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SmartUp – Social Innovation Lab is a non-governmental organisation working on addressing and solving social challenges in the fields of public services, climate change, and education. Through its innovative and different approach, as well as its passion and dedication, the SmartUp team works daily to create a better, different, and improved world. Composed of young, ambitious, and motivated collaborators, the team is always open to new dreamers and professionals who want to work in a pleasant and challenging work environment and who aim to create value and positive change for their surroundings and society through their work. According to the needs of the project "EDUINO: Collective Improvement of Education through Co-Creation and Innovation," SmartUp announces a call for engagement of:
Consultant for the Science Learning Network (SLN)
Field: Organizational Development, Sustainability, and Strategic Development Within the EDUINO project: Collective Improvement of Education through Co-Creation and Innovation, SmartUp – Social Innovation Lab provides support in establishing the "Science Learning Network." The Science Learning Network is a network of institutions active in the fields of natural sciences and education, aiming to support and enable the inclusion of experiential learning in formal education. The network focuses on natural sciences and environmental protection. Through activities developed by network members, visits to institutions, and interactive workshops, SLN will provide materials and environments where students can acquire practical knowledge, and educators can incorporate more aspects of experiential learning into everyday practice and teaching. The Science Learning Network is currently in the founding/formation phase, and in the initial phase, the following 6 organisations/institutions and 1 coordinator are expected to be members:
- MED (Macedonian Ecological Society) - Coordinator
- Hydrobiological Institute (Ohrid)
- Natural Science Museum (Skopje)
- NARODNA TEHNIKA Skopje
- Educational Center "Negrevo"
- Galichica National Park
- Botanical Garden at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (Skopje) Required skills:
- At least 8 years of relevant experience in the field of strategic development and/or organisational development
- Experience working with and/or establishing initiatives/projects similar in nature to the Science Learning Network (SLN) will be considered a plus
- Knowledge of the education sector and/or scientific activity will be considered a plus
- Excellent research and analytical skills
- Experience in knowledge transfer (in the role of a trainer)
- Skill in preparing structured and process-oriented documents
- Proven expertise in analyzing and synthesizing documents relevant to the three areas of the call (organisational development, sustainability, and strategic development)
- Ability to work independently, with experience in timely work, working under pressure, and collaborative work with multiple involved partners (in this case institutions, NGOs, scientific centres, etc.)
- Excellent interpersonal business skills
- Advanced knowledge of English (formal English), especially in preparing documents and reports
- Knowledge of Macedonian and/or Albanian languages will be considered a plus Tasks: Note: The implementation period for these tasks is 28.09.2022 - 10.01.2023
- Conceptualizing, preparing, and facilitating workshops and co-creation sessions (dialogue sessions) aimed at networking SLN members and gathering ideas and proposals for the management and operation model of SLN
- Developing a concept for collecting opinions, attitudes, and interests from key stakeholders regarding the future Science Learning Network
- Organizing and conducting a series of meetings, focus groups, and/or workshops to validate interest and collect comments, wishes, and ideas from key stakeholders
- Preparation and delivery of a document - Strategic Sustainability Document, which will elaborate on the following aspects: Sustainability concept based on information gathered from MED and SLN members Potential sources of funding for the network Potential models for financing and financial management Potential partnerships and models of public-private partnerships Potential networks and models of participation, promotion, and cooperation Challenges and obstacles to sustainability, identified risks
- Sustainability concept based on information gathered from MED and SLN members
- Potential sources of funding for the network
- Potential models for financing and financial management
- Potential partnerships and models of public-private partnerships
- Potential networks and models of participation, promotion, and cooperation
- Challenges and obstacles to sustainability, identified risks
- During the engagement, the consultant is expected to independently research and familiarize themselves with best practices for science learning networks from other countries and/or networks of international character.
- Active communication with the rest of the team, including collaborators from MED (Macedonian Ecological Society), who will be the main coordinator of the Science Learning Network, and UNICEF (Skopje Office), who are the financiers of the activity.
- Active participation in meetings, presentations, and working sessions closely related to the consultant's field of work.
- Preparation of a final report on the completed work. Logistical information related to the work engagement:
- The person is expected to start work from 28.09.2022.
- The engagement will be contracted through an Author Agreement with SmartUp for completed work.
- A one-time monetary compensation is foreseen, upon delivery and approval of the report on the completed work.
- The consultant is required to provide their own laptop and supporting computer equipment for the needs of the engagement.
- To apply, send your CV to info@innovationlab.mk with the subject "Application for Consultant for the Science Learning Network (SLN)," along with a proposal for the consulting engagement. The proposal should be based on the tasks and requirements listed above and should be broken down into consulting days and the total proposed compensation. The application deadline is 20.09.2022.
