Consultant: Sustainable Public Procurement

Environment

Overview

Support UNEP's Sustainable Public Procurement implementation in India

You have:

• An advanced university degree in environment science, engineering, social science, natural science, finance, supply chain management or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of Sustainable Public Procurement and/or related policy or project management experience.
• Clear understanding of public procurement framework in India.
• Familiarity with General Financial Rules (GFR).
• Experience of working with government agencies as an environmental sustainability professional with procurement experience.
• Demonstrable environmental sustainability experience and/or experience of ISO 14000 certifications.
• Proven ability to build trust and relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Familiarity with project management tools and reporting cycles.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of other regional languages an advantage.

Result of Service In close coordination with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) India Office, the consultant is expected to achieve the following outputs:

Output-1: Identified new set of priority products and services for prioritization and market assessment study in consultation with MoF, to arrive at SPP criteria for the new priority products and services.

Output-2: Implementation of the activities defined under the SPP annual work plan 2021-2022

Output-3: Followed up on implementation of planned activities as per the activities planned under SPP and Ecolabel work plan 2021-2022 (PAGE India)

Output-4: Annual work plan (2022-2023) developed for the SPP and Eco-labeling work package under PAGE India

Outputs 1: Identification of new set of priority products and services for SPP, in consultation with Procurement Policy Division, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. Deliverables: a. Submission of report on identified Products and services for SPP; b. ToRs prepared for hiring of consultant(s) to carry out market assessment study and identifying the SPP criteria for the prioritized products/services; c. Draft market assessment report(s)submitted by consultant(s) reviewed and provided with comments.

Outputs 2: Annual work plan (2021-2022) developed for the SPP and Eco-labeling work package under PAGE India. Deliverables: a. Draft Annual Work plan (2021-2022)developed for the SPP and Eco-labeling work package under PAGE India.

Outputs 3: Implementation of the activities defined under the SPP annual work plan 2021-22. Deliverables: a. National Workshop organized on the prioritization and preliminary market assessment study (for Writing and Printing paper and Room Air Conditioners and on draft national action plan on SPP) b. Updating of the prioritization report and draft national action plan on SPP based on the feedback received during the national workshop.

Outputs 4: Followed up on implementation of planned activities as per the activities planned under SPP and Ecolabel work plan 2021-2022(PAGE India). Deliverables: a. Technical inputs provided to Ministry of Finance on draft National Action Plan for SPP implementation in India. b. Technical inputs provided to the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) on prioritized SPP products and services. c. Products identified for Eco-Label programme in consultation with Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). d. ToRs prepared for hiring of consultant(s)to carry out ecolabel study for the identified products. e. Draft report(s) developed under the Eco-label work package submitted by consultant(s) reviewed and provided with comments.

Work Location Home Based

Expected duration 16/11/2021 - 31/07/2022

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.

UNEP Asia and the Pacific Office helps to implement its global programmes in the region by initiating, coordinating and catalyzing regional and sub-regional cooperation and action in response to environmental problems and emergencies.

Governments across the world are leveraging their scale of procurement to fast-track adoption of sustainable goods and services and create sizable demand. They are adopting Sustainable Public Procurement, or SPP, practices facilitated by evolving specifications, legal reforms and policy guidelines. Procuring environmentally friendly products and services is important for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, more particularly SDG 12. SPP allows governments to serve as an exemplary model and send strong market signals so as to achieve multiple benefits such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, improved resource efficiency or circularity. From a social perspective, poverty reduction, improved equity and respect for labour standards are at the core of SPP. Also, positive economic results include generation of income, reduction of costs, transfer of skills and technology and innovation by domestic producers. Stimulating SPP can help catalyze not only government spending but can also foster private sector and consumer behavior change, enabling the overall transition to a green, sustainable economy.

UNEP has been at the forefront of SPP since 2005. UNEP developed the first methodology to support countries in the design and implementation of SPP policies. Under the EU funded “Capacity Building for Sustainable Public Procurement in Developing Countries” project (2009-2011), UNEP developed a revised methodology in 2012, crystalized as the Sustainable Public Procurement Implementation Guidelines, which remains at the heart of directions for governments on designing and implementing SPP policies and action plans. This methodology was successfully rolled out in over 20 countries in the frameworks of the SPP and Eco-labelling Project (SPPEL)1(2013-2017), Eastern Partnership Green Project2 (2013-2017) which later developed as the EU4Environment Initiative3 and more recently UNDA project, covering Kazakhstan and Kirgizstan.

UNEP is also the leading organization in the monitoring of SPP globally and in the development of the SDG 12.7.1. methodology (SPP indicator). It is involved in the measurement of SPP impacts and outcomes, and the mapping of SDGs to SPP monitoring tools. UNEP is also responsible for the monitoring work area of the One Planet SPP Programme.

SPP which leverages the potential of government procurement for furthering environmental sustainability, forms an important part of UNEP’s work in India. The total volume of public procurement comprising both goods and services in India is estimated to constitute about 25 percent of its GDP and hence the potential for shifting markets in the direction of a green economy is significant. The opportunity of using public procurement as a tool for advancing sustainable consumption and production is however relatively new. The Ministry of Finance provides the basis for implementation of sustainable public procurement through General Financial Rules, 2017, and the Manual for Procurement of Goods, 2017. The Government of India also launched Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for procurement of both Products & Services in 2016. The GoI set up a ‘Task Force on Sustainable Procurement’ in 2018, vide a notification dated March 19, 2018. UNEP is an invited expert member on this Task Force. The Task Force had suggested a prioritization study to identify the product categories that can be used for SPP implementation to have a demonstration effect. UNEP led this study and the prioritization report was submitted to Task Force that proposed preliminary sustainability criteria for three product criteria i.e. Writing and Printing Paper, Disinfecting/ Cleaning Solutions and Room Air Conditioners (RACs). The report is underreview and parallelly stakeholder consultations have taken place on the proposed SPP criteria for Writing & Printing Paperand RACs. SPP criteria for RACs are almost finalized and a pilot launch of these RACs (Green RACs) was done on 5th June 2021 on the occasion of World Environment Day. The purchase of Green RACs is voluntary for the government agencies.

UNEP is implementing the project titled “Supporting SPP Implementation in India and Asia Pacific Region” supported by one of the work packages under the global programme on Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE)4.The project and the work package contribute to the achievement of SDG 12.7: “promote public procurement practices that are sustainable in accordance with national policies and priorities”. It is housed under UNEP’s sub-programme 6: Resource efficiency and more specifically linked to expected accomplishment: “Public and private sectors are increasingly aware of and support the adoption of sustainable lifestyles and sustainable consumption pattern”. The project supports the Government of India in general and the Task Force on SPP in particular towards development of a national SPP action plan to integrate sustainability in public procurement policy and drafting of procurement guidelines for prioritized product categories. The project also helps build capacities for public procurement officials and of the supply chain, particularly the MSMEs. The PAGE work programme in India, also aims to accelerate the transition to a resource-efficient and circular economy by strengthening the existing eco label programme for identified consumer products. This study aims to develop the overall framework for an ecolabeling programme in India, its key features, and institutional structure for programme development and implementation to benefit consumers, producers and the society at large, as well as build eco labels for one -two products to be selected in consultation with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change other key stakeholders. The planned activities are underway, and deliberations are being done to arrive at the SPP criteria for the prioritized products after the stakeholder consultations. A pilot launch of Green RACs on GeM has already been done. Few of the other activities that will be undertaken through this consultancy are as follows: - Adoption of a National SPP Action Plan, including development of sustainable purchasing criteria, and putting in place institutional and regulatory frameworks; - The project country improves its SPP practices and/or is equipped with enhanced capacity to implement SPP. - SPP tools and instruments needed to embark on SPP are made available with the assistance of UNEP and leading ministries and national support organizations gain the ability to develop SPP tools and instruments needed to advance SPP implementation and monitoring; - Regional cooperation networks on SPP for knowledge exchange and peer to peer learning are strengthened. - Strengthened framework and institutional structure for an ecolabeling programme developed to benefit consumers, producers, and the society at large - Monitoring methodology and guidance, as well as tools for tracking and reporting on SDG 12.7 are developed and disseminated.

A consultant is required to support the UNEP office in India in implementation of PAGE India work package on Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) and Eco-labelling. The position report to UNEP, India Country Office.

The SPP expert is expected to provide technical and administrative support to the activities related to PAGE India work package on Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) and Eco-labelling. ------------------------------- 1 Stimulating the Demand and Supply of Sustainable Products through Sustainable Public Procurement and Ecolabelling’ (SPPEL) 2 http://www.green-economies-eap.org/ 3 https://www.oecd.org/site/eu4environment/about/ 4 https://www.un-page.org/

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: An advanced university degree in environment science, engineering, social science, natural science, finance, supply chain management and equivalent academic qualifications, or equivalent work experience. Experience: - Sustainable Public Procurement and/or related policy or project management experience of a minimum of 7years, with a clear understanding of public procurement framework in India and of supply chains in a variety of markets. - Environmental sustainability industry experience will be an important asset. Experience of working with government agencies as an environmental sustainability professional with a procurement experience as spelt out above will be an asset. - Domain knowledge related to Life Cycle Assessment, circular economy, resource efficiency, Extended Producer's Responsibility will be an asset. - Strong familiarization with General Financial Rules (GFR), understanding of the process associated with GFR and ability to work in the framework of GFR. - Demonstrable environmental sustainability experience and/or experience of ISO 14000 certifications will be preferable. - Track record of managing and influencing multiple stakeholders and proven ability to build trust and relationships with senior stakeholders. - Significant and progressive management experience, in particular with administration of small grants. - Familiarity with project management tools and reporting cycles. - Working experience in a multicultural environment including United Nations would be an asset. - Excellent demonstrated analytical skills. - Skills in facilitating consultations, workshops, and grass-roots engagements. - Excellent communications and writing skills. Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of other regional languages an advantage

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.

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Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org