Sustainable plastic waste management

Result of ServiceA fully developed toolkit to identify and quantify leakage of plastics into the environment throughout the plastic lifecycle. Work LocationHome-based in Osaka duty station Expected duration8 months (full-time) Duties and ResponsibilitiesA. Background: (1) Organisation 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 Industry and 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. 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 focus on holistic waste management. The Centre promotes and advocates sustainability of waste management and disposal, based on the circularity principles and through the life-cycle approach. Sound management of waste contributes to all three pillars of sustainable development. In particular, 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 centre of excellence on environmentally sound technologies with focus on holistic waste management. UNEP-IETC is also contributing to the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee processes from the waste management perspective. (2) Purpose: Under the MTS 2022-2025, UNEP developed a waste management programme towards zero waste. Waste disposal and recycling technologies as well as associated technology transfer are a key to developing integrated solid waste management systems in the Member States. One of the priority waste streams is plastic waste which is recognized part of global plastic pollution within one of global priorities on three planetary crises. In order to combat plastic pollution at a global level, the International Negotiating Committee on a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution (INC) began, and waste management issue is one of the topics discussed under the INC. UNEP has developed a series of technical documents, including those related to technologies related to environmentally sound plastic production, plastic waste disposal and recycling, and plastic alternatives. In line with the above, and possibly responding to a new Medium term Strategy 2026-2029 to be adopted at the next session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in December 2025, the proposed individual contractor will work with UNEP staff and other experts to further disseminate technical information on plastic waste, sustainable plastic waste management, Extended Producer Responsibilities policies, and plastic recycling and reuse technologies. The new MTS is likely to put place emphasis on “High- Impact Sectors”, which includes plastic value chains, aiming to represent an effective framework for action throughout the entire plastics value chain. The individual contractor will also function as project manager to develop and apply a toolkit to identify and quantify plastic leakage to the environment. This assignment contributes directly to the Chemicals and Pollution Action Subprogramme, particularly under the workstreams on circularity in high-impact sectors, integrated waste management, and enabling policies for sound chemicals and waste management. B. Duties: (1) Objectives: To finalise a methodology to identify and quantify plastic leakage to the environment and test apply it to a pilot country. (2) Output expectations: (A) A toolkit to identify and quantify sources of plastic pollution in the environment: (B) Disseminated information on the toolkit and its application (3) Performance indicators: • Timely submission of all outputs by agreed deadlines • Peer review by relevant partners • Evidence of stakeholder input (e.g. consultation, interviews) • Scientific robustness of toolkit endorsed by UNEP. C. Specific tasks and responsibilities: An individual contractor will work directly with and will be supervised by Head of IETC. Also, an individual contractor will work with other consultants and staff members in a UNEP plastic team. The tasks are: • Organise steering committee and working group meetings for the development and application of a toolkit to identify and quantify plastic leakages into environment • Finalise the toolkit for publication for online use; • Apply the toolkit to a pilot country by organising data gathering, stakeholder engagement and report preparation; • Develop partnership with external organisations to advance UNEP’s work related to be above tasks and engage them; • Prepare reports to partners and donors on the above-tasks; and • Lead conversations and engagement with member States and other UNEP partners in the use of the plastic pollution tools. Qualifications/special skillsLanguages: • Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental science, circular economy, environmental engineering or a related field. • A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Professional Experience: • At least 7 years of professional experiences in waste management, product supply chain, and plastic pollution control • Demonstrated experience in regulatory analysis, quantitative assessment, and stakeholder consultation • Experiences in private sector is an asset. Special knowledge and skills: • Strong understanding of circular economy principles and life cycle approach • Quantitative skills to estimate socio-economic impacts of Circular economy approach • Familiarity with environmental issues associated with plastic value chain * People from under-represented groups and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. * Gender considerations included: yes. LanguagesDemonstrated capacity to write UN documents in English. 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.