Under the direct supervision of UNEP Europe Office’s Regional Sub-programme Coordinator for Environment Under Review (SP7) and Air Quality (SP5), and in coordination with the Head of UNEP’s Sub-regional Office for Central Asia, the International Consultant will provide technical inputs to, and ensure technical review of, the ongoing air quality assessment study, with the following expected results:
1. The development of an emissions inventory of air quality pollutants in Bishkek, that will provide a key analytical basis that will feed into and inform the ongoing air quality assessment study;
2. Provision of technical support for the generation of emissions inventory maps for Bishkek that will support successful analysis and delivery of the air quality assessment study;
3. Provision of technical inputs for the design and delivery of case studies investigating the impact on air quality of implementing selected emissions abatement/control policies and measures for Bishkek that will support the successful delivery of the air quality assessment study and the formulation of its recommendations for future action;
4. Provision of technical support for the development of a prioritized list of policies and measures designed to maximize the reduction in ambient concentrations of key air pollutants in the Bishkek area and that will support successful delivery of the air quality study;
Home-based
20 days
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 mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.
At its first and third session, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted resolution UNEP/EA.1/RES.7 and UNEP/EA.3/RES.8, encouraging governments at all levels to take action across sectors to reduce all forms of air pollution while requesting UNEP to support countries to implement the Resolutions through technical support in monitoring and assessing the quality of air; developing air pollution action plans; and providing a platform for cooperation and information sharing, building from regional cooperation fora and intensifying partnerships with e.g. the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC). Following the third session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, UNEP strengthened the institutional positioning of air quality in-house, and started the development of a UNEP- wide air quality programme with a view of offering an integrated menu of services to governments at different levels.
UNEP Europe Office helps to implement UNEP's global programmes in the pan-European region by initiating, coordinating and catalysing regional and sub-regional cooperation and action in response to environmental challenges and emerging issues. Through its Sub-regional Office for Central Asia located in Almaty, Kazakhstan, UNEP works closely with UN Country Teams (UNCTs) in the region and other country partners to help deliver the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including through promoting national and local action aimed at supporting the implementation of UNEA1/7 and 3/8 resolutions on air pollution.
UNEP’s air quality project portfolio in Central Asia includes supporting the development of assessments on air quality status and trends made available to decision-makers and relevant stakeholders, promoting the establishment of functional urban air quality monitoring networks, promoting tools and methodologies to guide clean air plans and strategies, strengthening regional cooperation and partnerships to address air pollution, and enhancing communication and awareness-raising to encourage action and promote best practices. These activities contribute to the delivery of UNEP’s Programme or Work (POW) for 2020-2021 in Central Asia under the scope of its Subprogramme 5 (SP5) and related Expected Accomplishment (EA) c) (National emissions sources identified, policies, legal, regulatory, fiscal and institutional frameworks and mechanisms for the reduction of air pollution developed, institutional capacity built for improved air quality, and air quality assessments done by countries with UNEP support), and of its Subprogramme 7 (SP7) and related Expected Accomplishment (EA) (Governments and other stakeholders use quality open environmental data, analyses and participatory processes that strengthen the science-policy interface to generate evidence-based environmental assessments, identify emerging issues and foster policy action).
As part of its ongoing project activities in the Kyrgyz Republic, implemented together with the UNDP Country Office, UNEP in supporting an air quality assessment study in Bishkek and supporting the engagement of national stakeholders on air pollution issues. The joint UNEP/UNDP air quality assessment study focuses on the analysis of air quality data and identification of key pollution sources in Bishkek, for which development of an emissions inventory of air quality pollutants for the city is crucial. The ongoing assessment study also investigates distribution of pollution around the city, for which the generation of an emissions inventory maps is needed. The assessment study will further investigate the impact of policy interventions on air pollution within Bishkek and will develop a list of policies and measures that will support reduction of key air pollutants.
To assist the successful completion of the ongoing assessment study, the support of an International Consultant is required to provide technical inputs for the development of an emissions inventory of air quality pollutants in Bishkek. The International Consultant will work home-based under the guidance and oversight of UNEP’s Europe Office in Geneva, in close coordination with UNEP Sub-regional Office for Central Asia.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct guidance of UNEP Europe Office’s Regional Sub-programme Coordinator for Environment Under Review (SP7) and Air Quality (SP5), and in coordination with the Head of UNEP’s Sub-regional Office for Central Asia, the International Consultant will be responsible for carrying out the following activities:
Activity 1: Development of an emissions inventory of air quality pollutants in Bishkek.
The International Consultant will be responsible for the development of an emissions inventory of air quality pollutants in Bishkek, which will provide a key analytical basis that will feed into and inform the air quality assessment study. It is expected that the international consultant will coordinate regularly with the air quality assessment team contracted by the UNDP Country Office for the Kyrgyz Republic for the timely development and delivery of the emissions inventory in order to support the delivery of the joint UNEP/UNDP air quality assessment study.
The International Consultant will provide UNEP with a finalized emissions inventory of air quality pollutants in Bishkek.
Activity 2: Technical support for the generation of emissions inventory maps for Bishkek.
Working in coordination with the air quality assessment team contracted by the UNDP Country Office, the International Consultant will provide technical support for the generation of emissions inventory maps for Bishkek. These will feed into and inform the air quality assessment study and support downstream analysis and ultimately the successful delivery of the project.
The International Consultant will provide UNEP with a brief report outlining the technical support provided for the generation of inventory maps for Bishkek.
Activity 3: Technical inputs for the design and delivery of case studies of emissions abatement/control policies and measures for Bishkek.
The International Consultant will be responsible for making technical inputs for the design and delivery of case studies for selected emissions abatement and control policies and measures for Bishkek. This task will involve close coordination and cooperation with the air quality assessment team contracted by the UNDP Country Office, and include supporting modelling of the impacts of emissions abatement and control policies and measures on air pollution concentrations and air quality in Bishkek.
The International Consultant will provide UNEP with a brief report detailing the technical inputs made into the design and delivery of case studies of emissions abatement and control policies and measures in Bishkek.
Activity 4: Technical support for development of prioritized list of policies and measures to maximize reduction in ambient concentrations of key air pollutants in the Bishkek area.
The International Consultant will provide technical support for development of a prioritized list of policies and measures designed to maximize the reduction in ambient concentrations of key air pollutants in the Bishkek area. The task will involve close coordination and cooperation with the air quality assessment team for the identification and then prioritization of relevant policies and measures, supported by analysis and modelling of pollution concentrations.
The International Consultant will provide UNEP with a brief report detailing the technical support provided for the development of a prioritized list of policies and measures to maximize reduction in ambient concentrations of key air pollutants in the Bishkek area.
Skills: - Excellent analytical and reporting skills are required.
- Excellent writing and communication skills are essential.
Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree in the field of air quality policy, environment policy, environmental sustainability, environmental sciences, environmental management, environmental or chemical engineering, or related field is required. Research experience in air quality monitoring, policy & management is an advantage.
Experience: - At least 8 years’ experience working in urban air quality assessment, air quality management, and air quality policy development;
- Prior experience conducting technical review of air quality assessments, air quality management and/or air quality control programmes;
- Familiarity with air pollutant emission sources, and developing emissions inventories;
- Prior experience working in Central Asia on air quality issues is an advantage.
Language: Excellent command of written and spoken English is required.
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.