Individual Consultant (Ocean Literacy) (Bangkok, Thailand) contract

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) : 20-OCT-2024

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

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 means 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 UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) calls for transfer of marine technology, training and education, and increased ocean literacy so that all can participate in, and benefit from.

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, 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 and mainstream the ocean literacy, the objective of this assignment is to take stock and conduct an analysis of ocean literacy in this region, to understand its development status and needs of Member States, to identify  challenges and opportunities in practice, and eventually come up with actionable recommendations about potential strategy, mechanisms and actions the Sub-Commission shall take/drive toward an ocean literate society in the region.

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 incumbent will:

• Design appropriate methodology or approach to the situation analysis, including but not limited to desk research, literature review, questionnaire survey, interviews and consultations with relevant stakeholders and ocean literacy communities if any.
• Identify suitable channels and partners for the situation analysis, including but not limited to international organizations, government agencies, academic institutions, schools, NGOs, private sectors, and ECOPs networks.
• Implement the methodology or approach, and map existing ocean literacy projects in the region with the consideration of the diverse dimensions of ocean literacy (e.g. blue curriculum, corporate action, ocean heritage and culture, science and policy, and media), and create a database of main organizations and contacts.
• Map existing educational and ocean literacy resources in main spoken languages, and identify main gaps, challenges and opportunities for the region.
• Provide inputs to the ocean literacy webpage within the existing Sub-Commission’s website.
• Prepare and finalize the situation analysis of ocean literacy in the region, including key findings and recommendations for the Sub-Commission.

The content of the situation analysis shall include but not limited to:

• A review of the existing relevant legislation, policies and strategies in recognizing and promoting the ocean literacy across nations within this region, for example national education policy/strategy.
• Stocktaking of impactful programs, projects and activities in this region that are associated with ocean literacy.
• Stocktaking of existing ocean literacy related networks, alliances, associations, as well as developed materials, tools, platforms, databases or curriculums, if any, in this region.
• Mapped donor landscape and fund modalities of existing ocean literacy related projects/activities in the region.
• Identified lessons learnt, challenges and gaps in organizing and implementing relevant projects/activities in promoting Ocean Literacy in this region, as well as recommendations to the Sub-Commission toward an ocean literate society.

In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the consultant is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) required in the diverse and relevant disciplines to ocean literacy, such as education, ocean 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, preferably with two (2) years acquired at the international level.

Skills/Competencies

• Initiative-taking ability 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. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.

Interested individuals are invited to submit to UNESCO Bangkok Office the specific requirements through careers.unesco.org. A consortium of individuals is also permitted to apply for the consultancy.

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in ‘Employment History Form / My Documents’. Before uploading the document, at the end of the word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information:

• An up-to-date CV stating details of educational qualifications, work experience, including prior experience of similar work with a list of past similar work or report/publication written with hyperlinks to access such paper if they are available online or samples of such papers if they are only available offline.
• A brief technical proposal (1-2 pages) discussing the approach/methodology to undertake the assignment.
• The proposed fee in US dollars to undertake the assignment. No travel requirement is subject to this contract.

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 system, please inform us at iocwestpac@unesco.org.

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.