Consultant for Enhanced Drought Programme

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's West Asia Office delivers advisory services and capacity-building support to countries to achieve environmental and sustainable development objectives. This consultancy is established under the Strategic Cooperation Agreement between UNEP and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reflecting UNEP's commitment to addressing environmental challenges in the region.

Job Overview:
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager in UNEP's West Asia Office and in coordination with the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) of Saudi Arabia. The primary focus of this position is to enhance the drought management capabilities of the NCM by providing professional, technical, and intellectual expertise. The consultant will be responsible for developing a drought analysis and seasonal prediction system tailored for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, conducting comprehensive analyses of historical drought data, and formulating long-term strategies for drought management in the context of climate change. The role also involves reviewing existing methodologies for drought monitoring and early warning, developing tools for vulnerability and impact assessments, and ensuring that national drought plans align with relevant frameworks.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and provide professional, technical, and intellectual expertise to the Climate Change Center (CCC) of NCM in the development of drought analysis and seasonal prediction systems for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
• Undertake analysis of collaboration between different institutions in KSA working on drought management and assessment frameworks, identifying gaps and barriers at national, regional, and international levels.
• Conduct an analysis of historical droughts in KSA and their future trends under various socioeconomic scenarios.
• Develop and lead a long-term strategy for managing drought incidents in KSA in the 21st century under different climate change scenarios.
• Conduct technical reviews of drought monitoring and early warning methodologies and tools, assessing their applicability for KSA.
• Develop methodologies, tools, and approaches for drought vulnerability and impact assessments in KSA, supporting NCM in implementing these assessments.
• Review the formulation of national drought plans for KSA, analyzing their alignment with relevant national frameworks, with a strong focus on national adaptation plans.
• Prepare dissemination and knowledge products for drought management, design capacity-building programs for NCM, and contribute to awareness-raising activities on drought management.

Required Qualifications:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in drought hydrology, geography, climate science, agriculture, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, water engineering, water resources management, or water resources engineering is required. A PhD is considered an asset. At least 10 years of working experience as a recognized technical expert in disaster management, drought risk and food security management, or climate change is required, preferably in a reputable or regional organization. Publications in professional and high-impact factor scientific journals are desirable, showcasing the candidate's expertise and contributions to the field.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as drought hydrology, geography, climate science, agriculture, food security, water engineering, water resources management, or water resources engineering. A PhD in a related discipline is advantageous and may enhance the candidate's profile for this consultancy role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of professional experience as a recognized technical expert in areas related to disaster management, drought risk, food security management, or climate change. This experience should ideally be gained within reputable organizations or regional bodies, demonstrating a strong background in the relevant fields.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position, ensuring effective communication and reporting. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable, as it may facilitate better collaboration with local stakeholders and enhance the consultant's effectiveness in the Saudi context.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of 10 months, providing an opportunity for the selected candidate to make a significant impact on drought management strategies in Saudi Arabia. The position does not involve any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, as the United Nations maintains a policy of not charging applicants for application, interview, or training processes.