Environmental Economics Consultant – Economic Impact Assessment of Sand and Dust Storms

Result of ServiceAssessment of Economic Impacts of Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) in West Asia. Work LocationRiyadh Expected duration09 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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 Storm Warning Regional Centre of the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM), UNEP is developing the Regional Masterplan to Combat Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) 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 carry out the assessment of economic impacts 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 economic costs of SDS and the benefits of investing in their mitigation. Further, the assessment will be guided by the UNCCD economic impacts framework and other comparable tools. The Consultant will report to the Project Manager at UNEP’s Regional Office for West Asia. 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. Scoping, Literature Review and Methodology 1.1Literature Review: Review global, regional and national damage, cost, and benefit studies related to SDS, summarize previous economic impact studies, methodologies, and valuation approaches applicable to West Asia, and highlight methodological gaps, data limitations, and opportunities for regional harmonization. 1.2Cost Typology and Cost Mapping: Define and assess types of costs within the regional SDS context that includes direct/indirect, market/non-market, costs vs. value, on-site (source) vs. off-site (impact) effects, and present a cost-classification matrix for the West Asia context. 1.3Damage and Cost Inventory: Identify on-site costs (e.g., agricultural yield loss, infrastructure damage) and off-site costs/benefits (e.g., reduced visibility affecting trade, health expenditures, economic activity and ecosystem service losses, etc), and compile qualitative and quantitative data sources while proposing measurable indicators for further modeling. 1.4Methodology: Propose a structured methodology integrating data requirements and parameters necessary for economic modeling, linking biophysical, economic, and social data. 1.5Prepare an inception report detailing the outcomes of the above tasks combined with a work plan necessary to achieve the economic assessment, including the subsequent tasks illustrated below. 1.6Coordinate 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. 2. Cost-Benefit Analysis 2.1. Construct the cost–benefit model, including assumptions, impact pathways and estimation of on-site and off-site benefits of dust mitigation at both source and impact regions. 2.2. Describe the conceptual framework, assumptions and interpretation of the assessment model 2.3 Provide all the analytical sheets and data templates to guide future economic and financial valuation of mitigation options under the Masterplan. 3. Draft Economic Impact Assessment Sand and Dust Storms SDS in West Asia 3.1 Propose annotated outline for the Economic Impact Assessment of Sand and Dust Storm, in consultation with UNEP and SDS Centre. 3.2 Draft the full succinct economic impact report with all findings, illustrations, data and references. 4.Final Economic Impacts Report 4.1 Present the draft “Assessment of Economic Impacts of Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) in West Asia” at regional or/and national consultations/meetings to review and discuss findings and refine valuation methods and results 4.2 Refine and finalize the “Assessment of the Economic 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 skillsMaster’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Environmental Economics, or related fields is required. PhD is an asset. Minimum 10 years of experience in environmental economics, or related field, is required. Proven experience working on economic assessments of land and water ecosystems, environmental resources, or natural hazards and climate-risk impacts, is required. Experience in multistakeholder engagement and developing technical analytical reports, is required. Knowledge of environmental and economic issues in West Asia, is required. Experience in working with international organizations, government agencies, or funding institutions, 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.