Result of Service

Assessment of Health Impacts of Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) in West Asia

Work Location

Saudi Arabia – Jeddah

Expected duration

9 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority promoting the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development across the UN system. The UNEP West Asia Office supports countries in achieving their environmental and sustainability objectives through policy advice, capacity building, and technical cooperation. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have established a strategic cooperation framework to support the implementation of the Saudi Environment Sustainability Programme (SESP). Under this programme, and in collaboration with the Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) Regional Warning Centre of the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) in Saudi Arabia, UNEP is developing the Regional Masterplan to Combat Sand and Dust Storms that will serve as a guiding document for countries in the West Asia Region, addressing SDS from multiple dimensions, particularly root causes, impacts, and prevention and promoting the integration of SDS mitigation and adaptation measure into national environmental and development policies. Within this framework, UNEP seeks to engage an international consultant to undertake the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) in West Asia. The assessment will form an integral part of the Regional Masterplan. The objective of the assessment is to establish the analytical foundation for determining the health impacts of SDS and propose adaptative measures. The assessment will be guided by the UNCCD Toolbox and other comparable tools and guidelines from World Health Organisation (WHO). The Consultant will report to the Project Manager at UNEP’s Regional Office for West Asia. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the guidance and supervision of the Project Manager at UNEP’s West Asia Office, and in close coordination with the NCM’s Sand and Dust Storm Warning Regional Centre, the Consultant will carry out the following duties and responsibilities: 1.Literature Review Review global, regional, and national studies on the health impacts of Sand and Dust Storms (SDS), including epidemiological, toxicological, and exposure-response evidence. Summarize disease burdens, exposure pathways, and methodological approaches, particularly those relevant to West Asia. Identify data gaps, research limitations, and opportunities for harmonizing SDS health assessment methodologies across the region. 2.Methodology Propose a structured methodology for conducting the SDS Health Impact, include the following essential elements: •Health Impact Typology and Exposure Mapping: Define and classify SDS-related health impacts into exposure, sensitivity, and health systems’ adaptive capacity. Identify priority health outcomes (e.g., respiratory, cardiovascular, occupational, maternal/child health) and propose a regional health-impact typology relevant to source and receptor regions. •Health Vulnerability & Impact Inventory: Identify and compile health outcomes associated with SDS, including hospital admissions, emergency visits, mortality/morbidity trends, productivity losses, and long-term health burdens. Develop an inventory distinguishing impacts in source regions vs. receptor regions. Identify measurable indicators for integration into the Health Impact Assessment (HIA). 3.Scope and Inception Report •Prepare an inception report detailing the outcomes of the above tasks combined with a work plan necessary to achieve the health assessment, including the subsequent tasks illustrated below. •Coordinate and participate in consultation meetings/workshops to present initial findings and gather feedback required to carry out the next stage of the assessment. Revise the inception report based on the recommendations of these meetings. 4.Health Impact Assessment Model (Technical Component) •Develop an HIA model estimating the health burden attributable to SDS exposure in West Asia. Define assumptions, exposure metrics, population groups, and impact pathways. Identify both short-term (acute events) and long-term (chronic exposure) health outcomes. •Explain the conceptual framework, assumptions and interpretation of the assessment model. Provide clear guidance on interpreting model outputs and their implications for policy, risk reduction, and public-health planning. •Provide all the analytical sheets, data templates, and all data collection tools to future health valuation of mitigation options under the Masterplan. 5.Draft Health Impact Assessment Report of Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) in West Asia •Propose annotated outline for the Health Impact Assessment of Sand and Dust Storm, in consultation with UNEP and SDS Centre. •Draft the full succinct Health Impact Assessment report with all findings, illustrations, data and references. 6.Final Health Impact Assessment Report •Present the draft “Assessment of Health Impacts of Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) in West Asia” at regional or/and national consultations/meetings to review and discuss findings, refine valuation methods, and ensure alignment with the Regional Masterplan. •Refine and finalize the “Assessment of the Health Impacts of Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) in West Asia”, with all comments and feedback fully incorporated and addressed. Submit a final version ready for publishing.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Public Health, Health Science, Environmental Health, or related field is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. PhD is desirable. Minimum 7 years of experience in environmental health, or related field, is required. Proven experience working on health assessments of natural hazards and climate-risk impacts, is required. Experience in multistakeholder engagement and developing technical reports, is required. Knowledge of environmental and health issues in West Asia, is required. Experience in working with international organizations, government agencies, or funding institutions, is desireble.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.