Expert on plastic pollution

Result of ServiceThe toolkit with its formulae fully developed is available in the agreed platform, with practical guidance for its application Work Location​​Remote (Home-based)​ Expected duration4 working-months over an 8-month calendar period (part-time), starting as early as possible 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. 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. (2) Purpose: As the UNEP report “From Pollution to Solution: A global assessment of marine litter and plastic pollution” reveals, plastic pollution poses threats to human well-being and healthy functioning of terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, and as of today, plastics account for at least 85% of the total marine waste, and with population growth, overconsumption and tourism, the scenario is posed to get worse. Governments and other stakeholders started paying attention to plastic pollution and designing programmes to address major land-based and water-based sources of plastic pollution in the aquatic environment, yet many countries still lack knowledge and practical tools to identify and quantify the sources and the fate of plastic pollution in the environment. To address this, UNEP is implementing the project “Identifying and quantifying plastic contaminant sources and leakages into the aquatic environment”, aiming to develop a practical and useful toolkit for the identification and quantification of major sources of plastic pollution running towards aquatic environments. Under this work, UNEP is developing a set of leakage factors, based on existing information, aiming to allow the estimation of plastic pollution flows from a pollution source perspective. These leakage factors need to be combined with other reference values for the proper finalization of the formulae and application into an agreed software or platform, giving shape to the so-called toolkit. Once the toolkit is finalised, it will be test applied to one country to receive feedback upon its results. B. Duties: (A) Objectives: Finalization of plastic leakage formulae and design and implementation of a toolkit in an agreed platform (B) Output expectations: A report with the finalization of formulae, a platform for the toolkit operation and a technical report about its pilot application. (C) Performance indicators: The tasks are followed accordingly and the materials produced are of quality satisfactory for UNEP. C. Specific tasks and responsibilities: The tasks are as follows: 1 - Lead the development of the toolkit, specifically on the development and finalization of coefficients (or leakage factors) to be defined for practical use, without relying on complex physical or computer models, as well as definition of necessary input data and their quality and availability; 2 - Design and upload the toolkit onto a platform, which should be agreed upon with UNEP; 3 - Participate in periodic meetings (at least once a week) with the project team and (eventually) project partners, for a follow-up on the assigned tasks and overall project discussion. 4 - Participate in toolkit development Working Group meetings and other project activities, when appropriate. Qualifications/special skills(1) Academic qualifications - Masters or equivalent in the field of engineering, pollution assessment, environmental or earth sciences, chemistry, physics, statistics, geography, data science, or related areas. - A first university degree with a combination of five years of professional qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. (2) Experience - At least seven years of professional experience on environmental assessment and/or pollution modelling. - At least three years of experiences in plastic pollution assessment and control. LanguagesFluency in written and oral English. Additional InformationUNEP-IETC is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, age and culture. Therefore, we encourage applications from low- and middle-income countries, as well as from minorities and underrepresented groups, including women and persons with disabilities. In case of equal merit, preference may be given to these applicants. 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.