Lead Author on Biodiversity Chapter– Saudi Arabia State of Environment Report

Result of Service Development of the State of Environment Report for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Work Location Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Expected duration 30 working days across 9 months

Duties and Responsibilities Organizational Setting, Purpose, and Objective:

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 West Asia Office delivers advisory services and capacity building support to countries to achieve environment 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 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

State of the environment reporting (SOER) represents an instrumental way of developing and communicating environmental information to decision makers. SOER can also provide an early warning of emerging environmental problems (Emerging Issues); and identify knowledge and information deficiencies impeding the understanding and interpretation of environmental conditions and trends.

In this context, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (MEWA) recognized the importance of developing a state of environment report which will be an important pillar for setting a baseline for all future environmental policies and strategies in Saudi Arabia.

Building on a long-lasting relationship between UNEP and Saudi Arabia, both partners are collaborating to produce the State of Environment Report using the methodology adopted by UNEP known as the Integrated Environmental Assessment and the Drivers-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework.

The report will start with Part A (State of Environment), including seven priority themes: Air Quality, Climate Change, Waste, Biodiversity, Coastal and Marine Environment, Water Resources, and Land Resources. Each theme will be addressed using the DPSIR framework in a separate chapter led by a leading author with contributions from experts who will be nominated by (MEWA).

While Part B of the report will be focusing on the Kingdom’s policies, goals, objectives and environmental governance including an assessment of the Kingdom’s policy effectiveness, Part C will be covering the outlooks and pathways to environmental sustainability within the Kingdom.

The objective of the consultancy is to lead the overall development of the Biodiversity Chapter, working very closely with national experts and the Chief Editor. Each Chapter is expected to be initially 30-40 pages, including charts and diagrams which will be reduced by the Chief Editor as appropriate. Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager in UNEP West Asia Office and in coordination with the respective department in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Consultant will carry-out, inter alia, the following duties & responsibilities:

1. Provide methodological guidance to the national team. 2. Take the overall responsibility for drafting the Chapter to given deadlines and according to the agreed outline and UNEP’s referencing and style guide. 3. Actively participate in project meetings and workshops and work closely with the UNEP’s Science Regional Coordinator to provide oversight of the chapter. 4. Gather and analyse update and relevant information, knowledge and data required for the chapter. 5. Apply the DPSIR framework to the analysis of issues, trends, and recommendations for actions. 6. Ensure that manuscript is completed to a high standard and delivered to UNEP West Asia Office in a timely manner and conform to the UNEP’s guidelines for scientific credibility. 7. Develop text that is scientifically, technically, and socio-economically sound incorporating contributions by the national experts. 8. Ensure that any crosscutting scientific or technical issues, which may involve several chapters are addressed in a complete and coherent manner. 9. Take responsibility for referring any scientific credibility issues such as uncertainties and use of grey literature to UNEP’s Science Regional Coordinator. 10. Ensure that all review comments are dealt with according to specific guidelines.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

1. Inception report highlighting approach, methodology, data source, annotated outline, and a timeline. 2. First draft of the Biodiversity Chapter. 3. Final well-written State of Environment report for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Qualifications/special skills Master’s degree in Biodiversity, Environmental Sciences or equivalent is required. A minimum of 10 years of proven experience in biodiversity, environmental assessment; and familiarity with the Integrated Environmental Assessment (IEA) methodology and DPSIR framework is required. Previous working experience with recent Global Environment Outlooks (GEO) is an asset. Knowledge of the National context of Saudi Arabia is desirable. Strong research and excellent technical writing skills in Arabic is an asset.

Languages Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.

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.