Air Quality Project Associate

Result of Service The consultant will contribute to PHU and CCAC in accelerating UNEP efforts to implement UNEA Resolution 3/8 on Air Quality. The functions relate to implementation of Air Quality projects and include:

•Organize trainings, workshops, inception meetings, country visits and stakeholder consultations; provide input and technical advice for development of knowledge products and policy documents; provide research and analyses, provide inputs to donor reporting on project delivery. •Liaison with AUC and Project implementing partners - coordinate actions required to ensure effective operation; facilitate engagement with stakeholders; ensure timely delivery of technical outputs from subcontractors. •Provide contribution to concept notes and project proposals for donor funding.

Work Location Remotely

Expected duration 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities 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 overall objective of the UNEP’s Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.

The Pollution and Health Unit (PHU), which is part of the Chemicals and Health Branch, leads the operationalization of the Implementation Plan “Towards a Pollution-free Planet” and provides a coordinating hub within UNEP for addressing environment and health nexus issues. The Unit also coordinates the Air Quality Programme of UNEP. In its coordination role, the Unit promotes a common narrative, enhanced visibility and prioritization of action to address pollution and the environment and health nexus to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Unit also manages projects addressing knowledge and implementation gaps in air quality and environment and health and selected areas of pollution prevention. The Unit works closely with the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) in executing the Air Quality Programme.

Following the adoption of UNEA-3 resolution on air pollution and in response to an increase in scope and number of requests from Member States and international partners, UNEP developed a cross-divisional Air Quality Programme, which includes and links current existing programmes and initiatives. The Programme has three main components: (1) science-policy - focusing mostly on monitoring and assessment of air quality, (2) policy and technology support, and (3) communication and awareness-raising. The coordination of the programme is managed by the Pollution and Health Unit (PHU).

The policy/ technology support pillar is also managed by PHU and includes ongoing activities in Africa, Latin America, and in Asia and the Pacific. The programme is now expanding work in Africa to include development of an Air Quality Management Community of Practice in Southern Africa in close collaboration with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Secretariat. The consultant will work in the implementation of these activities including research and analyses, organizing meetings/workshops and liaising with the regional partners. Much of this work will be desk-based, with the possibility of international travel if necessary.

As part of its coordination role, PHU also leads the development of UNEP’s ‘Actions on Air Quality’ report, an assessment of actions undertaken by countries around the world to improve air quality. The report is complimented by six regional summaries documenting more in-depth actions in key sectors, as well as regional trends and priorities. The report was launched on 7th September 2021, on the observance of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.

The consultant will perform specific tasks in the following areas:

• Development of an "Action Tracker" following the launch of the "Actions on Air Quality" report, to help identify gaps and needs for accelerated action towards cleaner air.
• Implementation of the global Air Quality Programme. This includes review and analysis of issues and trends in air quality management; contribute to the reporting mechanisms of the air quality programme; and implementation of the U.S. funded air quality projects, which includes preparing summary documents from the various meetings.
• Overall project implementation of the project "Developing Air Quality Management Community of Practice in Southern Africa to Increase Action for Clean Air Solutions" including developing implementation plan and monitoring progress; drafting of legal agreements; and ensuring synergies between this project and the recently concluded "Monitoring and Supporting Countries to Monitor and Improve Urban Air Quality" as well as the "Asia Pacific Communities of Practice" project that the U.S. Department of State and UNEP are implementing through separate agreements.
• Implementation of the recommendations from the "Integrated Assessment of Air Pollution and Climate Change for Sustainable Development in Africa" through stakeholder engagement in Africa and close liaison with the African Union Commission (AUC), and the UNEP Regional Office for Africa.

The consultant will work within UN Environment Programme’s Economy Division, Chemicals and Health Branch in the Pollution and Health Unit, under the overall supervision of the Head of Unit and the joint supervision of the Coordinator, Air Quality and the CCAC Senior Programme Management Officer.

The consultant will work remotely.

Qualifications/special skills An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental science/ protection/ policy, economics, business administration or related field is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in air quality management/ air pollution issues and climate change, is required.

Experience in research, analyses/assessment, preparation of background papers for projects and conferences is required as well as project proposal development, is required

Strong analytical and writing skills are required for this position, as well as experience in facilitating meetings and workshops involving a wide range of stakeholders including government officials, is required,

Knowledge of, and technical expertise in environment, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development particularly in Africa is an advantage.

Prior experience working in an international organization setting providing advisory and technical support in environment management and air quality is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency in oral and written French is an asset.

No Fee 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.