Result of ServiceUpdating the standards-setting process for hazardous air emissions in Saudi Arabia. Work LocationRiyadh Expected duration11 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesOrganizational 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 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. Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and in coordination with the relevant department at the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA), the Consultant will carry out the following duties and responsibilities 1. Air Quality Legislation Assessment*: • Conduct an assessment of the current legislation on hazardous air emissions in Saudi Arabia. • Review international guidelines and norms on setting hazardous air emissions limits as well as best practices from renowned institutions such as the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). This assessment will guide the development of a local hazardous air emissions guideline aligned with international norms. • Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current hazardous air pollutant monitoring strategies and control practices and benchmark against best practices and international standards. • Conduct a gap analysis of the Kingdom’s legislation, related to the implementation of hazardous air emission limit values, identifying weaknesses and areas for improvement. *This task will be conducted at the beginning of the contract while in Riyadh. 2. Guideline Development: • Develop guidelines for setting hazardous air emission limits in Saudi Arabia, ensuring alignment with international best practices for local environmental regulations such as those from the U.S. EPA, California Air Resource Board (CARB). The guidelines should include, at a minimum, the following key elements (the consultant is encouraged to propose additional relevant components as needed): • Control Measures: propose preventive and corrective strategies for emission reduction, including the best available technologies (BAT) and mitigation techniques. • Health & Environmental Risk Assessment: link hazardous air emissions data to health risk assessments, environmental degradation, and dispersion modeling tools. • Emission Limits & Standards: Assess the proposed thresholds for various hazardous air emissions based on the Kingdom’s climatic conditions and pollutant dispersion patterns. • Institutional Cooperation: link the environmental and health impact assessments with industrial permits acquired from the National Center on Environmental Compliance (NCEC). • Implementation and Compliance: ensure the guidelines have defined roles and responsibilities for the different involved stakeholders (government officials, industry, health practitioners, environmental consultants...) on the proposed measures to be taken. 3. Training and Capacity Building: • Train relevant staff from MEWA (and NCEC) on the developed guidelines, including scientific rational, methodology, and implementation modalities. • Ensure that the training equips staff with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively implement the guidelines. 4. Finalization and Implementation Plan: • Refine and finalize the guidelines (after the training) and develop an implementation plan outlining key steps for enforcement and compliance by the Government. • Provide recommendations for updating the existing legislation on hazardous air emissions in Saudi Arabia. Qualifications/special skillsMaster’s degree or equivalent in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Environmental Policy and Law, Environmental and Public Health. Minimum of 10 years of experience in air quality management, environmental policy and regulations, or air pollution control is required. Strong background in hazardous air emissions monitoring, assessment, and control technologies is required. Experience in air dispersion modeling and conducting health risk assessments related to air pollution is required. Previous practical experience in similar tasks in environmental research is desirable. Experience in providing technical guidance and capacity-building support to government agencies and other stakeholders on air quality management is required. Knowledge of environment issues in Saudi Arabia is an asset. LanguagesFluency in English and Arabic is required. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.