Project Consultant - Mekong region

Result of Service

1. Project ‘Strengthening Plastic Pollution Management in Asia and the Pacific (Mekong River Basin)’ 1.1 Support the implementation of the project in the Mekong River Basin region 1.1.1 Support the activities in the three Outputs of the project in the Mekong River Basin a) Support the development of harmonised methodological guidance on monitoring the plastic pollution along the Mekong River Basin. b) Support the development of baseline assessment and list of recommended actions for countries and actors along the Mekong River Basin to reduce plastic pollution. c) Support the organization of knowledge-sharing and capacity building events related to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meetings to end plastic pollution. 1.1.2 Liaise with project implementing partners to regularly follow up on the progress and deliverables of the contract. 1.1.3 Support the organisation of consultation workshops, trainings and meetings related to the project. 1.1.4 Support stakeholder engagement with countries along the Mekong River Basin region, including national governments, the private sector, national initiatives and partnership related to the Mekong River Basin, peer agencies, NGOs and academia. 1.1.5 Support the preparation of technical documents summarising the progress of the project implementation, as well as the project terminal report. 1.1.6 Support the preparation of communication materials of the project 2. Other projects on plastic pollution in the Asia-Pacific region 2.1 Support the implementation of other relevant plastics related project in Asia-Pacific under the One Plastics Initiative (such as SEA Circular, UNPDF etc.), improve the synergies among countries along the Mekong River Basin. 2.2 Provide an overview of all on-going plastic initiatives and projects by UNEP and other agencies. 2.3 Prepare a list of potential topics for future projects in the region. 3. Relevant work on Chemical and Pollution Sub-programme in the Asia-Pacific region 3.1 Support the preparation of relevant assessments, briefings and technical documents related to the Chemical and Pollution Sub-programme (including the topic on air quality, environment and health, waste management, and circularity in sectors) 3.2 Support the preparation of relevant events, training and meetings related to the Chemical and Pollution Sub-programme.

Work Location

Office-based, Bangkok, Thailand

Expected duration

3 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The focus of the consultancy is to support the implementation of the Project ‘Strengthening Plastic Pollution Management in Asia and the Pacific (Mekong River Basin)’ in the Mekong River Basin countries, by liaising with regional and national governmental and business stakeholders, academia, NGOs, implementing partners, and ensuring quality delivery of relevant project outputs. The consultancy is also expected to support other relevant projects on plastic pollution and chemicals and pollutions in the Asia-Pacific region. The consultant will work full time in the Bangkok duty station of UNEP, under the supervision of the programme officers for the One UNEP Plastics Initiative, 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, social science, environmental studies, environmental science, 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. At least four (4) years of work experience in managing projects related to chemicals and pollution, sustainable consumption and production, and circular economy. Experience in drafting project related documents, including concepts, progress reports, work plans, and financial documents (budgets and expenditure reports) is required. Experience in working with national governments in developing countries, working experience in the Mekong River Region and working with the United Nations and international organisations are required. Experience on developing or managing projects on plastic pollution is desirable. Being Sophisticated in result-based management and its application in project development, management, and evaluation;very sophisticated writing skills with proven track records of developing high-quality project documents, having good verbal communication skills with proven ability to liaise with external stakeholders in governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, the private sector and NGOs and having excellent management of office computing tools including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and data analysis and standard statistical techniques are desirable. Having knowledge of the UN System is an advantage.

Languages

Fluency in English (oral and written) is required.

Additional Information

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 implementing the ONE 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. The initiative galvanizes UNEP’s work on plastic pollution in a coherent, systemic, and strategic way, and will inform decision-makers and the public about plastic pollution to rallying actors across the value chain (especially the private sector) to scale up solutions.

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.