Result of Service

UNEP Global Mercury Partnership.
--Coordinated report / other deliverables to respond to PAG requests on cross cutting themes, including technical consultations on oil and gas and non-ferrous metals mining and smelting
--Information flow and communication to network partners satisfactorily delivered, including through emails, newsletters and webinars.
--PAG 11 organised and successfully delivered
--Research to support preparation phase of project proposals.

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building.
--Webinars successfully delivered on NAP and MIA topics
--Reviews of Francophone Africa MIAs and NAPs submitted to project countries
--Technical documents on ASGM tailings and gender finalized, published and disseminated
--NAP and MIA countries are assisted in questions about UNEP tools and methodologies through help desk services

Work Location

Home based

Expected duration

12 months at 60% part-time

Duties and Responsibilities

--Venue of Workplace:
This position is home-based.

--Administrative Instruction ST/AI/2013/4, point 5.20:
The fees of consultants and individual contractors are expressed in gross amounts. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local laws. The United Nations does not reimburse consultants or individual contractors for any taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultants or individual contractors on payments made under the individual contract. The United Nations does not issue statements of earnings to consultants and individual contractors.

--Background (Org. Setting)
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.

The overall objective of the UNEP’s Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.

The Knowledge and Risk Unit gathers, compiles and analyses state of the art information and data, including through monitoring activities, inventories and assessments, to allow policy-makers to make informed decisions on the sound management of chemicals and waste. The Unit executes projects and covers topics related to persistent organic pollutants, mercury, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and chemicals in products, among others. The Unit in particular is the host of the Global Mercury Partnership and Mercury Programme, which undertakes technical assistance and capacity-building projects to support the implementation of the Minamata Convention.

This position is to support the work of the Global Mercury Partnership and the Branch’s project work supporting countries developing Minamata Initial Assessments and Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining National Action Plans.

--Purpose/Justification
The consultant is needed to support the Secretariat tasks of the Global Mercury Partnership, in response to the PAG 10 requests, as well as to support the global component activities for Minamata Initial Assessments and Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining National Action Plans.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications: Master’s degree or equivalent in a field related to environment/health/natural sciences. Two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree.
Experience: At least two year of relevant experience, in a field related to international chemicals and waste management and Mercury in particular. Experience with the UN is an advantage.
Language: Fluent written and spoken English and French is required.
Knowledge of another UN language would be an asset.

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.