Regional SDS Masterplan Consultant

Regional Masterplan to Combat Sand and Dust Storms for West Asia

Home Based

11.5 months (120 days Part time)

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. The regional Office for West Asia delivers advisory services and capacity building support to countries to achieve environmental and sustainable development objectives. This consultancy is established at the West Asia Office within the framework of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement between UNEP and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Consultant will report to the Project Manager at the UNEP West Asia Office. Within the above context, UNEP and the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM), through its Regional Centre on Sand and Dust Stoms (SDS), will collaborate to develop the Regional Master Plan to Combat Sand and Dust Storm in West Asia. The Master Plan will capitalize on the resources and knowledge available at the Regional SDS Centre. Furthermore, The Master Plan will serve as a policy and technical document to guide actions at the regional, national and local levels to tackle the sand and dust storms across the full cycle. Considerable meteorological work has been done to monitor SDS and identify sources (hotspots). However, noticeable gaps are still apparent in identifying root causes and designing micro-scale mitigation measures and evidence-based monitoring. The Consultant will provide technical leadership for the development of the Regional SDS Masterplan, ensuring that all technical inputs are aligned, concise and consolidated into one coherent document, while also providing technical advisory support to NCM on the ongoing development of the national SDS framework, including participation in relevant meetings and review of technical inputs. 2.Duties and Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager in UNEP West Asia Office, and in collaboration with the Regional SDS Centre, relevant regional and national entities, the Consultant will carry out the following duties and responsibilities. 1.Conduct a Regional Literature Review on SDS Sources and Hotspots 1.1Review available studies, reports, assessments, datasets and other relevant publications addressing sand and dust storm sources, hotspots, drivers and mitigation measures in West Asia. 1.2Compile a preliminary list of SDS hotspots identified by the Regional SDS Centre and other available regional and national sources. Based on the literature review, develop practical criteria for identifying and categorizing SDS hotspots using available evidence and information. 1.3 To the extent possible, conduct a desk-based analysis of the identified SDS hotspots and prepare concise profiles for each hotspot, covering, where information is available, their location, main causes, land use and land-cover characteristics, water management and agricultural practices, topography, climatic conditions, frequency of SDS events, anthropogenic drivers, key impacts, and available evidence regarding their contribution to sand and dust storm generation. 1.4Prepare an inception report outlining the proposed methodology, literature review approach, criteria for hotspot identification and categorization, preliminary list of hotspots, workplan, and anticipated data gaps and limitations. 2.Draft of the “Regional Masterplan to Combat Sand and Dust Storms for West Asia” The Master Plan will serve as guiding document for countries, addressing SDS from multiple dimensions, especially root causes and prevention. It should contain guidelines for countries on how to develop local/national level action plans, including standardized methodologies to guide assessment, monitoring, and implementation to address sand and dust storms, especially at the hotspot level. The guidelines will also promote the integration of SDS mitigation and adaptation measures into national environmental and development policies 1.1Prepare annotated outline for the Master plan describing major sections, the information needed for each section and the rationale for it 1.2Compile data, information, and findings for the various sections of the Masterplan, while providing overall coordination and technical leadership. 1.3Coordinate closely with other experts developing specific sections of the Masterplan, including economic valuation, health impacts, and mitigation measures, to ensure coherence, coherence across sections and avoid duplication. 1.4Compile and consolidate the various sections into one comprehensive and well-structured document. 1.5Conduct stakeholder meetings with relevant institutions and NCM personnel to gather technical inputs and support the further development of the Regional Masterplan. 3.Regional Consultations The consultant will provide inputs to the national (particularly Saudi Arabia) and regional consultations, present the findings of the above tasks and gather input and feedback from the relevant stakeholders and institutions to reflect in the final Master Plan 4.Final Version of the “Regional Masterplan to Combat Sand and Dust Storms for West Asia” 4.1Refine and finalize the Masterplan, with all comments and feedback fully incorporated and addressed. 4.2Submit the final version of the Masterplan in a format ready for review, endorsement, and publication.

Master's degree or equivalent in Environmental Management, Land or Water Management, Climate Science, or related field is required A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. PHD degree is also desirable Minimum 10 years of experience in land and water management, or related field, is required. Proven experience in providing technical guidance and capacity-building programs is required. Experience in multistakeholder engagement and developing technical reports, is required. Strong knowledge of environmental issues in West Asia, is required. Experience in working with international organizations, government agencies, or funding institutions, is an asset.

Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

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.