Chad: Environmental Education Specialist

Oct 18, 2020 | African Parks Network
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African Parks Network (APN), www.africanparks.org, is a non-profit organisation taking direct responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of protected areas, in partnership with governments and local communities. They apply principles concerning usual business practice and combine the revenue generated from the recovery of protected areas to the funds provided by funding partners and private donors. APN's long-term objective is to become ecologically, socially and economically sustainable, in order to contribute to the development of impoverished areas. Currently, they are managing 18 protected areas in 11 countries: Benin, Congo-Brazzaville, Malawi, Mozambique, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Chad, Zimbabwe, Angola and Zambia – covering an area of more than 14 million hectares.

In 2017, the Chadian Ministry in charge of the Environment and APN signed a collaborative protocol, planned for 15 years, during which APN takes responsibility to create and then manage as well as finance the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve, located in North-East Chad.

Context:

Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve, nestled in the northeast of Chad, is a natural sandstone masterpiece spanning 50,000 km2 of sculpted landscape marked by cliffs, canyons and natural arches. Labelled as an Eden in the Sahara, the Reserve lies within Ennedi Massif, a large Sahara mountain massif in Chad, located on the transition of the Sahelian and Saharan zones. Ennedi Massif was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2016 for its unique natural formations and rock art that dates back 7,000 years. The Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve area formally came under the long-term management of African Parks in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Chad in February 2018. Despite intense poaching in recent decades exterminating most wildlife in the reserve, the remaining biodiversity in this unique landscape is remarkable. It is home to a relic population of crocodiles, over 525 plant species and at least 199 bird species which pass through on their transcontinental migratory routes.

This ancient landscape remains an important resource for two semi-nomadic groups in need of pastures and water for their livestock. The Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve, with more than 30,000 nomads relying on its natural resources, is a typical example of socio-ecological systems. The Management Unit is therefore looking for synergies between all departments – especially those dealing with biodiversity, conservation and community development – to encourage a revolution of human value towards a sustainable planet where people live in harmony with nature. Tremendous opportunity exists to transform the conservation of this life-giving landscape to support people and wildlife. Through engagement with the local population, delivery of effective management, infrastructure and law enforcement, and several significant species reintroductions, the irreplaceable cultural and natural value of this Eden will be restored.

Objective:

The aim of the Environmental Education specialist will be to set up and integrate an Environmental Education program in key primary schools within the Reserve. Environmental Education modules will be developed through the adoption of an appropriate and context-specific participatory approach. Training sessions will allow the Environmental Education specialist to prepare and guide selected teachers towards adopting a highly practical pedagogical approach. A long-term monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system will also be designed in order to guarantee the quality and durability of Environmental Education program.

The overall objective is to strengthen among communities of the RNCE, knowledge regarding:

  • The ENCR’s history (populations, extinct species and habitat destruction)
  • The ENCR’s archaeology and geology
  • The ENCR’s wildlife, plants, food chains, water sources, ecosystems and climate;
  • Sustainable practices of animal husbandry;
  • Sustainable use of natural resources;
  • Sustainable practices of agriculture;
  • Human-animal interaction and anti-poaching;
  • Waste Management;
  • The individual and collective responsibility in conserving the ENCR’s natural and cultural heritage.

Key functions:

1. Engage key stakeholders:

  • Liaise with the concerned ministerial departments (Education, Environment and Tourism) and local authorities to ensure official integration and recognition of the Environmental Education program within the reserves primary school curriculums;
  • Coordinate with the Sustainable Development/Biodiversity/Archaeology departments to ensure quality and accuracy of the taught information.

2. Design an Environmental Education program :

  • Define a standardized Environmental Education approach adapted to the reality of the ENCR;
  • Adopt a participative approach with selected teachers to develop the Environmental Education curricula;
  • Develop high quality didactic and communication material (e.g. student workbook, teacher lessons and activities pedagogical guide, visual communication material for a wide audience);
  • Collaborate with Chadian illustrators and graphic novelists (sourced by the ENCR) to complete the developed didactic and communication material with visual content.

3. Train all selected teachers and concerned APN staff.

4. Design a long-term monitoring, evaluation (M&E) system.

Deliverables:

  • Written content for the Environment and Conservation student Workbook;
  • Written content for the teacher lessons and activities pedagogical guide;
  • Written content for the communication material;
  • Training of all selected primary school teachers and concerned APN staff.;
  • Long-term M&E system;
  • Final report.

For complete details, please refer to the full Terms of Reference at link below.

Desired skills:

  • Advanced university degree in subject related to education, social ecology, environmental science, natural sciences, environmental management or a related field;
  • Minimum of 5 years proven experience in designing and delivering public education campaigns in areas related to environmental conservation;
  • Demonstrated experience in areas related to environmental conservation issues
  • Demonstrated experience in the development and delivery of environmental education curriculum;
  • Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders;
  • Experience in the domain of communication
  • Excellent organisational and writing skills;
  • Pro-active approach to problem-solving;
  • Fluency in French, (and preferably Arab);
  • Experience working in Africa in hot and isolated areas;
  • Pro-active, self-motivated and independent.

The role involves a significant amount of lone working. Field consultants are responsible for planning their own schedule while in the field and must be organised and able to work unsupervised on multiple tasks (several days will be spent travelling large distances between remote villages with a 4x4 (assisted by an experienced driver), without accommodation (wild camping).

Key ENCR Relationships:

  • Reserve Manager;
  • Deputy Reserve Manager;
  • Sustainable Development Manager;
  • Biodiversity and Conservation Manager;
  • Operations Manager;
  • General ENCR staff.

Expenses: The ENCR will cover international flight tickets (economy), VISA costs, accommodation, food and travelling expenses within Chad.

To apply please email the following documents to rh.apntchad@gmail.com by November 30 2020:

  1. CV (up to date)
  2. Cover letter