Consultant for Regional Masterplan to Combat Sand and Dust Storms

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 operate in over 150 countries, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable development. The organization works closely with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to address pressing environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices worldwide.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant for the Regional Masterplan to Combat Sand and Dust Storms is a critical role within the UNEP West Asia Office. The consultant will be responsible for developing a comprehensive Master Plan aimed at addressing the challenges posed by sand and dust storms in the West Asia region. This role involves extensive collaboration with the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) and other regional and national institutions to analyze the root causes of these storms and design effective mitigation strategies. The consultant will also be tasked with drafting the Master Plan, which will serve as a guiding document for countries in the region, providing them with the necessary frameworks and methodologies to combat sand and dust storms effectively. The position requires a deep understanding of environmental issues, particularly those related to land and water management, and the ability to engage with various stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the plan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop Environmental Profiles for Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) Hotspots: Review and enhance criteria for hotspot selection, conduct detailed assessments of identified hotspots, validate data through site visits, compile expert lists, and organize national consultations.
• Design Mitigation Strategies: Propose site-specific interventions to reduce SDS generation, design monitoring and evaluation plans with relevant KPIs.
• Draft the Regional Masterplan: Create a comprehensive document addressing SDS from multiple dimensions, propose an annotated outline, compile data, and ensure coherence among different sections.
• Regional Consultations: Coordinate consultations to present findings and gather stakeholder feedback.
• Finalize the Masterplan: Refine the document incorporating all feedback and prepare it for publication.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree or equivalent in Environmental Management, Land or Water Management, Climate Science, or related fields. A PhD is considered an asset. Candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of experience in land and water management or a related field, with proven experience in providing technical guidance and capacity-building programs focused on combating sand and dust storms and climate change mitigation. Strong knowledge of environmental issues in West Asia and experience working with international organizations, government agencies, or funding institutions are also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Environmental Management, Land or Water Management, or Climate Science. A PhD in a related area is advantageous and may enhance the candidate's profile for this consultancy role.

Experience:
The consultant must have at least 10 years of relevant experience in land and water management or a related field. This experience should include providing technical guidance and capacity-building programs specifically aimed at combating sand and dust storms and addressing climate change mitigation. Familiarity with multistakeholder engagement and the development of technical reports is essential for this position.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is mandatory for this role, as effective communication in both languages is crucial for engaging with various stakeholders and producing comprehensive reports and documents.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is a full-time position expected to last for 12 months. The consultant will be based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager at the UNEP West Asia Office. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a transparent and fair hiring process.