UNDP Jobs - 63468- Expert in Chemicals and Waste (C&W)

Expert in Chemicals and Waste (C&W)

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

26-Feb-2016

Application Deadline :

10-Feb-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Upon acceptance of its terms by the candidates, expected for 3 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 months

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

Contamination by chemicals is a global issue. While toxic chemicals are found practically in all ecosystems on earth, thus affecting biodiversity, agricultural production or water resources, scientists estimate that everyone today carries within her or his body a large number of chemical contaminants, for which the health impact is not precisely known.

At the end of their life, chemicals are recycled or disposed as part of waste. The inappropriate management of such waste (e.g. through open burning) poses negative impacts on human health and the environment.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) will continue to play a catalytic role in leveraging budgetary resources from national governments and incentivizing the private sector to contribute more to the achievement of elimination and reduction of harmful chemicals and waste.

Of all the pollutants released into the environment every year by human activity, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are among the most dangerous. POPs are pesticides, industrial chemicals, or unwanted by-products of industrial processes that have been used for decades but have more recently been found to share a number of disturbing characteristics.

Recognizing the dangers of POPs, many countries began limiting or banning their production, use, and release. These efforts culminated in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants that was adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004.

The Stockholm Convention currently focuses on 21 POPs of immediate concern — pesticides, industrial chemicals, and unintentional by-products.

In the GEF there is an increased focus on the large use of plastic and the inappropriate management in many developing countries. Huge quantities of plastic waste end up in the Nature or in the oceans, whereas uncontrolled burning of certain types of plastics can potentially lead to UPOPs emissions.

A recent estimation establishes that 275 MMT of plastic waste was generated in 2010 by 6.4 billion people living in 192 countries (93% of the global population), based on the estimated generation of 2.5 billion MT of municipal solid waste (approximately 11% of it) (Jambeck, 2015). This is broadly consistent with 156 MMT of plastic waste calculated from 1.3 billion MT of waste generated by 3 billion people in urban centers globally (Hoornweg, 2012).

Therefore, it is important to have a better understanding about the magnitude of the problem with plastics, and how it potentially can be addressed under the GEF

Duties and Responsibilities

To support the UNDP Chemicals & Waste Focal Area team in the development of a PIF / Programmatic approach on plastics and its management in Developing Countries. The purpose is develop a project framework that can address the main barriers to the proper management of Plastics in the developing countries, and to find ways to reduce the demand for Plastics in the future. The potential linkages with the Stockholm Convention should be addressed and the Global Environmental Benefits should be visualized.

The International Expert will work with UNDP under the direct coordination of the Regional Technical Advisor for Chemicals and Waste in Latin America and the Caribbean, carrying out the following services:

Conduct research regarding the global challenges related to Plastics and its poor management in developing countries;
Prepare an information note on global challenges to Plastics and its poor management;
Develop a Global PIF / Programmatic Approach document on Plastics and its management and how this issue potentially can be addressed in the context of a proposal to the GEF.

Fees

The consultant will quote his/her professional fees for services based on the deliverables identified below. Assignment related costs and other foreseeable expenses must be quoted separately from the professional fee.

Missions which were not foreseen below shall be paid to the consultant as per IC Rules and Principles.

A Best value for Money approach will be used in the evaluation of the applicants, and will lead to a combined score for technical capabilities and the financial offer. Short listed candidates, based on their technical capabilities, will receive the standard format that they must fill out to submit their financial offer.

Deliverables

The consultant will receive payment upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables identified below.

D1 (50%) – Information paper describing global challenges to Plastics and its poor management presented and accepted by the Regional Technical Advisor on Chemicals and Waste. March 2016

D2 (50%) – PIF or Programmatic Framework on Plastics as defined above and accepted by the Regional Technical Advisor on Chemicals and Waste. April 2016

Competencies

Extensive knowledge of the Stockholm Convention related issues and of environmental policy.
Full knowledge of Funding Guidelines under the Global Environmental Facility;

Communication Skills:

Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English, 10 points

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Engineering and/or Bachelor (or equivalent) degree in Chemistry, Mechanics or related field, 15 points;
Masters or equivalent degree in related area is desirable, 14 points.

General Experience:

Working experience of at least 10 years in research, development or in the area of Hazardous Waste Management is desirable, 15 points;
Profound knowledge of Global Environmental Facility in the Chemicals and Waste Focal Area is desirable, 6 points;
Experience in industrial and environmental-related projects in developing countries is desirable, 10 points.
Working experience in the design, preparation, and implementation of Chemicals and Waste Projects under the Global Environmental Facility,
Working experience related to the Chemical and Metallurgical industry in developing countries.

Language:

Fluent in English.