Solid Waste Management 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. UNEP was established in 1972 and has since been instrumental in coordinating 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, located in Panama City, Panama, works closely with the 33 countries of the region, integrating its activities into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). The UNEP Caribbean Sub-Regional Office, located in Kingston, Jamaica, acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator, and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the Caribbean environment. UNEP is an implementing partner in the European Union (EU) Action programme for the Caribbean, financed by the 11th European Development Fund, focusing on circular economy and solid waste management. The Action aims to improve the resource efficiency of Caribbean economies and aligns with the EU’s Green Deal, including green economy approaches and obligations regarding Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). UNEP’s support emphasizes normative, knowledge, and policy engagement components, strengthening national legislative frameworks and facilitating sub-regional and Caribbean-wide action. The geographic scope of the Action includes the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) Member States, which include Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Other partners include the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) and the Agence Francaise de Developpment (AFD), who focus on piloting technical interventions in selected countries. UNEP promotes the uptake of best practices, lessons learned, and appropriate technology options, with a key objective of strengthening solid waste management legal and strategic frameworks, including assessments of suitable waste management options and the development of a waste-to-energy assessment tool for pilot countries.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to create a comprehensive, user-friendly waste-to-energy assessment tool tailored for Caribbean countries, which will evaluate the technical feasibility, environmental impact, economic viability, and social acceptance of waste-to-energy proposals. This tool will assist stakeholders in determining whether a proposal warrants further detailed evaluation. The development process will involve understanding current waste management practices, defining key assessment criteria, developing the tool's framework and interface, pilot testing, gathering feedback, and providing training. The tool will be launched with ongoing updates to ensure its effectiveness, and participating project countries will receive training to utilize the tool for national decision-making. Existing assessment experiences, such as those conducted by the EU in Barbados and the UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) and GIZ, will be reviewed to inform the tool's development. The assessment tool will be applied through virtual training sessions with at least eight project countries, under the supervision of the UNEP Regional Project Coordinator for the Zero Waste in the Caribbean Project.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key activities:

• Analyze existing and suitable solid waste management options in the Caribbean, focusing on waste-to-energy solutions. This includes examining current waste management provisions, identifying barriers and opportunities for improvement, and considering circular economy approaches linked to climate change and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• Develop a regional waste-to-energy assessment tool or adapt an existing tool specifically for the Caribbean region. This tool will serve as a preliminary guide for evaluating the pros and cons of waste-to-energy proposals, informed by existing regional research and past assessment experiences.
• Test the regional waste-to-energy assessment tool through the delivery of training modules for at least eight project countries, utilizing the tool to evaluate local waste-to-energy proposals. This capacity-building phase aims to assess the feasibility of implementing waste-to-energy solutions compared to other waste management options, considering the specific needs and priorities of CARIFORUM countries.
• Conduct virtual training workshops with countries, utilizing case studies of local proposals/projects, and develop a document defining the training process, including stakeholder engagement and results from pilot testing.
• Produce a final report detailing consultations, testing of the tool, associated training, and final recommendations, including a revised assessment tool based on feedback from the testing phase.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor's Degree in environmental management, environmental engineering, development economics, engineering, or a closely related area. A Master's Degree in environmental management, environmental engineering, economics, or a closely related area is desirable. Additional studies or specific training in environmental management and policy are also desirable. Professional qualifications include seven years of experience in areas related to environmental management, waste management, circular economy, and/or waste-to-energy technologies and practices. Working experience in waste management and environmental policies at an international level, particularly in the Caribbean, is desirable. Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations, especially the UN and EU, is also desirable. Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues and workshops would be beneficial.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in environmental management, environmental engineering, development economics, engineering, or a closely related area. A Master's Degree in environmental management, environmental engineering, economics, or a closely related area is desirable. Additional studies or specific training in environmental management and policy are also considered advantageous.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of professional experience in areas related to environmental management, waste management, circular economy, and/or waste-to-energy technologies and practices. Experience working on waste management and environmental policies at an international level, particularly in the Caribbean, is desirable. Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations, particularly the UN and EU, is also beneficial. Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues and workshops would be an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, while confidence in Spanish is desirable. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages will enhance collaboration and engagement with stakeholders across the Caribbean region.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based and is expected to last for eight months. The position is product-based, meaning that the consultant will be evaluated based on the tangible outputs delivered. The consultant will work under the supervision of the UNEP Regional Project Coordinator for the Zero Waste in the Caribbean Project, in coordination with the UNEP Regional Coordinator of Chemicals and Pollution Programme, LAC Office, and in close collaboration with the UNEP International Environmental Technology Center (IETC), based in Osaka, Japan. 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.