Air Quality Technical Consultant

Institution Overview

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, non-profit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. Our work focuses on building sustainable and livable cities and working towards a low carbon economy. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, World Resources Institute puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being.

WRI India has the capacity to convene key stakeholders, and forge strategic partnerships with governments, business, foundations, civil society organizations, institutes and NGOs, to scale-up solutions that can bring game-changing results for the sustainable management of natural resources in India.

Summary

WRI intends to award a one-year ( reimbursable-type contract to an Air Quality Technical Consultant to support the science activities related to its pilot located in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The selected Consultant will provide technical support to various activities of the project including data collection. The Clean Air Catalyst is a new 5-year program launched by The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and a global consortium of organizations led by World Resources Institute (WRI) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

Program Overview

Clean Air Catalyst (CAC): A global partnership for accelerating clean air solutions

Action to improve and maintain clean air has lagged far behind the mounting evidence of harm. The Clean Air Catalyst seeks to demonstrate a globally applicable approach to developing locally tailored, self-reliant solutions that cut air pollution and improve human health in cities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Our partnership brings together diverse local stakeholders to address critical information gaps, to build confidence and trust in air pollution information and to advance and institutionalize lasting solutions.

The consortium includes six additional partners: Clean Air Toolbox for Cities (Columbia University), Climate and Clean Air Coalition, Inter news Network, MAP-AQ, Open AQ, and Vital Strategies. We plan to work with local partners in three pilot regions to test and refine a three-part data to action methodology for improving air quality and delivering climate co-benefits. Additional information about the project will be provided to candidates selected for further consideration.

Scope of Work and Deliverables/Outputs

The Air Quality Technical Consultant will collaborate with the program consortium’s India-based science team to support the data collection and implementation process of its research plan in Indore. The plan consists of ambient pollution monitoring and analysis, collection of activity and emissions data from key local sources including from industries located in adjoining industrial areas, and ground-truthing/ providing inputs to air quality modelling and root-cause analysis methodologies in support of the Catalyst pilot’s objective of building shared awareness about the air quality impacts of specific sources.

Activities	Deliverable/ Milestone
Collaborate closely with the CAC project team (India-based staff, global experts, and researchers) in ensuring implementation of the Indore local science plan
Provide technical inputs for the Indore monitoring equipment siting plan including location of appropriate buildings and practical suggestions to deal with issues like clearances, NOCs whenever required, security/ other logistical issues, periodic maintenance, etc.	3 buildings in suitable locations are identified (including a supersite) and monitoring equipment installed (October-November)
Primary and secondary data collection related to project activities and ground-truthing findings from project research.	Inputs to the Emission inventory exercise being carried out
Collection of data related to industries: This would include emissions and activity data of Indore, collection of data specific to industries in Indore and adjoining industrial clusters of Pithampura and Dewas (For ex., past records of environmental violations, pollution abatement measures already in place like ESPs, scrubbers, etc.)	Industries data report
Assist project management in presenting key findings to local partners and stakeholders to build source awareness	Support Project Management in organizing 3 workshops in Indore + smaller events with targeted groups
Provide local inputs to root-cause analysis of air pollutant emissions from specific sources and data supporting the source identification/ narrowing methodologies of the Catalyst	Technical inputs to identify and prioritize key local sources
Support in coordination with the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control regional office in Indore as and when requested by project management

Eligibility:

To be eligible for this position, candidates

• Must certify that:
  • (1) there are no restrictions on his or her ability to provide the requested services, or that they will obtain the necessary approvals, permits, or licenses necessary to perform the proposed work;

• Must not be presently debarred or suspended by the U.S. government;
• Must not be named on any restricted parties lists;

Consultant Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science/Environmental Engineering/or any AQ-related field
• Rich experience of working with State Pollution Control Board and excellent knowledge of air quality in Indore and adjoining areas
• Experience in involving air pollution monitoring and measurement campaigns, mitigation measures and action plan preparation

Candidates should propose a daily remuneration rate and an estimated level of effort based on the provided scope, both of which will be considered as part of selection criteria. Total remuneration is not expected to exceed 15 lakhs per annum.

Travel to other districts of Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal, Dewas, and Ujjain), if required, will be negotiated on an as needed basis. All travel must comply with WRI policies and US government regulations and is to be invoiced at cost.

Evaluation and Selection

The following elements will be the primary considerations in evaluating all applications submitted in response to this posting:

• The extent to which the candidate’s application fulfills WRI’s stated requirements as set out in this posting
• Demonstrated expertise and experience with similar projects
• Candidate’s overall cost for the performance of this work
• Sustainability – WRI values sustainability and all other factors being equal, will favor a proposal to more sustainably perform the work. 

Interviews:

WRI will select the candidate that offers the best value based on the evaluation criteria stated in this posting.

Compliance Requirements: This consultancy is funded by USAID cooperative agreement no. 7200AA20CA00014 and will be subject to U.S. government and USAID regulations.

How to Apply

Interested, qualified candidates should submit expressions of interest (no longer than 500 words) and CVs no later than 20^th September 2021.  Candidates should apply online (https://jobs.jobvite.com/wri/jobs) to be considered.

We believe in equal employment, it is our policy to recruit, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to caste, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual preference, parental status, or disability.

Learn more about our organization at www.wri.org.