Result of Service

An effective consultant will apply life cycle assessment and life cycle costing to identify environmental and economic hotspots in Saudi Arabia’s waste management system, quantify the environmental and economic impacts of different policy and financial interventions, and benchmark against international best practices. The consultant will provide produce evidence-based recommendations to inform MWAN’s strategic decision-making based on the results of LCA of alternative waste management scenarios, and will evaluate environmental and indirect economic benefits such as avoided emissions, pollution reduction, and cost savings. The consultant will also design and deliver tailored training modules to build MWAN’s capacity in applying life-cycle thinking and impact assessment tools.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

3 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. The National Centre for Waste Management (MWAN) is the designated regulator of waste management in Saudi Arabia responsible for developing and enforcing regulations for all waste streams; licensing and permitting of waste management activities, as well as strategic planning of the sector and promoting private investment. Since its establishment, MWAN has enacted the implementing regulations of the national waste law and has also developed the Draft National Waste Management Strategy that provides strategic direction of the waste sector in the country, setting ambitious targets and objectives until 2040 that built on the principles of circular economy and protection of environment and human health. The Draft National Strategy identified financial sustainability as one the most important enablers to successfully meet the targets. It also stipulates the adoption of financial compensation mechanisms to cover the costs of waste management. The various financial instruments for cost recovery and financial incentives can have considerable impact on recycling rates, diversion rates, and recycling costs etc., all of which can have both direct and indirect consequences on environment and health. MWAN seeks to develop a deeper understanding of the impacts associated with the implementation of their plans and policies in order to guide and influence decision making that is based on scientific approaches and principles. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been providing technical advisory and capacity support to MWAN since 2020 through a Cooperation Agreement signed with the Government of Saudi Arabia in 2019. UNEP intends to advance its support to MWAN by providing the technical assistance required to assess the environmental and indirect economic impacts associated with implementing the National Strategy as well as key enablers such as financial instruments. UNEP Regional Office for West Asia aims to maximise its level of support in collaboration with the Life Cycle Initiative, hosted by UNEP’s Industry & Economy Division by leveraging their international role and technical expertise in life cycle assessment (LCA). This opportunity is located within the Life Cycle Initiative Unit of the Resources and Markets Branch, Industry and Economy Division of UNEP. The Life Cycle Initiative is a public-private, multi-stakeholder partnership promoting progress towards the achievement of Agenda 2030 through (1) advancing the understanding, adoption and application of life-cycle thinking by private and public decision makers; and (2) building consensus on and facilitating the access to environmental, social and economic life-cycle knowledge (LCA data, methods, indicators, etc.). In this context, the UNEP Life Cycle Initiative Unit is interested in hiring a consultant to apply life cycle assessment as a systematic approach to identifying environmental hotspots in the waste management systems of Saudi Arabia, as well as assessing the environmental impact of full implementation of the Draft National Waste Management Strategy versus Business-as-usual scenarios as well as the quantification of the economic value of those impacts. The consultant will focus on all waste streams within the scope mandate of MWAN and (1) provide technical support to enable better decision making using scientific and data-driven tools to inform policy and planning decisions, (2) quantify environmental & economic impacts of selected interventions designed based on the draft national waste management strategy, and through using input provided by MWAN, including assessing the environmental impacts of no-action scenario, using Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing, and finally (3) build the capacities of MWAN personnel on impact assessment methodology and its applications in real life planning case studies. A consultant with expertise in life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) in the context of waste management systems and policy evaluation, with a focus on all waste streams under the mandate of MWAN in Saudi Arabia is thus needed to support the UNEP Life Cycle Initiative Unit and MWAN in conducting these activities. The overall aim of this project is to apply life cycle assessment as a systematic approach to identifying environmental hotspots in the waste management systems of Saudi Arabia, as well as assessing the environmental impact of full implementation of the National Waste Management Strategy versus Business-as-usual scenarios as well as the quantification of the economic value of those impacts. The primary focus of this project will be on all waste streams within the scope mandate of MWAN. The project objectives are therefore to: Provide technical support to enable better decision making using scientific and data driven tools to inform policy and planning decisions Quantify environmental & economic impacts of selected interventions designed based on the national waste management strategy, and through using input provided by MWAN, including assessing the environmental impacts of no-action scenario, using Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing. Build the capacities of MWAN personnel on impact assessment methodology and its applications in real life planning case studies.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Waste Management, Engineering, or related field. A minimum of 5 or more years of experience in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and experience in building Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) and using LCA software tools (e.g. SimaPro, GaBi, OpenLCA). Strong knowledge of solid waste management systems, policies, and strategies, national waste strategies and policy frameworks (preferably Middle East/Saudi Arabia context), financial instruments in waste management (EPR, PAYT, cost recovery), and ISO 14040–14044 standards. Experience in evaluating externalities (indirect costs/benefits such as health and environmental impacts), environmental benefits (emission reductions, pollution mitigation, resource efficiency), economic benefits and indirect costs (e.g., health impacts, ecosystem degradation). Strong expertise in LCA and LCC modeling and simulations, scenario analysis and sensitivity testing, econometric and quantitative analysis methods, and cost-effectiveness assessments of policy/financial mechanisms. Experience in identifying hotspots, risks, and opportunities for system improvement. Proven experience in designing and delivering training programs (preferably technical/environmental). Ability to communicate complex LCA/LCC concepts to non-specialist audiences. Experience in developing training packages, manuals, and case study exercises. Strong facilitation and presentation skills for interactive and hands-on training. Skills and experience in data collection, validation, and evaluation. Publications in the field of LCA is desirable.

Languages

Strong technical report writing and documentation skills, and experience in synthesizing technical results into actionable policy-oriented recommendations for decision-makers. Excellent communication and writing skills, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications or reports for international organizations. Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Arabic is a strong asset. Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

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.

Consultant – Life Cycle Analyst - UNEP Industry and Economy Division