Result of Service

The ultimate result of this service is reducing pollution from harmful chemicals and wastes in the Mediterranean by completing the collection and disposal of PCBs-contaminated equipment in Albania.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

General information The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. 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. UN Environment Programme’s 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. The assignment is for the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), Athens, Greece. This consultancy assignment is in the framework of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Mediterranean Sea Programme (MedProgramme): “Enhancing Environmental Security (GEF ID 9607), and Child Project 1.1 “Reducing Pollution from Harmful Chemicals and Wastes in Mediterranean Hot Spots and Measuring Progress to Impacts” (GEF ID 9684)” executed by UNEP/MAP. The MedProgramme represents the first GEF programmatic multi-focal area initiative in the Mediterranean Sea aiming to operationalize priority actions to reduce major transboundary environmental stresses in its coastal areas while strengthening climate resilience and water security and improving the health and livelihoods of coastal populations. The MedProgramme is implemented in ten beneficiary countries sharing the Mediterranean basin: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco, Tunisia and Türkiye. It involves a wide spectrum of developmental and societal sectors, ranging from banking institutions, the private sector, governmental and non-governmental bodies, industry, research, media, and various other organizations. The MedProgramme is expected to deliver a set of complementary results embracing three categories of priorities identified by the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) for the Mediterranean Sea which are translated into three components of the Programme: i) Reduction of Land-Based Pollution in Priority Coastal Hotspots and measuring progress to impacts; ii) Enhancing Sustainability and Climate Resilience in the Coastal Zone; and iii) Protecting Marine Biodiversity. Component 1 of the MedProgramme is devoted to the reduction of land-based pollution in priority coastal hotspots and measuring progress to impacts; its associated programme outcomes are achieved through three Child Projects (Child Projects 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3). UNEP/MAP and MedProgramme Coordinating Unit, through MED POL and MedWaves, are implementing Child Project 1.1 entitled “Reducing Pollution from Harmful Chemicals and Wastes in Mediterranean Hot Spots and Measuring Progress to Impacts” (GEF Project ID 9684) (hereinafter referred to as Child Project 1.1). Child Project 1.1 is implemented in several countries. The overall targets for Child Project 1.1 include reduction and disposal of 2,000 tons of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), mainly Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and 50 tons of mercury wastes. The activities comprise of interventions to significantly reduce the production, use, consumption and emissions/releases of targeted chemicals and wastes (POPs and mercury) through environmentally sound disposal of wastes and stockpiles; the adoption of sustainable production and consumption practices; investments in innovative techniques; and regulatory approaches. In this framework, an international contractor is already on board to coordinate the collection, drainage, transport and final disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyl-contaminated (PCB-contaminated) equipment. To this aim, UNEP/MAP-MedProgramme Coordinating Unit (MedPCU) requires the services of a national consultant to support the tasks referred to in section 4 of this ToR, including follow-up with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment in Albania on the execution of on-the ground activities related to PCB disposal in Albania. Tasks and responsibilities The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Operational coordination with central government authorities, including: (i) Assist and follow-up operational coordination with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment regarding local authorities(s)/ Waste Owner(s) involved. (ii) Assist and follow-up operational coordination with the international contractor regarding necessary permits and licenses for PCB disposal on the Basel notification procedures. (iii) Address and resolve any pending issues with relevant government agencies to facilitate collection and pre-export of PCB-contaminated equipment. 2. Operational coordination with local authorities(s)/waste owner(s) including: (i) Follow-up with waste owners about availability of chemicals for collection, and any potential needs/ requirements. (ii) Provide support to the international contractor during field visits for the collection of PCB-contaminated equipment. (iii) Address issues that might arise during collection processes. 3. Support and follow up on contract management and monitoring issues including: (i) Necessary permits and licenses. (ii) Approvals of HSSE Plan by government counterparts. (iii) Approvals of Basel notifications by government counterparts. (iv) Monitoring adherence to the national and international regulations related to waste management by UNOPS contractors. (v) Any other issues that may result in delay of execution of chemical collection and disposal activities. 4. Reporting to MedPCU on various issues including: (i) Status of collection of chemical waste. (ii) Status of shipping and export of chemical waste. (iii) Verification of completed disposal services. (iv) Submission of regular 2-monthly reports. (v) Preparation of a final report on implementation activities with a focus on achieved deliverables under this assignment.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: • Advanced university degree in the field of environmental sciences, engineering, waste management or equivalent is required. Experience: o A minimum of 5 years of experience in the area of environmental management is required. o Experience in similar projects is desirable. o Experience in working with governmental institutions is desirable.

Languages

Language: • Fluency (both oral and written) and excellent writing skills in English 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.