Title: International Expert on Policy (Waste Management)

​​Requisition ID: 3728
Grade: ISA-Senior Specialist
Country: Home Based
Duty Station: Home Based
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Non-staff WAE
Contract Duration: 6 months over period of project duration
Application Deadline: 02-May-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) is responsible for country programming, partnership facilitation and coordination of field offices, to ensure UNIDO’s functions serve priority ISID needs, challenges and opportunities of Member States and capitalize on synergistic opportunities of collaboration with other partners, including international financial institutions, development partners and private sector. The Regional Coordination Bureau, Asia and Pacific (GLO/RFO/ASP) under the Directorate is responsible for country programming and government liaison with developing country member states, in the main through the operation of the network of UNIDO field offices. The Division for Asia Pacific (PFC/RFC/ASP), part of PFC/RFC, assumes departmental functions within the Asia and Pacific Region, including through its UNIDO Country Office in Bangladesh (PFC/RFC/ASP/FLD/BGD), where the current position is located. The Project is implemented in close cooperation with UNIDO’s Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development, Division of Circular Economy and Chemical Management (TCS/CCM) in particular its Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CCM/CER), which leads UNIDO’s work on plastics and circular economy, and its Responsible Material and Chemicals Management Unit, which (TCS/CCM/RMC) which leads UNIDO’s work on chemicals and waste management in accordance with the multilateral environmental agreements (including Stockholm and Basel Conventions).

PROJECT CONTEXT

The Government of Bangladesh, through the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Chance (MoEFCC), requested the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) for assistance with the development and roll out of an integrated approach towards plastics waste minimization and marine litter prevention. It further follows the invitation from the Government of Norway to the Government of Bangladesh and UNIDO to participate in its global thematic aid programme on marine litter prevention.

The resulting project, entitled “Integrated approach towards sustainable plastics use and (marine) litter prevention in Bangladesh” was finalized and signed off for implementation in June 2021. The development objective of the project is to contribute to reducing environmental impacts, improving productivity and fostering cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship through an integrated approach to sustainable plastics use and – marine – litter prevention.

The project adopts a circular economy approach to marine litter prevention and sustainable plastics use. The project outputs concern development of policy and creation of partnerships for implementation, and fostering community awareness and action (on low plastics and litter free consumption), industry awareness and action (on plastics waste minimization through preventive techniques in manufacturing, service delivery and product design) and recycling sector development (for improved recovery and recycling, reduced leakage and environmentally sound disposal.

The project will be implemented in close partnership between Department of Environment (DoE) and UNIDO, under the leadership of MoEFCC, whilst also bringing in other relevant government agencies, particularly the Ministry of Industries, the Ministry of Commerce and the Local Government Division, and representatives of manufacturing, waste management and recycling, and civil society. The project is hiring an International Expert on Policy for formulation of policy related to sustainable plastics use in the line with national and international best practices.

OVERALL, PURPOSE / FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Project Manager (PM) in HQ and in close cooperation with the UNIDO Country Representative, National Project Coordinator and the International Technical Advisor, International Expert on Policy will be responsible to contribute to policy design and implementation in respect of plastic waste management.

The assignment shall involve a desktop study on regional and international best practices, meetings and workshops with stakeholders, any other undertaking as may be agreed that might be deemed necessary for the production of a comprehensive Environmental legislative framework on plastic waste.

Specifically, the International Expert on Policy will perform the following main duties:

1.1 Identify, list and prioritize important and relevant information source;

1.2 Accordingly coordinate with the relevant stakeholders to collect information related to the laws, policies, and regulations of the medical waste technologies;

1.3 Responsible for formulation of the policy related to sustainable plastic use in line with national and international best practices;

1.4 Support DoE to draft and promote for adoption, specific proposals for new and/or revised policy aimed at sustainable plastics use and/or marine litter prevention, within a framework of environmental, industrial, and/or other polices and legislations;

1.5 Operationalize specific high impact policy instruments for plastic waste minimization and litter prevention, potentially including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Voluntary Environmental Agreements (VEA) or industry covenants;

1.6 Prepare a road map for scoping exercise and share updates with ITA and PD for effective policies leading to elimination of the plastic waste;

1.7 Deliver training and extend implementation support for operationalization of recommended policy and instruments (Location: Dhaka);

1.8 Provide advice for the set up and/or strengthening of mechanisms, procedures, and institutions for policy implementation in partnership with relevant stakeholders Provide other activities required by NPC and ITA.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Minimum advanced university (MSc level) degree in Environmental science, Environmental law, Political science, or other relevant discipline is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least ten (10) years of progressive professional experience in evaluating and implementing waste management policies on the national and international level is required.
• Experience in the field of livelihood support through implementation of technical cooperation or development programmes/projects is desirable.
• Experience in plastics waste management, marine litter prevention, environmental management is required.
• Experience in working with the UN system, international organizations or non-governmental organizations and with the donors community, is required.
• Experience/knowledge of the international development agenda, and strategic issues of economic transformation, is desirable.
• Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems of developing countries is desirable.
• Knowledge on socio-economic and demographic conditions of Bangladesh or South Asia is highly desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Core values:

WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.
WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Key competencies:

WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.
WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.

Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org