The reform of the post-secondary sector in Papua New Guinea (PNG) through the Higher and Technical 
Education Reform Act 2019 will provide for a new governance and management framework for teacher 
training and Technical and Vocation Education Training (TVET) colleges with increased independence in 
management and leadership and closer partnerships with industry and business. The proposed project 
called Improved TVET for Employment with Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and 
Technology and to be potentially funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB)* will be aligned with the 
current sector reform priorities. It is envisaged to address the need to strengthen the building blocks 
for effective TVET institutions that will provide increased employment opportunities for PNG nationals. 
The following output areas are expected to be delivered: (i) TVET college governance and management 
strengthened; (ii) high quality TVET teacher training provided; (iii) curriculum for TVET demand-driven 
programs developed; (iv) gender-response TVET infrastructure and equipment established; and (v) national 
TVET governance and industry linkages developed.  

A Transaction Technical Assistance called Preparing the Improved Technical and Vocational Education and 
Training for Employment with funding from ADB and Government of Australia’s Department of Foreign 
Affairs and Trade has been approved to support the preparation of the proposed project.  A consulting 
firm has been engaged by ADB to prepare the project design and undertake necessary due diligence. 
Furthermore, a Climate Change Specialist will be engaged to provide necessary assistance and expertise 
in supporting the infrastructure design of the project particularly preparing guidelines for TVET 
facilities minimum standards and provide additional capacity building support in project management and 
procurement.

*Potential cofinancing from other development partners such as the Government of Australia will be 
explored.

The scope of work includes preparing detailed guidance to ensure that DHERST buildings are ‘beacons’ or 
‘flagships’ or ‘models’ of efforts to address the global climate crisis. The Climate Change Specialist 
is expected to work alongside other consultants under the TRTA and ensure coordination and consultation 
with all relevant stakeholders.

The specific roles of the expert include but are not limited to the following:
 
(i)	Become familiar with the range of assets held, and likely to be held, by DHERST nationally.
(ii)	Review construction standards and regulations in PNG that apply to assets in the same categories as 
the DHERST assets. Review particularly standards/regulations with regards to climate change mitigation 
(energy, energy efficiency, etc) and related to climate change adaptation (notably disaster resilience).
(iii)	Prepare a short summary of construction standards/regulations applicable to DHERST proposed 
buildings.
(iv)	Review related documents on climate and climate change in the vicinity of the target TVET colleges.
(v)	Undertake literature review of efforts in PNG and in other countries to use public buildings to 
demonstrate and communicate best practices for climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, and 
related communications and public awareness building.
(vi)	Consult with DHERST, representatives of TVET colleges, TVET trainees, stakeholders in the vicinity 
of TVET colleges regarding ongoing or future climate change initiatives and interventions related to 
TVET infrastructure.
(vii)	Identify strategies and measures to optimize the climate change impact of DHERST-owned buildings. 
The impact should be optimized in terms of decreasing GHG emissions, contributing to community 
resilience to climate change, and educating communities on climate change.  
(viii)	Prepare detailed guidance as to how DHERST can improve its climate change impact through the 
renovation, construction and operations of its physical assets. The detailed guidance will be part of 
the overall guidance to be prepared by the consulting team.  Possible activities include: 
a.	Use of low carbon construction materials/processes;
b.	Energy efficiency (beyond national standards);
c.	Net zero carbon buildings - construction and / or operations;
d.	Generating of renewable energy;
e.	Ensure design is fully resilient to most extreme climate change scenarios till end of century; 
f.	Collecting rainwater, storing and distributing to needy; 
g.	Provide up to date weather/climate forecasts;
h.	Include a small public education/awareness raising centre on climate change; 
i.	Generating and distributing public awareness raising material;
j.	Running an annual community prize for CC activities
(ix)	Undertake any other tasks needed to complete the guidelines with necessary climate change inputs.

The consultant will have an advance degree in construction related subject and at least 5 years' 
experience in international environment in the design, construction and operating of small buildings. 
Demonstrated knowledge, at a general level, of both climate change adaptation and climate change 
mitigation issues, strategies, activities, etc. Experience working on climate change issues with 
stakeholders from the construction sub-sector. Knowledge in the interpretation and application of 
construction standards and regulations in an international environment, preferably in a less developed 
or emerging economy, in which the regulatory and standards framework is not fully developed. Experience 
in PNG preferred. The expert will report to ADB project officer and work closely with the DHERST and 
other relevant government agencies