CCAC AQMx Nitrogen Fertilisers Expert

Result of Service

The “CCAC AQMx Nitrogen Fertilisers Expert” will write a Sectoral Guidance paper of approximately 8,000 words and identify a minimum of 30 supporting resources (reports, scientific publications, databases, tools...) to be uploaded on the AQMx Resource Exchange Library. The Sectoral Guidance will provide concrete and hands-on recommendations on the design and implementation of improved nitrogen fertilisers practices and will identify success stories with potential for replication and scale-up.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

6 months part-time

Duties and Responsibilities

The UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is a partnership of governments, intergovernmental organizations, and representatives of the private sector, the environmental community, and other members of civil society. The CCAC is the only international initiative working on integrated climate and clean air solutions to reduce the rate of near-term warming. It focuses on fast action to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) including methane, black carbon, HFCs and tropospheric ozone. More information about the CCAC is here: www.ccacoalition.org. As of October 2023, the same team is providing secretariat services to the Global Methane Pledge. More information about the Global Methane Pledge is here: www.globalmethanepledge.org The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) hosts the Secretariat at the Industry & Economy Division in Paris. The CCAC endorsed the Belem Declaration on Fertilisers adopted at COP30 and committing to enhance nutrient use efficiency and reduce the intensity of emissions from fertiliser production and use. The CCAC launched the “Clean Air Flagship” for the period 2024 to 2026, to mobilise the partnership and ‘move the needle’ on this important topic. It is aimed at: SAVE LIVES and improve well-being by bringing all the CCAC resources and network assets to bear in supporting governments to achieve cleaner air as quickly as possible, consistent with improved air quality interim targets established by the WHO Air Quality Guidelines; SLOW THE PACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE by taking full advantage of win/win opportunities to reduce the emissions of health-harmful pollutants and short-lived climate pollutants simultaneously, by coordinating across all responsible agencies and relevant planning mechanisms; MAXIMIZE CO-BENEFITS to improve agricultural productivity, economic development and the overall quality of life. Its goals include the promotion of “strengthening capacity at all levels of governance to advance integrated air quality and climate planning and action” including through the development of an online platform for air quality management. The Air Quality Management Exchange Platform (AQMx) is an online knowledge platform that was launched by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and its partners on International Clean Air Day 2024, responding to the mandate of the UN Environmental Assembly and its resolution UNEA-6/10 on the promotion of regional cooperation to improve air quality globally. AQMx is designed to be a ‘one stop shop’ for technical tools and models, data, and knowledge to build capacity among air quality managers worldwide – with a focus on air quality managers from Low- and Middle-Income Countries. It aims to serve as a trusted resource, providing guidance and resources to support governments, implementers and stakeholders on the path to meeting interim targets identified in the WHO Air Quality Guidelines.    The AQMx platform consists of: Resource Exchange Library: more than 1,500 trusted resources and knowledge products on air quality management (regularly updated as new resources become available). Air Quality Management Guidance for 8 areas of air quality management (Air Quality Monitoring; Emissions Inventory; Source Attribution; Health Impact Assessment; Environmental Impact Assessment; Decision Support; Public Engagement and Communications; Legal Framework, Policy Design and Implementation). Sectoral Guidance providing hands-on recommendations on the design and implementation of proven clean air policies, aligned with CCAC’s priority sectors: Agriculture, Household Energy, Road Transport, and Waste Management. The CCAC Secretariat is seeking a “CCAC AQMx Nitrogen Fertiliser Expert” to support the development of Sectoral Guidance on the topic. The responsibility of the Consultant will be to draft Sectoral Guidance on improved nitrogen fertiliser use, providing concrete and actionable guidance to AQMx users and with a focus on solutions suited to Low- and Middle-Income Countries, reflecting the call to action of the Belem Declaration on Fertilisers adopted at COP30. The Sectoral Guidance on Nitrogen Fertilisers will: – Provide an overview of the health, climate, ecosystem, agricultural, and other impacts, of nitrogen fertilisers. – List the type of data or information needed to support action on the matter, and where to find them. – Break down into concrete and actionable steps the design, implementation, enforcement, monitoring and evaluation, of improved nitrogen fertilisers use programs. – Investigate relevant business models and financing options available to national and/or local authorities, as appropriate. – Consider issues of socio-economic equity, gender, and inclusion of vulnerable groups (including smallholder farmers and indigenous groups where relevant). – Highlight successful initiatives, best practices, and case studies in improved nitrogen fertilisers use. To produce the guidance, the Consultant should conduct consultations on the given topic with relevant stakeholders (governments, researchers, and relevant organisations - to be determined with the supervisor) to make findings as accurate and grounded in research and latest knowledge in the sector as possible. Objectives: – Develop Sectoral Guidance on nitrogen fertiliser use, providing concrete and actionable guidance to AQMx users – Conduct consultations with CCAC Agriculture Hub and, as appropriate, CCAC Clean Air Task Team and AQMx Technical Advisory Group, to gather their inputs and comments on the Sectoral Guidance. – Identify a minimum of 30 relevant resources (reports, scientific publications, databases, tools...) to be approved by the Secretariat team to upload to the AQMx Resource Exchange Library. – Work closely with Secretariat Team to deliver the Sectoral Guidance and prepare materials (PowerPoint presentation and key messages) for its launch. Output expectations: – Sectoral Guidance paper of approximately 8,000 words (Word document to be submitted electronically). The Sectoral Guidance will provide concrete and hands-on recommendations on the design and implementation of improved nitrogen fertiliser use practices and will identify success stories with potential for replication and scale-up. – List of a minimum of 30 relevant resources (reports, scientific publications, databases, tools...) to be approved by the Secretariat team to expand the AQMx Resource Exchange Library. – PowerPoint presentation including key messages to support the launch of the Sectoral Guidance.

Qualifications/special skills

- Masters-level university degree in engineering, agronomy, environmental management, technology, sciences or economics, or a related area. - A minimum of 5 years of professional and/or scientific experience related to sustainable agriculture and nitrogen fertiliser use is required and documented in the CV. - A minimum of 5 years of experience in research or practical implementation or understanding of improved nitrogen fertiliser use in projects or in collaboration with governments and implementers is required. - Demonstrated experience with business models for improved nitrogen fertiliser use through direct project engagement and experience. - Demonstrated experience in preparing reports on sustainable agriculture and nitrogen fertiliser use by providing a reference to one report authored or co-authored in the last 3 years. - Demonstrated experience in preparing and delivering presentations is required. - Expertise in sustainable agriculture and nitrogen fertiliser use. - Experience working in and conducting research in developing countries and an understanding of a range of country contexts. - Demonstrated ability to produce clear, accessible and concise scientific and technical reports for policymakers.

Languages

- Fluency in English (written and oral) is required. - Additional knowledge of other UN official languages are an asset.

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.