National Legal Consultant for Saint Lucia

Result of ServiceThe objective of this consultancy is to strengthen solid waste management legal and strategic frameworks in Caribbean countries, by developing a regional guidance framework for strategic planning and national action in the waste sector and providing technical guidance to the development of national strategic planning and legislative frameworks in target countries. Under the overall supervision of the UNEP Regional Project Coordinator, Zero Waste in the Caribbean Project, Caribbean Sub Regional Office, the consultant will deliver the following products: Output 1 Revise and analyze the Waste Management Act and related frameworks to identify gaps including circular economic considerations. Product No. 1 A report identifying gaps, obstacles and deficiencies in the Waste Management Act and other relevant legal, policy, and institutional frameworks in Saint Lucia. Output 2 Revise and analyze the draft regulations for the Waste Management Act to identify gaps including circular economy considerations. Product No. 2: Gap Analysis Report: A report containing an analysis for identifying gaps and deficiencies in the draft regulations for the current Waste Management Act and other relevant legal, policy, and institutional frameworks in Saint Lucia. Considering previous reviews of the current legislation by OECS Commission and UNEP. Output 3 Prepare a report on the review and stakeholder consultation findings. Product No. 3: A comprehensive report summarizing the review of the Act and regulations, legal frameworks, and the conclusions and recommendations from stakeholders and information sources of consultations. Output 4 Proposal amendments to the Act and prepare revised regulations. Product No. 4.1: a document containing recommended amendments to the Waste Management Act based on feedback and research. Product No. 4.2: Document presenting the revised regulations based on the revised Waste Management Act. Output 5 Develop a national consultation workshop on proposed revisions. Product No. 5 A national stakeholder consultation workshop, with a summary of discussions, meeting minutes and feedback on the proposed revisions to the Act and proposal regulations. Output 6 Integrate feedback and conduct a validation meeting for the final Act and Regulations. Product No. 6: Document containing a revised Waste Management Act and final proposal regulations that incorporates stakeholder feedback, proposal validated by Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority. Specifict Tasks Under the overall supervision of UNEP´s Regional Project Coordinator, Zero Waste in the Caribbean Project, Caribbean Sub Regional Office and in coordination with other key partners, the national legal consultant will be required to: 1. Revise and analyse the Waste Management Act (the Act) and draft regulations, other relevant legal, policy and institutional frameworks for waste management and the environment in Saint Lucia to identify gaps and deficiencies. The Consultant is expected to work in close collaboration with the Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority (SLSWMA), the Attorney General’s Chambers (AG’s Chambers) and the Department of Sustainable Development (DSD) and consult other key stakeholders including the private sector and NGOs. 2. Prepare a report based on the review of the Act and relevant legal, policy and institutional frameworks as well as the main conclusions and recommendations from the stakeholder consultations. 3. Prepare a report based on the revision of the draft regulations and relevant legal, policy and institutional frameworks as well as the main conclusions and recommendations from the stakeholder consultations. 4. Proposal amendments to the Waste Management Act and prepare the necessary draft regulations to implement the updated Act. The proposal regulations should be developed in accordance with the OECS Draft Waste Management Regulations, 2021 and based on the feedback and comments on the draft Act from the SLSWMA, AG’s Chambers, UNEP and other relevant stakeholders, research findings and previous studies/reports completed by other ministries/agencies and international organisations including UNEP. 5. Conduct a national stakeholder consultation workshop to discuss the proposed revisions to the Act and draft regulations and obtain comments and feedback from key stakeholders (public, private and NGOs). 6. Integrate the comments and stakeholder feedback received from the stakeholder consultation workshop, where appropriate, into the Act and proposal regulations. A second stakeholder validation workshop will be held to validate the Revised Draft Act and final draft regulations. 7. Finalize revised Waste Management Act and revised Regulations. Work LocationHome-based Expected durationNine (9) 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). The UNEP Caribbean Sub-Regional Office, located in Kingston, Jamaica, is a catalyst, advocate, educator, and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the Caribbean environment. UNEP is an implementing partner in the European Union (EU) Action programme or the Caribbean, financed by the 11th European Development Fund on circular economy in general and of solid waste management, in particular. The Action seeks to improve the resource efficiency of Caribbean economies and is aligned with the EU’s Green Deal, including green economy approaches and obligations regarding Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). UNEP’s support will focus on the normative, knowledge and policy engagement components of the Action, strengthening national legislative frameworks and facilitating sub-regional and Caribbean wide action. The geographic scope of the Action includes the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) Member States (Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago). Other partners of the Action programme include the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) and the Agence Francaise de Developpment (AFD), who will be focused on piloting technical interventions in selected countries. UNEP will promote uptake of best practices, lessons learned and appropriate and successful technology options. A key objective of the Action Programme is to “strengthen solid waste management legal and strategic frameworks”, including advising for the establishment of enabling frameworks and instruments to facilitate investment and sustainable financing of waste management. Key initiatives included: 1. Development of a regional guidance framework for strategic planning and national action in the waste sector, considering the specific conditions in Caribbean countries. 2. Provide technical guidance to the development of national strategic planning and legislative frameworks, including the integration of circular economy approaches and the alignment with NDCs. Against this backdrop the Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority has requested the guidance of UNEP through the Zero Waste in the Caribbean Project to review and harmonise their legislative framework incorporating circular economy principles. To this end, UNEP is seeking a National Legal Consultant for Saint Lucia, with a focus on solid waste management including relevant international standards and best practices. This is a home-based product-based consultancy, under the supervision of the UNEP Regional Project Coordinator, Zero Waste in the Caribbean Project, Caribbean Sub Regional Office. Qualifications/special skillsACADEMIC: - Bachelor’s degree in law, Environmental Law, Legislative Drafting or a closely related field is required. - Master’s degree in law, Environmental Law, Legislative drafting or a closely related field is desirable. - Additional studies or specific training in legislative drafting, environmental legislation and policy is an asset. PROFESSIONAL: - Seven (7) years of professional experience in areas related to drafting legislation and public policies or plans, environmental law, Common Law is required. - Experience in International and Caribbean environmental law and public policy is desired. - Experience in environmental review and development of legislation, particularly on waste management and circular economy is desirable. - Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations, in particular those of the UN and EU, is desirable. - Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues and workshops is desirable. LANGUAGE: - Fluency in English is required. - Basic in Spanish is desirable. SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: - Good command of MS Excel, Word, Power Point, and other platforms is desirable. COMPETENCIES Professionalism: - Ability to develop communications knowledge management products and tools including publications, reports and communication materials. - Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. - Professional competence and mastery of subject matter; efficiency in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. - Good desk research and analytical skills, combining communication and good understanding of environmental issues. - Good organizational skills and problem-solving skills. COMMUNICATION: - Excellent communication skills, written and spoken as well as ability to draft or edit a variety of written reports including publications, summaries, concept notes and briefing notes. - Ability to ask questions for clarification and interest in having two-way communication. - Openness in sharing information and in keeping people informed. TEAMWORK: - Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve project objectives; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others, and able to work in multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment. LanguagesNot available. 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.