Expert - Customs Officers Capacity Building Development

Result of Service A direct and timely assistance service provided to the NOU in Mexico to develop the Customs Officers Capacity Building component of the Kigali HFC Implementation Plan in Mexico.

Work Location Mexico

Expected duration Twelve (12) 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." 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 Law Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

UNEP is an Implementing Agency of the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. That role is discharged through the Law Division's OzonAction Branch, whose goal is to enable developing countries to meet and sustain their compliance obligations under the treaty. OzonAction’s Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) provides a range of services and project implementation support to assist those countries. As part of the latter, the Latin America CAP team provides technical assistance for the control of trade of HFC-based substances and equipment, as part of the activities for the preparation of the Kigali HFC (hydrofluorocarbons) Implementation Plan (KIP) in Mexico.

In line with national legal/regulatory frameworks, the Government of Mexico, through its National Ozone Unit (NOU), has requested UNEP to hire a Consultant to undertake an assessment study to identify the number of customs officers that need training, types of training required, additional capacity building options and tools.

Consequently, the Consultant will provide technical assistance to Government Officers of Mexico, in close coordination with the CAP regional team for Latin America. Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for the following actions:

• Review the following reference documents: HPMP-I and HPMP-II projects, HCFC consumption reports under HPMP-I and HPMP-II, national and international regulations related to HCFC and HFC controls,

• Assess current legislation related to HFC and HFC-based equipment controls. Engage in meetings with the National Ozone Unit, the Customs Office and other relevant stakeholders, seeking their advice and recommendations,

• Undertake an assessment of the national customs capacity needs for effective controls, including training and dissemination of the new quotes and licensing system, training for safety management for HFC and low-GWP alternatives, actions to improve customs procedures to detect HFC traffic

• Prepare the customs component of the KIP in close coordination with UNEP and the lead implementing agency, UNIDO, to be submitted to the ExCom,

• Address all observations, comments, adjustments to UNEP’s component of the KIP, raised by the MLFS, and revise the text accordingly for final submission to the ExCom.

  Qualifications/special skills Skills: Capacity to work in teams and in a multicultural environment. Excellent communication skills. Experience with project preparation under the Multilateral Fund is an asset. Academic Qualifications: The Consultant should have a first university degree in Engineering, International Affairs, Public Administration, Environmental Management, Economy or Chemistry is required. A Master’s degree in related matters is desirable. Experience: At least 5 years of professional experience in Customs and Excise operations, including detection of illegal trade. Proven experience in online Training of Customs/Enforcement Officers and Customs Brokers. Familiar with UNEP’s Montreal Protocol training manuals for Customs Officers. Technical background to review national procedures to monitor the HFC international trade and propose illegal trade prevention measures. Experience working with government officers of Latin American region. Knowledge about Mexico’s customs context is highly desirable. Language: Fluency in Spanish and working knowledge of English are required.

  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.