Result of Service

Costa Rica is strengthened at technical and institutional level for the preparation of an inventory of banks of used or unwanted controlled substances, and a plan for the collection, transport, and disposal of such substances, including consideration of recycling, reclamation, and cost-effective destruction in accordance with ExCom Decision 91/66.

Work Location

HOME BASED

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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. 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. UNEP’s Law Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Large banks of used and unwanted controlled substances have been accumulated globally, which are continuously being released to the atmosphere from these banks. These emissions are damaging the ozone layer and contributing to global warming. Banks of controlled substances are not regulated under the Montreal Protocol. Costa Rica has made great advances to define appropriate solutions for the disposal of obsolete refrigerant gases through the incineration of those substances in cement kilns whose thermal processes offer favorable conditions for its thermal destruction. To date, about 13.6 tons of refrigerants were co-processed which has prevented emissions of about 28 thousand metric tons of CO2 equivalent. With the Kigali amendment entering into force and the increasing demand for the final disposal of HFC blends, it is necessary to expand the variety of substances authorized for destruction, among them R-410A, R-404A, R-507 and 407C. At the current stage, Costa Rica aims to establish an inventory of banks of used or unwanted controlled substances, and an action plan with activities and policies to enhance the collection and disposal of 2/6used or unwanted ODS and HFCs, including consideration of recycling, reclamation, and cost-effective destruction, in line with ExCom Decision 91/66. Based on the above, the corresponding National Ozone Unit (NOU) from Costa Rica has requested UNEP to engage a national consultant who will provide a technical guidance for the preparation of the national inventories/action plans of banks for used and/or unwanted ODS and HFCs. Specific tasks and responsibilities Provide technical guidance to Government Officer of Costa Rica, in close coordination with the Compliance Assistance regional team for Latin America. Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for the following actions: • Conducts the assessment of the existing data on banks of used and unwanted controlled substances,relevant institutions and stakeholders, laboratory infrastructure and existing regulations and policiesin the country. • Applies the methodology guideline to conduct an inventory of used or unwanted controlledsubstances: ODS and HFC banks (COPA, 2023). • Leads the development of the database or report with inventory of banks of identified used orunwanted controlled substances. • Organizes stakeholder consultations to present the draft inventory and collected recommendations forthe sound handling of unwanted Montreal Protocol controlled substances. • Organize bi-weekly meetings with the project team to discuss project progress

Qualifications/special skills

Master’s or equivalent degree in mechanical or chemical engineering, environmental sciences, orrelated area. At least five (5) years of responsible experience in project/programme implementation linked to topicsof multilateral environmental agreements (MEA´s). Experience in the implementation of inventory projects with the private sector for Greenhouse gases(GHGs) or substances regulated under the Montreal Protocol (preferable ODS and HFC). Experience in the collection, the application of statistical methods and the analysis of data sets, as wellas the design, application and preparation of surveys. Experience in database design and processing. Experience in the chemical management of substances regulated by multilateral environmentalagreements (MEA´s) including its analysis and destruction (preferable ODS and HFC). Highly desirable Knowledge of legislation applicable to comprehensive waste management, particularly for waste thatrequires special treatment. Desirable Experience in the implementation of Montreal Protocol project. Highly desirable Experience in working with government officers of the Latin American region. Highly desirable Previous work experience in the United Nations system and knowledge on the phase out of ozonedepleting chemicals and the Montreal Protocol related matters will be an asset.Highly desirable

Languages

English and Spanish are among the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the services requiered, fluency in Spanish is requiered. Knowlgede of another UN language is desirable.

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.