Result of Service

The objective of this consultancy is to bolster the design, implementation, and consolidation of a performance tracking mechanism for plastic pollution reduction, including marine plastics and circularity efforts, across participating cities within the Intercity Network. The consultancy will contribute to the development of methodological tools, capacity-building resources, data analysis and interpretation, and long-term sustainability strategies to ensure effective monitoring and continuous improvement.

Work Location

home-based

Expected duration

10 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). Under the project Reduce marine plastics and plastic pollution by supporting governments and businesses at the city level to accelerate the transition to a circular economy (hereinafter referred to as the “GEF Circular Cities Beyond Plastic-project”), is co-financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It aims to reduce national plastic pollution, including marine plastics, by facilitating governments and businesses at the city-level to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, thereby responding to national, regional and global frameworks, resolutions, and commitments in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The project is implemented in 6 cities in Colombia (Barranquilla, Cartagena), Jamaica (Kingston, Montego Bay), and Panama (Panama City, Colon), under the coordination of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as implementing entity, and with the Secretariat of the Cartagena Convention as Executing Agency. As part of component 3 of the project, the Intercity Network on Plastics Circular Economy in LAC (hereinafter referred to as the “Intercity Network”) was established. This initiative involves the cities participating in the project, as well as additional cities in the region, to promote a shared vision, common goals, and collaborative dynamics that foster cooperation between local governments. The UNEP LACO provides technical support and guidance to this network as Secretariat, with the support of the Secretariat of the Cartagena Convention. To this end, In order to achieve the overall objective of the project and guarantee an effective implementation of the project activities, it is necessary to support the Intercity Network to set up a performance tracking mechanism with indicators and reporting procedures to monitor the progress of cities towards improving the circularity of plastics while reducing plastic pollution, including marine plastics. This includes supporting the gathering of data from participating cities to report on progress, demonstrate lessons learned, and improve performance. This work will be carried out in close coordination with the indicator-related activities under components 1 and 2 of the project, to ensure alignment, complementarity, and coherence across all project components. This coordinated approach seeks to foster the long-term continuation of monitoring and evaluation practices, helping cities continue tracking their progress and building on results after the project ends. The selected applicant for this task is expected to work with UNEP and local government officials to design, implement, and refine a performance tracking mechanism for circularity and plastic pollution reduction. The objective of this consultancy is to bolster the design, implementation, and consolidation of a performance tracking mechanism for plastic pollution reduction, including marine plastics and circularity efforts, across participating cities within the Intercity Network. The consultancy will contribute to the development of methodological tools, capacity-building resources, data analysis and interpretation, and long-term sustainability strategies to ensure effective monitoring and continuous improvement. Under the overall supervision UNEP Regional Chemicals and Pollution Sub-Programme Coordinator of the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office, the consultant will deliver the following products: 1. Plastics Circularity in cities Tracking Methodology Product No. 1.1: Document presenting the methodology for a performance tracking system, including the selection of indicators, measurement metrics, and reporting processes Product No. 1.2: Monitoring templates and tracking dashboard/tool for city-level progress. 2. Guidance and Capacity Building Support Product No. 2.1: Manual or guide with step-by-step instructions for monitoring template use, including tracking, using indicators, and collecting data. Product No. 2.2: Report on the virtual or in-person training or workshops for city-level officials and stakeholders on the performance tracking mechanism. 3. City-level performance analysis Product No. 3.1: City-level data analysis report that consolidates and analyzes the performance tracking data submitted by cities. The report should include trends, initial performance findings, and practical recommendations for improvement. 4. Final project report Product No. 4.1: A technical report including challenges, conclusions, and recommendations to ensure continuity and implementation of the tracking mechanism tool. To this end, UNEP LACO seeks to engage an Environmental Indicators (plastic pollution) consultant . The consultant will play a pivotal role in ensuring that participating cities can track their progress in reducing plastic pollution and improving circularity and will contribute to designing and bolstering the implementation of tools that enable participating cities to monitor and report their progress systematically. This is a home-based product-based consultancy, and the work and outputs of the consultant will be supervised by the UNEP Regional Chemicals and Pollution Sub-Programme Coordinator of the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office.

Qualifications/special skills

ACADEMIC: • A Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, Natural Sciences, Urban Planning or related areas is required. • A Master’s degree in in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, Natural Sciences, Urban Planning or related areas is desirable. • Additional studies or specific training on circular economy frameworks, environmental data analysis or marine pollution or plastics management are an asset. PROFESSIONAL: • Five (5) years of professional experience in areas related to environmental data management, environmental analysis and assessments, sustainability assessment, or circular economy monitoring is required. • Demonstrated expertise in the design and implementation of data systems, including indicator development, analytical tools, and performance tracking frameworks related to plastic pollution and the marine environment is highly desirable. • Experience working with Latin America and the Caribbean countries on circular economy initiatives and/or plastic pollution is highly desirable. • Familiarity with topics such as plastic waste management, marine pollution, circularity principles, and UNEP project methodologies is highly desirable. • Working experience with municipal governments, regional platforms, or city networks, including in Latin America and the Caribbean, is desirable. • Experience with GEF and/or UNEP projects is desirable. Five (5) years of professional experience in areas related to environmental data management, environmental analysis and assessments, sustainability assessment, or circular economy monitoring is required.

Languages

LANGUAGE: • Fluent in English is required. • Confident level in Spanish is required. SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Professionalism: • Proven ability to design and operationalize data-driven tools for performance tracking in environmental contexts. • Ability to synthesize, interpret, and validate data from diverse city and national stakeholders and multiple sources (municipal records, national databases, community input). • Professional competence and mastery of subject matter; efficiency in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. • Good desk research and analytical skills, combining communication and a good understanding of environmental issues. • Good organizational and problem-solving skills. COMMUNICATION: • Ability to translate technical environmental data into clear, actionable insights for municipal decision-makers and regional partners. • Good communication skills, written and spoken, as well as the ability to draft or edit a variety of written technical reports. • Ability to ask questions for clarification and interest in having two-way communication. • Openness in sharing information and in keeping people informed. TEAMWORK: • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve project objectives; solicits input by genuinely valuing others” ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others, and able to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment. SOFTWARE SKILLS: • Proficiency in MS Office Suite and knowledge of data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).

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.