UNDP Jobs - 46176- International Expert on Mercury Management Issues

International Expert on Mercury Management Issues

Location :

Home- based with mission to Kazakhstan (5 days)

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2014

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

22 working days within September 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

The project objective is to reduce the releases of unintentionally produced persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and other globally harmful pollutants into the environment by promoting sound healthcare waste management in Kazakhstan; and to assist the country in implementing its relevant obligations under the Stockholm Convention.

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 countries-parties to the Convention had to develop the National Implementation Plan (NIP) to demonstrate the implementation strategy of the obligations under the Stolckholm Convention. The first NIP was officially forwarded to the Stolckholm Convention Secretariat on December 8, 2009.

Legal control over management of chemical substances and wastes in Kazakhstan is based on Environmental Code, which is a regulatory-legal base necessary to set regulatory control over the follow-up implementation of the measures endorsed.
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.

Considerable environmental deterioration occurs due to mercury pollution. No work was done on current situation in the country and mercury releases assessment. One of the reasons is that current legislation sets no standards for mercury releases, even though it regulates mercury produced with wastes or when reprocessed. Based on the worldwide reports it is certainly known that the main mercury sources in Kazakhstan`s healthcare system are thermometers and direct and compact fluorescent light bulbs.

In October 2013 a new global convention on mercury named Minamata Convention was signed. The Convention presents general position of countries and their attitude towards mercury pollution issues as a serious threat to human health and environment. Kazakhstan as an active party to international environmental agreements needs to undertake measures to upgrade regulation of mercury pollution. Above all this should start with building capacities for stakeholders in treating mercury containing products and wastes.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main goal of the works during this stage of project implementation is to carry out general assessment of the mercury situation; to prepare a preliminary plan of mercury use reduction. In this connection the international expert will perform the following works:

Assessment of the existing system of monitoring and accounting of mercury and recommendations on their improvement;
Review of international experience in mercury management and monitoring;
Assessment of proposals on creation of the legal methodical base in the area of mercury management prepared by the national expert and recommendations on them;
Preparation of recommendations on mercury management and on Kazakhstan joining Minamata Convention.

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:

Strong expertise in waste management.
Familiarity with the International Conventions addressing wastes, chemicals, mercury etc.
Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of quality analysis.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualification:

Master degree in natural sciences, ecology or related fields.

Experience:

Work experience in mercury treatment and chemical security not less than 7 years;
Work experience in implementing projects on mercury and chemicals management not less than 5 years;
Work experience in implementing and monitoring projects on waste management in UNDP/GEF context.

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.