Job Description
Technical Specialist – Environmental supports UNEP’s GEMS Air programme by coordinating daily activities and ensuring effective implementation of the air quality monitoring framework in Timor-Leste under the GCF-funded Early Warning Systems project. The role oversees delivery of project outputs within set timelines and quality standards, manages work plans, strengthens national capacity on air pollution monitoring, and contributes to developing sustainable mechanisms, partnerships, and tools to enhance long-term air quality management.
The UNEP Timor Leste
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. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.
This consultancy is managed by UNEP’s Climate Early Warning and Capacity Building Unit in the Climate Change Division. The Climate Early Warning and Capacity Building Unit is responsible for analyzing the state of the global environment, providing early warning information, and assessing global and regional environmental trends to catalyze and promote international cooperation and action on the environment. In response to requests from the Member States, the Climate Early Warning and Capacity Building Unit builds country capacities in the collection, management, and use of environmental and climate data, information, and knowledge for early warning, planning, policymaking, preparedness, and response actions.
UNEP’s Global Environment Monitoring System for Air (GEMS Air) supports countries to provide quality assured data to keep the state of the world’s air quality under continuous review; develops capacity of member states; provides information and services across the science-policy-public interface; and fosters transformation by leveraging the collective knowledge of a global network of partners.
The Technical Specialist – Environmental will report to the UNEP Chief Technical Advisor in the Project Management Unit in Dili and be supported by the UNOPS Project Manager for administration matters.
Programme Information
Technical Specialist – Environmental is responsible for the day-to-day coordination of activities to ensure implementation of sub-activity 2.3.2 “Establishment of an air quality monitoring framework for Timor-Leste” of the GCF funded project titled “Enhancing Early Warning Systems to build greater resilience to hydro meteorological hazards in Timor Leste” (see full project document).
This sub-activity aims to establish a national air quality monitoring framework and enhance the capacity for climate data collection and analysis. The project aims to establish a hybrid ambient air quality monitoring system in Timor Leste, consisting of low-cost sensors for fine particulate matter (PM2.5 / PM10), NO2 diffusion tubes, and reference grade particle counters, overlaid with MAIAC/Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) PM2.5 satellite data. The combined use of surface-based and satellite observations will facilitate the collection of high-resolution spatiotemporal air pollution data, providing a robust baseline of gaseous and particulate pollutants for the capital Dili and the nation. The project involves the development of a national air quality monitoring framework, technical training, and capacity building initiatives.
The project also involves development of a mobile application for health-related forecasts and advisories. This application will leverage hyperlocal air pollution data to generate real-time forecasts, warning alerts, and tailored health impact advisories. By integrating advanced data analytics with user-friendly mobile technology, the app will empower individuals, healthcare providers, and policymakers to make informed decisions that mitigate exposure risks. This initiative will be complemented by local stakeholder engagement workshops aimed at raising awareness about air pollution sources, associated health risks, and sustainable mitigation strategies. Through community-driven advocacy and enhanced accessibility to environmental data, this mobile platform will serve as a critical tool in fostering public health resilience and promoting ecosystem sustainability.
Operations management
Project planning and coordination support
Procurement and logistics
Human Resources Management
Administration and Information Technology
Knowledge Management
1. Operations management
- Facilitate the finalisation and adoption of a national framework for air quality monitoring in Timor-Leste, integrating clear protocols for data collection, analysis, and dissemination.
- Provide support in the development of an air quality standard decree law for Timor Leste.
- Oversee the deployment and operation of a hybrid ambient air quality monitoring network, combining low-cost sensors and reference-grade particle counters (including low-cost sensors for fine particulate matter (PM2.5 / PM10) and nitrogen dioxide diffusion tubes at multiple sites across Timor Leste.
- Oversee the maintenance and calibration of air quality monitoring equipment, including development of SoP/manual for operation and maintenance of the AQM sensors and the Air Quality Monitoring Application, ensuring community ownership for the installed air quality sensors
- Implement innovative deployment of technological resources combining meteorological data and MAIAC/Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) PM2.5 satellite data overlaid on quality sensor data to enhance accuracy of air pollution early warning.
- Oversee design, development and deployment of an accessible real-time air quality public notification and alert system for proactive public actions, the Air Quality Mobile Application integrated with data from the hybrid air quality monitoring network.
- Facilitate the integration of sensor-generated data from Timor Leste into UNEP’s Open Data Management System, in coordination with UNEP GEMS Air, and other existing open data sharing platforms.
- Integrate use of open-source environmental monitoring solutions into the air quality framework to enhance the closing of data-action gaps by matching pollutants to upstream causes and sources so they can be forestalled.
- Monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of operational support services to ensure seamless delivery of project outcomes, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
2. Project planning and coordination support
- Facilitate definition and agreement of institutional roles and responsibilities (including ownership and operation and maintenance of the network, data sharing) amongst government departments related to air quality monitoring, such as the National Directorate of Pollution Control (Ministry of Tourism and Environment), National Directorate of Meteorology and Geophysics (Ministry of Tourism and Environment) and Department of Environmental health (Ministry of Health).
- Coordinate and manage engagement of partners for optimal delivery of technical outputs, including Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES), which is developing the Air Quality Mobile Application.
- Coordinate stakeholder engagement workshops with the members of the Climate and Health Working Group and other relevant actors, to align multi-stakeholder efforts with project objectives and timelines and to enhance awareness of air pollution, related health risks and actions to reduce impacts on health and well-being.
- Establish targets and timelines for implementing technical training programs and system deployment, ensuring timely achievement of project deliverables.
3. Procurement and logistics
- Manage logistics for stakeholder engagement workshops and technical training sessions, ensuring smooth delivery of all project components.
- Ensure compliance with UNOPS procurement standards for sourcing equipment and services.
4. Human Resources Development
- Develop and deliver in-country technical training programs to build the capacity of local stakeholders in air quality monitoring, data management and quality assurance, during installation and post-installation, ensuring they are equipped to manage the air quality monitoring network effectively and implement the air quality monitoring framework.
- Deliver capacity-building for the National Directorate of Meteorology and Geophysics and the Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders, on use of the Air Quality Mobile Application and managing and maintaining the air quality forecasting system.
- Delivery capacity building for National Directorate of Meteorology and Geophysics and other government stakeholders on how to overlay MAIAC/Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) PM2.5 satellite data and other meteorological data on data from low-cost sensors to generate air quality forecasts, warning alerts and health impact advisories and advocacy.
- Deliver stakeholder engagement workshops to enhance awareness of air pollution, related health risks and actions to reduce impacts on health and well-being.
- Provide supervision and guidance to project staff, including a Local Technician, involved in installation of the air quality monitoring network and undertaking data analysis.
5. Administration and Information Technology (ICT)
- Implement a centralized system for managing air quality data, integrated to the Climate Data Information System (CDIS), ensuring data integrity and accessibility for reporting purposes.
- Put in place processes for the flow and sharing of air quality monitoring data from the low-cost sensors, to the CDIS, to the Air Quality Monitoring Application.
- Facilitate the integration of sensor-generated data from Timor Leste into UNEP’s Open Data Management System, in coordination with UNEP GEMS Air, and other existing open data sharing platforms.
- Facilitate the use of ICT tools to enhance the efficiency and reliability of data collection, analysis, and reporting processes.
6. Knowledge Management
- Establish a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices in air quality management, encouraging collaboration among stakeholders, to enhance capacity of local stakeholders in managing and interpreting air quality data.
- Produce detailed reports on the framework’s implementation, including insights on air pollution levels and health risk mitigation strategies.
