Waste and Pollution Expert

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UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Monday 15 Aug 2022 at 23:59 UTC

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Result of Service A copy-edited and formatted final draft of a report on analysis of comprehensive and inclusive costs of waste generation and management and on a calculation method of the comprehensive/inclusive costs.

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration 3 human-months over a 3-month period (full time), starting as early as possible

Duties and Responsibilities A. Background

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 overall objective of the UNEP’s Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.

As part of the Economy Division, UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) works with developing countries to implement sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, with focus on holistic waste management. UNEP-IETC provide technical and advisory support to national and local governments to enhance their use of environmentally sound strategies and approaches. UNEP-IETC also implement in-country demonstration projects using innovative waste prevention and management methods and technologies to improve human well-being, reduce the impact of climate change, increase resilience and create jobs. Working with a wide range of partners and in line with relevant multilateral environmental agreements, UNEP-IETC mission is to serve as a global centre of excellence on environmentally sound technologies with focus on holistic waste management.

The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development provides a framework for addressing the sustainable development challenges facing the waste management. UNEP is working with the member States and partners for the accelerated implementation of the waste related action. Currently the cost for environmentally sound waste management is a burden to the local and national governments, which are mandated to manage municipal solid waste. However, it is broadly understood that “real” or “shadow” cost of addressing ever increasing waste generation has not been put into the waste management budget structure. The objective of the consultancy is to develop a report to discuss comprehensive and inclusive costs of waste generation and management to propose budget structure of waste management and who should bear the costs of waste disposal and management. The report should also provide a way to calculate such a comprehensive and inclusive cost, taking into consideration environmental and social externality and the polluter pays principle.

The basis for action is hinged on the following legislative authorities:

  • The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Goals 11 and 12;
  • Relevant MEAs, such as the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Bamako Convention, Minamata Convention;
  • The SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway;
  • UNEP Assembly Resolutions: UNEP/EA.4/Res.7 Environmentally Sound Management of waste; UNEP/EA.5/Res.4 End Plastic Pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument; UNEP/EA.4 Res.21 Implementation plan “Towards a Pollution-Free Planet;” UNEA/EA.5/Res. Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste; UNEP/EA5/Res. Enhancing Circular Economy as a contribution to achieving sustainable consumption and production; UNEP/EA.5/Res. Science-Policy Panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution; and
  • UNEP Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) 2022-2025 and Programme of Work for 2022-2023.

UNEP-IETC functions as the Global Centre of Excellence on Environmentally Sustainable Waste Management. The Centre promotes and advocates sustainability of waste management and disposal, based on the circularity principles and through the life-cycle approach. Sound management of waste contributes to all three pillars of sustainable development.

B. Duties

Objectives: The objective of the consultancy is to develop a report to discuss “real” cost of waste generation and propose budeget structure of waste management and who should bear the cost of waste disposal and management. The report should also provide a way to calculate such a “real” cost, taking into consideration of environmental and social externality and the polluter pays principle.

Output expectations: A copy-edited and formatted final draft of a report to analyse real costs of waste generation and management together with a calculation method for real waste costs.

Performance indicators Delivery of a quality draft report acceptable to UNEP Chemicals and Waste Branch and Chief Economist.

C. Specific Tasks and Responsibilities

The consultancy will work directly with and will be supervised by the Associate Expert, International Environmental Technology Centre, Economy Division of UNEP.

The tasks of the consultant are: 1. Conceptualise a comprehensive/inclusive cost of waste generation and waste management, taking into consideration environmental and social externalities; 2. Collect and collate information on calculation of comprehensive and inclusive costs based on the established methodologies 3. Draft a report on the comprehensive and inclusive costs of waste generation and management 4. Include a suggested methodology to calculate comprehensive/inclusive costs as future guidelines for waste managers. 5. As necessary add infographics in a draft; 6. Develop recommendations for incorporating comprehensive/inclusive costs in waste management policies and strategies; 7. Address comments provided by UNEP and other peer reviewers; and 8. Prepare and submit a copy-edited and formatted final draft to UNEP.

Please note that a final draft will be further developed to be published by UNEP. The consultant authorship will be recognized in the final publication.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Graduate degree in the field of environmental economics, environmental engineering, environmental policies and strategies, and other related areas. Experience: At least 7 years of professional experiences in environmental management of waste, environmental/resource economics, financing for waste management and other related fields. Language: Demonstrated capacity to write UN documents in 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.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org