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Organization: UN Children’s Fund
Country: Costa Rica
Closing date: 13 Nov 2017

Post Title:Human Resources AssistantProposed Level: G-6Duty Station: San Jose, Costa RicaSupervisor: Operations Officer

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

For every child, a champion

Under the supervision and guidance of the Operations Officer, the Human Resources Assistant provides administrative, procedural and operational support and assistance to the efficient implementation of a broad range of Human Resources functions for all categories of staff in his/her office, ensuring accurate and timely delivery, whilst promoting a client-based, quality and results orientated approach to the unit and ensuring compliance with UNICEF HR rules and regulations.

How can you make a difference?

The efficiency and efficacy of the support and assistance provided by the Human Resources Assistant supports the strengthening of the offices’ capacity in attracting, retaining and motivating staff of the highest caliber within his/her office, which in turn strengthens UNICEF’s capacity in helping the most vulnerable women and children in a particular country programme.

We are looking for a dynamic and innovative Human Resources Assistant to support UNICEF’s Cuba programmes in the following areas:

Support in organization design and job classification

Support in recruitment and placement

Assistance and guidance in requesting entitlements and benefits, and provide orientation briefings to newly arrived staff

Serve as attendance focal point

Support in Staff Performance Management and career development

Support in learning and development

Support in Change Management

Support in organization design and job classification

Participates in the review of GS/NO/IP positions specific JDs, ensuring effective application of ICSC methodology.

Drafts and edits job descriptions to be submitted for classification for review by supervisor.

Follows up and liaises with HQ and RO over status of requests to ensure timely completion.

Compiles and analyses information and statistics related to posts and staff for reports on staffing trends.

Prepares documents to be submitted for classification to RO and NYHQ, ensuring completeness of documentation.

Monitors life-cycle of all job classification requests to facilitate recruitment and organization planning.

Support in recruitment and placement including Consultants

In coordination with the HRBP, plan recruitment processes, monitor implementation and update chronogram of activities as required.

In consultation with the supervisor, carry out the recruitment process of international / national professional officers, general services, and temporary staff according to UN/UNICEF rules, regulations, procedures and policies and within the Key Performance Indicators.

Review compliance of job descriptions with UNICEF standards, arrange internal and/or external advertisement (s) in consultation with supervisors.

Ensure timely and efficient screening of applications for minimum eligibility, taking into account qualifications, competencies, and post requirements.

Analyze, research, verify, and compile data which facilitates preparation of workforce planning reports for supervisor to review against benchmarks i.e. Gender and geographical balance and other recruitment related key performance indicators.

Liaises with candidates in the various stages of the recruitment process.

Prepares regret letters.

Records and maintains recruitment files, ensuring all necessary documentation has been prepared.

Monitors life-cycle of recruitment process to update supervisor as necessary.

Ensure KPIs are respected and monitored on a regular basis.

Assistance and guidance on requesting entitlements and benefits and provide orientation briefing to newly arrived staff.

Assist international and local staff, to prepare documentation related to entitlements in accordance with UN/UNICEF rules and regulations (e.g. education grant, dependency allowances, and language allowances) and, exceptionally, submit them to the corresponding GSSC area.

In consultation with supervisor, analyze, research, verify, and compile data and information on cases that do not conform to UN or UNICEF’s HR Rules & Regulations, to support consistent and equitable application of decisions and implementation of agreed upon action.

Ensure appropriate and timely actions for renewals of contracts, promotions, within grade increments, etc.

In consultation with supervisor, analyze, research and verify information for the purpose of responding to staff queries on areas related to benefits and entitlements, identify trends and propose improvements to processes, practices, and/or policy.

Liaise with the GSSC to follow up on requests (Onboarding, Maintenance, Offboarding) as needed.

Certify travel entitlements on initial appointment, reassignment and repatriation.

Serve as attendance focal point

Maintains and updates a system which monitors the attendance of staff.

Supports supervisor in promoting and overseeing flexible working arrangements in the office.

Recording of overtime and compensatory time.

Support in Staff Performance Management and career development

Monitors completion of Performance evaluations at the Country Office

Supports supervisor in promoting a culture of candid, positive and timely feedback in the office.

Reviews and analyses information regarding career development and supports supervisor in identifying career development challenges and opportunities.

Support in learning and development

Supports in the planning and implementation of the office learning & development plan

In consultation with supervisor, researches and analyses data and information to help identify training needs within his/her country office for the development of learning plans and other targeted training interventions. Facilitates the reporting on achievement/impact of training via use of agreed indicators of success

Assists team in organizing and conducting courses, workshops and events by participating in exercises which aim to build capacity of stakeholders.

Assists teams in organizing and conducting courses, workshops and events by preparing and organizing distribution of materials for participants, ensuring availability of training venues and required equipment and supplies, while providing logistical and secretarial support at workshops and events as necessary.

Support in Change Management

Supports in the implementation of change management activities, such as implementation of new system and policies, PBR processes, etc.

Considering that the office structure does not include an Administrative Assistant, the HR Assistant and the Finance Assistant are expected to provide support to the Operations Officer on administrative matters.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

Core Values:

Commitment

Diversity and inclusion

Integrity

Core competencies

Communication (II)

Working with people (II)

Drive for results (II)

Functional Competencies

Analyzing (II)

Applying technical expertise (II)

Planning and organizing (II)

Following Instructions and Procedures (II)

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have:

Education: Completion of secondary education, supplemented by technical or university courses in the field of Human Resources.University degree, particularly in Human Resources/Administration, will be an asset

Experience:A minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible work experience in human resources is required.Exposure to multi-cultural or international environment will be considered as an asset

Language: Fluency in Spanish and English required.

General Service Staff are recruited locally. Candidates must be in possession of an existing work permit or resident/citizen of Costa Rica to be considered eligible for this post. Please note that General Service (GS) staff are locally recruited staff and therefore, candidates are personally responsible for any travel and accommodation arrangements.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.

How to apply:

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=508264

Para enloquecer basta, a veces, una mala decisión política que aliente la inseguridad o encienda un conflicto, un giro económico inesperado, un quiebro en la suerte o la salud

Esta es una escena imaginaria pero que puede resultarle muy familiar. La alarma del celular suena y lo despierta a las 7 am. A las 8, junto con su desayuno, llega un mensaje de texto que le recuerda tomar su medicamento y, más tarde, recibe otro que le avisa que tiene que ahorrar cierta cantidad de dinero. Pide un taxi con una app, y en el trayecto revisa sus correos. En su hora de almuerzo, pide comida con otra app y así sucesivamente durante el resto del día. Imagine ahora una jornada sin tecnología. Ya sea para un análisis en tiempo real de los altibajos de la bolsa o las mediciones de diversos sensores colocados a lo largo de una hectárea de cultivos, la tecnología ha llegado para colaborar con nuestras vidas y se ha convertido en la nueva aliada de la lucha contra la pobreza y a favor del desarrollo. Internet, los teléfonos celulares y, en general, las tecnologías digitales se están expandiendo rápidamente en el mundo en desarrollo. De acuerdo con datos del Banco Mundial, más del 40% de la población mundial tiene acceso a Internet y, a la vez, en casi siete de cada 10 hogares ubicados en el 20% de los países más pobres hay un teléfono celular. Es más probable que los hogares más pobres tengan acceso a la telefonía celular que a un inodoro o a agua potable. Y América Latina no es ajena a esta tendencia. De acuerdo con el informe ’Maximizing Mobile for Development’ (i), ya en 2012, el 98% de la población tenía recepción de señal de celulares, y el 84% de los hogares estaban subscritos a algún servicio de telefonía móvil. Esto no solo trae más comodidad y conectividad, sino que además influye en el desarrollo humano. "La telefonía, por ejemplo, puede ayudar a agendar citas médicas y mantener recordatorios, lo cual puede aumentar la asistencia a los centros de salud e influir en la calidad de vida de las personas. Para la educación financiera, los mensajes de celular también son muy útiles, por ejemplo, para promover el ahorro en hogares pobres", comenta Renos Vakis, economista del Banco Mundial. Revisemos tres ejemplos de cómo va avanzando la tecnología para el desarrollo de la región:1. Perú y Brasil: Innovación para la agricultura En todo el mundo, los productos de calidad son la base de una buena alimentación y cuidar los cultivos es el primer paso. A través de modernos sensores que miden la humedad y la temperatura y drones que supervisan las hectáreas cultivadas, la aplicación QuinuaApp, prototipo diseñado para móviles, tabletas y computadores personales, permitirá al productor determinar información clave, como la presencia de plagas, el grado de estrés hídrico del cultivo, estrés causado por salinidad, y otras variables que podrían disminuir o reducir el rendimiento de las plantas cultivadas. La aplicación está respaldada por una red de estaciones de monitoreo ambiental que brindan información relacionada a la temperatura, la velocidad del viento, la lluvia y la radiación solar. Y aunque los prototipos de medición se siguen investigando y desarrollando con un solo cultivo, la quinua, toda la información estará disponible al alcance de su mano, mediante la plataforma web o el aplicativo móvil. La aplicación QuinuaApp fue desarrollada con recursos otorgados a través del Programa Nacional de Innovación Agraria, cofinanciado por el Banco Mundial. El programa inició sus operaciones en enero de 2017. Se espera que, en un futuro, la herramienta permita la toma de decisiones de manera oportuna en cualquier tipo de cultivo y que genere una nueva fuente de oportunidades de negocio para la agricultura de los países de la región. "A mis 75 años, me emociono cuando veo todos estos avances tecnológicos, la vida de los productores cambiaría muchísimo, ya no sembraríamos al azar, sabríamos cuándo regar, cuándo abonar y en qué momento controlar las plagas antes que afecten nuestros cultivos", comenta Carmen Rosa Valle Arroyo, productora de quinua del distrito peruano de Orcotuna, en Junín, y representante de la Asociación de Productores Heroínas de Toledo. Tanto en Perú como en Brasil, y en varios otros países del mundo, la agricultura es uno de los pilares de la economía. En el gigante sudamericano, el 87% de las granjas son pequeñas y administradas por una familia, pero generan el 40% del todo el PIB agropecuario. Como parte de los sistemas que se ofrecen para modernizar la tecnología agrícola, la empresa Bauer Aerosystems, produce drones que permiten la aplicación precisa de fertilizantes y pesticidas en zonas donde no es posible el uso de un tractor. En Santa Catarina, por ejemplo, y gracias al programa de inclusión digital rural promovido por Santa Catarina Rural, los agricultores pueden disfrutar de una señal WiFi de buena calidad, pero, sobre todo, del acceso a información de calidad acerca del clima y de nuevas tecnologías, que les permite mejorar el desempeño de sus cultivos.2. Ecuador: Mensajes de texto para promover la buena nutrición En Ecuador, las tasas de desnutrición de los niños entre los 0 y 5 años en 2012 eran comparables a la de varios países de África subsahariana, como Botsuana y Sudáfrica, ambos con un 23%. Dentro de Ecuador, Chimborazo se mostraba como la provincia con el peor desempeño en desnutrición infantil: el 49% de los niños menores de cinco años presentaban retrasos en el crecimiento. El problema partía de las condiciones económicas, la falta de ingresos y el poco acceso a baños para lavarse las manos e incluso a agua potable. Sin embargo, un factor muy importante era la falta de información acerca de cuándo incorporar alimentos sólidos en la dieta de los más pequeños y qué nutrientes necesitaban para su crecimiento. Como parte de la solución, a través de una encuesta especializada se estableció una base de información de padres y madres de familia y se enviaron más de 100.000 mensajes de texto personalizados (SMS) que brindaban recordatorios e información clave sobre el crecimiento y la alimentación de sus pequeños, además de consejos acerca de una buena nutrición. El contenido de los mensajes de texto variaba en torno a cinco temas: (1) alentar a los padres o cuidadores a llevar a sus niños al centro de salud local para sus controles regulares, (2) brindar información sobre cuándo iniciar la alimentación complementaria y cómo incrementar la diversidad en la dieta de sus hijos, (3) motivar a alimentar a sus niños con micronutrientes, específicamente con un suplemento de hierro local llamado Chis Paz, (4) alentar a hervir el agua para tomar o asegurarse de que el agua consumida por sus niños sea potable y a lavarse las manos con regularidad, así como mejorar la higiene en la preparación de alimentos y (5) recordatorios y refuerzos sobre los temas anteriores y su importancia. Adicionalmente, los padres o cuidadores con niños menores de seis meses recibieron mensajes de texto sobre las bondades de la lactancia materna exclusiva. Los mensajes de texto, junto con la información del álbum “Mis primeros cinco años”, contribuyeron a que más de 10.000 familias siguieran de cerca el desarrollo de sus hijos, a través del monitoreo de metas sencillas y de fácil comprensión sobre el desarrollo en la primera infancia. Estos mensajes tuvieron impactos importantes y estadísticamente significativos para la salud y nutrición. Al analizar 9 enfermedades potenciales, se observó que los niños cuyos padres participaron del programa de mensajería de texto eran 9,3% menos propensos a experimentar dichas enfermedades. "El principal problema era la baja capacidad para transmitir un mensaje claro y sencillo sobre los factores que inciden en la desnutrición crónica. Una de las actividades más importantes fue la del registro familiar basado en la afectividad. De este modo se elevó el conocimiento de los padres sobre el crecimiento de sus hijos", explicó Nelson Gutiérrez, especialista sénior en Protección Social del Banco Mundial. De acuerdo con el Consenso de Copenhague de 2012, por cada dólar invertido en nutrición durante los primeros 1.000 días se obtienen 30 dólares en beneficios ligados a la educación y la salud.3. México: Satélites que miden la pobreza En asociación con el Banco Mundial, la compañía Orbital Insight trabaja para medir las tasas de pobreza y crecimiento económico. Con imágenes satelitales y encuestas se puede tener una mejor idea de cuantas personas viven por debajo de la línea de pobreza en México. Si bien las imágenes satelitales producen resultados menos precisos que las encuestas de hogares, la frecuencia de este tipo de información puede ser mayor, frente a las encuestas que se producen cada cinco años. Esta información es clave para la toma de decisiones en inversiones y la creación de políticas públicas para el desarrollo. En Perú, Bolivia, Centroamérica y Brasil, los datos, imágenes e información de satélites también han ayudado a prevenir desastres, medir la contaminación del agua o monitorear el nivel del mar.

Published on Medium.  Just a month following the devastation brought by Hurricane Irma and Maria in the Caribbean, affecting millions of people, the small Caribbean islands are left with no choice but to build back better and stronger as frequency of storms is turning into the ‘new normal’. This has been a particularly active hurricane season with a record of 10 consecutive storms growing to hurricane strength. As the Caribbean delegations met with international partners during the World Bank Group- IMF Annual Meetings earlier this month, one of the main messages was that disasters like these can be a turning point to build more resilience and plan for a more sustainable future. Grenada Prime Minister Mitchell recalled how Grenada was determined to build back better after Hurricane Ivan in 2004. “Where there is a crisis, let’s not make it go to waste”, he said. Every year, natural disasters trap some 26 million people in extreme poverty around the world. © World Bank Every year, natural disasters trap some 26 million people in extreme poverty around the world. In the Caribbean, eight countries experienced a disaster event with an economic impact of over 50 percent of their annual GDP since 1980. The main difference for such small islands is that the entire country can be impacted, with every single inhabitant affected by the storm. Early estimates of damages after Hurricane Irma point to about 15 percent of GDP for Antigua and Barbuda, where more than 90 percent of the infrastructure in Barbuda has been damaged and most of the electricity and telecom network need to be rehabilitated. In Dominica, the damage assessment is ongoing, but losses are estimated to exceed US$1 billion or 200 percent of GDP losses following Hurricane Maria. So, what will it take for the small island states of the Caribbean to become more resilient and sustainable following the recent hurricanes? Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit shared his vision of how his country can become the first climate resilient nation in the world:

Challenge In Santa Catarina, issues of environmental degradation, rural poverty and status, and agriculture sector trends are interdependent. Despite its strong macroeconomic performance, Santa Catarina’s economic opportunities are not equally available to all. About 5 percent of the population (275,000 people) live in poverty (defined as US$ 1.00 per day per family), 20 percent of them in the state’s rural areas. Most reside on agricultural family farms, do rural work, or are indigenous people. In addition, other social challenges in rural areas include (i) lack of productive and commercial skills development and training for farmers and their families; (ii) few employment opportunities, resulting in an exodus of youth to cities; (iii) low education levels among middle-aged and aged adults; and (iv) food security problems in the poorest rural households. Growth in the agricultural sector has also contributed to increasing conflicts over water quantity and quality. Agriculture, along with domestic sewage, is the main source of water pollution in rural areas. Pressure is growing in the state to implement integrated water resource management and to strengthen local institutions’ and rural communities’ capacity to implement key water management instruments. Approach The Santa Catarina Rural Competitiveness Project established a platform and enabled the environment for the state to increase small farmers’ productivity through targeted technical assistance for innovation and improved production efficiency, product quality, and resource-based management. The technical strategy focus supported beneficiaries at two levels: directly, to implement collective and associated individual investments included in business plans; and indirectly, through an improved framework for delivering complementary public services to shore up the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of private investments. Results The project substantially achieved its development objectives “to increase the competitiveness of family agriculture producer organizations while providing support for an improved framework of structural competitiveness-inducing public services activities” through direct investments supported by technical assistance and capacity building for small farmers’ productive organizations and their affiliates, contributing to the long-term goal of improving productivity, competitiveness, and market access. Specific project interventions included the following: Financing demand-driven business initiatives for 723 small farmers.Establishing and strengthening 259 institutional business arrangements to add value to agriculture products produced by individual family farmers, directly benefiting 10,900 rural families.Executing 59,834 individual production-system improvement plans. Providing technical assistance and rural extension services to 134,460 family farmers, 42,735 rural young people, and 1,950 indigenous families.    Certifying that 2,500 small farmers meet vegetal sanitary requirements for market access.Certifying that 728 small farms are free of brucellosis and tuberculosis.Rehabilitating 474.8 kilometers of rural roads to improve market connectivity. The impact evaluation carried out by the project indicated the following: Average total annual sales for participating small-farmer productive organizations increased by 64 percent, as compared to sales of nonparticipating farmers, a 113.3 percent increase from the original 30 percent target. Responses from a beneficiary perception survey of 518 young people (31 percent of young beneficiaries) indicated that 64.5 percent had seen an increase in household income, with amounts ranging from 15 to 50 percent.Environmental management achievements supported by a previous World Bank loan were maintained, with 65 percent of the state’s water resources now under decentralized, community-level, participatory planning and management and 10 percent of state territory was now managed under an “ecological corridor” concept emphasizing coexistence of sustainable production and natural resources preservation.  Additional project outputs and achievements included the following:  Water Management The State Register of Water Resources Users database registered 74,000 users, allowing estimates of water demand for the Santa Catarina hydrographic basins.A water resource information system was implemented and improved. Aero-photogrammetric and hydrogeological mapping were undertaken. A Hydrometeorological Monitoring and Warning System was implemented.Sixteen basin committees with decentralized structures were established and 14 river basin plans were elaborated.Ecological Corridor Management: This program created a Forest Area Register and Ecological Corridor Management Groups. The database includes incremental forest inventory areas covering 273,040.31 hectares and can be used to evaluate and monitor forest areas, set payments for environmental services and conservation credits, and help plan environmental recovery programs.The Conservation Credit System: This institutional legal framework created a secure environment in which forest-area investors and owners can operate and provided an unprecedented environmental management tool using private resources derived from legal obligations arising from suppression of vegetation for the conservation of biodiversity in the Ecological Corridors; owners and entrepreneurs acquire Conservation Credits to pay off their environmental commitments, with project-sponsored information and tools used to guarantee reliability in negotiations and contracts.

WASHINGTON, 26 octobre 2017 — Le Conseil des administrateurs de la Banque mondiale a approuvé deux dons d’un montant total de 35 millions de dollars en vue d’améliorer l’accès à l’électricité pour plus de deux millions d’Haïtiens et de développer les investissements dans les énergies renouvelables au bénéfice des zones rurales et urbaines mal desservies. « Haïti dispose de nombreuses sources d’énergie renouvelable inexploitées », souligne Anabela Abreu, directrice des opérations de la Banque mondiale pour Haïti. « Le pays franchit une étape importante en s’attachant à créer un environnement propice à l’investissement privé et à promouvoir l’accès à l’électricité. Le Groupe de la Banque mondiale continuera de lui apporter son soutien pour que des systèmes d’énergie renouvelable fournissent de l’électricité à davantage de familles, d’entreprises et de services collectifs dans les zones mal desservies, ainsi que pour diversifier le mix énergétique et réduire le coût de l’électricité. »Les sources d’énergie renouvelable (énergie solaire, hydraulique, éolienne et biomasse) et les solutions d’électrification hors réseau recèlent un potentiel considérable dans le pays. Les dispositifs photovoltaïques, en particulier, pourraient alimenter en électricité plus de cinq millions de personnes. Actuellement, seul un Haïtien sur trois a accès à l’électricité, et principalement dans les zones urbaines. Ces deux projets contribueront plus précisément à:favoriser l’investissement privé dans les énergies propres ;accroître l’accès des ménages ruraux à l’électricité grâce à des investissements dans des micro/mini-réseaux et des systèmes collectifs à l’échelle des villages ;renforcer les capacités des institutions locales et sensibiliser les communautés à l’utilisation des énergies renouvelables ;financer des opérateurs privés, des ONG et des organisations communautaires pour fournir des lanternes solaires et des systèmes solaires individuels et domestiques. Les deux projets seront mis en œuvre par la cellule chargée de l’énergie au sein du ministère des Travaux publics, des Transports et des Communications. Le projet « Services énergétiques renouvelables pour tous » est financé par un don de 19,62 millions de dollars du Programme de valorisation à grande échelle des énergies renouvelables (SREP en anglais), et le projet « Services énergétiques modernes pour tous » par un don de 15,65 millions de dollars du Fonds pour les technologies propres (CTF). Ces deux dons, qui proviennent des Fonds d’investissement climatiques (CIF), s’inscrivent dans l’accélération des efforts déployés par la Banque mondiale pour promouvoir le développement d’énergies propres et d’infrastructures résilientes. ————— Pour en savoir plus sur les activités de la Banque mondiale en Amérique latine et dans les Caraïbes: www.worldbank.org/lac Rejoignez-nous sur Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldbank Suivez notre actualité sur Twitter: @WBCaribbean Retrouvez-nous en images sur YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/worldbank

¿En algún momento hiciste un curso y sentiste que no aprendiste nada? Si la respuesta es "sí", imagínate multiplicar esa sensación por muchos años. Y si a eso le sumamos que de ese conocimiento nunca aprendido dependen tus posibilidades de mejorar de vida. ¿Cómo te sientes? Las sensaciones de fracaso e impotencia, entre otras, acompañan a millones de estudiantes pobres de países en desarrollo que no saben leer, escribir correctamente o hacer una operación de aritmética, incluso después de varios años de escolarización. Además de nacer en desventaja debido a la pobreza, a su género o a una discapacidad, llegan a la edad adulta sin las aptitudes más básicas para la vida. Algunos datos del último Informe de Desarrollo Mundial (WDR 2018, por sus siglas en inglés), del Banco Mundial, revelan las disparidades que existen entre los estudiantes ricos y pobres de un mismo país y entre esos mismos alumnos y los de una economía desarrollada. Estos son algunos de los hallazgos más notables:Hay una crisis global de aprendizaje. La escolarización sin aprendizaje es una gran injusticia ya que está fallando particularmente a aquellos estudiantes que necesitan una buena educación para tener éxito en la vida.La base de datos mundial sobre la calidad de la educación, recientemente actualizada, sugiere que, en los países de ingresos medios y bajos, más del 60% de los niños evaluados no lograron alcanzar habilidades mínimas en matemáticas y lectura. Mientras que, en los países ricos, casi todos los niños superaron ese nivel.Las estadísticas globales no tienen en cuenta a los 260 millones de niños que, por motivos de conflicto, discriminación, discapacidad y otros obstáculos, no están matriculados en la enseñanza primaria o media. Según el documento, la crisis global de aprendizaje no solo impide a estos jóvenes tener salarios mayores -de entre un 9% y un 11% más, en el caso de América Latina y el Caribe (véase el gráfico) -, sino que también profundiza las diferencias entre ricos y pobres.

Em algum momento você fez um curso e sentiu que não aprendeu? Se a resposta for “sim”, imagine multiplicar essa sensação por muitos anos. Pense também que, daquele conhecimento nunca aprendido, dependem as suas chances de melhorar de vida. Como você se sente? As sensações de fracasso e impotência, entre outras, acompanham milhões de estudantes de países em desenvolvimento que não sabem ler, escrever ou fazer uma operação de aritmética, mesmo após vários anos de escolarização. Além de nascerem em desvantagem devido à pobreza, ao gênero ou a uma deficiência, eles chegam à idade adulta sem as aptidões mais básicas para a vida. Alguns dados do mais recente Relatório de Desenvolvimento Global (WDR 2018, na sigla em inglês), do Banco Mundial, revelam as disparidades que existem entre os estudantes ricos e pobres de um mesmo país e entre esses mesmos alunos e os de uma economia desenvolvida. Estas são algumas das principais conclusões:Existe uma crise global de aprendizagem. Estudar sem aprender é uma grande injustiça, pois prejudica sobretudo os estudantes que precisam de uma boa educação para ter sucesso na vida.A Base de Dados Mundial sobre Qualidade da Educação, atualizada recentemente, sugere que nos países de renda média e baixa, mais de 60% das crianças avaliadas não conseguiram alcançar habilidades mínimas em matemática e leitura. Já nos ricos, quase todas as crianças ultrapassaram esse nível.As estatísticas não levam em conta 260 milhões de crianças que, por motivo de conflito, discriminação, deficiência e outros obstáculos não estão matriculadas no ensino fundamental ou médio. Segundo o documento, a crise global de aprendizagem não apenas impede esses jovens de terem salários maiores – de 9% a 11%, no caso da América Latina e Caribe (veja o gráfico) –, mas também aprofunda as diferenças entre ricos e pobres. 

O Tocantins cairá em breve no gosto popular. O estado e suas belezas naturais, como o Parque Nacional do Jalapão, são pano de fundo para a novela O Outro Lado do Paraíso, da Rede Globo. Para além de seus encantos, o mais jovem estado brasileiro, criado com a promulgação da Constituição em 1988, tem investido recursos e esforços para oferecer melhores serviços à população e também aos turistas, que devem se multiplicar com a estreia do novo folhetim. Em parceria com o Banco Mundial, por meio do projeto Desenvolvimento Regional Sustentável Integrado do Tocantins, o governo do Estado tem promovido diversas ações com o intuito de estimular o desenvolvimento local e estadual, em setores como transportes, agricultura, pecuária, educação e turismo. Ao todo, o programa beneficiará mais de 300 mil pessoas, distribuídas em 72 municípios, incluindo 13 mil indígenas e 7,5 mil quilombolas. Se a ficção de fato fizer do turismo a principal porta de entrada para o estado, posto ocupado até então pelos agronegócios, não pegará despreparados os trabalhadores do setor. O projeto deu origem a um conjunto de medidas para receber melhor o turista, facilitar a atividade das agências operadoras, mapear riscos e também oportunidades no setor.   O primeiro grande passo dessa estratégia é a criação do Observatório do Turismo, que permitirá contabilizar o número de visitantes recebidos pelo estado, e analisar os serviços prestados, gerando assim uma rede de informação que permitirá que agências de turismo e rede hoteleira tenham dados concretos para promover a melhoria de seus serviços. “Hoje, as pesquisas sobre a qualidade do serviço turístico são feitas de maneira irregular, contando muito com a ajuda dos guias”, explica Mauricio Fregonesi, diretor da Unidade de Gerenciamento de Projetos do Estado do Tocantins. “Vamos implementar pontos fixos de pesquisa nas principais atrações turísticas, hotéis e outros locais públicos, permitindo que o visitante dê sua opinião com facilidade e quando melhor lhe convier.” Uma vez compilados os dados, os profissionais do observatório realizarão análises regulares, cujos resultados serão apresentados às empresas turísticas e à rede hoteleira em seminários ou capacitações. Para os que não puderem comparecer aos encontros, a Secretaria de Turismo está desenvolvendo um aplicativo, que servirá de repositório de informações sobre o setor, trazendo desde a lista de hotéis até as análises qualitativas dos dados. “A ideia é difundir o máximo de dados para que as empresas identifiquem onde é possível melhorar e onde há oportunidades de aumento de ofertas de serviços”, diz Fregonesi. Destino número um do estado, o Parque Nacional do Jalapão recebeu melhorias na estrutura de seu entorno – como a reforma de praças – e capacitação para a população local que trabalha com turismo. Outro local que vem passando por mudanças é o Parque Estadual do Cantão, uma área de cerca de 90 mil hectares que reúne três diferentes biomas: cerrado, floresta amazônica e pantanal. Nele, o projeto está ajudando a construir uma trilha de arvorismo e uma tirolesa.

CIF Grant: US$ 19.62 million equivalent Project ID: P156719 Project Description: This project will scale-up renewable energy investments in Haiti in order to expand and improve access to electricity for households, businesses, and community services. Contact: Christelle Chapoy 2024582656 cchapoy@worldbank.org For more information, please visit here: http://projects.worldbank.org/P156719?lang=en  

CIF Grant: US$ 15.65 million equivalent Project ID: P154351 Project Description: This project will accelerate private sector-driven, renewable energy-based off-grid electrification in rural and peri-urban areas of Haiti. Contact: Christelle Chapoy 2024582656 cchapoy@worldbank.org For more information, please visit here: http://projects.worldbank.org/P154351/?lang=en&tab=overview

WASHINGTON, October 26, 2017— The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved two grants totaling US$35 million to improve access to electricity for more than two million Haitians, and to scale-up investments in renewable energy in underserved rural and urban areas. “Haiti has significant untapped sources of renewable energy”, said Anabela Abreu, World Bank’s Country Director for Haiti. “The country is taking an important step in creating the enabling environment for private investors and in boosting access to electricity. The World Bank Group will continue to support the country in providing sustainable renewable energy to increase access for families, businesses and community services in underserved areas, diversify its energy mix, and reduce electricity cost”. Renewable energy sources such as solar, hydropower, wind and biomass, and off grid electrification have great potential. Over five million people could be reached through solar photovoltaic (PV). Yet, only one in three Haitians has access to electricity and access is very limited in rural areas. More specifically, the two projects, “Renewable Energy For All” and “Haiti Modern Energy Services for All,” will help:Improve the environment for private investment in clean energy;Expand access for rural households through leveraged investments in micro and mini-grids, and village level systems;Strengthen the capacity of local institutions and develop awareness of local communities on how to use renewable energy;Finance private operators, NGOs and Community Organizations to provide solar lanterns, and individual and home-based solar systems. Both projects will be implemented by the energy cell of the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications (MTPTC in French). The Renewable Energy for All project is financed by a US$ 19.62 million grant from the Scaling-up Renewable Energy Program (SREP); and the Modern Energy Services for All project is financed by a US$ 15.65 million grant from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF). Both grants are from the Climate Investment Fund (CIF) and are part of the World Bank’s accelerated effort to provide clean energy and resilient infrastructure. —————————– Learn more about the work of the World Bank in Latin America and the Caribbean: www.worldbank.org/lac Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldbank Be updated via:  Twitter: @WBCaribbean YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/worldbank