Regional Consultant to provide Technical Support for Marine Litter Activities under the Marine Litter MED PLUS Project and the UNEP/MAP Programme of Work and Budget 2026-2027 (Level B)

The ultimate result of this assignment is: UNEP/MAP–MED POL is provided with necessary support and guidance for enhanced regional cooperation, technical assistance, capacity-building and resource mobilization for marine litter prevention and management in the Mediterranean, contributing to the effective implementation of IMAP Ecological Objective 10 (Marine Litter) and the updated Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean.

home-based

80 working days spread over five (5) months

Background: 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. UNEP's Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This assignment is for the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) - Programme for the Assessment and Control of Marine Pollution in the Mediterranean (MED POL), Athens, Greece. UNEP/MAP MED POL, established in 1975, is the Programme for the Assessment and Control of Marine Pollution in the Mediterranean and the first operational programme of the Mediterranean Action Plan. MED POL supports the implementation of the Barcelona Convention and its relevant Protocols through pollution assessment and monitoring, the development and implementation of pollution prevention and control measures, capacity-building and technical assistance to Contracting Parties. MED POL is responsible for the implementation of the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP) for the Pollution, Marine Litter and Noise clusters and supports the implementation of pollution-related Regional Plans adopted under the Barcelona Convention framework, including the Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean. UNEP/MAP and its MED POL Programme are implementing the EU-funded Marine Litter MED PLUS Project (2024-2027), which supports the implementation of the updated Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean and IMAP Ecological Objective 10 (Marine Litter), including the further development of marine litter monitoring and assessment activities. The project also aims to strengthen regional cooperation and support Contracting Parties in implementing priority marine litter prevention, reduction and monitoring measures across the Mediterranean. The Marine Litter MED PLUS Project contributes to the implementation of the UNEP/MAP Medium-Term Strategy 2022-2027 (MTS) (Decision IG.25/1) and the UNEP/MAP Programme of Work and Budget 2026-2027 adopted at COP 24 (Decision IG.27/14). In line with the EU-funded Marine Litter MED PLUS Project and the UNEP/MAP Medium-Term Strategy 2022-2027 (MTS), there is a need to recruit a regional consultant (Level B) to provide technical support to MED POL in the implementation of marine litter-related activities under the Marine Litter MED PLUS Project and the UNEP/MAP Programme of Work and Budget 2026-2027, including regional cooperation, technical meetings, capacity-building activities, resource mobilization, and IMAP Ecological Objective 10 (Marine Litter) -related activities. Reporting Lines: The Regional Expert will work under the direct supervision of the UNEP/MAP Senior Programme Officer (Scientific and Technical) and the overall guidance of the UNEP/MAP Coordinator. Tasks: Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Officer (Scientific and Technical) and the overall guidance of UNEP/MAP Coordinator, the consultant will undertake the following tasks: 1. Prepare a detailed work plan for the assignment, including the proposed methodology, timetable for completion of each task, a brief description of the work to be undertaken, and the approach and means for achieving the expected outputs. 2. Support the organization and substantive preparation of the Meeting of the Regional Cooperation Platform on Marine Litter, including the preparation of a joint workplan for the Platform, strengthening links with the Action Tracks of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML), and identifying opportunities for enhanced synergies with the GPML Digital Platform. 3. Provide technical and scientific support to MED POL for the preparation, conduct and follow-up to the CORMON on Pollution Monitoring meetings, and the CORMON on Marine Litter Monitoring meeting planned for April 2027, as required. 4. Support MED POL in the preparation and delivery of training workshops, seminars, regional meetings and exchanges of best practices related to marine litter; including through the preparation of relevant technical materials and presentations on assigned topics and activities. 5. Provide technical inputs to the preparation of project proposals, concept notes, and funding applications, including through the identification of relevant funding opportunities, donor engagement options, and resource mobilization mechanisms, in support of Contracting Parties’ implementation of the updated Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean and IMAP Ecological Objective 10 (Marine Litter). 6. Provide technical support to the development and/or updating of national IMAP-based monitoring programmes for IMAP EO10 (Marine Litter) in eligible countries, as required.

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental science, marine science, environmental management, environmental engineering, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. A minimum of five (5) years of professional work experience in marine environmental management, with a strong focus on marine litter, solid waste management, circular economy, or pollution prevention is required. Experience in marine litter monitoring and assessment, including knowledge of IMAP Ecological Objective 10 (Marine Litter), is desirable. Previous experience in supporting regional cooperation initiatives, technical meetings, workshops, training activities, and stakeholder engagement processes is desirable. Previous experience in the preparation of project proposals, concept notes, or resource mobilization initiatives is desirable. Working experience in and knowledge of the Mediterranean region is desirable.

Fluency in English is required (both oral and written). Working knowledge of French is desirable.

Not available.

THE 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.