Regional Consultancy for Updating the Guidelines on Dumping of Inert Uncontaminated Geological Materials and Documenting Best Practices (Level B)

Result of Service The ultimate result of this assignment is to increase the protection of marine environment against marine pollution stemmed from dumping activities by contributing to further improvement of capacities of national authorities for issuing dumping permits for inert uncontaminated geological materials, as well as sharing experiences of best practices on inert uncontaminated geological material; monitoring/inspecting their implementation

Work Location Home-Based

Expected duration The contract will be for the period of two (2) months over twelve (12) months, starting from the date of last signature.

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional levels. 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. United Nation’s Environment Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This consultancy assignment is for the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) - Programme for the Assessment and Control of Marine Pollution in the Mediterranean (MED POL), Athens, Greece.

One of the Barcelona Convention Protocols is the Protocol for the prevention of pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by dumping from ships and aircraft (Dumping Protocol). Adopted on 16 February 1976, in Barcelona, Spain and entered into force on 15 April 1978, the Dumping Protocol was amended in 1995, however, these amendments are not yet into force. The objective of the Dumping Protocol, as stipulated in Article 1, is to take all appropriate measures to prevent, abate and eliminate pollution to the fullest extent possible in the Mediterranean Sea caused by dumping from ships and aircraft or incineration at sea.

The MED POL Programme has been mandated to undertake several activities to promote and facilitate the implementation of the Dumping Protocol. These activities are stemmed from, and based on, the implementation of the technical guidelines under the Dumping Protocol. These currently include the Updated Guidelines Regulating the Placement of Artificial Reefs at Sea (2019); the Updated Guidelines on Management of Dredged Materials (2017); the Guidelines for the Dumping of Inert Uncontaminated Geological Material (2005); and the Guidelines on Dumping of Platforms and Other Man-Made Structures at Sea (2003).

To this aim, the MED POL Programme organized on 9 and 10 October 2019, the Regional Meeting on Best Practices on Enforcement and Compliance for Industrial Sectors in Athens, Greece. This was followed on 2 March 2021 by the Joint Meeting with IMO-LC/LP on Best Practices on Implementation, Compliance and Enforcement related to Dumping Protocol. These meetings were aimed at facilitating the implementation of the technical guidelines of the Dumping Protocol, and in particular to share best practices and provide guidance by bringing together expert knowledge on common methodologies for their implementation.

During the current 2022-2023 biennium, and in line with Decisions IG.25/1 and IG.25/19 of COP 22 (Antalya, Turkey, 7-10 December 2021) regarding the UNEP/MAP Medium-Term Strategy 2022-2027 and the Programme of Work and Budget for 2022-2023, respectively, MED POL is working on a proposal for updating the Guidelines for the Dumping of Inert Uncontaminated Geological Materials including identification of related emerging issues. Work also covers documentation of best practices to support the implementation of Dumping Protocol with a focus on dumping of inert uncontaminated geological materials.

With the view to supporting MEDPOL to deliver the above mandates and activities, there is a need to recruit a regional consultant for updating the Guidelines for the Dumping of Inert Uncontaminated Geological Materials (UNEP(DEC)/MED WG.270/11) adopted by the Meeting of the MAP Focal Points (Athens, Greece, 21-24 September 2005), by taking into consideration the recent regional and global developments and methodologies, as well as identifying related emerging issues. Work also covers documentation of best practices to support the implementation of Dumping Protocol with a focus on dumping of inert uncontaminated geological materials.

Under the direct supervision of the MED POL Programme Officer (Pollution) and under the overall guidance of the MED POL Programme Management Officer, the consultant is expected to perform the following tasks:

1. Prepare a detailed work plan for performance of the following tasks accompanied with a timetable for completion; 2. Undertake a review of the current Guidelines for the Dumping of Inert Uncontaminated Geological Materials to identify potential issues for updating taking into consideration related work undertaken by LC/LP (The London Convention/London Protocol), OSPAR (The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic), and HELCOM (The Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area). 3. Assess potential new requirements/amendments introduced by the updated Annex to the Dumping Protocol (Decision IG.25/6) related to the disposal of inert uncontaminated geographical materials which should be considered for inclusion in the Updated Guidelines; 4. Conduct a desk study to examine and identify emerging issues related to disposal of inert uncontaminated geological materials of relevance to the Guidelines and propose way forward to address these issues concerning the implementation of the Dumping Protocol; 5. Further to the outputs of tasks 2, 3 and 4, prepare the first draft update to the Guidelines for the Dumping of Inert Uncontaminated Geological Materials and submit for MEDPOL’s comments and feedback. Amend accordingly; 6. Further to the outputs of task 4, update information document UNEP/MED WG.509/Inf.14 “Proposal for way forward on implementation of Dumping Protocol pertaining to emerging issues of concern” and submit for MED POL’s comments and feedback. Amend accordingly; 7. Prepare a survey template (questionnaire) for documenting information on best practices for uncontaminated inert material in accordance with Guidelines of for the Dumping of Inert Uncontaminated Geological Materials; 8. Disseminate and collect information for the best practices from the Contracting Parties and other relevant stakeholders using the agreed survey (questionnaire); 9. Document the best practices after reviewing the responses of the survey and group under common subject topics, and submit for the review and comments of MED POL; 10. Update the document “Compendium of Best Practices for implementation of Dumping Protocol” (UNEP/MED WG.509/42) approved by the MED POL Focal Points Meeting (May 2021) and supplement with additional best practices collected. Submit for the review and comments of MED POL and amend accordingly; 11. Provide substantive inputs and support (prior to, during and after) the Meeting to Review the Updated Guidelines on for the Dumping of Inert Uncontaminated Geological Materials and Sharing Best Practices to support implementation of the Dumping Protocol Guidelines (tentatively planned on 8 December 2022). Document and report the comments and inputs of the Contracting Parties and other Stakeholders; 12. Provide substantive support during the MED POL Focal Points Meeting tentatively planned in late May 2023; 13. Based on the received inputs/comments received during the online meeting, prepare the “Second Draft” of the Updated Guidelines for the Dumping of Inert Uncontaminated Geological Materials for the consideration of the MED POL Focal Points Meeting 14. Based on the received inputs/comments, amend the Updated Compendium of Best Practices for implementation of the Dumping Protocol for the consideration of the Meeting of the MED POL Focal Points; 15. Prepare and submit the final report of deliverables for the consultancy with details on tasks and activities undertaken to achieve the required deliverables.

Qualifications/special skills Skills: - Excellent English writing skill is required. Academic Qualifications: - Advanced university degree in natural sciences, environmental sciences, marine sciences, oceanography, chemistry, or related field is required Experience: - Minimum of 5 years of professional working experience on matters related to the dumping at sea including on inert uncontaminated material and/or dredged material, monitoring of dumping activities, and verification of dumping permitting conditions, is required. - Experience working with regional and global Conventions of relevance is an asset. - Working experience related to the management and disposal of other categories of waste allowed under the Dumping Protocol of the Barcelona Convention, at global, regional international organizations is an asset Language: - Fluency in oral English is required; - Knowledge of French is an asset.

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.