National Consultant – Integrating Climate and Environment into Teacher Training

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Maldives.

📋 Description

• Conduct a review and mapping of existing curricula, modules, and educational materials for both pre-service and in-service teacher training, spanning from primary to secondary education.

• Identify gaps, opportunities, capacity requirements, critical topics in climate/environment/DRR, and learning outcomes that align with national frameworks and UNESCO guidelines.

• Evaluate the readiness of teachers and school leaders to teach topics related to climate, environment, and DRR through an online survey.

• Analyze knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and practices, focusing on climate science, pedagogical content knowledge, and learner-centered/action-based teaching methods.

• Collaborate with the National Institute of Education (NIE) to update pre-service and in-service teacher training materials and programs.

• Create supplementary teaching aids, including lesson exemplars, facilitation notes, and formative assessment tools.

• Incorporate transformative, action-oriented, learner-centered, inclusive, gender-responsive, place-based, inquiry-based, and scenario-planning pedagogies into training materials.

• Provide support to UNESCO, the Ministry of Education, and NIE through consultation and validation workshops.

• Incorporate feedback from stakeholders to finalize deliverables and make recommendations for institutionalization.

• Produce assessment and mapping reports, teacher readiness assessments, updated training materials, teaching aids, and consultation/validation reports.

• Schedule regular meetings with UNESCO to review progress and outline next steps.

• Infuse a gender perspective and conduct gender analysis within activities.

⛳️ Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in education, curriculum development, teacher education, pedagogy, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), environmental education, or a related discipline; or a Bachelor's degree accompanied by three years of relevant experience.

• At least two years of progressively responsible professional experience in the education sector.

• Proven expertise in curriculum development, teacher training, teaching and learning materials (TLMs), pedagogy, and institutional capacity enhancement.

• Strong understanding of global standards and best practices in curriculum design, teacher education, and TLM development, especially regarding the integration of climate change, environmental sustainability, and/or Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

• Demonstrated experience in designing, reviewing, and revising curricula and teacher training resources.

• Background in climate change education, ESD, and/or DRR integration within educational frameworks.

• Familiarity with the South Asian context, ideally in the Maldives, with knowledge of the Ministry of Education, NIE, and teacher training systems.

• Experience in conducting capacity assessments, including designing surveys, data collection, analysis, and developing actionable recommendations.

• Proven ability to facilitate stakeholder consultations and work collaboratively with government bodies, teacher training institutions, and development partners.

• Experience in implementing learner-centered, inclusive, gender-responsive, and action-oriented pedagogies.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English.

• Capability to deliver high-quality outputs within established timelines.

• Proficiency in Dhivehi is preferred, along with local support.

• Ability to manage logistics independently, including securing office space, administrative support, telecommunications, travel, and printing needs.

• Competence in utilizing the Harvard referencing style and adhering to international academic standards and copyright regulations.

🏝️ Benefits

• 6-month consultancy contract.

• Flexibility of remote work location.

• Access to UNESCO feedback and regular progress meetings.

• Opportunity to contribute to climate and environmental education initiatives in the Maldives.

• Technical outputs produced will belong to UNESCO.

• Encouragement for individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities to apply.