Consultant, Legal Specialist for Sustainable Electronics Sector

Result of ServiceThe objective of this consultancy is to strengthen Mexico’s legal and regulatory framework for e-waste management and circular economy practices under the Circularity in the Electronics Sector project. Through legal analysis, policy recommendations, and stakeholder engagement, the consultant will contribute to stronger enforcement mechanisms, clearer regulatory guidelines, and enhanced industry compliance with sustainability standards. Through these efforts, the consultancy will enhance legal certainty, promote regulatory compliance, and bolster the transition to a circular economy in Mexico’s electronics sector. The work will contribute to better e-waste management, increased industry accountability, and strengthened environmental governance, ensuring Mexico’s alignment with global sustainability standards. The objective of this consultancy is to strengthen Mexico’s legal and regulatory framework for e-waste management and circular economy practices under the Circularity in the Electronics Sector project. Through legal analysis, policy recommendations, and stakeholder engagement, the consultant will contribute to stronger enforcement mechanisms, clearer regulatory guidelines, and enhanced industry compliance with sustainability standards. The Legal Specialist will contribute to UNEP’s Circularity in the Electronics Sector project by providing legal analysis, policy recommendations, and regulatory strengthening for e-waste management and circular economy initiatives in Mexico. The consultant will work closely with UNEP LACO, UNEP IETC, government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and legal experts to ensure that Mexico’s legal framework aligns with international best practices and facilitates effective enforcement and compliance mechanisms. Under the overall supervision of the Regional Officer for Chemicals and Waste based in Mexico and by UNEP International Environmental Technology (IETC) Project Manager, the Legal Specialist Consultant will perform the following activities: Output (1) Comprehensive Legal and Policy Assessment for E-Waste Management • Conduct a detailed analysis of Mexico’s current e-waste laws, circular economy regulations, and environmental policies to identify legal gaps, inconsistencies, and enforcement challenges. • Assess legal gaps, inconsistencies, and enforcement challenges related to waste management and recycling, assess alignment of national legislation with international agreements, including the Basel Convention, OECD guidelines, and UNEP’s circular economy framework. • Ensure alignment with international agreements, including the Basel Convention, OECD guidelines, and UNEP’s circular economy framework. • Examine the legal responsibilities of manufacturers, importers, recyclers, and retailers in e-waste management. Results aim to ensure alignment with international agreements, including the Basel Convention, OECD guidelines, and UNEP’s circular economy framework Output (2) Strengthened Legal and Regulatory Framework and Recommendations • Propose legal amendments and policy reforms and develop policy recommendations legal amendments to enhance Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, regulatory enforcement, circular economy governance and compliance mechanisms. • Provide clear legal guidelines for improving e-waste collection, recycling, and sustainable resource management to ensure industry accountability. • Collaborate with government agencies and stakeholders to facilitate the harmonization of national regulations with international best practices and global sustainability standards to strengthen Mexico’s circular economy policies. Output (3) Stakeholder Engagement, Capacity Building and Policy Dialogues • Engage with government agencies, regulatory bodies, and industry representatives, legal experts to gather insights on legal barriers and to discuss opportunities for policy reforms and legal updates. • Organize and participate in multi-stakeholder consultations, roundtables, and policy workshops to discuss regulatory improvements. • Facilitate legal advisory discussions and multi-stakeholder consultations (private sector, informal recyclers, and environmental organizations), to ensure industry participation in policy discussions. • Conduct workshops and training sessions for policymakers and legal professionals on effective enforcement and compliance mechanisms. Output (4) Capacity-Building and Knowledge Sharing • Develop and conduct training sessions for policymakers and regulatory authorities on best practices in legal enforcement of e-waste policies. • Provide guidance documents, legal toolkits, and knowledge-sharing materials to improve understanding of legal compliance in circular economy initiatives. • Guide industry stakeholders in navigating regulatory requirements and obligations under evolving e-waste laws. • Conduct workshops and training sessions for policymakers and legal professionals on effective enforcement and compliance mechanisms and facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations to ensure industry participation in policy discussions Output (5) Legal Reporting , Documentation and Implementation Roadmap • Prepare and submit a Legal Assessment Report with an overview of Mexico’s regulatory framework, key challenges, and policy recommendations, defining legal responsibilities of manufacturers, importers, recyclers, and retailers under a circular economy model, establishing clear legal provisions for consumer rights in e-waste disposal, repair, and take-back systems and Ensure regulations address informal waste sector inclusion, fair labour practices, and environmental protection • Develop a Policy Brief and an implementation roadmap outlining strategic legal reforms and their steps, enforcement mechanisms, and regulatory milestones for circular economy integration • Deliver a Final Report consolidating legal assessments, policy recommendations, stakeholder feedback, and an implementation roadmap for regulatory improvements • Provide legal advisory for future policy developments and regulatory improvements. Results aim to elaborate; one final report summarizing legal assessments, policy recommendations, and stakeholder feedback, including the implementation roadmap outlining legal reform steps, enforcement mechanisms, and regulatory milestones and provide legal advisory for future policy developments and regulatory improvements. These tasks will be conducted in close collaboration with UNEP and national stakeholders, ensuring that Mexico’s e-waste regulations evolve to bolster sustainability, circular economy principles, and long-term environmental governance. Work LocationMexico City, Mexico Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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. 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. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). To accomplish this, UNEP´s Headquarter and its Regional and Country offices work with a wide range of partners, including other United Nations entities, international organizations, national governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and civil society. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LAC Office), located in Panama City is supported by UNEP Mexico´s Country Office, located in Mexico City and, since 2020, the Representative Office of UNEP in Mexico acts as Focal Point to support UNEP´s Programme of Work in Guatemala. UNEP´s Mexico Country Office collaborates with the Mexican and Guatemalan governments and other stakeholders in areas ranging from low carbon and resilient growth, resources efficiency, environmental governance, to projects on ecosystems and climate change, and supports Mexico in its transition to a low carbon and green economy. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division at the UNEP Headquarters 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. As part of the Industry and Economy Division, UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) works with developing countries to implement sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, with a focus on holistic waste management. UNEP-IETC provides technical and advisory support to national and local governments to enhance their use of environmentally sound strategies and approaches. UNEP-IETC also implements in-country demonstration projects using innovative waste prevention and management methods and technologies to improve human well-being, reduce the impact of climate change, increase resilience and create jobs. Working with a wide range of partners and in line with relevant multilateral environmental agreements, UNEP-IETC mission is to serve as a global center of excellence on environmentally sound technologies with a focus on holistic waste management. Under the Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) 2022–2025, UNEP developed a waste management programme aimed at achieving zero waste, which includes waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Additionally, under the same MTS, the Circularity in Sectors programme was established, identifying the electronics sector as one of the priority high-impact sectors, leading to the development of the “Circularity in the Electronics Sector” project. To achieve these ambitious objectives, the project’s intervention strategy focuses on three key areas: 1. Generating scientific, economic, industrial, and financial evidence to influence policies on circular electronics and encourage the adoption of sustainable business strategies. 2. Building alliances and partnerships to drive the industry toward circular practices, ensuring coordinated action among key stakeholders. 3. Implementing circular electronics projects that demonstrate the effectiveness of circularity, providing a proof of concept for industry transformation. Under this project, UNEP-IETC and UNEP Mexico’s Country Office will implement a Circularity in the Electronics Sector initiative in Mexico, focusing on: 1. Establishing strategic partnerships. 2. Updating the e-waste inventory in Mexico. 3. Assessing and strengthening the legal framework. 4. Designing an integrated circular economy roadmap for the electrical and electronic sector. A key component of this initiative is assessing and strengthening the legal framework for e-waste management and circular economy policies in Mexico. Legal clarity and enforcement mechanisms are crucial to ensuring effective implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, regulatory compliance, and sustainable waste management practices. This consultancy will provide legal expertise to review existing laws, identify policy gaps, and develop recommendations to align Mexico’s e-waste regulations with international best practices. In this sense, UNEP Mexico will need the technical expertise of a consultant to assess and strengthen the legal framework for e-waste management and circular economy policies in Mexico as part of the Circularity in the Electronics Sector initiative in Mexico. The Consultant will be supervised by Regional Officer for Chemicals and Waste based in Mexico and by UNEP International Environmental Technology (IETC) Project Manager and will work 40 hours per week, from Monday to Friday, full time at UNEP Mexico’s Office located in Mexico City, Mexico. Qualifications/special skillsACADEMIC: - A Bachelor’s degree in Law, Environmental Law, Public Policy, or a closely related field, is required. - Master’s degree Law, Environmental Law, Public Policy, or a closely related field is desirable. PROFESSIONAL: - Five (5) years of experience in legal research, environmental law, waste management regulations, or policy development, is required. - Proven expertise in analyzing, drafting, or implementing environmental laws and regulatory frameworks is desirable. - Experience in policy advisory work with government institutions, international organizations, or legal research bodies is desirable. - Familiarity with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, circular economy regulations, and e-waste governance frameworks is desirable. - Knowledge of international environmental agreements, including the Basel Convention and OECD guidelines is desirable. - Experience in stakeholder engagement, legal advocacy, and regulatory compliance mechanisms is desirable. Languages- Fluency in Spanish is required. - Fluency in English is required. Additional InformationSPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: - Proven ability to manage different stakeholders is desirable. - Be computer literate in standard software applications. Desirable. - Knowledge of Excel and other database programs. Desirable. - Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. Desirable. - Ability to deliver timely and high-quality results under tight deadlines is desirable. - Excellent coordination skills, and an ability to follow instructions, work under pressure as a part of a team, or independently as required. Excellent attention to detail is desirable. COMPETENCIES: Professionalism: Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situation. Integrity: Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviours; Acts without consideration of personal gain; Resists undue political pressure in decision-making; Does not abuse power or authority; Stands by decisions that are in the Organization’s interest, even if they are unpopular; Takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise, is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. No FeeTHE 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.