United Nations Environment Programme

United Nations Environment Programme

Job Opening

Posting Title:                          Plastic Pollution and Biodiversity Consultant

Department/Office:               United Nations Environment Programme

Duty Station:                         NEW DELHI

Posting Period:                      04 January 2021 - 10 January 2021

Job Opening Number:          20-United Nations Environment Programme-147395-Consultant

Staffing Exercise                   N/A

Result of Service

 

- Identify and hold consultations/meetings with focal points (i.e. Government of India officials /experts) to identify key CMS-listed species as they relate to plastic pollution in the project focal area.

- Draft a detailed work plan for one year in consultation with focal points in the Government of India as well as other experts for the research and assessment of the state of knowledge of trends, assessment of ongoing programmes and projects, its scope and impact of plastic pollution on key CMS-listed species identified and prioritized in the project focal area.

- Develop a report on the review of the state of knowledge on trends, assessment of ongoing programmes and projects, its scope and impact of plastic pollution on key CMS-listed species identified/prioritized by the Government of India in the project focal area.

- Study report: Carry out a gap analysis to identify areas where additional focus would be warranted in the project focal area with respect to the impact of plastic pollution on key CMS-listed species in the Ganges Focal Area.

- Study report: Carry out a stakeholder analysis with recommendations on measures to be taken for strengthening policies and programmes to prevent negative impacts of plastic pollution on key CMS-listed species in the project focal area.

- Provide substantive and operational inputs to the project in support of UNEP’s regional activities on CMS, in the context of plastic pollution.

- Support UNEP in its engagement with the Government of India and its work on implementation of India’s strategy under the CMS COP Presidency, with a focus on plastic pollution.

 

Output 1: Identify and hold consultations/meetings with focal points (i.e. Government of India officials /experts) to identify key CMS-listed species as they relate to plastic pollution in the project focal area.

Deliverables:

a. Focal points in the Government of India and experts identified.

b. Agenda for meetings with focal points developed, including background analytical work/research and supporting documents and presentations; minutes prepared, and action initiated.

 Output 2: Draft a detailed work plan for one year in consultation with focal points in the Government

of India as well as other experts for the research and assessment of the state of knowledge of trends, assessment of ongoing programmes and projects, its scope and impact of plastic pollution on key CMS-listed species identified and prioritized in the project focal area.

Deliverables:

a. Draft Work Plan for the project for one year developed and finalized in consultation with UNEP offices.

b. Work plan finalized.

Output 3: Develop a report on the review of the state of knowledge on trends, assessment of ongoing programmes and projects, its scope and impact of plastic pollution on key CMS-listed species identified/prioritized by the Government of India in the project focal area.

Deliverables:

a. Detailed outline of report drafted.

b. Draft report on CMS-listed species and plastic pollution in project focus area prepared.

c. Repository of existing literature and data on key CMS listed-species in project focal area and its association with plastic pollution submitted.

d. Prepare report on constituents of repository of literature and data – continuous

e. Report on CMS-listed species and plastic pollution in project focus area finalized.

 Output 4: Study report: gap analysis to identify areas where additional focus would be warranted in the project focal area with respect to the impact of plastic pollution on key CMS-listed species in the project focal area.

Deliverables:

a. Draft gap analysis to identify areas of additional focus prepared.

b. Study report: gap analysis study report identifying areas of additional focus in project focal area with respect to the impact of plastic pollution on key CMS-listed species finalized.

 Output 5: Study report: stakeholder analysis with recommendations on measures to be taken for strengthening policies and programmes to prevent negative impacts of plastic pollution on key CMS-listed species in the project focal area.

Deliverables:

a. Draft stakeholder analysis with recommendations prepared.

b. Study report on stakeholder analysis with recommendations on measures to be taken for strengthening policies and programmes finalized.

 Output 6: Provide substantive and operational inputs to the project in support of UNEP’s regional activities on CMS in the context of plastic pollution.

Deliverables:

a. Prepare updates for internal and external reporting - continuous

b. Other activities in consultation with UNEP.

 Output 7: Support UNEP in its engagement with the Government of India and its work on implementation of India’s strategy under the CMS COP Presidency, with a focus on plastic pollution.

Deliverables:

a. Technical inputs provided, as needed for UNEP’s engagement with the Government of India and its work on implementation of India’s strategy under the CMS COP Presidency.

 

Work Location

Home-based

 

Expected duration

01/01/2021 - 31/12/2021

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

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 Asia and the Pacific Office geographically serves 41 countries across the region to promote and implement sustainable development solutions. It assists countries of the region pursue sustainability, particularly in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including technical expertise, facilitating access to finance, undertaking cutting-edge science-policy assessments, offering advisory services and strengthening laws, policies, management and governance. UNEP works with national and local authorities, civil society, other UN organizations, research institutions and the private sector to catalyze the efficient use of the region’s natural assets and reduce the degradation of the environment.

  An environmental threat that has attracted an unprecedented level of attention in recent years is marine litter mainly due to plastic waste. About 80% of plastic waste entering the ocean comes from land-based sources. This plastic leakage is closely correlated with plastic production and consumption (especially plastic packaging) as well as waste management practices. A large share of land-based plastic waste ends up in rivers and oceans, thereby posing an increasing threat to global marine diversity. Plastics are also discarded in landfills and in informal waste dumps, increasing the likelihood of the impact of plastics on terrestrial and freshwater ecosystem functionality and health of biodiversity. UNEP is committed to strengthening scientific and technical knowledge on marine litter including by compiling available scientific and other relevant data and information to prepare an assessment on sources, pathways and hazards of litter, including plastic litter and microplastics pollution, and its presence in rivers and oceans; scientific knowledge about adverse effects on ecosystems and potential adverse effects on human health; and environmentally sound technological innovations”.

 

The 13th Meeting of CMS Conference of Parties, raised attention on the impacts of plastic on migratory species. It further elaborates that “given the knowledge gap on the impact of plastic waste on CMS-listed species living in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, as a first step, an examination of existing scientific literature on the impact of plastic pollution on those species is needed. Based on the findings, it would be useful to identify gaps and areas where additional focus would be warranted, as well as guidance on effective measures to prevent negative impacts of plastic pollution on avian, freshwater and terrestrial migratory species listed on CMS may be required”.

  The phase 2 of the project on Promotion of Countermeasures against Marine Plastic Litter in Southeast Asia and India (CounterMEASURE II) aims to generate, share and disseminate scientific knowledge on plastic pollution in the Ganges, Mekong and selected rivers in Sri Lanka and Myanmar, to inform policy and decision-making processes at local, national, regional and global level. The project will also look at the impact of plastic pollution on wildlife, particularly migratory species and support policy advocacy on these issues. Historically, scientific research on plastic pollution has focused on impacts on marine species. Studies examining the impact of plastic pollution on terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems and species have been relatively scarce. An examination of existing scientific literature and the assessment of ongoing programmes/projects as they relate to the impact of plastic pollution on those species is needed. This would enable identification of areas to focus on for preventing negative impacts of plastic pollution on avian, freshwater and terrestrial migratory species listed on CMS.

 The purpose for this consultancy is to support the UNEP Country Office in India for:

1) Research and assessment of the state of knowledge of trends, ongoing programmes in India as they relate to the impact of plastic pollution on CMS-listed species in the terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems of the Ganges Focal Area of CounterMEASURE II project (Project Focal Area).

2) Monitoring and implementing of the CMS Strategy under India’s COP Presidency as they relate to plastic pollution in the project focal area.

 The objective is to develop a scientifically credible report that expounds on the state of knowledge of the trends, assessment of ongoing programmes in India with regard to its scope and the impact of plastic pollution on CMS-listed species in the terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems along the Ganges river basin in India. Based on the findings, the report will identify gaps and areas where additional focus would be warranted, as well as providing guidance on effective measures in the prevention of negative impacts of plastic pollution, as a part of CounterMEASURE II project and in support of India’s strategy for the CMS COP Presidency.

 Qualifications/special skills

 Skills: Capability in GIS and remote sensing applications and analysis will be an added advantage

- Domain knowledge in natural resource management/environmental studies with special focus on biodiversity conservation and solid waste management desirable.

- Excellent demonstrated research and analytical skills.

- Good writing and communication skills.

Academic Qualifications: An advanced university degree in environmental science or related fields such as natural resources management/biodiversity and conservation with relevant research experience.

 A minimum of•Experience: - four (4) years of demonstrated relevant professional experience, with a clear understanding of conservation and waste management issues in India.

 Professional or voluntary experience within the United Nations system will be an added advantage.•-

 Excellent command of written and spoken English•Language: -

 Working knowledge of Hindi will be an advantage•-

 For more information and online application click here