Terms of Reference
Senior International “Air Pollution” Consultant to provide expert leadership on the project on
“Children and environmental change in Mongolia: Addressing the effects of rapid urbanisation
and air pollution under most severe climate conditions”
1. Background:
Mongolia is a rapidly changing country, with urbanization rate over 63 percent, resulting in unplanned
settlements and increased air, water and soil pollution. The calculated exposure of the population to PM2.5
in the city was found to be, on average throughout the year, 10 times higher than the Mongolian Air Quality
Standards and 6-7 times higher than the most lenient World Health Organization targets (World Bank 2011).
The country has one of the highest per capita carbon emissions in the world and there is evidence of serious
increase in bronchitis, pneumonia and lung cancer.
Ulaanbaatar city experiences, on a daily basis over several winter months, some of the highest levels of
pollutions in the world according to WHO. Some areas of the city reach levels as high as +928 in the air quality
index. The index measures particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and
ozone; ranging from 0-50 being the lowest pollution levels considered as “clean air” to the highest level of
pollution at 501+ being the highest level of pollution “hazardous for the general population health1.”
Due to increased indoor and outdoor air pollution, respiratory tract infection is one of the major causes for
child mortality and morbidity, especially during the cold season. In 2012, of the 300,000 registered cases of
respiratory tract related diseases, half were children under five. Pneumonia is a leading cause of child death
from the age of one month to five years in Mongolia constituting 15% of total children under five mortality
(U5M). Air pollution also increases risk of preterm and low birth weight infants as per findings of researches
conducted in other countries2. According to the World Bank study, 80% emission reductions are needed to
meet the Mongolian Air Quality Standards (Common Country Assessment, 2010). Use of solid fuel and
smoking are main sources of indoor air pollution in Mongolia. About, 55.5% of households use solid fuel for
cooking and heating. WHO statistics rate Mongolia as number 7 in countries with highest air pollution levels.
The “Children and environmental change project”: a focus on the effects of Air Pollution:
The objective of this global, innovative UNICEF Headquarters funded initiative is to enhance the capacity of
government, civil society, communities and children of Mongolia to find innovative and effective solutions to
address extreme air pollution in the context of rapid urbanization affecting children’s health. Overall,
improved national capacity to plan on and respond to environmental risks, with improved assessment and
protection for environmental hazards will be reached. Innovation and global best practices on how to protect
children from environmental risks (and primarily air pollution) will be brought to Mongolia and tested in
selected peri-urban areas, as well as included in local and national plans and budgets. The participation of
children in environmental protection discussion will be a primary focus.
As an overall result, by end of 2015, selected children, communities and policy makers will have increased
capacity in responding to air pollution. The project specific outputs are as follows:
1
http://agaar.mn/
2
Quoted in Minister Udval’s response to the Inquiry made by the Mr Sumyabazar, MP on air pollution and its impact on public health, 11 April, 2014
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Output 1: A rapid assessment of potential (low cost – high impact) options to reduce children’s exposure to
air pollution in the ger-areas of Ulaanbaatar city completed.
Output 2: Best practices and lessons learned to reduce air pollution and mitigate its effects on children
identified and recommendations formulated for policy makers and communities.
Output 3: Local and national government supported with the formulation / revision of policies to protect
children from air pollution.
Output 4: Children and communities capacitated to take immediate action to reduce children’s exposure to
air pollution.
Note: The activities and outputs are planned to be undertaken in a sequential fashion, with the results of
the previous output informing the next.
The assignments detailed in this Terms of Reference will provide expert input and leadership throughout
the project, contributing to Outputs 1, 2 and 3:
Output 1: A rapid assessment of potential (low cost – high impact) options to reduce children’s exposure
to air pollution in the ger-areas of Ulaanbaatar city completed
A rapid assessment will be undertaken by a UNICEF contracted National Institution through mapping,
desk review and focus group discussions to identify successful practices from government, municipalities,
health practitioners and academia in incorporating environmental aspects into city planning, reducing air
pollution in urban centers. The assessment will result in a baseline situational analysis report. The Senior
International Consultant will initially provide quality assurance for the baseline situational analysis report
developed by the National Institution, and will then lead, with support from the National Institution, on
identifying potential (low-cost and high-impact) options, suitable for the Mongolian context, that
mitigate hazardous effects of air pollution on children’s health. The Senior International Consultant will
then lead on the development of short and medium term policy recommendations, and lead on an incountry consultative mission to discuss the baseline, options and policy brief which will then be finalized
remotely in a full final referenced report by the Senior International Consultant, with support from the
National Institution. The full final referenced report will serve as the substantive basis for output 2 and
provide the foundation for the remainder of the project.
Output 2: Best practices and lessons learned to reduce air pollution and mitigate its effects on children
identified and recommendations formulated for policy makers and communities.
UNICEF Mongolia will convene a 3-day International Consultation on Air Pollution to be hosted in
Ulaanbaatar in 4th quarter of 2015, bringing top national and international experts and policy makers
together in Mongolia to discuss the findings under output 1. This will be done together with international
experts from around the world who will present their identified best practices and lessons learned. The
participation of international experts in this conference would increase and improve communications
among countries, leading to a greater awareness of common problems and wider access to available
knowledge and experience as well as the creation of new knowledge in tackling the health, legislative,
social and economic challenges that emerge from hazardous levels of air pollution. Experts will also
introduce practical measures that can be incorporated into central and local level planning and policy
frameworks. The consultation will result in a set of concrete recommendations for policy makers and
communities to take forward. The Senior International Consultant will lead remotely in designing the
International Consultation, including developing an agenda for the event and a “call for papers”
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document and shortlisting of relevant papers. The Senior International Consultant will play a leading roll
in chairing the event and present on the findings and recommendations resulting from Output 1.
Output 3: Local and national government supported with the formulation / revision of policies to protect
children from air pollution.
Following the recommendations for policy makers emerging from the international consultation, the
Senior International Consultant, with support from the National Institution, will provide technical
assistance to local and national policy makers to formulate responses to the recommendations. These
consultative meetings will ultimately inform a final policy option paper outlining how international best
practices can be adapted to Mongolia and replicated through low cost/high return innovation.
2. Purpose of assignment:
The Senior International “Air Pollution” Consultant, under the guidance of UNICEF and with support from a
National Institution, will lead on delivering on key activities and associated final products throughout the
project (through remote and in-country).
3. Duty Station:
The Senior International “Air Pollution” Consultant will be home-based (estimated at 48 days) and in addition
will be required to travel to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia at specific times for two in-country missions (estimated
at 12 days).
4. Duties and responsibilities with deliverables and timeframes:
Under the supervision of UNICEF, and with support from the contracted National Institution (please also
refer to the National Institution ToR), the Senior International “Air Pollution” Consultant is expected to:
Under Output 1:
Activity
Deliverables
Estimated period
1. Provide quality assurance for the
draft
baseline
situational 1. Timely review of the draft
analysis report as produced by
baseline situational analysis report
the UNICEF contracted National
produced by the National
Institution (deliverable 4 of the
Institution, with all comments
National
Institution
ToR)
received by soft copy
(remote - 2 days)
June 2015
2. Lead on identifying suitable
existing and potential (low-cost
2. Draft summary paper detailing the
and high-impact) international
top 5 options most relevant to the
good practice options that
Mongolian context, received in
mitigate hazardous effects of air
English by soft copy
pollution on children’s health,
with support from the National
June 2015
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Activity
Deliverables
Estimated period
Institution on the suitability of
options for the Mongolian
context. (remote – 5 days)
3. Building on the baseline
situational
analysis
report
(activity 1) and options identified
in activity 2, lead on developing a
3. Draft policy brief received in
concise draft policy brief
English by soft copy
detailing short and medium term
policy recommendations, with
support from the National
Institution. (remote – 5 days)
June 2015
4. Draft proposed ToR for incountry consultative mission to 4. Draft ToR received by soft copy
undertake activities 5 & 6,
(Note: ToR will be approved by the
June 2015
including requests for meetings
UNICEF Mongolia Country Office
with government agencies, if any
before travel)
(remote - 2 days)
5. Lead on presenting and
facilitating discussion on the
options (activity 2) and policy 5. Meeting attended and led with
brief (activity 3) at a Project
clear outputs detailed in concise
Inception Meeting with key
email
national
stakeholders
(incountry 1 days)
July 2015
6. With in-country support from
UNICEF and the contracted
National Institution, lead on
meetings with key national
6. Meetings attended and led with
stakeholders
(including
clear outputs detailed in concise
government and policy makers)
email
in a series of consultative
meetings to discuss the options
(activity 2) and policy brief
(activity 3) (in-country 4 days)
July 2015
7. Following
the
in-country
consultative mission, lead on
finalising the options (activity 2)
and policy brief (activity 3) 7. Final draft version of options
following input from key national
paper and policy brief received in
stakeholders
including
English by soft copy
government and policy makers,
with National Institution support
(remote 5 days)
July 2015
8. Lead on producing full final
8. Final synthesized version of full
referenced report (maximum 50
final referenced report and short
sides of A4) and short summary
August 2015
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Activity
report (maximum 10 sides of A4)
for Output 1, incorporating all
timely feedback from UNICEF
and the National Institution
(remote – 10 days)
Deliverables
Estimated period
summary report received in
English by soft copy, to include
a. Baseline situational
analysis
b. potential (low-cost and
high-impact) options
c. policy brief detailing short
and medium term policy
recommendations
Under Output 2:
Activity
Deliverables
Estimated period
9. Support UNICEF in the design of
the
3
day
International 9. Draft agenda detailing
Consultation on Air Pollution to
consultation modalities, objectives
be hosted in Ulaanbaatar in 4th
and outputs received in English by
quarter of 2015 (remote – 2
soft copy
days)
August 2015
10. Draft a “call for papers”
document for the International
Consultation on Air Pollution
including specific guidelines for 10. Draft “call for papers” document
the preparation of the paper,
received in English by soft copy
academic
requirement,
specifications and selection
criteria (remote – 1 day)
August 2015
11. Lead on the review and
11. Shortlist of reviewed papers with
shortlisting of papers received to
key justifications against selection
be presented at the International
criteria received by soft copy in
Consultation on Air Pollution
English
(remote – 4 days)
September 2015
12. Chair the 3 day International 12. Consultation successfully chaired,
Consultation on Air Pollution,
presentations delivered and
and present the finalized options
discussions initiated and chaired
and policy brief produced under
with clear outputs delivered and
deliverables 7 & 8 (in-country – 3
summarized at the end of the
days)
consultation
October 2015
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Under Output 3:
Activity
Deliverables
Estimated period
13. Provide in-country leadership,
with support and guidance from
the National Institution, in a
number of follow up consultative
meetings to the International
Consultation, including drafting
of policy option paper for
“adapting and replicating lowcost/high-impact international
innovations to the Mongolian 13. Draft policy option paper received
context” and final debriefing
in English by soft copy
sessions, with national and subnational policy makers, guiding
and supporting them in
formulating responses to the
concrete recommendations for
policy makers and communities
as
formulated
at
the
International Consultation (incountry 3 days)
October 2015
14. Lead a project debriefing
meeting with the UNICEF
Mongolia
Country
Office,
presenting on the lessons learnt
and informing with concrete 14. Meeting attended and led with
recommendations
of
how
clear outputs detailed in concise
UNICEF can further tailor
email
programming for this sector in
the future in relation to child
health, if appropriate, (incountry 1 day)
October 2015
15. Based on the International
Consultation proceedings as
developed by the National
Institution, lead on producing a
15. Final version of short summary
short report summary of key
report received in English by soft
themes
and
discussions,
copy
including
the
concrete
recommendations for policy
makers
and
communities
(remote - 2 days)
November 2015
16. Building on the drafted policy
option paper for “adapting and
16. Final policy option paper received
replicating low-cost/high-impact
in English by soft copy
international innovations to the
Mongolian context” based on
November 2015
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Activity
Deliverables
Estimated period
experiences of the international
conference and workshops held
in-country in activities 12 & 13,
lead in finalizing the policy
option paper with support from
the National Institution (remote
– 10 days)
Estimated contract duration: 60 days over 6 month period
5. Start date: June 2015
End date:
November 2015
6. Proposed payment schedule based on deliverables:
These payments will be made based on the recommendation of the UNICEF Project Focal Point:
a. 30% on satisfactory receipt of deliverables 1 through 8
b. 30% on satisfactory receipt of deliverables 9 through 11
c. 40% on satisfactory receipt of deliverables 12 through 16
7.
Qualifications
Technical background and experience:
Required
 Must have advanced university degree in Climatology, Meteorology, Environmental Science,
Environmental Policy or relevant field with at least 10 years’ experience
 Evidence of formal reports or published paper(s) in peer reviewed journals on relevant topics ( i.e.
on climate change, air pollution, environmental studies and children’s health issues related to air
pollution)
 Good knowledge on international good practices in technologies, innovations and policy relating to
air pollution mitigation
 Access to a wide network of international experts on air pollution
 Experienced in policy development in relation to air pollution mitigation measures
 Experience in influencing and advocacy
 Ability to rapidly understand, assimilate and capture key information and produce concise syntheses
and associated policy briefing papers
 International experience in cities with air pollution problems
 Experience of formal public speaking at high-level conferences
 Experience in leading meetings on air pollution policy, with government officials
 Excellent English language skills (written, reading, speaking, presenting)
 Willingness and ability to travel to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Preferred
 Understanding of health issues for children as a result of exposure to air pollution
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

Conducting research specifically on air pollution, preferably relating to associated child health issues
Experience of formal public speaking at international conferences on air pollution
8. Official travel involved:
Yes. Consultant price proposal must stipulate all inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence
costs.
The contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expenses, such as visa, life, health, travel
and other forms of insurance covering the term of this contract at his or her own expenses. Regardless of
length of travel, contractors will travel by economy class.
9. Nature of “Penalty Clause” to be Stipulated in Contract:
Payment of fees to the Contractor under this contractor, including each instalment or periodic payment (if
any), is subject to the Contractor’s full and complete performance of his or her obligations under this contract
with regard to such payment to UNICEF’s satisfaction, and UNICEF’s certification to that effect. UNICEF
reserves the right to withhold up to 30% of the total fee in the case that the deliverables are not submitted
on schedule or do not meet the required standard.
10. Definition of supervision arrangements and frequency of performance review:
12.1
Direct Supervisor: Representative
12.2
Frequency of performance review:
Final report and conclusion meeting. A formal output evaluation will be conducted at the
end of the contract period on a designated form. If output is evaluated less than fully
satisfactory, no further contracts shall be granted to the consultant, and payments may be
reduced or withheld entirely as per CF/A1/2013-001 para 6.19.
12.3
Performance indicators for evaluation of results:
 Keeping the scheduled timeline
 Quality of developed policy papers and reports
 Communication skills
 Level of applicability of recommendations and materials in practice and synergies
with international cutting edge thinking
 Creativity and innovation
11. UNICEF support: Administrative support will be extended by a PA and Operations for in-country
missions, to include:
i. Support in convening meetings, including with government counterparts
ii. Field trip to project target areas, if required
iii. Personal translator will be provided, if required
iv. Desk space when in the UNICEF office
v. Temporary access pass for UNICEF office
vi. Access to internet when in the UNICEF office
vii. Assistance in hotel booking and booking of airport pickups and drop-offs
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