In the context of the CitiMeasure project, Eurocities asbl is looking for an expert on air quality with advanced knowledge of participatory methods for air quality monitoring e.g., in the context of citizen science projects. The expert will be providing inputs into the design of an instrument that intends to clarify which organizations are collecting what air quality information using the help of citizens, and how. This instrument is currently being co-created by the CitiMeasure Comparability working group.
Objectives and expected deliverables
The main objective of this call is to identify a suitable candidate who will provide expert inputs into the development of an inventory of information about air quality monitoring activities of different cities and organizations across Europe. This inventory is being produced by the CitiMeasure Comparability working group, in form of matrixes that allows for collecting information on which cities/organizations are collecting what types of air quality data and how. The expected expert inputs are in form of reviewing and potentially operationalising the draft matrixes that help capture how different cities and organizations measure air quality. Expected deliverables include:
- Review and improve the draft structure of the matrixes.
- Testing the improved structure of the matrixes by completing it for at least three organizations/cities.
- Inputs into operationalisation of the matrixes in an online environment.
- Final presentation with a summary of the improvements and functionalities of the matrixes, and guidance on how to use it.
Constant communication and exchange with the CitiMeasure team during the review is expected and the format of the communications can be discussed and agreed upon at the beginning of the contract.
This is a telework task and physical presence of the selected candidate is not expected for any part of the work.
Selection criteria
Responses to the call will be examined by the CitiMeasure team and the selection will be made based on the following criteria:
- Relevance of past experiences based on the provided CV.
- Expertise on participatory methods for air quality monitoring, sensors, and sensor standards.
- Availability for starting the task as soon as possible. The rough timeline for conducting this task is February/March 2022.
- Excellent English language skills.
Background information on CitiMeasure
The CitiMeasure project (2021-2023) aims to bring together the experiences and expertise of more than 19 European cities and 18 organisations and networks in implementing citizen science initiatives. The project builds upon the lessons learned from the Dutch City Deal Working Groups, a network of stakeholders working on the broader area of smart cities in the Netherlands, which includes the topic of citizen measurement initiatives. The City Deal partners have been working closely with the Dutch Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations for over a year. CitiMeasure builds upon these experiences and will use those to develop and pilot three ‘instruments’ namely:
- An instrument that allows the outputs of different city measurement initiatives to be compared.
- An instrument that safeguards the digital inclusivity of city measurement initiatives (maximising the opportunities for participation of interested individuals and communities).
- An instrument that connects information to behaviour change and policy.
CitiMeasure will also raise awareness of the importance of citizen measurement initiatives and capitalise on the results and tools of similar citizen science projects by creating an online European Knowledge Centre with a repository of good practices.
Comparability working group
The CitiMeasure Comparability WG investigates and compares existing technical (data) and interoperability standards that support the gauging of consumer-grade air quality sensors with reference sensors of (regional national, and municipal) authorities. The aim is to develop a basic guideline that informs citizens and city officials on what sensors to use to ensure the comparability of data with other citizen science initiatives, as well as with official observations.
The WG is compounded by 25 members representing cities, (non-)governmental organizations, and academia.
Contract, budget and fees for the external expert
Selected experts will be employed as sub-contractors and asked to sign a subcontracting agreement with Eurocities asbl as the coordinator of the CitiMeasure project.
Experts are entitled to a payment of a fixed price of 500 EUR (VAT excluded) in the form of a lump sum for each full working day spent on the work, i.e., reviewing the resources for the two CitiMeasure working groups. The number of working days to be considered for the performance of the different tasks will be based on the following:
Activity 1: Review and improve the draft structure of the matrixes
Duration: 2 days
Testing the improved structure of the matrixes by completing it for at least three organizations/cities: 1 days
Activity 2: Inputs into operationalisation of the matrixes in an online environment
Duration: 1 days
Follow up, reporting and final presentation: 1 day
Total: 5 days
These are the number of days that will be specified in the subcontracting agreement. The selected candidate has the flexibility to adjust the duration spend on each task, as long as the expected results are delivered completely and with good quality.
Considering 5 full days of work and a rate of 500 EUR (VAT excluded) per full working day, the total budget for the task is 2,500 EUR (VAT excluded). This is a telework task and no travel is required for performing the service.
Deadlines and application procedure
Please complete the application form online and send your CV via email to the Project Coordinator Mohammad Gharesifard (mohammad.gharesifard@eurocities.eu) before 14 February 2022. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Candidates will be informed about the results by 21 February.
Any question? Contact us mohammad.gharesifard@eurocities.eu
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