Laboratory Capacity Building and Training Specialist

Result of Service Laboratory heads advised laboratory equipment to be acquired and Final Report on environmental laboratory strengthening in the Wider Caribbean Region through training and procurement/repair of selected laboratory equipment.

Work Location Virtual

Expected duration 3 months

Duties and Responsibilities The Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded IWEco project – Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States project – is a five-year multi-focal area regional intervention that applies a “Ridge to Reef” approach integrating watershed and coastal areas management in small islands for addressing the multiple challenges of sustainable water, land (including forests) and biodiversity management and conservation within the spatial framework of the watershed unit.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the preservation of Caribbean ecosystems that are of global significance and the sustainability of livelihoods through the application of existing proven technologies and approaches that are appropriate for small island developing states. A total of ten (10) Caribbean countries are participating in the project: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent and Grenadines.

The Project is co-implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and co-executed by UNEP Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP)/Secretariat to the Cartagena Convention and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). The Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) is located at CEP in Kingston, Jamaica. Under the CARICOM framework, CARPHA has the core mandate for environmental health and environmental management in provision of technical advisory services, conduct of environmental assessments, policy development and research on behalf of the countries in the areas of water, land/watershed resources management, wastewater, chemicals (pesticides and hazardous chemicals) and solid waste management. The Department is a training centre for environmental laboratory diagnostics services through its accredited laboratory facility.

An updated laboratory capacity and training needs assessment was completed during the first half of 2021 allowing the project to effectively move forward with strengthening regional capacity to analyse available data for effective regional environmental monitoring. In the Phase 2, two distinct components were identified:

• provision of support to UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) in order to deliver a package of recommended and agreed training modules to specific environmental laboratories throughout the Wider Caribbean Region;
• provision of support to UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) to identify the types of equipment and materials to be procured and delivered to specific environmental laboratories in selected IWEco countries. The environmental laboratory strengthening contributes to Component Two, Output 2.1.3. (Strengthened field monitoring and assessment capabilities) to strengthen participating countries’ field monitoring and assessment capabilities and to inform project outputs on environmental monitoring and testing indicators, and more specifically relate to Activity 2.1.3.2. (Procure laboratory diagnostic equipment, tools and supplies) and Activity 2.1.3.4. (Develop training modules and conduct associated training). This consultancy aims to finalise the work that was not completed in Phase 2 mentioned above.

This consultancy entails:

• provision of advice to the laboratory heads regarding the equipment to be acquired based on previous selections made; and

• preparation of the Final Report on environmental laboratory strengthening in the Wider Caribbean Region through training and procurement/repair of selected laboratory equipment.

  Qualifications/special skills Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Monitoring, Regional Development, Sustainability Management, Sustainability Analytics, or a field directly related to the assignment. Five (5) years of professional experience in a field directly related to the assignment can be considered in lieu of an advanced degree. Experience conducting field research, especially within the Caribbean or in Small Island Developing States. Experience with capacity development to support environmental health surveillance in developing countries will be considered an advantage. Experience in the Caribbean region context is required. Experience in carrying out consultancy assignments for the GEF, UN Environment Programme or other international development partners will be considered an advantage. Experience in the Management of Environmental Laboratory Operations. Significant expertise in environmental research and analysis; specific experience in field reporting in environmental monitoring in developing nations would be considered an asset.

  Languages High level of proficiency in oral and written English.

  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.