Result of Service

The consultant is required to provide technical support for the effective and efficient implementation of the following key outputs: 1. Collection, analysis, and compilation of mercury data (particularly illegal mercury trade data) including data estimation technologies. 2. Technical input and advice for capacity development activities on mercury management in the region. 3. Communications and effective dissemination of the collected mercury data to the target audiences including customs officers.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

10 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in governments, local authorities, and industries to develop and adopt policies, strategies, 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. The Knowledge and Risk Unit of the Chemicals and Health Branch promotes scientific approaches and knowledge for the sound management of chemicals including through implementation of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolutions and Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects. The Knowledge and Risk Unit gathers, compiles and analyses state of the art information and data, including through monitoring activities, inventories and assessments, to allow policymakers to make informed decisions on the sound management of chemicals and waste. The Unit executes projects and covers topics related to chemicals in products, lead in paint, persistent organic pollutants, highly hazardous pesticides, mercury among others. The Unit also addresses issues of concern highlighted by governments, such as antimicrobial resistance, and assists in implementing mandates received through the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) on green and sustainable chemistry, issues of concern, high impact sectors and the Sustainable Development Goals, among others. The Minamata Convention on Mercury (the Convention) is one of the newest multilateral environmental agreements aiming at protecting the human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. The Convention entered into force in August 2017 and the Parties to the Convention must abide by the provisions stipulated to the Convention text. For the effective implementation of the Convention, it is crucial to identify the priority areas from available data concerning the status of use, emission/release, and disposal of mercury at national level and to interpret them into domestic policy. The Japan-funded mercury project titled “Project for promoting the Minamata Convention on Mercury by making the most of Japan’s knowledge and experiences”, which is an integrated part of the one UNEP project “Chemicals, Environment, and Health: Accelerating transition towards toxic free planet” (Project ID: 194919), supports its member states for the implementation of the Convention. The project focuses on the generation and use of information for science-based policy development on mercury management. In the Project mid-term workshop, participating countries emphasised the challenges on poor and outdated technical data available for the countries. Notes to Consultants and Individual Contractors: As per UN policy, Consultants and Individual Contractors may not apply for or be appointed to any position in the Professional or above categories and for positions at the FS-6 and FS-7 levels in the Field Service category within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. This restriction does not apply to associate experts (Junior Professional Officers) appointed under the Staff Rules. Specific tasks and responsibilities The consultant is required to provide technical support on the implementation of the project activities. The consultant will deliver the following key outputs: 1) Collection, analysis, and compilation of mercury data including data estimation technologies: a) Workplan for the consultancy including engagement plan to key stakeholders. b) Review literature and extract information in line with the rule of compilation. c) Compile technologies to estimate illegal mercury trade and estimate a few pilot countries. 2) Technical input and advice for capacity development activities on mercury management in the region: a) Provide technical inputs to workshops, trainings, webinars, and other events implemented by the project. b) Develop presentation documents for workshops, trainings, webinars, and other events in line with their objectives. c) Advice to partner countries and other stakeholders for their data collection, analysis, and evaluation. 3) Communications and effective dissemination of the collected mercury data to the target audiences: a) Provide inputs to a series of online sessions to target audiences on different topics. b) Produce datasets on mercury management to be uploaded on to relevant platforms. c) Analyse the feedbacks received from target audiences and prepare recommendations for future actions.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree in environment management, environmental science, chemistry, engineering or related field. A first level degree with an additional two years of qualified experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Basic knowledge on chemistry of mercury as a global pollutant. Excellent written and oral communication skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting and analytical skills in English. Competent in usage of MS Office programmes (MS Word, Excel, Power point). Familiarity with issues in the area of mercury science and technologies including mercury inventory and monitoring is required. At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in environmental management including substantive work on mercury management is required. Experience with the development and/or implementation of activities directly related to the Minamata Convention is required. Work experience in Asia and the Pacific region is desirable. Experience with working for the UN or other international development organizations is desirable. Participation in the activities under the mercury projects implemented by UNEP is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency in other Asian language is an advantage.

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.