Consultant-Integrating Climate and Environment into Teacher Training(CSESI) 1
Organizational Context
The Climate Change, Sustainability, and Inclusion in Education (CSESI) initiative, launched in 2023 by the Global Partnership for Education, partners with Save the Children, UNESCO's Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Section, and UNESCO-IIEP. Implemented in 35 countries, it aims to strengthen national capacities to mainstream climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability into education sector plans, policies, and budgets. CSESI promotes a systems approach, fostering coordination across policy, planning, curriculum, teacher development, and data systems to build resilience. UNESCO champions a holistic ESD approach, addressing climate change from environmental, social, and economic perspectives.
Job Purpose
The primary objective of this consultancy is to integrate climate change, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk reduction (DRR) into teacher training programs in the Maldives. This involves reviewing existing pre-service and in-service teacher training resources, identifying priority climate and environmental topics aligned with national frameworks and UNESCO guidance, and assessing the readiness of teachers and school leaders to teach these subjects. The consultant will also update teacher training materials and develop supplementary teaching aids that promote learner-centered, inclusive, and action-oriented pedagogies. This work will be conducted in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education, National Institute of Education, teacher training institutions, and UNESCO, ensuring alignment with curriculum frameworks and equipping teachers with effective climate education strategies.
Responsibilities
The consultant will support the integration of climate and environmental education into teaching practices. This includes conducting a comprehensive review and mapping of existing pre-service and in-service teacher training resources from primary to secondary levels to identify gaps and opportunities related to climate change, environmental sustainability, and DRR. A key task is defining priority topics and learning outcomes in collaboration with the National Institute of Education (NIE), drawing from UNESCO's Greening Curriculum Guidance and the National Curriculum Framework. The consultant will also assess the readiness of teachers and school leaders to teach these subjects through an online survey, focusing on knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Based on these assessments, the consultant will update existing teacher training materials and develop new supplementary teaching aids, emphasizing interactive, inclusive, and action-oriented pedagogies. Finally, the consultant will support consultation and validation workshops with stakeholders to review and finalize the developed materials, providing recommendations for institutionalization within the national teacher education system.
Work Experience
A minimum of two years of progressive professional experience in the education sector is required, with demonstrated expertise in curriculum development, teacher training, teaching and learning materials (TLMs), pedagogy, and institutional capacity development. Strong knowledge of global standards and best practices in curriculum design and teacher education, including the integration of climate change, environmental sustainability, and/or Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), is essential. Proven experience in designing, reviewing, and revising curricula and teacher training resources, ideally in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) or similar contexts, is highly desirable.
Skills
Demonstrated experience in climate change education, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), and/or DRR integration in education systems. Experience working in South Asia, preferably the Maldives, with familiarity with the Ministry of Education and National Institute of Education, is beneficial. Skills in conducting capacity assessments, including survey design, data collection, and analysis, are required. Experience facilitating stakeholder consultations and collaborating with government counterparts and teacher training institutions is also important. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English are necessary; Dhivehi language proficiency is a plus.