Summary

The WRI Air Quality Program intends to award a consultant an eight-month fixed price contract to evaluate the performance of our NASA Air Quality (AQ) Forecast tool in four cities – Bogota, Kampala, Nairobi, and Monterrey – as well as to engage policymakers in Monterrey and Bogota around the use of the AQ forecast tool. This is an essential component of the team’s CanAIRy Alert project, which aims to deliver air quality monitoring tools for cities in low- and middle-income countries.

Program Overview

WRI’s air quality team applies a data-to-action approach to addressing these bottlenecks, working directly with city governments in LMICs worldwide on a range of projects (USAID-funded Clean Air Catalyst, U.S. State Dept.-funded South-East Asia Community of practice, etc.). WRI’s strategy focuses on translating existing, already-paid for science into decision-relevant, action-provoking and locally relevant tools.

Scope of Work and Deliverables/Outputs

• Conduct a literature review of AQ forecast model evaluation performance. Use findings to contribute to internal WRI reports generated as part of CanAIRy Alert phase I, proposing a methodology to evaluate model performance for Nairobi, Kampala, Bogota and Monterrey.
• Review and provide an analysis of the functionality of the bias-corrected air quality forecast, as well as an accompanying methodology[SW2], available in CanAIRy alert
• Conduct evaluation[SW3] of the bias–corrected AQ forecast [BC4]model for the cities of Bogota, Monterrey, Kampala and Nairobi with NASA and city-level data provided by WRI, producing a report synthesizing the model’s performance in each city. [SW5]
• Contribute analyses to final report on the evaluation performance model for Bogota[SW6], Nairobi, Monterrey and Kampala. The report will include a section with recommendation of options for potential to operationalize the process.
• Design and prepare content for a training session to air quality practitioners from Nairobi, Kampala, Monterrey and Bogota on air quality forecast model performance evaluation.
• Participate as trainer in 4 [SW7][BC8][BC9]virtual sessions on AQ performance evaluation to AQ practitioners.
• Review Pollution Insights pilot tool, delivering short report on recommendations and proposed options to operationalize and make it available as a tool.
• Contribute to developing a Data Protocol for environmental municipal policymakers and data providers that could assist in utilizing the AQ forecast evaluation.[SW10][BC11]
• Participate in periodical meetings (frequency biweekly, half an hour).

Consultant Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, engineering, or atmospheric sciences
• MS or PhD, ideally in data analytics
• 3 years of experience of analyses of environmental and/or health analyses
• Intermediate to Advanced Matlab
• Intermediate to Advanced Python
• Intermediate to Advanced SQL (Structured Query Language)
• Intermediate-level English, Advanced-level Spanish

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 applicant’s proposal fulfills WRI’s stated requirements and ability to carry out the activities and deliverables as set out in this posting
• Demonstrated expertise and experience with similar projects
• Overall cost of the applicant’s proposal
• Sustainability – WRI values sustainability and all other factors being equal, will favor a proposal that can more sustainably perform the work.

The consultant offering the best overall value will be selected. For this position, price and non-price aspects are considered to be of approximately equal importance.

Compliance Requirements: WRI receives funding from a variety of sources, including governments and other non-governmental organizations. The Clean Air Fund is funding this award. In addition to WRI’s standard contract terms, Clean Air Fund conditions may apply.

How to Apply

• Please submit a Cover Letter depicting proposed work plan, methodology, and previous experience, including a fixed price amount broken down by proposed payment milestones.
• Please attach a CV

Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

WRI Overview

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean.

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. In addition, we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges, and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $150 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 1,000+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.

The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is WRI’s policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI’s global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI’s policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds.