Marine Pollution Consultant

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

• Developing the RC3S Strategic Plan 2023-2027 as a RAC focusing on COBSEA priorities and needs, under the guidance of the COBSEA Secretariat, for consideration and approval by the COBSEA IGM 26, following consultation with the WGML. • Preparing the biennial workplan and budget of the RAC for 2025-2026, which will be included in the RC3S Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and contribute to achievement of the RAP MALI and its biennial workplan, in consultation with the COBSEA Secretariat and the WGML. • Identifying the role, activities, funding, governance, and institutional arrangements of the RC3S as a (co-)host of the East Asian Seas Regional Node of the GPML for consideration and approval by IGM 26. • Finalizing the hosting agreement, such as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between UNEP/COBSEA and the Government of Indonesia on the appointment of the RC3S as a COBSEA RAC, including consideration of funding arrangements. • Liaising with relevant parties, such as the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and RC3S, to support the approval process of the hosting agreement and organize a signing ceremony. • Identifying capacity and support needs in the COBSEA region related to nutrient management and pollution, building on a recent nutrient study conducted by COBSEA, and scoping the potential for RC3S to support relevant activities in line with its mandate and capacity. • Exploring the option for the RC3S to become a Regional Centre for the GPNM in South-East Asia for participating countries to share information on nutrients management and strategies and promote effective sustainable nutrient management across the region.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

133.5 days in 9 mths

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 Ecosystem 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.

The Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) is a regional intergovernmental mechanism and one of 18 Regional Seas programmes with nine participating countries – Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Viet Nam – aimed at the protection and sustainable development of the marine and coastal environment. COBSEA focuses on marine pollution, ecosystem-based marine and coastal planning and management, and ocean governance. The COBSEA Secretariat is hosted by Thailand in Bangkok and administered by UNEP. The Twenty-fourth Intergovernmental Meeting of COBSEA (IGM 24) adopted the 2019 Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI) to guide regionally coherent action to reduce and prevent marine litter from land-based and sea-based sources, strengthen monitoring and assessment, and create an enabling framework for implementation. The COBSEA Working Group on Marine Litter (WGML) provides guidance on implementation of the RAP MALI and develops respective biennial workplans. IGM 25 established the East Asian Seas Regional Node of the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML) as a knowledge and networking hub on marine litter, and the Secretariat launched the web platform of the Node in 2022. The Secretariat currently provides hosting functions for the Node until a longer-term hosting arrangement is considered by IGM 26 in 2024.

The Government of Indonesia established the Regional Capacity Center for Clean Seas (RC3S) in Bali in 2019 to contribute to the reduction and mitigation of land-based sources of marine pollution, with particular focus on nutrient, wastewater, marine litter and microplastics. IGM 25 endorsed Indonesia’s proposal to establish the RC3S as a COBSEA Regional Activity Centre (RAC) on marine litter. As a RAC, the RC3S functions as a hub for capacity-building, knowledge management and awareness-raising, in line with COBSEA Strategic Directions and RAP MALI. RC3S RAC will complement and strengthen current efforts through COBSEA, enhance co-operation and foster action to tackle issues related to marine litter. In line with its mandate, the RC3S may also become a potential Regional Centre of the Global Partnership on Nutrient Management (GPNM) to address other sources of marine pollution. The Government of Indonesia has further reiterated interest to explore the tole of RC3S as the (co-)host of the East Asian Seas Regional Node of the GPML.

Qualifications/special skills

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, strategic planning and management, development, water/coastal resources management, environmental management, waste management, or any related field is required. • A minimum of three years’ professional experience in programme/project planning, development, coordination, implementation and/or evaluation • Experience working in environmental, sustainable development and policy analysis, technical assistance and capacity development • Demonstrable experience working on marine pollution is an asset • Experience in knowledge management and developing strategy documents, workplans and budgets • Experience working with government officials and/or stakeholders in Indonesia • Experience working in the East Asian Seas and/or with COBSEA or Regional Seas is an asset • Prior experience working for the U.N. and/or other international/regional organization is desirable • Strong analytical, research and report writing skills • Strong communication and relationship-building skills • Ability to work independently with minimum supervision • Ability to work in a multi-cultural team environment and to deliver under pressure/meet deadlines • Innovative and creative, problem-solving skills

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. • Fluency in written and spoken Indonesian is required.

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.