Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Expert

Result of Service Support to national reporting, training, and inventory under Stockholm and Minamata Convention.

Work Location Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Expected duration 12 months

Duties and Responsibilities Organizational Setting, Purpose, and Objective:

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. The West Asia Office delivers advisory services and capacity building support to countries to achieve environment and sustainable development objectives. This consultancy is established at the West Asia Office within the framework of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement between UNEP and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Consultant will report to the Project Manager at UNEP West Asia Office.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager in UNEP West Asia Office and in coordination with the National Centre for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) and the respective department in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Consultant will carry-out, inter alia, the following duties & responsibilities:

1. Provide technical advice to national inventory teams and lead the review of reports of inventory teams engaged to support the development of the NIP and MIA. 2. Provide technical guidance towards the collection of baseline information on POPs and Mercury in KSA. 3. Conduct detailed analysis of national policy, legal and institutional frameworks for POPs and Mercury management including gaps and constraints. 4. Collate inventory team deliverables into consolidated reports on POPs and Mercury inventory, release, and management in KSA. 5. Provide technical inputs and ensure gender perspective is mainstreamed into the development of the NIP and MIA. 6. Provide technical inputs in the development of National Implementation Plan ensuring the inclusion of inventory team contributions and Government feedback. 7. Provide technical training and inputs for meetings required to complete the NIP and MIA development including but not limited to national consultative sessions and validation workshops, etc. 8. Provide additional technical guidance to activities related to international treaties and conventions. 9. Prepare a strategy for the department to fulfil the requirement for the international treaties such as: Stockholm, Rotterdam, Minamata and SAICM.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables 1. Inception report completed. 2. Report on establishment of POPS inventory teams completed. 3. Report on establishment of mercury inventory teams completed. 4. Draft Inventory Reports for POPS completed. 5. Draft Inventory Reports for Mercury completed. 6. Draft report on NIP Action Plans completed. 7. Draft report on MIA completed. 8. Monthly progress reports completed. 9. Final project report completed.

Qualifications/special skills Master’s degree in biochemistry, chemical engineering, environmental sciences, management, or related fields is required. PHD is an asset. A minimum of 10 years of professional work experience related to chemicals including persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is required. Work experience in development of national implementation plans on Multilateral Environmental Agreements, and other related sustainable development issues is an asset. Experience working in West Asia is an added advantage.

Languages Fluency in written and spoken English is required, proficiency in Arabic is desirable.

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.