EPR Country Support Expert

Result of Service- The gap analysis report on EPR for packaging/plastic products finalised - Support provided to pilot countries of the EPR project to improve their EPR design and implementation

Work Location home based

Expected duration 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP’s Economy Division works with international governments and non-governmental organizations, national and local governments, business and industry to develop and implement policies, strategies and practices that are cleaner and safer, incorporate environmental costs, use natural resources efficiently, reduce pollution and risks for humans and the environment, and enable the implementation of conventions and international agreements.

The Consumption and Production Unit of the Economy Division has partnered with the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund to increase global and national capacity to develop, implement and mainstream Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approaches for plastic products. This collaboration aims to develop global EPR guidelines, operational manuals and supporting toolkits to harmonize EPR approaches under the project entitled: Enhancing National and Local Capacity to Implement Extended Producer Responsibility to Reduce Plastic Pollution and to Improve Resource Efficiency. Founded on these global guidelines, the project will provide tailored technical support to government agencies and Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) in selected pilot countries to operationalise the EPR schemes, and organize capacity building and dissemination events towards more countries through an EPR helpdesk, to increase their capacity to implement EPR.

UNEP is seeking to hire a consultant to support the country level work under the project, and support the finalisation of a gap analysis report on the design and implementation of EPR for packaging/plastic products at country level. The position is home based. The consultant will work under the supervision of the programme officers of the Consumption and Production unit.

Qualifications/special skills - Advanced university degree in environmental management, ecological economics, industrial/ environmental engineering, or a related technical field. - At least 5 years work experience on EPR for packaging/plastic products, including experience in working with industry and public sector officials and providing them with technical advice on EPR design and implementation as well as PRO operation. - Knowledge of EPR, waste management and the principles and approaches of circular economy is essential; - Knowledge of international practices on EPR is required, especially for packaging and the plastic sector; - Proven experience in dealing with diversified entities encompassing government agencies, development partners, donor organizations; - Good research skills to analyse and compile relevant information from desktop research, stakeholder interviews, and project implementation, in order to summarize, and draw sensible conclusions. - Working experience at regional and international levels is desirable. - Knowledge of the UN System is an advantage.

Languages Fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN language is 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.