Duties and Responsibilities
A. 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. Within UNEP, the International Environmental Technology Centre (UNEP-IETC), under the Industry and Economy Division, supports developing countries in implementing environmentally sound technologies and approaches, with a focus on Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM). UNEP-IETC works closely with national and local governments to promote holistic, climate-responsive, and circular waste management systems. Under the Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB) 2025, UNEP-IETC is implementing the project “Climate-Responsive Plastic Waste Strategies through Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM): Advancing Circular Solutions to Cut Emissions, Pollution, and Public Health Risks in India and the Philippines”. The project focuses on city-level implementation in Mumbai (India) and Quezon City (Philippines), with an emphasis on plastic waste as a high-impact priority stream. (2) Purpose: The Regional Consultant will provide specialized technical, analytical, and coordination support to UNEP-IETC for the implementation of the Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB) 2025 project entitled: “Climate-Responsive Plastic Waste Strategies through Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM): Advancing Circular Solutions to Cut Emissions, Pollution, and Public Health Risks in India and the Philippines.” The project operates at the city level in Mumbai (India) and Quezon City (Philippines) and contributes to UNEP’s Programme of Work 2026–2027 under pollution prevention, circular economy transition, and climate-responsive urban systems. Given: • The multi-country nature of the project • The technical complexity of plastic waste material flow analysis • The need for pre-feasibility assessments and plastic waste management • The preparation of technical reports, pre-feasibility studies, Terms of Reference, and other supporting documentation required for project implementation, including sub-allotment and partner engagement processes • The requirement to ensure methodological coherence across cities A Regional Consultant is required to: 1. Provide common technical methodologies for project activities applicable in Mumbai and Quezon City; 2. Technical review and advise improvements of draft reports produced by partner institutions. 3. Co-develop technical reports, pre-feasibility studies, Terms of Reference, and other project documentation in collaboration with the UNEP-IETC Programme Management Officer and relevant project partners, in compliance with UNEP administrative and programme standards. This role ensures quality assurance and methodological consistency between Mumbai and Quezon City, including the use of comparable analytical approaches and technical standards, while maintaining alignment with UNEP’s Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) framework and global normative work, including the Global Waste Management Outlook. Responsibilities: Under the technical supervision of the UNEP-IETC Programme Management Officer and in close coordination with the UNEP India Office and UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, the Regional Consultant will undertake the following responsibilities: (A) Technical Advisory and Quality Assurance: • Provide expert technical guidance on plastic and other waste management and circular economy interventions in both project cities. • Review and provide substantive technical comments on draft rapid assessments, action plans, and feasibility studies prepared by local project teams. • Provide methodologies to Mumbai and Quezon City on assessments, action plan development, feasibility studies and any other project activities. • Ensure alignment with UNEP ISWM principles and climate-responsive waste management approaches. • Identify analytical gaps and recommend improvements before finalisation of reports. (B) Support to Project Execution: • Prepare technical notes and analytical inputs to inform planning and sequencing of project activities • Prepare background technical materials to support missions, workshops, and stakeholder consultations led by UNEP-IETC; • Provide technical advice on pilot demonstration activities, including feasibility, technology options, and scalability considerations; • Review technical outputs during implementation and provide recommendations to ensure quality and consistency. (C) Preparation of Technical Documentation and Analytical Outputs: In close coordination with the Programme Management Officer, the consultant will: • Prepare technical inputs and background analytical materials (e.g. assessment frameworks, technical notes) to support the development of project outputs led by UNEP-IETC and partner institutions; • Provide technical inputs to the development of Terms of Reference for local consultants or service providers, as requested by UNEP-IETC; • Prepare or review technical sections of project reports, including analytical content and findings, for internal and external reporting purposes; • Align technical inputs with UNEP guidelines and formats, as instructed by the Programme Management Officer. (D) Technical Assessments and Pre-Feasibility Analysis: • Provide technical guidance and methodology for rapid assessment. • Refinement of material flow analysis for priority plastic streams. • Review and advise improvements of draft pre-feasibility studies, including evaluation of: - Technology options - Operational requirements - Institutional capacity - Climate mitigation potential - Social inclusion considerations • Ensure recommendations are technically viable, context-sensitive, and aligned with circular economy principles. (E) Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Support: • Provide technical inputs to workshops and stakeholder consultations. • Present materials and technical briefing notes. • Integration of gender and informal sector considerations in technical outputs. • Provide technical responses to stakeholder feedback. (F) Knowledge Integration and Consolidation: • Input to final consolidated project outputs. • Ensure technical findings are synthesised into clear, policy-relevant recommendations. • Preparation of knowledge products and briefing materials for replication. B. Duties: (A) Objectives: The objective of this consultancy is to provide structured technical support, analytical inputs, and quality review services to assist UNEP-IETC in implementing climate-responsive plastic waste management strategies through Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) in Mumbai and Quezon City. The consultant will support the Programme Management Officer by: • Contributing technical inputs to assessments and planning processes; • Reviewing and strengthening draft analytical outputs prepared by local project teams; • Supporting preparation of technically sound documentation aligned with UNEP guidance; • Ensuring consistency and methodological coherence across both project cities. The consultancy will contribute to evidence-based planning and practical implementation in line with UNEP’s Programme of Work 2026–2027. (B) Output expectations: The consultant is expected to deliver the following measurable outputs: (1) Inception Report: • Defined analytical approach and present methodologies (rapid assessment, action planning, feasibility study); • Workplan and timeline for assigned deliverables; • Proposed structure for technical review and quality assurance of city outputs; • Stakeholder coordination proposals. (2) Technical Assessment Support Outputs: • Structured technical review comments on Rapid Assessment Reports for Mumbai and Quezon City; • Technical input notes contributing to city-level circular economy action planning; • Technical inputs supporting pilot design documentation; • Reviewed and advise improvements of draft Technical Pre-Feasibility Study. (3) Final Consolidated Outputs: • Finalised Technical Pre-Feasibility Study incorporating UNEP comments; • Consolidated technical synthesis report summarising findings and practical recommendations; • Presentation materials and technical briefs suitable for stakeholder engagement and internal UNEP use. Submission format: All outputs shall be submitted in electronic format only, in editable files (Word and PowerPoint), with a final PDF version where appropriate. No hard copies are required unless explicitly requested by UNEP-IETC. Timeline and Payment Schedule: The above deliverables will be completed in accordance with the timeline and payment schedule specified in Section 2.3 of this Terms of Reference. The Inception Report is expected within four (4) weeks from the start of the contract, the Technical Assessment and Planning Support Outputs by the mid-point of the contract period (approximately five (5) working months), and the Final Consolidated Outputs no later than two (2) weeks prior to the end of the contract. (C) Performance indicators: (1) Quality of Deliverables: • Deliverables demonstrate clear structure, technical accuracy, and logical consistency. • Analytical comments provided in a structured and actionable format. • Outputs align with UNEP ISWM principles and project objectives. • No major substantive revision required after final submission. (2) Timeliness: • All deliverables submitted within agreed timelines. • Review comments provided within 10 working days of receipt of draft documents. • Delays, if any, communicated in advance with justification. (3) Technical Rigor: • Recommendations supported by verifiable data or credible references. • Analytical gaps identified and addressed through constructive technical feedback. • Consistency ensured across outputs for both project cities. (4) Responsiveness to Feedback: • UNEP comments incorporated in revised versions. • Revisions clearly documented and justified where appropriate. (5) Practical Relevance: • Technical inputs are realistic and context-sensitive. • Recommendations are implementable within municipal and institutional constraints. • Outputs support informed decision-making at the city level. C. Specific tasks and responsibilities: Under the technical supervision of UNEP-IETC, the consultant will undertake the following tasks: (1) Review of Project Documentation: • Review approved project documents, workplans, and relevant background materials. • Familiarise with UNEP ISWM frameworks and circular economy guidance. • Identify technical gaps or areas requiring clarification. (2) Technical Review and Quality Assurance: • Review draft rapid assessments prepared by local teams. • Provide technical comments and suggested revisions. • Provide methodologies to two cities. • Review analytical soundness of material flow analysis and emission hotspot identification. (3) Technical Inputs to Planning Processes: • Provide written inputs to city-level circular economy action planning. • Contribute technical guidance to pilot demonstration design documentation. • Integrate climate and public health considerations where appropriate. (4) Support to Pre-Feasibility Studies: • Review draft pre-feasibility analyses of priority plastic waste interventions. • Assess technical assumptions, operational feasibility, and scalability. • Provide recommendations to strengthen clarity and robustness. (5) Development of Practical Recommendations: • Formulate technically sound and implementable recommendations. • Ensure alignment with ISWM and circular economy principles. • Incorporate inclusivity and informal sector considerations where relevant. (6) Documentation and Presentation: • Prepare technical notes and consolidated reports. • Develop presentation materials for workshops and consultations for actual presentation. • Implement knowledge dissemination activities coordinated by UNEP-IETC. (7) Integration of Feedback and Finalisation: • Incorporate UNEP and stakeholder comments into revised outputs. • Submit clean and track-change versions of revised documents. • Ensure deliverables are complete, coherent, and submission-ready.
Qualifications/special skills
Academic Qualifications: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental science, environmental engineering, waste management, sustainable development, urban planning, public policy, or a closely related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Professional Experience: (a) Professional Experience: • A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in integrated solid waste management, plastic waste management, circular economy, or closely related technical fields is required. (b) Required experience: • Experience in urban waste system assessments, data analysis, or material flow analysis related to municipal or plastic waste streams. • Familiarity with plastic waste management systems, including source segregation, collection, recycling, and related operational models. (c) Desirable experience: • Experience contributing to feasibility assessments, technical studies, or planning documents in the waste management or circular economy sector. • Experience working with municipal authorities, public institutions, or project stakeholders in developing country contexts. • Exposure to climate-related considerations in waste management or sustainable urban systems.
