Waste and SDG Expert

Result of Service A copy-edited and formatted final draft of a report to connect waste management with each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals

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 Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDGs 11 and 12). UNEP is committed to ensuring that environmentally sound waste management is a key to achieving SDGs relevant to waste management at the same time recognizes that waste management is cutting across all SDGs. sustainable and resilient oceans are a core priority on the global agenda.

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.

As part of the UNEP effort to pursue sustainable waste management, UNEP links waste management with all SDGs. By linking waste management with SDGs, waste management can be mainstreamed into stakeholders’ effort to achieve these Goals and associated and relevant targets. A consultant to be recruited will develop a paper to link waste management with all 17 SDGs supported by cases studies. The paper will also recommend the way to mainstream waste management into the effort of the stakeholders in achieving the SDGs.

B. Duties

Objectives: As part of the UNEP’s effort to link waste management with all SDGs so that waste management can be mainstreamed into stakeholders’ effort to achieve these Goals and associated and relevant targets, a consultant will develop a paper to link waste management with all 17 SDGs supported by cases studies. The paper will also recommend the way to mainstream waste management into the effort of the stakeholders in achieving the SDGs.

Output expectations: A copy-edited and formatted final draft of a report to connect waste management with each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals

Performance indicators: The draft report with good examples illustrating the relationship with each of the SDGs

C. Specific Tasks and responsibilities:

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

The tasks of the consultant are: 1. Draft a report to connect waste management with each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals; 2. As necessary different infographics may be prepared in a draft; 3. Identify and collect case studies to illustrate waste management linkage with each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be included in the report; 4. Develop recommendations for including and mainstreaming waste management in the effort to achieve 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be included in the report; 5. Address comments provided by UNEP and other peer reviewers; and 6. 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 management, environmental engineering, environmental policies and strategies, and other related areas. Experience: At least 7 years of professional experiences in environmental management of waste, waste regulations and policies, waste technologies and other waste 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.