JOB DESCRIPTION

Description

United Nations Children’s Fund is hiring a Consulting for the systematization of the “Resilient Schools” initiative implemented in Lake Agrio, Sucumbíos.Ecuador.3 months to

This call is open to Ecuadorian or resident citizens with a current work visa (natural persons, not companies or consulting equipment).Applications that do not meet the minimum requirements of Edition and Experience will not be considered.Please present a technical and economic proposal.Only people who advance in the selection process will be convened.

Section

Content

Background

Climate resilience, understood from an integral approach, refers to the capacity of social, economic and environmental systems to anticipate, prepare, respond and recover from the impacts derived from climate change.This perspective goes beyond mitigation actions, incorporating adaptation and recovery against extreme events and climatic variability.According to Folke et al.(2010), resilience in natural systems implies the ability to absorb disturbances without losing its functionality, which requires a continuous process of adaptation and learning.

This concept extends to human communities, which through socio -environmental adaptations seek to reduce their vulnerability and strengthen their ability to respond to the effects of climate change, especially in contexts where subsistence depends directly on natural resources.

In this context, it is recognized that collective action is a key element to consolidate resilient systems, particularly in rural and urban populations exposed to climatic risks.To effectively face climate change challenges, it is essential to integrate adaptation and mitigation strategies.The fifth report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2014) highlights the need to adopt an integral approach that combines adaptive policies with mitigation measures, in order to reduce future impacts.

Ecuador has advanced in this direction with the adoption of the National Climate Change Strategy (ENCC 2012-2025), which promotes the incorporation of climate resilience into national public policies.This strategy seeks to strengthen the country’s abilities to face the effects of climate change, while aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with international commitments assumed by the country.

The National Climate Change Report (2012) and various sector studies have evidenced the high vulnerability of Ecuadorian energy infrastructure to extreme climatic phenomena such as droughts and intense rainfall.Since the country depends mainly on hydroelectric generation, climatic variability directly affects water availability in reservoirs.In this context, the adaptation of the energy system becomes a priority.

The IPCC (2022) highlights the strategic role of renewable energies, in particular solar energy, both in mitigation and in adaptation to climate change.Being a local source, decentralized and less vulnerable to extreme events, photovoltaic solar energy represents a viable alternative to improve energy resilience, guarantee continuous access to electricity and reduce carbon emissions.

In this context, UNICEF in Ecuador has implemented the initiative of Resilient Schools, which seeks to strengthen the capacity of educational communities to adapt and respond to the effects of climate change, contribute to the guarantee of the right of girls, boys and adolescents to a safe, inclusive and quality education.This model integrates training processes in sustainability and well -being through educational activities on personal, school and menstrual hygiene, energy education, responsible management of resources and circular economy, agroecology, and links between climate change, gender and migrations.These actions are developed through participatory, culturally relevant and appropriate methodologies for each age group, in order to promote student leadership and active participation of teachers, families and communities.

At the same time, the model contemplates interventions in school infrastructure that allow to deal with climatic risks and improve learning conditions.Among these are the installation of photovoltaic solar systems, drinkers with filtered water, and improvements to the Wash system, such as high tanks, waterproofed ceilings and sanitary batteries that optimize the use of water.In addition, the implementation of agroecological school gardens and recycling systems is promoted, integrating practices of the circular economy.These improvements not only increase the sustainability of schools, but also reinforce their role as transformative and resilient learning spaces for the entire community

In order to systematize the experience and lessons learned from this initiative, UNICEF in Ecuador requires the technical assistance of a consultant.

Work scope and methodology

GENERAL OBJECTIVE:

Have a technical assistance from a consultant for the systematization of the experience and lessons learned from the implementation of the “Resilient Schools” initiative implemented in two schools in the Lake Agrio canton, Sucumbíos.

Specific objectives

Among the specific objectives is sought:

Document the implementation of the “Resilient Schools” initiative and answer, among others, the following questions:

To what extent were the objectives of the initiative relevant to the priorities and needs of the participating schools and their communities?

What factors contributed or hindered the implementation of the initiative?

What effects have the intervention had, directly or indirectly, desired or unwanted, in schools and in areas such as school attendance, health, good environmental practices, for example?

How relevant and effective have been activities for the strengthening of capacities in personal and school hygiene, energy education, circular economy and responsible management of resources, agroecology, climate change, gender and migrations?

What is the probability of the initiative being maintained in time?

Document the lessons learned from experience that may be useful for future similar interventions.

Activities

Among the activities that the selected consultant must implement are:

Review of the initiative documentation.

Review of the literature on this type of project, both of the region and outside it.

Development of a work plan for the implementation of the consulting.

Definition of the conceptual framework.

Definition of the methodology for information collection and its analysis.

Development of instruments for information lifting.

Field visits: Lake Agrio, Sucumbíos

Implementation of the methodology with the instruments agreed with UNICEF through interviews/focal groups to members of the educational community (personnel of the Ministry of Education, teachers, directors, fathers/mothers/caregivers, among others), experts in education, climate change, UNICEF staff, etc.

Information analysis.

Development of a preliminary report, according to the structure agreed with UNICEF.

Presentation of preliminary results.

Development of the final report that incorporates the suggestions and recommendations made to the draft report.

A presentation, in PPT format, of the main findings and recommendations.

Presentations of the results and recommendations.

Periodic coordination meetings with the UNICEF technical team.

Products to be delivered

Product 1: At 15 days of signed the contract, in digital format, a document with the work plan, methodological proposal, instruments, structure of the final document, Missions Plan to the city of Lake Agrio, ethical considerations that will be observed during the consulting, identification of the actors, among others.

Product 2: At 60 days of signed the contract, in digital format, a brief report of the field missions and the advance in information collection.

Product 3: At 75 days of signed the contract, in digital format, the draft report of the systematization of the implementation of the “Resilient Schools” initiative and the presentation of the main results and recommendations.In recommendations, the following questions should be considered: Is the model replicable and scalable?To do this, a cost-effective and cost-efficiency analysis must be included.What lessons learned leave the implementation of the model?What good practices can be extracted from the model?

Product 4: At 90 days signed the contract, in digital format, the final report of the systematization of the implementation of the “Resilient Schools” initiative.This product must also contain the final presentation, in PPT format, of the main findings and recommendations.

Payment calendar

Product 1: 15% of the contract value

Product 2: 25% of the contract

Product 3: 30% of the contract

Product 4: 30% of the contract

Requirements

The consultant must have the following requirements.

Fourth level title in the areas of economy, environment, anthropology, sociology or related areas.

Experience in Research in Education and/or Environment of at least 5 years.

Systematization experience in project implementation

Desirable requirements:

Experience in Systematization of Similar Projects

Experience in carrying out evaluations

Work experience in Sucumbíos

Required trips

The costs of all the necessary displacements, as well as the necessary supplies for this consulting must be included in the economic proposal.

Technical evaluation criteria and the weight assigned between the technical proposal and the price

The proposals will be qualified as follows, the technical proposal has a weight of 70 points.On which, the minimum required to advance to the economic evaluation is 50/70.

The qualification will have the following components:

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Technical evaluation criteria

Score

Maximum

1

Work plan with its respective schedule

10

2

Methodological approach for systematization proposal

30

3

CV of the consultant.

20

4

Risk and mitigation matrix

10

Maximum score

70

The economic proposal will be qualified with 30 points.The calculation is made by giving 30 points to the lowest economic offer and then a calculation is made to obtain the score of the other proposals.

Offer validity

The offer must be valid for a 90 -day period.

UNICEF is committed todiversity 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. Clickhereto 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 providereasonable accommodationfor 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 webpageAccessibility | 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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements