Background

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) was adopted by the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on 22 May 2001 and entered into force on 17 May 2004. It is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from Persistent Organic Pollutants that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment. It further establishes international regulation over POPs.

The Republic of Belarus has been active in the implementation of the Stockholm Convention since it accession in 2004. Using GEF support and with its own resources it developed and submitted a detailed NIP inclusive of an action plan in 2007. This also formed the basis for a formal government program implemented for the period 2007 to 2010. 

This national program has been updated with a current program inclusive of funding in place for the period 2010 to 2015, and a following plan for a five year period is currently in preparation. Since accession to the Convention the country has invested in POPs related activities ranging from PCB management programs, securing and elimination of POPs and obsolete pesticide stockpiles, developing supporting hazardous waste management infrastructure, PCB management activities as well as implementing a solid basic legislative and regulatory framework for POPs and Convention implementation. 

Notwithstanding major achievements, the country still retains significant remaining POPs and obsolete pesticide legacies that it needs to address which include the 5,130 t of securely stored obsolete pesticides,   an estimated 1,850 t of obsolete pesticides remaining in monitored burial sites, and 2,250 t of registered PCB based equipment stockpiled and in service that will require phase out by 2025, and a need for U-POPs release reduction.

Considering Belarus’s priorities on implementation of its National Implementation Plan (NIP) for persistent organic pollutants (POPs), UNDP CO in Belarus would like to hire a short-term International Consultant needed to assist the Country Office in preparation of a GEF project concept for a future full-sized programme of national significance for its further funding though GEF-6 programming cycle to address remaining POPs pesticides/PCBs/contaminated soil issues as directed by the Government and in line with GEF procedures and funding eligibility and co-financing rules.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the International Technical Consultant on Sustainable Management of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (further in the text – Consultant) will assist the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus (Ministry of Environment) and UNDP Country Office in developing a project identification framework (PIF) to approach the GEF to request technical and financial assistance for risk reduction, safe management and disposal of remaining POPs stockpiles in Belarus, which includes buried or accessible obsolete POPs pesticides, contaminated soils as well as PCBs found in the power generation and distribution sectors, in transformers, capacitors and electric switches.

Anticipated outcomes of the assignment:

• A detailed work plan outlining the timeline for delivering outputs, achieving milestones, and which includes a detailed agenda for the mission;
• Country Mission Report;
• Draft Project Identification Framework (PIF) in the GEF format;
• Final version of the Project Identification Framework in the GEF format.

Scope of work, responsibilities and description of the proposed analytical work

The Consultant will provide technical guidance to the national partner(s) such as the Ministries of Environment, Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Emergency Situations on issues related to sound addressing such POPs stockpiles, wastes and currently used PCB equipment, specifically tailored to prevalent national circumstances identified during the PIF development process. Among the outputs of the activities supported by the Consultant will be:

• Provide guidance on the type of information required from the national counterparts to assist in formulation of the project concept;
• Study NIP documentation, and use any other existing sources of data and other useful materials in PIF formulation exercise;
• Review and comment on reports and information sources made available under the guidance of key project counterparts in order to improve the quality of data up to the level required for formulation of the project concept;
• Embark on a country visit to collect any additional information for PIF formulation, or to have required consultations with the national counterparts and potential project partners in terms of direct meetings or a PIF presentation workshop. These consultations will involve the design of future project, areas of POPs waste addressed, co-finance issues as needed in the process;
• Based on collected information and consultations, design and draft the overall project concept for risk reduction, safe management and disposal/treatment of remaining POPs stockpiles, soils and PCB wastes (background information, project justification, risk assessment, incremental reasoning for GEF involvement and estimated cost-effectiveness of POPs pesticides disposal) and submit the draft concept to the UNDP Belarus Country Office and the Bratislava UNDP Regional Centre. The project concept will be further submitted to the GEF to request technical/investment assistance with capacity building elements in safe management and disposal POPs stockpiles/wastes in Belarus;
• Collect comments from UNDP and national partners, particularly the Ministry of Environment of Belarus;
• Address the comments and prepare the final version of the PIF and submit the final version of the PIF to UNDP for clearance.

The International Consultant will be expected to assist in addressing comments received from STAP, GEF Secretariat, the Stockholm Convention Secretariat, Council Members and associated revisions in the PIF document.

Sequence of work, terms and conditions for provision of services

The consultant will be recruited by UNDP Belarus Country Office through a selective process. Once hired, the consultant will get in touch with the team of the UNDP/GEF project “Initial Implementation of Accelerated HCFC Phase Out in the CEIT Region” to establish email communication with the team and the key national counterparts.

The assignment will be a combination of home-based and in-country work. One 5-day mission to Belarus is planned. The Consultant should discuss with the project team, the UNDP Country Office and the MPU/Chemicals Regional Technical Advisor the best timing for the mission. In case, an additional mission to Belarus will be deemed necessary, the Consultant should provide thorough justification, and discuss the issue with the UNDP Belarus Country Office and MPU/Chemicals Regional Technical Advisor. The expenses related to this additional mission will be covered separately in accordance with the respective UNDP rules and procedures.

Competencies

Functional competencies:

• Solid knowledge of United Nations, Global Environmental Facility, The Stockholm Convention and other international or bilateral organizations and their policy;
• Proven ability to work in a complex environment with a lot of different stakeholders within a specific political context;
• Ability to interact and relate with people at any level;
• Ability to critically analyze issues, find root-causes and suggest optimum solutions;
• Full computer literacy.

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in chemical engineering, hazardous waste management, environmental science and management, or related field;
• Note: Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) may be considered, if the applicant has sufficient relevant professional experience.

• At least 10 years of relevant work experience in chemicals/hazardous waste management and specifically obsolete POPs pesticides/PCBs/contaminated soils;
• Experience in designing/providing consultancies for GEF project;
• Working experience in/for UNDP is an advantage.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English with exceptional writing, presentation and communication skills.

Proposal:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability;
• Financial proposal – please fill in Annex II (Finance Proposal);
• Duly filled-in and signed Personal History Form (P11 Form).

An applicant may also attach a personal CV including details on education, professional training and post-graduate courses, past relevant experience, personal responsibilities and achievements, list of similar tasks implemented in the past, conducted research works and/or publications on the topics related to the subject of this assignment and at least 2 references (or contact information of at least 2 people who could provide a reference upon request).

All documents required (Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability, P11, personal CV and Financial Proposal) shall be presented altogether in just one (1) envelope, if submitted by courier, or as an attachment to an on-line application, or by e-mail without password encryption.

*   Please note that UNDP Online Recruitment System allows only one uploading, so you are kindly requested to make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file to accompany the application. 

** Proposals/applications/offers submitted by email must be limited to a maximum of 7 MB per each message, and to no more than 5 email transmissions from one applicant in total. They must be free from any form of virus or corrupted contents, otherwise the proposal shall be rejected. 

*** Note for interested Candidates above the age of 62: UNDP regulations require, at your own cost, to undergo a full medical examination including x-rays. Medical certificate does not need to be submitted with the other requested documents listed above, but will be requested in case of contract award.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Financial proposal:

In the financial proposal, the consultant should indicate the fee as a Lump Sum Proposal to UNDP and clearly indicate the number of days that the consultant will spend on the Milestones specified in the Financial Proposal. The consultants may include additional items/lines if he/she deems it necessary.

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. international travel to/from duty station, fee, health insurance, vaccination, office costs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services). Please take note that in general, UNDP does not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

The Consultant is responsible for all personal administrative and international travel expenses associated with undertaking this assignment including office accommodation, printing, stationary, telephone and electronic communications, and report copies incurred in this assignment. All of these costs are covered by the lump sum fee payable by the project to the consultant. Local travel support will be provided and covered by the project.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering of contract obligations and main outputs in a satisfactory manner.

For evaluation details, please refer to the IC Procurement Notice.

Annexes: