Consultant to prepare national inventories and plans of banks of waste-controlled substances in 4 countries and the technical assistance in reviewing project proposals

Result of ServiceThe consultant will deliver 4 fully-compliant, high-quality project documents on national inventory of banks of waste-controlled substances and development of a national plan for management of these substances in The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Maldives and Sri Lanka. These outputs will enable the countries to: 1. Develop a robust data analysis methodology and validate inventory projections of waste controlled substances, ensuring accurate estimates for RAC/MAC equipment and recovery practices. This provides a solid foundation for informed decision-making on managing existing and future banks of controlled substances. 2. Prepare a comprehensive review of the national legal framework and organizational capacity for managing waste-controlled substances, identifying gaps and opportunities for alignment with international conventions such as the Basel Convention. 3. Develop actionable policy recommendations and a national plan incorporating a sustainable business model for waste management. This approach ensures long-term viability and integration with existing Montreal Protocol initiatives. 4. Prepare a detailed country report in collaboration with NOUs and UNEP, combining the national inventory and management plan for waste-controlled substances, following Executive Committee and Multilateral Fund guidelines. This report serves as a strategic roadmap for implementation and resource mobilization. The consultant will also deliver fully-compliant, high-quality reviews of 20 new projects. The consultancy aims to provide technical expertise in reviewing complex project proposals before their submission to the Executive Committee (ExCom). This includes ensuring that all projects comply with ExCom guidelines and policies, meet the Montreal Protocol objectives, and align with UNEP’s Business Plan for 2026–2028. The review process will focus on HCFC Phase-Out Management Plans (HPMPs), Kigali Implementation Plans (KIPs), Institutional Strengthening projects, and other technical assistance programs to facilitate timely and accurate submissions during the anticipated peak load for ExCom-98, ExCom-99 and ExCom-100. Work LocationHome based Expected duration12 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: 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 Law Division works with international and non-governmental organizations, national and local governments, businesses, 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. UNEP serves as an Implementing Agency of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Through its OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP), UNEP delivers targeted technical and policy support to empower National Ozone Units (NOUs). This assistance enables NOUs to effectively implement activities approved by the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund, meet their compliance obligations under the Montreal Protocol, and address the evolving technological and operational needs of stakeholders involved in national-level implementation. At the 94th and 95th meetings of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund, the “Preparation of national inventory of banks of waste-controlled substances and development of a national plan for management of these substances” projects were approved for The Bahamas (BHA/DES/95/PRP/37), Saint Lucia (STL/DES/94/PRP/41), Maldives (MDV/DES/95/PRP/40) and Sri Lanka (SRL/DES/95/PRP/69) as UNEP as the implementing agency. To support the development of this initiative, UNEP will engage a consultant to assist in the preparation of national inventory of banks of waste-controlled substances and development of a national plan for management of these substances in The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Maldives and Sri Lanka. UNEP’s Business Plan for the years of 2026–2028 (UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/97/23) is endorsed by the ExCom-97 (Decision 97/27). Through the activities identified in this Business Plan, UNEP will assist the countries with implementing their HFC phase down management plans with the 10% reduction target by 2029, HCFC phase-out responsibilities including preparing for the 2030 total phase out target, strengthening the government institutions in Article 5 countries responsible for implementing and reporting on their national strategies to comply with the Montreal Protocol, and sustaining Article 5 countries’ compliance with ozone depleting substance (ODS) phase out targets already met. The project services include implementation of HCFC Phase out Management Plans (HPMPs) Stages I, II, and III, Institutional Strengthening projects, Preparation and implementation of KIP (HFC) phase down plans, and other technical assistant programmes. In this regard, the OzonAction expects the submission of very complex projects to ExCom-98 and ExCom-99 and ExCom-100 (a peak load for submissions). Therefore, the OzonAction requires an international consultant to provide the technical assistance during projects review process for complying with ExCom guidelines/policies. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the day-to-day supervision of the ExCom Coordinator, in cooperation with Regional Network Coordinators for the Caribbean and South Asia, and under overall supervision by the Head of Branch, the consultant will: Task 1: Preparation the national inventory of banks of waste controlled substances and a national plan for management of these substances for The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Maldives and Sri Lanka (1) Analysis of actual and prospective inventory of banks of waste controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol • Develop a data analysis methodology, including detailed descriptions of required inputs and parameters. Present the methodology to, and consult with, the NOU, OzonAction CAP ROAP and Caribbean and local consultants. Provide guidance to the NOU and local consultants on data collection. • Using available datasets from previous projects and complementary data collected by the local consultant, develop an inventory and projection of banks of waste controlled substances in the country. The comprehensive inventory should include: o Inventory of RAC/MAC equipment in the country o Practices and recovery rate of waste controlled substances (i) during operation - installation and servicing of RAC/MAC equipment and (ii) during equipment decommissioning at end-of-life. The cost elements of recovery practices should be analyzed in detail. o Inventory of actual and potential banks of waste controlled substances. o If applicable, review previously implemented or ongoing projects relevant to refrigerant recovery, recycling, reclamation programs or ODS/HFC disposal/destruction projects in the country. • Where possible, include analysis of waste controlled substances that could be recovered from and collected from fire suppression systems and foam products. • Validate the data analysis results using an appropriate methodology. (2) Comprehensive desk review of the existing national legal framework, organizational structure and capacity for managing waste controlled substances, and challenges/gaps • Assess the current national legal framework related to recovery, collection, safe handling, transportation, storage, recycling, reclamation, and destruction of substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol. • Review the legal framework governing trade and boundary movement of waste controlled substances, including requirements and linkages to the Basel Convention. • Evaluate current servicing practices related to the management of waste controlled substances. • Assess the country’s existing practices, organizational structure, and infrastructure for managing waste-controlled substances. This should include potential opportunities for co-disposal of waste-controlled substances with other hazardous waste. • If applicable, analyze recycling/reclamation and destruction opportunities in neighboring countries, including an estimated cost analysis. • Identify challenges and gaps in the management of waste-controlled substances. • Where possible and applicable, conduct a similar analysis for waste-controlled substances originating from fire suppression systems and foam products. (3) Develop policy recommendations and national action plan incorporating a sustainable business model for managing waste controlled substances. • Based on the comprehensive desk review and identified challenges/gaps, develop policy recommendations that enable or mandate the proper management of waste controlled substances. This should include stakeholder mapping and institutional coordination. • Develop a national action plan for managing waste controlled substances, incorporating a sustainable business model for waste management. o The business model must include an executable action plan taking into consideration the volume of unwanted waste substances and the technologies available within the country. Key elements of the business model should include, among others: stakeholder roles, revenue streams, cost components, sustainability measures, and risk management. o The model also should consider end-of-life appliances (EoL) decommissioning, extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, and synergies with other policies such as cooling action plans and energy efficiency initiatives. Where necessary, the business model may incorporate recycling, reclamation, and destruction capacities in neighboring countries. o In addition to the business model, the national action plan must include proposals and budget for required policy development, capacity building activities, awareness raising initiatives, and other technical assistance measures. The developed action plan should align with HPMP, KIP and other Montreal Protocol implementation activities in the country. (4) Develop a comprehensive country report combining the national inventory of banks of waste controlled substances and a national plan for management of these substances • Based on the above tasks, the consultant, in close collaboration with the relevant NOUs and UNEP, shall prepare a comprehensive country report that combines the national inventory of banks of waste-controlled substances and a national plan for management of these substances. The report must be prepared in accordance with the guidelines and template formats provided by the Executive Committee and Multilateral Fund Secretariat. Once submitted for consideration by the Executive Committee, support UNEP in responding to comments from the Multilateral Fund Secretariat and to revise the report as necessary based on comments and feedback of the Multilateral Fund Secretariat. Task 2: Technical assistance in the review of 20 projects in total to be submitted to ExCom-98, ExCom-99 and ExCom-100: • In reviewing Institutional Strengthening project proposals which include compliance of the project proposal with the MLF IS guideline. It requires the information on duration of the previous and requested phase, checking of Article 7 and CP data reporting information, correctness of the requested budget for the next phase, consistency between the number of NOU staff members and budget for their salaries (funded by the Government or from the IS project), completeness of the report on the activities in the current phase, completeness of activities planned in the next phase, checking of proposed performance indicators, or proposing performance indicators if not proposed in the project document, revising/drafting elements of part 15 – Terminal report, Plan of action and Views of the ExCom. • Technical assistance in reviewing HPMP Stage 2/3 projects as well as KIPs which must include a description of all legislation and/or regulations that are related to HCFCs and the status of implementation of the HCFC import/export licensing and quota systems. Technical assistance in reviewing all new components, activities and associated budget presented in project documents. • Technical assistance in reviewing HPMP stage 2/3 preparation funds requests which include a description of the current progress in implementation of the overall stage I of the HPMP to demonstrate that substantial progress had been made, supported with both quantitative and qualitative data. Technical support in reviewing activities that need to be undertaken for HPMP stage 2 preparation. Each activity (e.g., surveys, consultation meetings) must be described briefly, considering what had been completed in stage I, and why a new or similar activity is required to develop the strategy for stage II. The costs for undertaking such activities should also be provided in a table. • Technical assistance in reviewing HPMP tranches under the stage 1, 2 or 3 which must include a brief description of all legislation and/or regulations that were revised/issued related to HCFCs and the status of implementation of the HCFC import/export licensing and quota systems, particularly for the specific implementation period being reviewed. Technical assistance in reviewing the levels of consumption of each HCFC imported as a pure substance and/or contained in blends (thus reported under Article 7 of the Montreal Protocol) and the activities implemented during the tranche should be clearly described, comparing targets planned versus those accomplished, problems encountered and how they were resolved, including lessons learned. Quantifiable information should be provided to the extent possible. A table summarizing these activities highlighting achievements and deviations should be prepared. One section should contain a detailed description of the progress of the main activities being implemented in the refrigeration and air conditioning servicing sector as agreed in the previously approved tranche implementation plan. A detailed description of the activities in the newly requested tranche to be presented in detail. • Technical assistance in reviewing verification reports. The verification of national consumption targets for the multi-year agreements should be in line with the Guidelines approved by ExCom at its 46th meeting (Annex XIII). Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree in environment or social sciences, or environmental policy and management is required. A first-level university degree in combination with at least nine years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. Minimum 7 years (with Master’s degree) of work experience in the preparation, review, and implementation of environmental projects related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements, including the Montreal Protocol is required. Extensive experience in drafting projects for the Multilateral Fund or similar international mechanisms, particularly related to HPMPs and KIPs is required In-depth knowledge of the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) servicing and manufacturing sectors is desirable. Demonstrated ability to integrate gender considerations into technical project design and implementation is desirable LanguagesEnglish is the working language of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, written and oral English proficiency is required Additional InformationNot available. 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.