Fire Forest Management Expert - Part Time

Providing specialized technical expertise to support NCVC in Fire Management

Riyadh , Saudi Arabia

6 months

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global authority on the environment, mandated to promote the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development across the United Nations system. The UNEP, Regional Office of West Asia (ROWA), supports regional countries in achieving their environmental and sustainability objectives through technical cooperation, policy support, and capacity-building interventions. Under the Strategic Cooperation Agreement between UNEP ROWA and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), and in close collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC), UNEP is supporting national and regional efforts to strengthen ecosystem restoration in arid and semi-arid landscapes. These efforts aim to enhance ecological resilience, combat land degradation, and contribute to broader national commitments under the National Environment Strategy, the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) and Vision 2030. Within the framework of UNEP’s support to national environmental priorities, this consultancy will provide targeted technical assistance to NCVC to strengthen the knowledge base, operational readiness, and international engagement related to dryland fire management. The Consultant will report to the Project Manager in UNEP/ROWA. 2. Duties and Responsibilities Under the guidance and supervision of the Project Manager at UNEP’s West Asia Office, and in close coordination with the NCVC, the Consultant will carry out the following duties and responsibilities: 1. Knowledge Integration & Capacity Building • Compile and share a targeted set of relevant reports, studies, and technical literature on forest fires management related to ecosystem resilience, disaster risk reduction (DRR), nature-based solutions (NbS), and co-benefits of preventive action; • Analyze and contextualize the compiled materials to produce concise conceptual insights and practical recommendations for NCVC, clearly identifying what is relevant and applicable to the Saudi environmental context; • Assess priority knowledge gaps within current institutional understanding and identify areas requiring further technical strengthening; • Provide targeted learning sessions or brief technical exchanges for NCVC staff based on identified knowledge gaps. 2. Technical Advisory & Operational Support • Review existing national systems, materials, and practices related to fire management (as available), including plans, procedures, implementation mechanisms and identify existing strengths, key gaps, and recommendations of improvement needed; • Provide practical technical guidance that translates relevant international experience and scientific knowledge into operationally applicable recommendations tailored to the Saudi context, particularly in relation to: prevention and preparedness approaches, and response planning mechanisms. 3. Regional & International Collaboration • Facilitate technical exchange opportunities to enable lesson-sharing and cross-learning on regional and international levels. • Coordinate links with relevant initiatives such as the Mediterranean Fire Initiative (MFI) and similar platforms where appropriate. • Explore potential opportunities for structured regional knowledge exchange or convening on dryland fire management. • Produce a realistic short-term action plan that NCVC can implement immediately following the consultancy.

Master’s degree or equivalent in Environmental Science, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two additional years of relevant professional experience in the required field, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree is required. Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in vegetation or forest fire management is required. Demonstrated expertise in risk assessment, fire prevention, preparedness, or response systems is required. Experience working in dryland ecosystems is highly desirable. Experience working with governments or international organizations is an asset. Familiarity with multilateral environmental agreements and global environmental processes is desirable.

Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Arabic is an asset.

Not available.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.