. Conduct a thorough analysis of ESD integration in Uzbekistan's education system, including policies, curricula, and resources across formal and non-formal sectors.
3. Present mapping results and gather feedback at expert meetings convened by UNESCO and/or the Government of Uzbekistan.
4. Prepare and facilitate a consultation meeting for the ESD2030 Country Initiative, including agenda setting and stakeholder engagement.
5. Draft a national roadmap for the ESD 2030 Country Initiative, incorporating mapping study findings and stakeholder inputs. The roadmap should include feasible targets aligned with ESD2030 and relevant SDGs.
6. Present the draft roadmap at national expert meetings and finalize it based on feedback from UNESCO and education stakeholders.
7. Submit a final report by 20 December 2024, encompassing the mapping study and the national roadmap for the ESD 2030 Country Initiative.

All deliverables should adhere to UNESCO's ESD for 2030 Country Initiative guidelines.

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V. Deliverables the Terms of Payment

• By 20 November 2024 – mapping study submitted to UNESCO. 
• By 20 January 2025 - final report that includes a mapping study, national roadmap for the ESD 2030 Country Initiative. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

VI. Qualifications

The consultant should have the following qualifications:

•  Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in education, sustainable development, or related field, with minimum 5 years of professional experience in education for sustainable development (ESD) or related areas
• Demonstrated knowledge of UNESCO's ESD frameworks (particularly ESD for 2030) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with familiarity with Uzbekistan's education system and sustainable development context
• Proven experience in conducting mapping studies, policy analysis, and stakeholder consultations, with strong analytical, writing, and reporting skills
• Excellent project management and facilitation skills, with ability to organize workshops and
• Fluency in English and Russian, and knowledge of Uzbek is an asset, with excellent communication skills to engage with diverse stakeholders, and drafting skills to develop policy documents in these languages

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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