Vacancy Announcement for a Consultancy*
*Duty station:* Osaka, Japan
*Unit: *International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC)
Division for Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
*Duration:* 06 months with possibility of extension (03 months
probationary)
*Conditions:* Full time
*Start date: *As soon as possible
*Deadline for applications: **Close of business 03 March 2012*
*Background*
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) International Environmental
Technology Centre (IETC) promotes and implements environmentally sound
technologies (ESTs), including management systems for sustainable
production and consumption. In particular, IETC focuses on waste management
issues, including technology support, demonstration/pilot projects,
capacity building, and advisory services, IETC covers a wide range of waste
streams and cross-cutting issues, e.g. integrated solid waste management
(ISWM), e-waste, waste plastics, waste agricultural biomass, health care
waste, waste oils. IETC is located in Osaka, Japan. For further
information, please see:
http://www.unep.or.jp/
Waste management has been taken up as a priority by international
organizations, and various stakeholders are already engaged in waste
management activities all over the world. However, to date, these
activities have followed a rather sectoral and piecemeal approach, leading
to duplication of efforts and competing rather than complementing
activities. To avoid duplication, make existing efforts more effective by
enhancing cooperation, and to identify and fill information gaps, UNEP
started a series of consultations leading to the launch of the Global
Partnership on Waste Management (GPWM) in November 2010.
The GPWM is a voluntary and collaborative relationship between various
international stakeholders, in which all participants agree to work
together and coordinate activities in a systematic way to enhance
international cooperation and avoid duplication of efforts. The GPWM serves
as a coordination forum for various international stakeholders, including
bodies of the UN system and different parts of UNEP, such as the
Secretariats of the Basel Convention, the Division of Technology, Industry
and Economics (DTIE) (Sustainable Consumption and Production Branch (SCP),
IETC, Chemicals Branch), and the Division of Environmental Policy
Implementation (DEPI).
With the launch of the GPWM, UNEP responds to Governing Council decisions
24/5 and 25/8, calling for a holistic and integrated approach on waste
management. In 2011, UNEP Governing Council acknowledged the establishment
of the GPWM in its decision 26/3. The secretariat of the GPWM is hosted by
IETC. The GPWM currently has six sponsored focal areas, which are led by
different organizations, namely: integrated solid waste management (ISWM)
(IETC), e-waste (United Nations Industrial Development Organization –
UNIDO), waste agricultural biomass (IETC), waste and climate change
(International Solid Waste Association – ISWA), marine litter (UNEP DEPI),
waste minimization (UNEP DTIE/SCP).
*Tasks and Responsibilities*
Under the overall supervision of the Director of IETC and the under the
direct supervision of the Programme Officer responsible for GPWM, the
consultant will assist in implementing the partnership. In particular, the
responsibilities of the consultant, will include, but are not limited to,
the following:
*1) **Provide support in organizing the GPWM biennium conference*
- Assist in drafting discussion documents for the biennium
conference and steering committee meeting;
- Review proposals for conference session and assist in designing
the conference programme;
- Coordinate conference logistics; and
- Assist in drafting conference report.
* *
*2) **Assist in populating an online portal on waste management*
- Research information (existing databases, national policies,
case studies, events on waste management) online and structure it in a
user-friendly way.
*3) **Assist in mapping activities on waste management carried out by
major international organizations*
- Research information on waste management activities carried out
by international organizations; and
- Assist in developing project maps in a geographic information
system (GIS).
*4) **Assist in drafting a needs assessment report on capacity
building for waste management*
- Assist in analyzing needs assessment survey;
- Draft needs assessment report; and
- Assist in developing needs assessment map in GIS.
*5) **Perform other duties as required**.*
*Selection Criteria *
· A dynamic, independent and highly-organized young professional
with enthusiasm to learn and an ability to work effectively in fast-paced
and multi-cultural teams.
· Bachelor’s degree (in a field related to international relations,
international development, political science, or environmental policy
preferred) and professional experience in a related field. Master’s degree
desirable.
· Excellent oral and written communications skills in English.
Language skills in French and/or Spanish desirable.
· Strong research and analytical skills.
· GIS skills are a strong plus.
· Strong organizational skills and administrative capabilities.
· Demonstrated ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments,
and prioritize a variety of complex evolving tasks.
· Demonstrated ability to effectively provide professional support
to senior staff, including working with teams.
· Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and competing demands
while ensuring due attention to detail and the high quality of products.
*Application Procedure*
Candidates should send their CV, UN personal history form (P11), and cover
letter to
applications-ietc@unep.org reference GPWM consultancy by close of
business 03 March 2012.
