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, Education.

Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here

How can you make a difference?

Purpose and Objectives:

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical leadership to a committee which will comprise of key stakeholders from MBSSE, the Office of National Security/Disaster Management Department, other relevant ministries, UN agencies, children, youth advocates and climate activists, and CSOs (NGOs/INGOs) to develop a school-based disaster risk and resiliency preparedness strategy, early warning system and implementation guidelines.

Additionally, this consultancy will complement the ongoing effort to integrate climate change and environmental education curriculum standards into the education system. By collaborating closely with the aforementioned committee, the consultant will ensure that the disaster risk reduction strategy aligns with the broader goals of climate-smart education. This integrated approach will empower children and young people to understand and address the challenges of climate change, contributing to a sustainable and resilient future for Sierra Leone.

The consultant will work under the supervision of the UNICEF Education Specialist, System Strengthening, and in close collaboration with the committee. Through a participatory process, the consultant will leverage technical expertise to guide the development of the disaster risk reduction strategy and early warning system, ensuring that they are contextually relevant and responsive to the needs of children and communities in Sierra Leone.

Methodology and Technical Approach:

Through remote and face-to-face consultations/workshops with key national, district and school-community stakeholders and the committee the consultant will deliver the tasks listed below.

Specific Tasks

• Conduct a desk review of relevant national policies, strategies, and documents related to DRR and early warning systems in Sierra Leone, including in the education sector. In addition, identify regional best practices.
• Conduct interviews/focus group discussion with relevant national, district and school-community stakeholders, including teachers’, parents, children, and youth to gather information and perspectives on DRR plans in education.
• From the desk review and stakeholders’ consultations’ findings, to develop a comprehensive report on strengths, weaknesses, gaps, and opportunities of DRR and early warning system policies and practices in education.
• From the desk review and stakeholders’ consultations’ findings, develop a school-based disaster risk and resiliency preparedness strategy, early warning system and implementation guidelines.
• In coordination with UNICEF, MBSSE, the Office of National Security/Disaster Management Department, district and school-community stakeholders to pilot the DRR guidelines and early warning system and to document findings.
• To finalize the DRR and early warning strategy, guidelines and tools.

Management, Organization and Timeframe:

The Consultant will work under the overall guidance and oversight the UNICEF Education Specialist, System Strengthening and support from UNICEF Emergency Specialist. In delivering the tasks, she/he will work in close coordination with Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, the Office of National Security/Disaster Management Department, and other relevant national stakeholders. The consultant will operate from home with travels to Sierra Leone as required (at least two travels). The need for travel in the field will be discussed with the Consultant at the inception of the work.

Please see attached ToR for detailed information.  ToR_Consultancy DRR Education.pdf

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

• Masters in Climate Change; Environmental Science; Environmental Education; Science Education or another related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in environmental science and/or environmental education
• A minimum of 5 years of experience advising government and other education stakeholders on DRR, climate change adaptation, and education issues, preferably in Sierra Leone or similar contexts.
• At least 5 years of experience translating environmental science into practical and actionable policy documents for education stakeholders and policy makers.
• Demonstrated expertise in policy analysis, research, and report writing.
• Strong understanding of the education sector and its role in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of the Sierra Leone (or at least other developing countries) context and understanding of international development issues, including the status of the humanitarian-development nexus nationally and at the state level in Sierra Leone, particularly as it relates to education for girls and marginalized populations.
• Strong working knowledge of Sierra Leone education and climate change.

Other skills and attributes:

• Experience working in Sierra Leone, West and Central Africa region, or other similar development contexts.
• A good understanding of UNICEF’s programmatic areas, namely Education (especially Education in Emergencies) and Climate Change
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with experience translating evidence for and communicating with a broad range of actors (including government and children/young people) on various issues including sensitive ones..
• Ability to present ideas concisely for diverse audiences and to give practical, actionable advice grounded in evidence.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.

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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

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.