Result of Service

National-level Progress Review of actions on clean air in the Asia-Pacific region (2024 edition).

Work Location

Work remotely

Expected duration

173 days

Duties and Responsibilities

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 90 per cent of the population of the Asia-Pacific region regularly breathes air considered to be unsafe, and the challenge of air pollution is now common to many countries and cities across the region. While the region has seen rapid economic growth in recent decades, it has been accompanied by a decline in air quality, resulting from rapid and unplanned urbanization, inefficient transport systems, unclean energy systems, ineffective industrial regulations, agricultural practices and many other factors. Much of the region’s air pollution is also transboundary, impacting populations far from its sources. In this context, ESCAP member States adopted the first resolution (75/4) on strengthening regional cooperation to tackle air pollution challenges at the 75th Commission Session in 2019, and the Regional Action Programme on Air Pollution (RAPAP) at the 7th Committee on Environment and Development in 2022 which was subsequently endorsed by the resolution (79/6) on the Implementation of the Ministerial Declaration at the 79th Commission Session in 2023. As part of the project titled ‘Building a Partnership and Coordination Platform for the Regional Action Programme on Air Pollution (RAPAP)’ ESCAP will commission biennial reviews of national-level progress in actions on clean air in the Asia-Pacific region (in 2024 and 2026). ESCAP seeks to recruit a consultant to develop the first edition of the biennial review in 2024 (“National-level Progress Review”) as per the following description. Objective: The National-level Progress Review will examine the enabling factors and constraints for institutional action in a cross-section of countries in the Asia-Pacific region. It will also provide a baseline for a follow-up review of national-level progress to be published in 2026. Key focus areas: The National-level Progress Review will include at least 10 countries with due consideration to representation across different sub-regions (e.g. for South Asia, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Pacific). Among the key focus areas will be: • Air Quality Management – country recap of various institutional actions such as policies, air quality standards, legislations, action plans and sectoral measures/programmes for clean air. • Assessment of the progress, gaps and opportunities in implementation of the national actions. • Snapshot of progress on air quality improvement [for instance using EDGAR 8.1 (data 2000-2022)]. • Overview of health, economic and social impacts of air pollution in the country, as feasible. • Outlook for the future. • Any common inferences for sub-regional and regional levels. Target audience: The National-level Progress Review will target Ministries of Environment, Pollution Control Departments, other national and local government entities working to address air pollution, and local universities and CSOs. It will also seek to inform the country-focused efforts of multilateral and multi-stakeholder cooperation mechanisms, regional and sub-regional institutions, and international research organizations. Tentative timeline (subject to adjustments): 1. Contract initiation Expected completion timeline: 1 July 2024 Estimated no. of work days: – 2. Annotated outline development (including proposed list of references), and revision based on ESCAP comments Expected completion timeline: 10 July 2024 Estimated no. of work days: 5 3. First draft report submission to ESCAP Expected completion timeline:10 September 2024 Estimated no. of work days: 25 4. Internal review of draft by ESCAP Expected completion timeline: 20 September 2024 Estimated no. of work days:- 5. External peer review (coordinated by ESCAP) Expected completion timeline:1 October 2024 Estimated no. of work days: – 6. Second draft report submission to ESCAP (reflecting comments from ESCAP and peer review) Expected completion timeline: 15 October 2024 Estimated no. of work days: 10 7. Presentation of second draft report at side event at 8th Committee of Environment and Development of ESCAP Expected completion timeline: During 16-18 October 2024 Estimated no. of work days: 2 8. Final (third) draft submission to ESCAP (reflecting comments received at side event) Expected completion timeline: 15 November 2024 Estimated no. of work days: 7 9 Responses to additional queries during editing and/or layout Expected completion timeline: 20 December 2024 Estimated no. of work days: 1 Special note: As part of the application process, applicants are required to submit the following additional material by the due deadline to escap-edd-edps@un.org (with cc to varmaa@un.org): 1. A proposed outline and methodology of the National-level Progress Review (approx. 2 pages). 2. List of relevant prior publications.

Qualifications/special skills

Masters Degree in atmospheric science, geoinformatics, engineering, environment, social science or related area required. PhD is desirable. 10+ years experience in universities, research institutions, development agencies, international organizations or private sector with a focus on air pollution is required. Expertise on air pollution related issues in multiple countries of the Asia-Pacific region as evidenced through a track record of publications is desirable. Proficient in word processing software (i.e. MS Office suite).

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Additional Information

The total renumeration is USD 22,500.

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.