Regional Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
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. Established to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities, and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies, and practices that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, UNEP focuses on making efficient use of natural resources, ensuring safe management of chemicals, and contributing to mutually supportive trade and environment policies. The organization promotes the development, use, and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices, and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision-making. Within UNEP, the International Environmental Technology Centre (UNEP-IETC) supports developing countries in implementing environmentally sound technologies and approaches, particularly in Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM). UNEP-IETC collaborates closely with national and local governments to promote holistic, climate-responsive, and circular waste management systems. The current project, funded under the Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB) 2025, focuses on climate-responsive plastic waste strategies in India and the Philippines, specifically targeting city-level implementation in Mumbai and Quezon City, with an emphasis on addressing plastic waste as a high-impact priority stream.

Job Overview:
The Regional Consultant will provide specialized technical, analytical, and coordination support to UNEP-IETC for the implementation of the JSB 2025 project, which aims to advance circular solutions to cut emissions, pollution, and public health risks associated with plastic waste management. This role is crucial in ensuring that the project produces technically sound, replicable, and scalable models for circular plastic waste management at the city level. The consultant will be responsible for providing common technical methodologies applicable in both Mumbai and Quezon City, reviewing and advising on draft reports produced by partner institutions, and co-developing technical reports and pre-feasibility studies in collaboration with UNEP-IETC and relevant project partners. The consultant will ensure quality assurance and methodological consistency between the two cities, aligning with UNEP’s Integrated Solid Waste Management framework and global normative work, including the Global Waste Management Outlook. The consultancy is expected to result in strengthened technical quality and consistency of project outputs, high-quality assessments ready for municipal decision-making, legally robust project documentation, and clear recommendations for climate-responsive plastic waste management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of responsibilities under the technical supervision of the UNEP-IETC Programme Management Officer. These include providing expert technical guidance on plastic and waste management interventions, reviewing draft assessments and feasibility studies, preparing technical notes and analytical inputs for project planning, and ensuring alignment with UNEP ISWM principles. The consultant will also be responsible for preparing technical documentation, conducting technical assessments, engaging stakeholders, and integrating knowledge into consolidated project outputs. Specific tasks include reviewing project documentation, providing methodologies for assessments, contributing to planning processes, and formulating practical recommendations that align with circular economy principles. The consultant will also be expected to prepare presentation materials and ensure that all deliverables are submitted in a timely manner, demonstrating clear structure and technical accuracy.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental science, environmental engineering, waste management, sustainable development, urban planning, public policy, or a closely related field. A first-level university degree combined with additional relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in integrated solid waste management, plastic waste management, circular economy, or closely related technical fields. Required experience includes urban waste system assessments, data analysis, and familiarity with plastic waste management systems. Desirable experience includes contributions to feasibility assessments and technical studies in the waste management sector, as well as exposure to climate-related considerations in waste management.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental science, environmental engineering, waste management, sustainable development, urban planning, public policy, or a closely related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in integrated solid waste management, plastic waste management, circular economy, or closely related technical fields. This experience should include urban waste system assessments, data analysis, and familiarity with plastic waste management systems, including source segregation, collection, and recycling. Experience working with municipal authorities or public institutions in developing countries is also advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of additional UN languages or relevant regional languages is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 10 months over an 11-month period. All outputs must be submitted electronically in editable formats, with a final PDF version where appropriate. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and it does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.