Legal Consultant for Waste Management (Guyana)

Result of ServiceThe objective of this consultancy is to strengthen solid waste management legal and strategic frameworks in Caribbean countries specifically Guyana by providing technical guidance on the development of national legislative frameworks in the country. Under the overall supervision of the UNEP Regional Project Coordinator, Zero Waste in the Caribbean Project, Caribbean Sub Regional Office, the consultant will deliver the following products: 1. Analysis and review of the Waste Management Act and related frameworks to identify gaps and make recommendations for amendment including circular economic considerations. Product No. 1: Gap Analysis Report – Framework & Waste Legislation: A report identifying gaps, obstacles and deficiencies in the Waste Management Act and other associate legal, policy, and institutional frameworks in Guyana. Recommendations for revision should be included here. 2. Analysis and Development of the Regulations for the Waste Management Act and including circular economy considerations. Product No. 2: Gap Analysis Report – Waste Regulations: A report containing an analysis of gaps and deficiencies identified in Waste Regulations, for the current Waste Management Act and other relevant legal, policy, and institutional frameworks in Guyana. Considering previous reviews of the current legislation by OECS Commission and UNEP. Recommendations for new draft regulations to be included if not existing. 3. Proposed amendments to the main Act & Develop New Regulations Product No. 3.1: A document containing recommended amendments to the Waste Management Act. Product No. 3.2: A report presenting the updated regulations, which includes the revision of the Waste Management Act and the introduction of new regulations in areas where they were previously absent. 4. Planning and Execution of National Consultation workshop to review proposed revisions. Product No. 4: Report on a national stakeholder consultation workshop, with a summary of discussions, meeting minutes and feedback on the proposed revisions to the main Act and proposed regulations. 5. Integration of feedback and conduct of a validation meeting for the final Waste Management Act and Environmental Levy Act and Regulations. Product No. 5: Report containing the Revised Waste Management Act and Waste Regulations that incorporates stakeholder feedback. Work Locationhome-based Expected duration[7] Seven-month Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). The UNEP Caribbean Sub-Regional Office, located in Kingston, Jamaica, is a catalyst, advocate, educator, and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the Caribbean environment. UNEP is an implementing partner in the European Union (EU) Action programme or the Caribbean, financed by the 11th European Development Fund on circular economy in general and of solid waste management, in particular. The Action seeks to improve the resource efficiency of Caribbean economies and is aligned with the EU’s Green Deal, including green economy approaches and obligations regarding Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). UNEP’s support focuses on the normative, knowledge and policy engagement components of the Action, strengthening national legislative frameworks and facilitating sub-regional and Caribbean wide action. The geographic scope of the Action includes the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) Member States (Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago). Other partners of the Action programme include the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) and the Agence Francaise de Developpment (AFD), who are focused on piloting technical interventions in selected countries. UNEP promotes uptake of best practices, lessons learned and appropriate and successful technology options. A key objective of the Action Programme is to “strengthen solid waste management legal and strategic frameworks”, including advising for the establishment of enabling frameworks and instruments to facilitate investment and sustainable financing of waste management. Key initiatives included: 1. Development of a regional guidance framework for strategic planning and national action in the waste sector, considering the specific conditions in Caribbean countries. 2. Provide technical guidance to the development of national strategic planning and legislative frameworks, including the integration of circular economy approaches and the alignment with NDCs. UNEP initiated the provision of technical assistance support to a number of the project countries including Guyana. As a second phase of this technical assistance to the Guyana Solid Waste Management Authority, UNEP through the Zero Waste in the Caribbean Project will further review and harmonise the current legislative framework incorporating circular economy principles. To this end, UNEP is seeking a Legal Consultant for Guyana, with a focus on solid waste management including relevant international standards and best practices. This is a home-based product-based consultancy, under the supervision of the UNEP Regional Project Coordinator, Zero Waste in the Caribbean Project, Caribbean Sub Regional Office. Qualifications/special skillsACADEMIC: • Bachelor’s degree in Law, Environmental Law, or a closely related field is required. • Master’s degree in Law, Environmental Law, or a closely related field is desirable. • Additional studies or specific training in Legislative Drafting, Environmental Legislation and Policy, Waste Management or Circular Economy is an asset. PROFESSIONAL: - Seven (7) years of professional experience in areas related to Drafting Legislation and Public Policies or Plans, Law, and Common Law, is required. - Experience in International and Caribbean Environmental Law and Public Policy is desired. - Experience in Environmental Review and Development of Legislation, particularly on Waste Management and Circular Economy, is desirable. - Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations, in particular those of the UN and EU, is desirable. - Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues and workshops is desirable. LanguagesLANGUAGE: • Fluency in English is required. • Basic in Spanish is desirable. SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: o Good command of MS Excel, Word, Power Point, and other platforms is desirable. COMPETENCIES Professionalism: o Ability to develop communications knowledge management products and tools including publications, reports and communication materials. o Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. o Professional competence and mastery of subject matter; efficiency in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. o Good desk research and analytical skills, combining communication and good understanding of environmental issues. o Good organizational skills and problem-solving skills. COMMUNICATION: o Excellent communication skills, written and spoken as well as ability to draft or edit a variety of written reports including publications, summaries, concept notes and briefing notes. o Ability to ask questions for clarification and interest in having two-way communication. o Openness in sharing information and in keeping people informed. TEAMWORK: o Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve project objectives; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others, and able to work in multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment. 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.