Data Governance consultant

Result of ServiceA national data governance plan that helps government entities regularly and securely share up-to-date environmental data, making it easier to take informed and effective decisions for the environment. Work LocationHome based Expected duration6 months Duties and Responsibilities1. Organizational Setting, Purpose, and Objective: 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 Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA), Based in Beirut, Lebanon, supports countries in the region through advisory services, capacity-building, and technical assistance to achieve their national environmental and sustainable development goals. In line with its mandate, UNEP ROWA is collaborating with the Environment Public Authority (EPA) of the State of Kuwait to support the development of a National Environmental Data Management Plan. This initiative aims to strengthen Kuwait’s environmental data infrastructure by establishing a strategic and operational framework for the collection, integration, sharing, and use of environmental data, in line with international best practices. More specifically, the project will support the systematic and periodic exchange of data across government entities, enhance transparency, and promote evidence-based environmental decision-making through the availability of accurate, reliable, and timely data. To support the successful implementation of this initiative, UNEP ROWA seeks to engage a well-qualified international consultant to manage and deliver the responsibilities outlined in this Terms of Reference (TOR). The consultant will work under the supervision of the Regional Coordinator managing the project Mr Mohamad Najibeddine. 2. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the designated Programme Management Officer at UNEP ROWA, the selected consultant will carry-out, inter alia, the following duties and responsibilities: (A) Development of the Draft Table of Contents for the Final National Environmental Data Management Plan As the first key task under this consultancy, the consultant shall develop and submit a proposed Table of Contents (ToC) for the final National Environmental Data Management Plan. This ToC will outline the anticipated structure, content, and logical flow of the final deliverable, including all core chapters, annexes, and any proposed supporting documentation (e.g., legal frameworks, SOPs, institutional charts). The Table of Contents should reflect: • A clear understanding of the project's scope, objectives, and strategic relevance through the clarity, structure, and sequencing of chapter titles. Chapter names should reflect the key thematic and functional areas of the plan, such as legal frameworks, institutional arrangements, data governance mechanisms, and implementation strategies. • Logical structuring of technical, legal, institutional, and operational elements; • Integration of stakeholder engagement, international best practices, and implementation considerations; • Alignment with Kuwait’s environmental law and national development priorities (e.g., Vision 2040); • Key enablers such as digital infrastructure, capacity building, and data transparency. This draft ToC will serve as the first milestone deliverable and must be approved by UNEP and the Environment Public Authority (EPA) before proceeding to subsequent activities. It will guide the format and content of the final strategy and implementation plan and may be revised as needed based on findings from the baseline assessment and consultations. (B) Research, Data Collection, Case Study, and Gap Identification • Conduct a comprehensive review of the current environmental data landscape in Kuwait, including: o Institutional roles and responsibilities; o Existing data collection systems and platforms; o Data flow pathways and inter-agency coordination mechanisms. • Collect and catalogue existing datasets, assess data quality, availability, frequency of collection, and level of accessibility. • Identify and document case studies of relevant international or regional best practices in environmental data management. • Map existing data sources, flows, formats, and classifications across government entities • Analyze the legal and institutional context to determine the alignment of national laws with global standards. • Conduct a gap analysis to identify: o Challenges related to data ownership, reliability, consistency, privacy and accessibility; o Duplications, fragmentation, or missing data; o Inconsistencies in data formats or standards; o Barriers to data sharing or integration across agencies. • Evaluate current capacity and infrastructure for electronic data integration and identify areas for improvement. • Provide guidance on the digital processes for data collection, validation, and reporting. • Define digital and manual data workflows that allow phased automation and integration with platforms like eMISK. (C) Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation • Lead consultations with national stakeholders to assess current environmental data sharing practices and gaps. • Design and facilitate a participatory consultation process with stakeholders • Identify sector-specific data needs, sensitivities, and existing data-sharing practices. • Document stakeholder feedback to inform the vision, objectives, and structure of the plan. Deliverables: National Environment Data Management Strategy and Plan: • D1: Draft Table of Contents for the Final National Environmental Data Management Plan • D2: Situational Analysis - Comprehensive study detailing the existing environmental data landscape in Kuwait, digital readiness and gap analysis, including data system maturity and interoperability challenge. • D3: Develop a report summarizing consultations with stakeholders, including the defined vision, objectives, and identified data needs. • D4: Proposed data classification and data governance framework (including public vs. internal rules) aligned with national digital policies. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced degree in Environmental Science/Engineering, Public Administration, Data Science, Environmental Databases, Environment Information Systems or another relevant field. A minimum of 5 years of work experience related to data management, data governance, data systems, policy analyses, digital transformation or any other relevant field is required. Experience in knowledge sharing, communication and capacity building is a strong asset. Previous experience in the conception of reports is required. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills is required. Ability to work independently is required. A certification in Project Management is desirable. LanguagesFluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.