TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)
|
Name of Expert: |
National: N.N. | |
| Job Title: | National Expert for ToT course on “Building capacity in development of field excursions under the Nature – Environment – Sustainability Education for school children” | |
| Project/Program: | Capacity and Knowledge Development for Applied Forest Management Practices for State Forest Companies and Smallholders in Vietnam (PSFM 2) | |
| Duty Station: | Quang Tri Province, and Home based | |
| Expected Start Date of Assignment: |
July 2023 |
Duration: 12 days |
| Report to: |
Name: Dr. Sinan Hagenah |
Title: CTA |
| Assigned direct counterparts | Forest Science Centre for North of Central Vietnam (FSCV) based in Dong Ha city, Quang Tri Province
Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences (VAFS) based in Hanoi |
|
- Project Background and Reference
The project “Capacity and Knowledge Development for applied forest management practices for State Forest Companies and Smallholders in Vietnam (PSFM 2)” builds on the achievements of its predecessor project “Promotion of Sustainable Forest Management by State Forest Companies in Vietnam (PSFM)” which lasted from April 2017 to June 2020. The current project phase started in April 2021 and will end in December 2023. It is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and co-funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) of Vietnam. The project is managed by the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences (VAFS) and implemented by the consulting consortium of Deutsche Forstservice (DFS) and HessenForst (HF).
The goal of the PSFM2 Is to support “the established Competence Center/Training Center (TC) at the Forest Science Center for North of Central Vietnam (FSCV) to facilitate increased implementation of sustainable forest management according to SFM principles under state and private forest ownership types”.
The Training Center was established for its core targeted objectives which are training and consultancy services on Sustainable Forest Management & Forest Certification, however, for the long-term goal for sustainability development including sustainable management of forests, nature and environment protection, there is a need for good awareness of generations who are the future owners.
The education systems of many advanced countries focus on nature, environment, and sustainability education as a central topic. This trend shows the realization among teachers and parents, that experiencing nature in a pedagogically valuable way is highly relevant for the personal development of young people. The environmental challenges that societies face today can furthermore only be resolved if most of its citizens have a sound understanding of nature, the interaction between nature and human beings and the concept of sustainability. The importance of Nature – Environment – Sustainability education (NES education) in this context can hardly be underestimated and demand for NES education services is expected to increase in Vietnam as an emerging country.
Under the cooperation of MCNV (Dutch based NGO, with field-office in Dong Ha city, Quang Tri province) and Chenh Venh Community Forest Management Board (Cheng Venh CFMB), the Training Center develops Nature – Environment – Sustainability education products which aims:
- Improve the knowledge of young generations regarding nature, human beings and the environment, and the concept and practice of sustainability.
- Enable first-hand experience for young people with nature and in this way build positive attitudes towards the diversity and elegance of natural ecosystems.
- Promote awareness of the need to pro-actively participate in the challenge to protect biodiversity and use natural resources sustainably.
- Create a new pillar of income for the Training Centre to contribute to its financial independence.
- Contribute to the income generation of local communities that host NES excursions.
The mission statement of the TC includes the objective to contribute to the forestry sector via the provision of capacity building services in the fields of SFM, forest certification and forest protection. NES education gives the opportunity to reach out to target groups for “knowledge development” beyond forest owners and forest managers and in this way, widen the potential for contributions of the TC to Vietnamese society.
2. Rational
“Nature- Environment-Sustainability Education” aims to empower and equip present and future generations, using a balanced and integrated approach regarding the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability and the intrinsic value of natural ecosystems. Learning outcomes include core competencies such as critical and systemic thinking, collaborative decision-making, and taking individual responsibility. In order to transmit such diverse skills on constantly evolving issues, NES education uses innovative pedagogy, encouraging teaching and pro-active learning with hands-on experience in nature. The participants are enabled to think critically and systematically and develop values and attitudes for a sustainable future.
The achievement of the goals of sustainable forest management, combating climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development, depends greatly on human awareness of the underlying issues in all areas of society. Students of today are the decision makers of tomorrow; if they are equipped with the right knowledge and if they experienced how connected human beings and nature are, they will have the right perception and will take the right action.
The NES product contains two product groups with different types of educational activities, which are:
- School talks that include instructions for schoolteachers, seminars for students and discussion events at school classes, and
- 1 or 2-day excursions designed for primary, secondary, high school, and college/vocational training school students. Curricula for NES should under consideration of the age of the participants, follow a playful approach and include learning by doing experiences.
The products of 1-day excursions will be designed with field exercises in the planted experimental forests of FSCV, while 2-day-excursions will be designed with field exercises in the Chenh Venh natural forests, cultural sites and social events in nature.
The TC trainers have a broad knowledge base with relevance to the topics of nature – environment and sustainability, that was built over many years including their pedagogical knowledge and skills. However, education for school children with educational field excursions and school talks, is a new set of expertise for the trainers of the TC, which need to be equipped for the trainers.
3. Objective(s), Scopes, Approach and method, Tasks and time allocations, and expected Deliverable(s) and outputs.
a. Objective(s) of the assignment
Under the project “Tam Dao National Park & Buffer Zone Management Project – GTZ TDMP”, GIZ (formerly GTZ) supported the Tam Dao National Park in publishing a book in Vietnamese language, namely “Một ngày khám phá rừng” (“A Day of exploring the forest”), a guidebook on enviromental interpretation for tourists in National Parks and Nature Reserve. This book was edited based on a book which was originally in German language, published by the Bavarian Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Forests (Germany). This book was for teachers, foresters, etc., to enrich the educational experience of visitors to the forest (especially children). The book “Một ngày khám phá rừng” (“A Day of exploring the forest”) is used as good resource of information for development of guidebook/manuals for the NES education.
The Training Center assigned 6 staff members to undertake the NES education activities, and other staff members are encouraged to support NES education, however the maximum number of course participants shall not exceed 10 persons.
This consultancy assignment is requested to provide necessary knowledge and skills of the trainers with the detailed objectives are:
- Enhanced knowledge on educational interpretation, particularly in the contexts of nature – environment and sustainability.
- Enhanced knowledge on designing, planning, conducting field excursions (including tasks to support the excursions, important checklists (for children, teachers, trainers, community, organizers…, and emergency plan), and supervision/evaluation of an excursion.
- Based on the identified 3 plus 2 elements (nature-education-sustainability, and social values and English) for 4 targeted levels of clients, and under the support of the PSFM2 Consulting Office, the consultant is expected to guide the TC’s trainers to develop practical exercises via concrete examples. These exercises should result in the development of 3 excursions including 2 excursions of 2 days and 1 excursion of 1 day. The practical exercises include the design, implementation plan, checklists and forms These 3 excursions will be tested in 2023.
- Based on the book “Một ngày khám phá rừng” (“A Day of exploring the forest”), the consultant is expected to guide the TC’s trainer to prepare their own Guidebook considering the given format of the above book.
b. Scopes of the consultancy assignment
The work is performed in Quang Tri Province, and home-based. The consultant is expected to provide the training services in a classroom (Dong Ha city), the field exercises (Chenh Venh natural forest and Cam Lo plantation forests), and home-based coaching services and writing of mission report.
c. Approach and method
The consultant is expected to apply diverse teaching methods of classroom lecturing, exercise, field excursion, self-study, and case-study… which help the future trainers to fill their gaps of knowledge and skill.
d. Tasks, time allocations:
The consultant is expected to deliver the following tasks with relevant time allocation for each task:
|
No. |
Activity |
Location |
Person Day(s) |
|
1. |
Assessment of gaps of knowledge and skills of Training Center’s trainers. | Office-based |
0,5 |
|
2. |
Office-based study on necessary modification for training material based on the results of knowledge and skill gap assessment | Office-based |
0,5 |
|
3. |
Provide theoretical knowledge on
o Educational interpretation, particularly in the contexts of nature – environment and sustainability. o Design, plan, conduct field excursions (including tasks to support the excursions, important checklists (for children, teachers, trainers, community, organizers…, and emergency plan), and supervision/evaluation of an excursion. |
Classroom in the Training Center, Dong Ha city |
2 |
|
4. |
Guide practical exercises via actual establishment of 3 excursions including 2 excursions of 2 days and 1 excursion of 1 day based on the identified topics and targeted levels of clients. | In Chenh Venh Natural forests |
6 |
|
5. |
|
Classroom in the Training Center, Dong Ha city |
1 |
|
6. |
Coach the TC’s trainers to finalise the draft version of relevant materials related to the 3 excursions. | Office-based (Homebase) |
1 |
|
7 |
Compilation of report | Office-based (Homebased) |
1 |
|
Total |
12 |
(Note: the maximum allocated number of days for per diems is 10 days).
e. Expected deliverables and output(s)
- TC’s trainers enhanced their knowledge and skills on educational interpretation, particular in the contexts of nature – environment and sustainability.
- TC’s trainers are confident in design and plan for educational activities of school children related to the topics of nature – environment and sustainability.
- Draft version of relevant materials related to the 3 excursions which were designed and planned as practical exercises of the training.
- Draft version of proposed outlines for the guidebook of NES education based on the sample of book namely “Một ngày khám phá rừng” (“A Day of exploring the forest”) which was published under the project “Tam Dao National Park & Buffer Zone Management Project – GTZ TDMP”, GIZ (formerly GTZ).
- A mission report (max. 6 pages) in English language.
4. Assumptions and Risks
July and August are not the best timing for field exercises because of the hot weather condition in Quang Tri province; Therefore, consultant is expected to prepare solutions for the above assumption.
5. Timing, and Logistics
a. Timing
The consultancy to start in July 2023 (or beginning of August at latest), for a total of 12 working days. The consultancy report shall be submitted no later than 10 workdays after completing all prior tasks.
b. Logistic support
The consultant’s expenses while in Quang Tri Province will be covered by the PSFM2 through per diem and accommodation allowances according to project rates (see above). The PSFM2 will provide and cover consultant traveling. Reimbursement of expenses made by the consultant (e.g., taxi, materials for and during interview/ meetings) must be based on actuals with receipts as proof and for approval. Support for this will be managed through the PSFM2 Financial Manager.
6. Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Forestry, Biology, Environment, Education, or similar
- Proven minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in nature/environment awareness raising, capacity building and education, or similar.
- Proven experiences in conduction of training courses is an advantage.
- Willing and capable to work in a team.
- Able to work independently.
- Fluent spoken and written capacities in Vietnamese and English.
- Candidate who is one of the authors of reference 2 below is another advantage.
7. References:
- NES EDUCATION concept
- Book namely “Một ngày khám phá rừng” (“A Day of exploring the forest”) which was published under the project “Tam Dao National Park & Buffer Zone Management Project – GTZ TDMP”, GIZ (formerly GTZ).
