Consultant for Saudi Green University Network

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system. UNEP serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment and delivers advisory services and capacity building support to countries to achieve environmental and sustainable development objectives. The West Asia Office of UNEP is involved in various initiatives aimed at enhancing environmental sustainability in the region, including partnerships with local governments and institutions.

Job Overview:
The position involves establishing the Saudi Green University Network (GUN) as a national platform to advance environmental sustainability in higher education institutions across Saudi Arabia. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager at the UNEP West Asia Office and will coordinate with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) of Saudi Arabia. The role requires the development of strategies, frameworks, and governance structures for the GUN, as well as conducting stakeholder consultations and facilitating training sessions. The consultant will also be responsible for integrating sustainability into higher education curricula and conducting assessments of universities' sustainability efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Green University Network Establishment: Develop the concept, strategy, framework, and governance structure for the Saudi Green University Network (GUN). Create membership criteria and conduct preliminary profiles for potential universities. Facilitate stakeholder consultations to align GUN objectives with Saudi Vision 203
• Design and contribute to a national forum to promote the role of academic institutions in environmental sustainability and advocate for UNEP’s Green Universities Toolkit.
• Integrating Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions: Conduct a gap analysis of current sustainability efforts in Saudi universities and identify challenges and opportunities. Develop guidelines for integrating sustainability into higher education curricula, aligned with UNEP’s Green Universities Toolkit. Conduct a pilot study on integrating sustainability-focused academic majors in selected universities.
• Capacity Building and Training: Design and deliver training sessions for university administrators and sustainability officers on sustainability strategies using UNEP’s Green Universities Toolkit.
• Benchmarking & Ranking Systems: Develop a benchmarking strategy and produce a report assessing Saudi universities’ sustainability performance compared to international best practices.
• Reporting and Knowledge Sharing: Prepare a comprehensive final report summarizing key achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations for sustaining the GUN initiative.

Required Qualifications:
A master’s degree or equivalent in Higher Education Management, Sustainable Development, Environmental Policy, Environmental Sciences, or Environmental Engineering is required. Holding a PhD is an added asset. A minimum of 10 years of experience in environmental sustainability, higher education sustainability programs, or university policy development is required. Proven track record in designing and implementing Green University initiatives or similar environmental sustainability strategies in higher education institutions is required. Familiarity with international sustainability frameworks such as UNEP’s Green Universities Toolkit and Global Universities Partnership on Environment for Sustainability (GUPES) is required. Demonstrated expertise in campus sustainability assessments, including benchmarking and carbon footprint analysis, is desirable. Knowledge of environmental sustainability issues in Saudi Arabia or the West Asia region is an asset.

Educational Background:
A master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Higher Education Management, Sustainable Development, Environmental Policy, Environmental Sciences, or Environmental Engineering is required. A PhD is considered an additional asset that may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in environmental sustainability, higher education sustainability programs, or university policy development. Candidates should have a proven track record in designing and implementing Green University initiatives or similar environmental sustainability strategies in higher education institutions, demonstrating their capability to contribute effectively to the establishment of the Saudi Green University Network.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this position, as effective communication in both languages is essential for stakeholder engagement and training delivery.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for 13 months. There is no fee associated with the recruitment process, and the United Nations does not charge applicants at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training.