Ecosystem Restoration Expert – Capacity Building and Flagship Projects

UN; Remote; SAR 262,000 - 338,000; Full time

Job summary

An international organization is seeking a consultant for a project focused on ecosystem restoration in Saudi Arabia. The role involves conducting assessments of restoration initiatives, designing training programs, and delivering capacity-building workshops. The ideal candidate should have a Master's in Environmental Science and at least 10 years of experience in ecosystem restoration, with strong expertise in multistakeholder engagement and training. Proficiency in English is required, and knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in ecosystem restoration projects.
• Knowledge of UN Decade principles and land management.
• Experience in training and developing analytical reports.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessment of national restoration initiatives.
• Design training programs based on assessment findings.
• Deliver training sessions to strengthen national capacity.
• Facilitate regional workshops for knowledge sharing.

Skills

Ecosystem restoration expertise

Multistakeholder engagement

Training and capacity building

Education

Master’s degree in Environmental Science or related field

Job description

Result of Service

Capacity Building on Ecosystem Restoration on National and Regional Levels

Work Location: Home based

Expected duration: 12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global authority on the environment, mandated to promote the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development across the United Nations system. The UNEP, Regional Office of West Asia (ROWA), supports regional countries in achieving their environmental and sustainability objectives through technical cooperation, policy support, and capacity‑building interventions. Under the Strategic Cooperation Agreement between UNEP ROWA and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), in close collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC), UNEP is supporting national and regional efforts to strengthen ecosystem restoration in arid and semi‑arid landscapes. These efforts aim to enhance ecological resilience, combat land degradation, and contribute to broader national commitments under the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) and Vision 2030. Within this framework, UNEP seeks to engage an international consultant to provide technical development to NCVC on the design and implementation of flagship restoration projects, ensuring alignment with global best practices and with the standards of initiatives under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The consultant will also be responsible for delivering targeted training, developing practical and context‑specific guidance materials, and facilitating a regional workshop that brings together key stakeholders to enable knowledge sharing and support the scaling‑up of effective restoration approaches across West Asia and the wider MENA region. The Consultant will report to the Project Manager in UNEP/ROWA.

Technical Development and Identification of Flagship Opportunities

• Conduct a technical assessment of current national restoration initiatives in Saudi Arabia, including gaps, strengths, and alignment with UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’s criteria, including compliance with restoration principles, potential for upscaling, learning, replicability, and long‑term sustainability.
• Prepare an assessment note summarizing findings and recommended focus areas for training, guidance development, and potential flagship pathways.

Design Training and Technical Guidance

• Design the structure and content outline for the national and regional training programs based on assessment findings, in consultation with UNEP and NCVC.
• Develop annotated training modules, exercises, and case‑study concepts, ensuring alignment with World Restoration Flagship criteria and showcasing regional and global best practices.
• Prepare the outline for an ecosystem restoration guidance document tailored to arid/semi‑arid environments, reflecting UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration standards and lessons from global flagship projects.

Delivery of National Training

• Deliver two targeted training sessions to strengthen national capacity to design, implement, and monitor high‑quality restoration projects in complex arid settings.
• Reflect on flagship assessment criteria and demonstrate how national projects can be developed, improved, or structured to meet the UN Decade World Restoration Flagship standards.

Regional Capacity‑Building Workshop

• Deliver a regional workshop that strengthens regional understanding of UN Decade World Restoration Flagship criteria.
• Present regional and global flagship examples, highlight lessons, challenges, and enabling conditions, and develop structured peer exchange.
• Coordinate with countries in West Asia region to conceptualize, refine, and scale flagship‑quality restoration initiatives.

Final Knowledge Products and Learning Materials

• Incorporate feedback from UNEP and NCVC into all knowledge products, training materials, and workshop outputs.
• Submit final training materials, guidance documents, and the workshop report.
• Submit final project report.

Qualifications / Special Skills

Master’s degree or equivalent in Environmental Science, Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or a related field is required. PhD is an asset. Minimum 10 years of experience in ecosystem restoration projects, including knowledge in UN Decade principles, flagship development, and land management is required. Knowledge of environmental issues in the context of West Asia Region is required. Experience in training and building capacity in ecosystem restoration projects. Experience in multistakeholder engagement and developing technical analytical reports is required. Experience in working with international organizations, government agencies, or funding institutions, is preferred.

Languages

English is required, and Arabic is an asset.