National Consultant on Education for Sustainable Development
Organizational Context
Uzbekistan has committed to the ESD 2030 Country Initiative through its National Roadmap for Education for Sustainable Development, aiming to integrate sustainability principles across all educational levels. This initiative focuses on policy advancement, learning environments, educator capacity building, youth empowerment, and local actions. The Ministry of Preschool and School Education and the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change are key coordinating bodies, with the National Commission for UNESCO providing overall oversight. UNESCO Tashkent Office seeks a national consultant to support the implementation of this roadmap.
Job Purpose
The primary purpose of this consultancy is to provide essential technical support to UNESCO and its national counterparts in Uzbekistan for the effective implementation of the National Roadmap for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) 2030 Country Initiative. The consultant will facilitate the integration of ESD principles across all educational levels, contributing to the formation of a culture of sustainability. This involves advancing policy, transforming learning environments, building the capacities of educators, empowering youth, and accelerating local-level actions as outlined in the roadmap. The role requires close liaison among various government entities, providing practical guidance for early actions, and monitoring progress to ensure national commitments are met and advanced effectively, thereby supporting Uzbekistan's national sustainability goals.
Responsibilities
The consultant will operate under the authority of the Head of UNESCO Tashkent Office and the direct supervision of the Education Programme Specialist, collaborating closely with the Ministry of Preschool and School Education and other key national entities. Responsibilities include reviewing national and international documents, such as the National Roadmap and UNESCO guidance on greening education, to develop an inception work plan and a status-tracking framework. The consultant will conduct consultations with participating entities to confirm focal points, verify commitments, and identify early actions, producing an implementation priorities note. A key task involves designing a "green school" pilot program, including adapting UNESCO's Green School Quality Standard, establishing selection criteria for pilot schools, and developing a self-assessment checklist. The consultant will provide ongoing guidance and advisory support, contextualizing UNESCO's recommendations for national use. Periodic monitoring of progress, maintenance of the status-tracking framework, and preparation of progress and final consolidated reports with recommendations for coordination and future resource mobilization are also required.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience in the education sector or related policy, program coordination, or institutional development within Uzbekistan is necessary. Demonstrated experience working with government ministries and agencies, including organizing inter-agency coordination, is essential. Familiarity with Education for Sustainable Development, climate change education, or greening education agendas, along with knowledge of the national education reform context, is required. Prior experience with UNESCO or other international organizations is advantageous.
Skills
Essential skills include strong coordination, liaison, and stakeholder engagement abilities across diverse government and non-government actors. Proficient analytical and drafting skills are needed to produce concise, actionable documents for government use. The ability to plan and organize work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines with accuracy is crucial. Good IT proficiency in standard office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) is also required.