Consultant for National Chemicals Management System

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. UNEP's mission 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. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and integrates its activities into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). The UNEP Country Office in Brazil is a key development partner of the Brazilian government, supporting national and sub-national public and private sector institutions and civil society to achieve a more sustainable and inclusive society. The UNEP Brazil Office, located in Brasilia - DF, collaborates closely with the Brazilian Government and other stakeholders, integrating its activities into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). UNEP Brazil and the Brazilian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) are partners in the project "Strengthening institutional capacity for the environmentally sound management of chemicals in Brazil," under the Special Programme, supporting the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, the Minamata Convention, and the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC).

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to provide specialized technical and scientific support for the conceptual, regulatory, and functional structuring of the national chemicals management system in Brazil. The focus will be on developing the National Chemicals Registry and Inventory and organizing the integrated national information platform architecture. The consultant will guide the organization, systematization, and structuring of technical, regulatory, and institutional information necessary for the development and implementation of the National Chemicals Registry and Inventory. This includes defining prioritization methodologies, risk assessment approaches, and mapping regulatory instruments necessary for implementation. The consultant will also contribute to designing the content architecture and navigation structure of the integrated national platform, ensuring coherence across system modules and interoperability between databases. The role emphasizes translating scientific, regulatory, and institutional requirements into technical specifications to guide system development, without direct involvement in software coding or IT development. The consultancy will strengthen national institutional capacity and implement a robust, integrated, and risk-based national chemicals management system.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including participating in technical and coordination meetings with UNEP, the Brazilian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA), and other national institutions involved in project implementation. They will conduct technical consultations with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, experts, and institutional partners. The consultant will collect, systematize, and analyze technical and regulatory information necessary for the consultancy outputs. They will incorporate feedback from UNEP and partner institutions into the revision and finalization of deliverables, ensuring alignment with project scope, institutional guidelines, and the Brazilian regulatory context. The consultant will provide technical and scientific guidance for defining functional, regulatory, and data requirements of the National Chemicals Registry and Inventory. They will collaborate in structuring information required for system operationalization, including identifying essential data and technical parameters for chemical registration, classification, and prioritization. The consultant will analyze the national regulatory framework applicable to chemicals management, identify regulatory gaps, and propose regulatory workflows and instruments. They will develop technical proposals for regulatory procedures, structure the content architecture of the integrated national chemicals management platform, and propose solutions for database integration and interoperability. The consultant will also prepare technical documents, analytical studies, and reports related to the expected deliverables, ensuring methodological consistency and practical applicability.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, health sciences, environmental sciences, engineering, public policy, data science, information systems, Biology, Chemistry, or related fields. A Master’s degree in toxicology, chemistry, pharmacy, environmental sciences, public health, regulatory science, Biology, Chemistry, or other relevant fields related to chemicals management is desirable. The consultant should have at least two years of relevant work experience in areas related to chemical safety, toxicology, chemicals management, regulatory science, or project management in the chemicals sector. Familiarity with chemical registration systems, chemical inventories, or regulatory frameworks related to chemicals management is desirable. The ability to translate scientific or regulatory knowledge into technical tools, information systems, or training materials is also desirable, along with experience working with governmental institutions or regulatory authorities. Previous experience in technical cooperation projects or collaboration with international organizations, as well as experience within the United Nations system, is also desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as natural sciences, health sciences, environmental sciences, engineering, public policy, data science, information systems, Biology, Chemistry, or related fields. A Master’s degree in toxicology, chemistry, pharmacy, environmental sciences, public health, regulatory science, Biology, Chemistry, or other relevant fields related to chemicals management is considered an asset.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of two years of relevant work experience in areas related to chemical safety, toxicology, chemicals management, regulatory science, or project management in the chemicals sector. Experience with chemical registration systems, chemical inventories, or regulatory frameworks related to chemicals management is highly desirable. The ability to translate scientific or regulatory knowledge into technical tools or information systems is also important, as is experience working with governmental institutions or regulatory authorities. Previous experience in technical cooperation projects or collaboration with international organizations, as well as experience within the United Nations system, is also beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in Portuguese is required for this position, while fluency in English is desirable. This language proficiency is essential for effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders and partners involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based and expected to last for 12 months. The position does not involve any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and the United Nations does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.