Consultant for Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP was established in 1972 and has since grown to encompass a diverse workforce of thousands of employees across various countries. The organization operates in over 150 countries, working towards sustainable development through sound environmental practices. UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices by providing leadership and encouraging partnership in caring for the environment. It aims to inspire, inform, and enable nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

Job Overview:
The consultant will apply life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) methodologies to identify environmental and economic hotspots in Saudi Arabia's waste management system. This role involves quantifying the environmental and economic impacts of various policy and financial interventions, benchmarking these against international best practices, and modeling alternative waste management scenarios. The consultant will evaluate indirect economic benefits such as avoided emissions and pollution reduction, and will produce evidence-based recommendations to inform the strategic decision-making of the National Centre for Waste Management (MWAN). Additionally, the consultant will design and deliver tailored training modules to enhance MWAN's capacity in applying life-cycle thinking and impact assessment tools. The position is home-based and expected to last for six months, focusing on all waste streams within MWAN's mandate.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include: 1) Conducting life cycle assessments to identify environmental hotspots in Saudi Arabia's waste management systems; 2) Assessing the environmental impact of implementing the Draft National Waste Management Strategy compared to business-as-usual scenarios; 3) Quantifying the economic value of environmental impacts; 4) Providing technical support to MWAN to enable better decision-making using scientific and data-driven tools; 5) Building the capacities of MWAN personnel on impact assessment methodologies; 6) Collecting and analyzing waste-related data; 7) Developing multiple waste management scenarios in consultation with MWAN; 8) Conducting benchmarking and comparative analysis of international case studies; 9) Designing and delivering structured training for MWAN staff; 10) Preparing comprehensive training materials and conducting in-person training sessions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in Environmental Science, Waste Management, Engineering, or a related field. A strong professional background in life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) is essential, along with experience in building life cycle inventories and using LCA software tools such as SimaPro, GaBi, or OpenLCA. Knowledge of solid waste management systems, policies, and strategies, particularly in the context of the Middle East or Saudi Arabia, is required. Candidates should also have experience in evaluating externalities, environmental benefits, and economic impacts, as well as expertise in LCA and LCC modeling, scenario analysis, and cost-effectiveness assessments.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in Environmental Science, Waste Management, Engineering, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background should provide a solid foundation in environmental principles, waste management practices, and the technical skills necessary for conducting life cycle assessments and cost analyses.

Experience:
Candidates should have substantial experience in life cycle assessment and life cycle costing, particularly in the context of waste management systems and policy evaluation. Experience in designing and delivering training programs, as well as strong facilitation and presentation skills, is also essential. Proven experience in data collection, validation, and evaluation, along with strong technical report writing skills, is necessary for synthesizing technical results into actionable recommendations for decision-makers.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the United Nations. Fluency in Arabic is considered a strong asset, given the context of the work in Saudi Arabia. Knowledge of other UN languages is also advantageous and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is home-based and is expected to last for six months. The consultant will not be charged any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge fees for applications, interviews, or training. The role is focused on providing technical assistance to MWAN and enhancing their capacity in applying life-cycle thinking and impact assessment methodologies.