Senior Officer - Air Quality

Location: UAE
City: Dubai
Contract Type: Staff
Grade: X9
Salary scale: Country Scale

End date of appointment

1 year (renewal is considered subject to fund availability and performance)
Deadline: 03/02/2026
Job Reference: PR26-18

Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.

About The Uae Country Office

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) covered by the Regional Office (RO) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is one of the founding Member countries of GGGI and currently serves as a Member of its Council, GGGI’s executive organ presided by His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations. GGGI’s UAE Program based in Abu Dhabi – with a physical presence in Dubai as well - is scaling up its activities to deliver a multi-year cooperation program with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), along with various national and international stakeholders. The GGGI UAE Office is supported by a Host Country Agreement with MOCCAE. GGGI also has an active collaboration with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) in the form of an MoU, in addition to other MOUs with key partners from academia and NGOs, to support Climate Planning, MRV, Air Quality, and ESG.

In line with the UAE National Air Quality Agenda 2031, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has embarked on efforts to improve air quality in the country through policy-instruments, evidence-based interventions, and developing guidelines on air quality management. MOCCAE recognizes the impact Air quality on UAE’s public health, noting that gaps exist in the policy landscape. Long term exposure to Air pollution has been documented to have many detrimental risks to health. Particulate Matter (PM2.5) has been associated with a higher burden of disease including but not limited to ischemic heart disease, lung cancer, pulmonary obstruction, stroke and adverse birth outcomes. The MOCCAE is leading efforts to reduce air emissions and positively support UAE’s public health objectives – including improving livability and economic competitiveness.

As part of this work, GGGI is supporting MOCCAE in conducting research and impact assessment for new standards and regulatory changes to existing air quality policies. The outcomes of the research will support government decision-making, delineate economic and health impacts and eventually provide recommendations that will form a basis for the establishment of country-specific national guidelines and standards.

Position Summary

Based in Dubai at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) the Senior Officer for Air Quality will provide essential project management and technical support for the relevant work. The Senior Officer will be responsible for planning, implementation, monitoring, stakeholder coordination, and reporting functions. He/She will work closely with partner government institutions, relevant authorities, technical experts, and academia to ensure effective delivery of project outcomes.

The Senior Officer for Air Quality will be key in managing project activities, tracking progress against work plans and results frameworks, supporting stakeholder engagement, and ensuring timely reporting and compliance with requirements. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to national and global climate goals through impactful project delivery and cross-sectoral collaboration.

PURPOSE

The Senior Officer for Air Quality will lead the programmatic activities related to Air Quality, initiatives under the UAE program. The role ensures effective planning, implementation, stakeholder engagement, and reporting, contributing to national and global climate objectives through evidence-based policy development and cross-sectoral collaboration.

ENGAGEMENT

• Report to the UAE Country Representative and collaborate with regional and HQ teams.
• Coordinate with government counterparts, technical experts, and academia to ensure ownership and impact.
• Represent GGGI in national and international forums on air quality.
• Organize consultations and workshops to validate outputs and build stakeholder consensus.
  
  

• Manage and coordinate the formulation of air quality policies in line with program guidelines, ensuring integration of benefit-cost considerations for achieving air quality standards. Provide strategic advice and technical support to federal authorities and ministries to strengthen policy frameworks.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to communicate UAE’s unique air quality challenges, including technical, legal, and administrative requirements, and develop practical solutions.
• Conduct cost-benefit and policy analyses for potential air quality controls and strategies across pollution sources. Draft administrative rules and recommendations to address emissions effectively.
• Lead and coordinate work on ambient air quality regulations, including regulatory impact assessments, health effects analysis, scenario modeling, and stakeholder consultations. Provide evidence-based recommendations tailored to UAE’s context.
• Oversee the development of the UAE Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Framework, delivering technical assistance for benchmarking, gap analysis, and policy recommendations to improve indoor air quality standards.
  
  

• An Advanced degree in Physical Sciences, Engineering, environmental studies, ecological sciences, or another related technical field; candidates who can demonstrate relevant experience will also be considered.
• At least 7 years of experience in Air Quality science and policymaking, including but not limited to Impact assessments, Health effects, and economic costing.
• Demonstrate technical exposure across ambient and indoor air quality management.
• Advising and assisting program team in determining the applicability of air pollution rules and regulations, for conducting benchmarking and policy-reviews.
• Understanding of air quality emissions inventories, air quality modeling, air monitoring, air quality permitting, and environmental engineering practices.
• Proficiency in data processing and statistical analysis for Environmental Benefit-Cost Analysis.
• Experience developing long-range environmental (or similar) plans.
• Experience with air pollution control regulatory programs.
• An excellent command of spoken and written English.
• Proficiency in Arabic - both written and verbal is considered an asset.
  
  

• Self-motivated, team player, with creative problem-solving abilities
• Interest in being a part of a multi-cultural team within a dynamic fast-paced environment
• Experience working in an international development agency with cross-functional departments and across multiple country contexts
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral)
  
  

• Understand and actively support GGGI’s mission, vision, and values
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect, and partnership
• Process and share information accurately and transparently
• Positive team player attitude builds rapport and resolves conflict easily
• Promote creativity and innovation among staff
• Able to support the project management team in executing the necessary consultations and meetings with key stakeholders, especially the key government counterpart.
  
  

• The Senior Officer is X9, UAE grade level in GGGI’s salary scale. For an X9 national grade, the base salary starts from USD 85,237. Determination of base salary is subject to candidate’s experience, academic background, and internal equity. Terms and conditions are to be reviewed in a case-by-case situation.
• GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance that covers dental and vision.
• GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.