Senior Environmental Awareness and Communication Consultant

Senior Environmental Awareness and Communication Consultant

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.

Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Planning and Implementation: Provide technical guidance and backstopping support in the implementation of national awareness plans and initiatives, ensuring alignment with the Deputy Ministry of Environment's (DME) strategic awareness objectives.
2. Higher Education Institutions Engagement: Manage the development and implementation of the environmental sustainability roadmap for universities engagements, including the establishment of a Green University Model. Develop a toolkit to support universities in implementing green, resource-efficient, and low-carbon campus initiatives. Maintain a Green Network for Universities in KSA to collaborate on environmental sustainability initiatives and share best practices. Supervise the design and implementation of national environmental sustainability competitions such as the Enviro-Sustainathon. Design and implement a forum on the Role of Academia and Research Institutes in Promoting Environmental Sustainability.
3. Environmental Communication and Public Awareness: Develop and deliver specialized environmental seminars and webinars (Enviro-Talk) on sustainability, environmental governance, and pressing environmental challenges.
4. Engagement with NGOs and Civil Society: Coordinate the engagement of NGOs, identify their needs and prepare an engagement strategy to enhance their contribution to sustainability and environmental management in the Kingdom.
5. Evaluation and Reporting: Monitor, evaluate, and report on the impact of environmental awareness programs, recommending improvements where necessary. Maintain records, produce analytical reports, and interpret engagement trends to refine awareness strategies.

Qualifications/Special Skills:

Master's degree or equivalent in communication, public relations, environmental research, environmental sciences, or related fields is required. Holding a PhD is an added asset. Minimum of 10 years of experience in advocacy and awareness raising is required. Previous practical experience in similar tasks in environmental research and communication is desirable. Experience in providing technical guidance and capacity-building support to government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders on environmental awareness initiatives is required. Knowledge of environmental issues in Saudi Arabia is an asset.