UNDP Jobs - 46174- International Expert on National Implementation Pl

International Expert on National Implementation Plan of Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and Strengthening Capacity on POPs

Location :

Home-based with mission to Kazakhstan (5 days)

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jun-2014

Application Deadline :

25-May-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

14 working days within August 2014 – January 2015

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

To protect human health and environment from toxic and hazardous chemical and dangerous wastes listed as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) the Stolckholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants was adopted in May 2001. Kazakhstan ratified the Stolckholm Convention on November 9, 2007.

In line with Article 7 of the Convention the first NIP was officially forwarded to the Stolckholm Convention Secretariat on December 8, 2009.

At this point of time in order to reflect the last amendments in the list of Stolckholm Convention chemical substances Kazakhstan has to revise and update its NIP. The process of NIP update will make it possible for Kazakhstan to perform inventory of products and goods containing new POPs and to identify production processes that use new POPs or unintentionally produced persistent organic pollutants.

Legal control over management of chemical substances and wastes in Kazakhstan is based on Environmental Code. The document sets general provisions and principles, on which the national environmental management system is to be based, including those aspects that are directly related to safe handling chemical substances and wastes. Further on, it suggests harmonization of the national legislation with the current international norms and standards, specifically with the EU environmental directives. As of now eighteen (18) international conventions related to environment, as well as thirty (30) EU directives and their provisions have been taken into account in the Environmental Code.

Though Environmental Code has been complemented by new articles dealing with the management of POP wastes there are still gaps that are to be filled in by more integrated legislation that takes into account all the POP aspects having environmental and health impact. It has to give special attention to: BEP/BAT technologies on reduction of uPOP emission by industrial sources; to environment quality indicators; to plans and rules of soil cleanup; to rules concerning management of the industrial use of flame retardants with POP properties; to recycling or re-use of products; use and production of PFOs given the necessity to apply special exceptions for some of the substances in compliance with the Stockholm Convention.
When preparing the update of NIP (given PFOs and new POP) special attention should be given to comprehensive review of the gaps within the system of the currently in force legislation in order to identify better ways to integrate Stockholm Convention requirements into the current legislation and to ensure their better implementation.
Strengthening capacities for industries and other relevant stakeholders on POPs management, including uPOPs and mercury is a topical issue.

Legislation of Kazakhstan does not set emission standards for waste incineration or any other technical requirements for the given process. However, waste incinerator, as any other object of waste disposal, is to be assessed in terms of its environmental impact and has to obtain a permit for waste utilization before it sets to work. The given permit includes requirements on release of some pollutants, with the exception of uPOPs and heavy metals, with the follow up payment of relevant environmental duties. However, in reality pollution test checks are not performed; the volume of incinerator emissions is estimated theoretically in the process of getting a permit for its operation and later is to be adjusted and monitored by its owner. Thus, monitoring and control over emissions resulting from waste incineration is practically inexistent. Considerable deterioration of environmental situation is observed during incineration of infectious wastes, which according to generally accepted practice, undergo bromine chlorine disinfection prior to incineration, which leads to still greater release of dioxins and furans; chlorine compounds are released in disposal fields as well.

Duties and Responsibilities

To achieve «NIP update, integration of POPs into national planning and promoting of sound healthcare waste management in Kazakhstan” Project`s objectives under Outcome 1 based on the work a company completed, the international expert will perform the following activities:

National plan update on Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants within new POPs, including:
Recommendations to the analysis of usage and importing new POPs prepared by national experts;
Assessment of international system on POPs monitoring;
recommendations to the preliminary prepared texts of new NIP chapters dedicated to new POPs
Assessment of updated NIP on Stockholm Convention on new POPs.
Prepare a program on strengthening capacity for relevant stakeholders on POPs issues, healthcare wastes and mercury, including:
Recommendations to Program on capacity establishment (trainings) concerning POPs risks, inventory, monitoring, institutional role and responsibilities, POPs controlling criteria, data monitoring provided by responsible parties.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional competencies:

Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of quality analysis;
Strong planning, goal-setting and prioritization skills;
Good research skills; skills for drawing up of the reports, recommendations and analytical reports.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualification:

Master degree in law, ecology, chemical engineering or related fields

Experience:

Work experience in POPs and industrial waste management not less than 5 years;
Work experience in implementing projects on POPs in international agencies;
Work experience in implementing and monitoring projects on waste management in UNDP/GEF context;
Experience in drafting legal and regulatory documents.

Language requirements:

Excellent writing English skills are essential;
Knowledge of Russian would be an asset.

NB:

Please refer to UNDP Kazakhstan web site to download the Terms of References, Procurement Notice & Template for confirmation of interest and submission of financial proposal.