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Consultant for development of Air Quality Strategy for UNICEF. Islamabad Pakistan.WASH.6 Months. Nationals Only.Remote Based (with Travel) #594326 Re advertised

UNICEF

Published

03 Sept 2026

Deadline

16 Sept 2026

Air pollution is one of the leading environmental health risks globally. The State of Global Air 2025 reports that approximately 36% of the global population was exposed to PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 35 μg/m3 in 2023, while nearly 2.6 billion people remain exposed to household air pollution from the use of solid fuels1 . Globally, air pollution contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality, with children being particularly vulnerable due to their developing respiratory systems and higher exposure rates. Air pollution arises from both outdoor (ambient) sources such as transport, industry, waste burning, and agriculture and indoor (household) sources, primarily the use of biomass fuels for cooking and heating. Household air pollution remains a major challenge in low- and middle-income countries, contributing to a high burden of disease among women and children2 . Pakistan is among the countries most affected by poor air quality. The country’s annual mean PM2.5 levels remain significantly above WHO guideline values, and a substantial proportion of the population continues to rely on polluting fuels for cooking. WHO estimates indicate that approximately 47% of the population lacks access to clean cooking fuels, highlighting the scale of indoor air pollution exposure In addition, Pakistan experiences recurrent seasonal smog episodes, particularly in Punjab, driven by vehicular emissions, industrial activity, agricultural burning, and meteorological conditions.