Result of Service

Develop a final draft for toolkit application, and introduce and assist its application in a pilot country.

Work Location

Remote (Home-based)

Expected duration

12 person-months over a 12-month period (full-time), starting as early as possible

Duties and Responsibilities

A. Background (1) Organisation setting: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. As part of the Industry and Economy Division, UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) works with developing countries to implement sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, with focus on holistic waste management. UNEP-IETC provides technical and advisory support to national and local governments to enhance their use of environmentally sound strategies and approaches. UNEP-IETC also implements in-country demonstration projects using innovative waste prevention and management methods and technologies to improve human well-being, reduce the impact of climate change, increase resilience and create jobs. Working with a wide range of partners and in line with relevant multilateral environmental agreements, UNEP-IETC mission is to serve as a global centre of excellence on environmentally sound technologies with focus on holistic waste management. (2) Purpose: As the UNEP report “From Pollution to Solution: A global assessment of marine litter and plastic pollution” reveals, plastic pollution poses threats to human well-being and healthy functioning of terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. As of today, plastics account for at least 85% of the total marine waste, and with population growth, overconsumption and tourism, the scenario is posed to get worse. Based on this, governments and other stakeholders started paying attention to plastic pollution and designing programmes to address major land-based and water-based sources of plastic pollution in the aquatic environment The underlining problem is that given the complexity of plastic pollution with diverse sources, multiple pathways and a variety of plastic polymer types, there has not been a tool to identify and quantify sources and leakages to the aquatic environment, which can be practically applied without relying on physical models and complex algorithm and which can be used to assess plastic pollution sources in a comprehensive manner. To address this, UNEP designed a project to develop a practically useful toolkit to identify and quantify the sources of plastic pollutants entering into the aquatic environment, so authorities can develop source-inventories and list of source hot spots, based on which these water pollution control bodies can develop strategies to address water plastic pollution and prioritize necessary action. This consultant will coordinate the development and application of such toolkit, to identify and quantify the sources of plastic pollution entering aquatic environments. The consultant will be responsible for the production of a draft document outlining how such toolkit would work, based on inputs from a technical Working Group and feedback from UNEP and European Commission focal points, and would also introduce the toolkit and assist its application in a pilot country. B. Duties (1) Objectives: Coordinate the development of a toolkit to assess plastic pollution sources in aquatic environments, assisted by a Working Group and with inputs from UNEP and European Commission focal points. (2) Output expectations: Develop a final draft for toolkit application, and introduce and assist its application in a pilot country. (3) Performance indicators: The tasks are followed accordingly, and the materials produced as well as the monthly reports are of quality satisfactory for UNEP. C. Specific tasks and responsibilities (1) Collect information on the existing models, methodologies and tools that identify, assess and quantify sources of plastic pollution for the aquatic environment, as well as research results on the estimating the amount/concentration of plastic pollutants associated with specific human and sector activities on lands and on water. The Working Group and another consultant in this project will be assisting the information sources; (2) Support the project manager with the organization of meetings and activities related to the project, including the production of preparatory documents and materials; (3) Analyse existing tools/methodologies/models to see how these tools can actually be applied for which results. Working Group will help analyse these tools; (4) Develop methodologies for assessment of plastic pollution discharge or emission from specific human or sector activities. The Working Group would assist in writing these methodologies; Working Group will also assist in developing methodologies; (5) Draft a toolkit based on the agreed methodology to assess the specific sources of plastic pollution; (6) Have a draft reviewed by the Working Group and other reviewers and incorporate comments; (7) Develop a final draft toolkit for actual application; (8) Assist the application of the toolkit and introduce the toolkit to stakeholders in a pilot country; and (9) Support outreach and follow up activities related to the development, the implementation and the promotion of the toolkit.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications: • Masters or equivalent in the field of pollution control, pollution assessment, water/ocean pollution policy development, physical, geo-chemical or biological oceanography/hydrology, or other related areas. Experience: • At least 10 years of professional experiences in marine/water pollution. At least three years of experiences in plastic pollution assessment and control. Demonstrated capacity to write UN documents in English. Special knowledge and skills: – Demonstrated capacity to write UN documents in English (asset). – Capacity to gather, analyze and synthesize data and generate relevant information (asset). – Prior experience working with Working Groups and International organizations (desirable). – Willingness to promote gender equity. – Cultural sensitivity/Appreciation of diversity. – People from under-represented groups and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. – Gender considerations are included.

Languages

• Fluency in written and oral English.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.