Background

National Technical Expert on Chemicals

A. Project Title: Reduction of POPs and UPOPs through integrated sound management of chemicals

B. Project Description

According to the recently completed “the update of the National Implementation Plan (NIP) of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) of the Philippines,” the Philippines still needs to work further in sound management of chemicals, in particular, the issues of:

  1. inappropriate management and unclear labelling of products containing POPs labelling;
  2. the need for a more comprehensive inventory on the use and stockpiles of PFOS and PBDE;
  3. review of government policies on the new POPs for its reduction and eventual elimination;
  4. necessity of regulatory control of newly included POPs such as Lindane, Chlordecone and Endosulfan;
  5. Lack of awareness and reduction measures of POPs, particularly PFOs and PBDEs, as hazardous chemicals;
  6. Inefficient and in sufficient monitoring of the health impacts of POPs pesticides, PCBs, UPOPs, PFOs and PBDEs; and
  7. Lack of the knowledge and capacity to introduce clean alternative technologies/substances.

In light of the above, UNDP Philippines in collaboration with the Environment Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR) will be developing a project to be funded under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the aim to reduce POPs and unintentionally produced POPs (UPOPs) through integrated sound management of chemicals by having a sound chemical management practice in place. A Project Preparatory Grant (PPG) Team will be formed to develop the full-size Project Document entitled – “Reduction of POPs and UPOPs through Integrated Sound Management of Chemicals”.

The project will also contribute to the implementation of some of the national priorities and strategies in chemical waste management identified through the updated NIP of the Philippines. The project intends to address the intentional use or secondary contamination of POPs (PBDEs, PFOS, PFOA, HBCD, SCCP) in paint, chrome plating, non-ferrous metal, plastic recycling and other related sectors, with the general objective to protect human health and the environment. This will be ensured through technical and financial support to enterprises, and improvement and enforcement of environmental regulations.

The first aspect to be undertaken by the project is the revision of the Philippines regulation concerning the use of POPs and PTSs, to make it compliant with the amended list of POPs under the Stockholm convention and to introduce principle of Green Chemistry and Circular economy. The revision will obviously envisage the complete banning of use, manufacturing and import of these chemicals as required by the Convention, giving industries a deadline to comply, and implementing a strict enforcement and a support mechanism for industries who will ensure compliance through the project lifetime by the adoption of a Green chemistry compliant project.

Especially because of the current economic crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the capacity of industry to invest in environmental protection technologies is currently limited. For this reason, the core of the project will be the establishment of a Green Financing Fund (FREEME – Financing the Roadmap for the Environmental Enhancement of Manufacturing Enterprises) which will support firms with loan granted at a very low or null interest rate, provided that the loan is used to implement technologies or activities compliant with Green Chemistry principles or preventing the use and release of POPs. 

Duties and Responsibilities

C. Objectives and Scope of Work

The National Technical Expert on Chemicals (POPs) will have the general role to provide updated knowledge to the team of consultant on the situation of POPs and U-POPs in the Philippines, from the regulatory and technical standpoint. He/She will support the International Project development Specialist, the upgrade and refinement of the baseline, baseline scenario and alternative scenario with specific reference to the situation of POPs in Philippines. The expert will also look into the industries that can be identified as demonstration sectors.

The national POPs expert will work in strict coordination with the PPG development team, to ensure quality assurance and timely preparation of all technical and regulatory aspects related to POPs, so that the finalized UNDP Project Document (ProDoc), the CEO Endorsement Request, and the Core Indicator worksheet will be based on the most updated and scientifically validated information about POPs in Philippines. The component dealing with NIP updating shall be the competence of this national expert.

1) Preparatory Technical Studies and Reviews (Component A): Prepare inputs and support the required analyses/studies, as agreed with the GEF PPG Expert Team Leader, including:

         a.  Information related to baseline analysis related to the legislation relevant to POPs and UPOPs;

         b.  Inputs and information for the international consultants on aspects related to the alternative scenarios for all the components associated to POPs so that the detailed activities timeframe and budget can be identified in detail;

         c.  Assist the international consultants in the assessment of training needs and the preliminary design of training modules relevant to POPs;

         d.  Assist the International Project Development Specialist in the drafting of all the technical part of Project Document and annexes.

 

2) Formulation of the ProDoc, CEO Endorsement Request and Mandatory and Project Specific Annexes:

         a. Provide relevant quality text sections for the ProDoc package on the aspects mentioned above;

         b. Contribute to indicator development and the M&E framework, especially the indicators relevant to the reduction of POPs and U-POPs;

         c. Validating the timeline for engagement activities and how they will be sequenced (based on the inputs of ICs and other NCs), including information disclosure;

        d. validating resource requirements and associated budget; including securing of co-financing letters

 

3) Validation Workshop (Component C):

          a. Contribute to the validation workshop; and

          b. Support all necessary revisions that arise during the workshop, as appropriate.

 

4) Final Deliverables:

         a. Appropriate inputs provided to the Project Document and Annexes, as agreed, with the PPG Team Leader

Competencies

 

Corporate Competencies

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN mission, vision, values, and ethical standards
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Promotes UNDP’s agenda in meetings

Other Competencies

  • Ability to work in close collaboration with a group of national and international experts, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities;
  • Demonstrates capacity to plan, organize, and execute effectively;
  • The initiative, good analytical skills, mature judgment, and ability to work under tight schedule while respecting deadlines achievement, ethics, and honesty;
  • Ability to establish effective working relations in a diverse environment
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Builds strong relationships with internal and external clients;
  • Demonstrated ability to function in a team environment and to deal with a complex multi-stakeholder environment
  • Good ability to use information and communication technologies as tools and resources;
  • Excellent written communication and presentation/public speaking skills focus on results, ability to interact productively in a teamwork environment

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications of the Consultant

The minimum qualifications of the Project Development Specialist are as follows:

 

Education

  • Minimum Master’s degree in environmental protection, economics, chemistry or related area

Experience

  • Minimum three (3) years of experience working on GEF or other international projects including project development and execution, designing, planning;
  • Five (5) years minimum demonstrated experience in environmental protection, POPs and mercury management, Stockholm Convention work and other related fields.

 Language

  • Proficient in English