Result of Service

Support the identification of upstream interventions to be carried out in the project cities: i. Develop an overview of best practices on existing upstream business innovations and solutions on elimination, reduction, and reuse at the global level, to provide examples and inspiration to the uptake in LAC cities. Success cases, implementation modality, achieved impacts will be summarized for different business interventions, with a specific focus on the application at the city level. Based on the best practices, the activity will prepare recommendations on how these upstream innovations will be applied in the context of LAC cities. ii. Support the cities identifying/planning the upstream interventions to be carried out. Support the pilots to improve collection and recycling: i. Develop an overview of the best practices on setting up segregation at source, differentiated and diverse collection channels, establishing cost-effective recycling facilities with state-of-the-art technologies, engaging with the informal sector for collaboration, as well as effective financing instruments and investment at the global level. Based on the existing experience, recommendations will be provided on how to design tailored interventions to improve the performance of collectors and recyclers in LAC cities. ii. Support the cities identifying/planning the collection and recycling solutions to be carried out Support the development and the implementation of policy instruments to promote circular economy policies: i. Provide technical support to the design/improvement of specific policies identified by the cities Join and contribute to meetings and events under the GEF LAC project. To support the implementation of the UNEP plastics Initiative in the LAC region: i. Support the implementation of the UNEP plastics Initiative particular in the LAC region from technical angle, and support strengthening synergies between the GEF LAC cities project and the other projects under the UNEP plastics Initiative ii. Support the development of new project proposals as relevant

Work Location

remote

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional levels. 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 Industry and Economy Division works with international governments and non-governmental organizations, national and local governments, business and industry to develop and implement policies, strategies, and practices that are cleaner and safer, incorporate environmental costs, use natural resources efficiently, reduce pollution and risks for humans and the environment, and enable the implementation of conventions and international agreements. The UNEP Medium Term Strategy (MTS) 2022-2025 identifies unsustainable consumption and production as the underlying cause of the current three planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The MTS aims to address those existential threats by working towards climate stability, living in harmony with nature, and towards a pollution-free planet. Under the Chemicals and Pollution Action of the MTS, UNEP is developing and implementing the UNEP Plastics Initiative aiming to trigger a systems change to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy of plastics, with concerted actions by key stakeholders across the plastics life cycle, to end plastic pollution. UNEP is supporting the implementation of a Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded project entitled “Reduce marine plastics and plastic pollution in Latin American and Caribbean cities through a circular economy approach”. The focus of the consultancy is to support the implementation of this project, and the collaboration with regional partners and stakeholders. The consultant will work home-based and part-time, under the supervision of the associate programme officer of the Consumption and Production unit in the Industry and Economy Division.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree in a field related to Social or Environmental Sciences (Biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, economics, social science, environmental studies, environmental engineering), or equivalent experience. A first level degree with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Knowledge and experience on upstream and downstream solutions to address plastic pollution in the context of the Latin American and Caribbean region is required. Experience in working with national governments, private sector and/or international organizations in developing countries is required. Experience in supporting cities applying circular economy approach is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in both English and Spanish (oral and written) 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.