Project Coordinator for Sustainable Electronics Sector Project

Result of ServiceThe Project Coordinator will play a crucial role in managing and coordinating the implementation of the project \"Strengthening Circularity in the Electronics Sector in Mexico.\" The position is essential for ensuring smooth execution of project activities, stakeholder engagement, and the achievement of project objectives related to e-waste management, policy development, and circular economy transition in Mexico. Key responsibilities include facilitating partnerships, overseeing research and data collection efforts, ensuring the integration of circular economy principles into policy recommendations, and coordinating project outputs in collaboration with UNEP-IETC and other key partners. The Project Coordinator will also ensure that gender considerations and international best practices are embedded across all activities. This role is critical in addressing urgent environmental and regulatory challenges related to electronic waste, bolstering Mexico’s transition toward a circular economy while ensuring alignment with UNEP’s global strategies and the Global Electronics Management Programme (GEM). The purpose of this consultancy is to oversee and coordinate all aspects of the project, ensuring the effective implementation of activities and alignment with project objectives. Under the overall supervision of the Regional Officer for Chemicals and Waste based in Mexico and by UNEP International Environmental Technology (IETC) Project Manager, the Project coordinator will perform key tasks and responsibilities, including: A. Effective Project Coordination, Management and Implementation of Project Activities • Ensure timely and effective implementation of project activities, including stakeholder engagement, policy assessment, and roadmap development. • Lead the day-to-day coordination of project activities to ensure timely and effective implementation. • Develop and maintain a detailed work plan that outlines project milestones, deliverables, and deadlines. • Monitor project progress and proactively address challenges to keep activities on track. • Ensure adherence to UNEP-IETC’s project management guidelines, reporting procedures, and quality assurance standards. • Coordinate with UNEP-IETC headquarters and key partners to align activities with broader UNEP and international circular economy initiatives. • Coordinate the execution of key outputs. • Strategic Partnerships: Facilitating collaboration among government agencies, industry leaders, and research institutions. • E-Waste Inventory Update: Overseeing data collection and analysis across Mexico’s 32 states. • Legal Framework Assessment: Bolster the development of policy recommendations for a circular economy. • Circular Economy Roadmap: Managing the design and dissemination of best practices for the electronics sector. B. Stakeholder Engagement. Partnerships and Communication • Serve as the primary liaison between UNEP-IETC, local stakeholders, and international partners. • Identify and engage key stakeholders including government agencies, industry groups, academic institutions, and civil society organizations. • Facilitate strategic partnerships between public and private sectors to advance circular economy practices in the electronics sector. • Facilitate discussions to ensure gender-sensitive approaches in policy recommendations and e-waste management practices • Organize stakeholder workshops and policy dialogues to align goals and enhance collaboration. • Attend meetings, conferences, and public forums to advocate for sustainable e-waste management practices in Mexico. • Organize and lead workshops, training sessions, and policy dialogues with key stakeholders, including government bodies, industry groups, and academia • Develop briefing materials, presentations, and policy documents for stakeholder engagement in coordination with the communications consultant. C. E-Waste Inventory Update and Research Oversight • Supervise the collection and analysis of e-waste data across Mexico’s 32 states, ensuring accuracy and consistency. • Coordinate assessments on substances and waste classification to align with Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and national regulations. • Oversee research on e-waste management infrastructure, identifying best practices and gaps. • Ensure the integration of gender-sensitive data collection mechanisms to analyse the impact of e-waste management on different demographic groups. D. Policy and Legal Framework Strengthening • Work closely with UNEP-IETC and relevant authorities to review and propose regulatory updates, including harmonizing legal terminology with international agreements (e.g., Basel Convention). • Facilitate a comprehensive review of Mexico’s e-waste regulatory framework, identifying gaps and areas for improvement. • Bolster the harmonization of legal terminology with international agreements, including the Basel Convention. • Ensure the integration of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, take-back mechanisms, and trade regulations within Mexico’s electronics sector. • Propose policy amendments to strengthen circular economy practices, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and mandatory take-back schemes. • Coordinate collaboration with legal and trade experts to examine the implications of Mexico’s international trade commitments on e-waste management policies. E. Circular Economy Roadmap Development • Contribute to organizing the Investment Forum for Technology for Circularity to attract financing for sustainable electronics initiatives. • Lead the development of a roadmap that incorporates circularity principles across the entire lifecycle of electrical and electronic equipment. • Ensure the roadmap includes eco-design strategies, improved collection systems, and recycling infrastructure enhancements. • Engage with industry leaders to secure commitments from electronics manufacturers to adopt circular business models. • Organize capacity-building workshops for businesses to implement sustainable practices in product design and material recovery. F. Investment and Capacity Building • Plan and coordinate the Investment Forum for Technology for Circularity, bringing together investors, policymakers, and industry leaders. • Identify funding opportunities and assist in mobilizing resources to bolster the project's sustainability beyond its initial implementation period. • Develop training materials and guidelines for businesses, policymakers, and recyclers on circular economy best practices. G. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting • Track project progress, ensuring milestones and deliverables are met on time. • Track key performance indicators (KPIs) and assess project impact based on predefined targets. • Prepare quarterly and annual reports detailing project progress, challenges, and recommendations. • Prepare periodic reports, briefings, and presentations for UNEP-IETC, donors, and stakeholders. • Guide UNEP-IETC in preparing official submissions related to the project, including policy briefs and recommendations. • Document lessons learned and best practices to streamline future UNEP-IETC initiatives. • Ensure compliance with donor and UNEP Regional Office, UNEP-IETC reporting requirements, providing timely updates to management and stakeholders. H. Risk Management and Adaptive Planning • Identify potential risks (e.g., regulatory changes, political shifts, financial constraints) that could impact project implementation. • Develop risk mitigation strategies and ensure the project remains adaptable to evolving challenges. • Provide recommendations for scaling up successful initiatives and integrating findings into national and regional policies. • Facilitate capacity-building sessions for local manufacturers and recycling companies on circular business models. - The above-mentioned activities will be conducted in close collaboration with UNEP and national partners to ensure the successful implementation of the project’s objectives and deliverables. Work LocationMexico City, Mexico Expected duration9 months 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). To accomplish this, UNEP´s Headquarter and its Regional and Country offices work with a wide range of partners, including other United Nations entities, international organizations, national governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and civil society. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LAC Office), located in Panama City is supported by UNEP Mexico´s Country Office, located in Mexico City and, since 2020, the Representative Office of UNEP in Mexico acts as Focal Point to support UNEP´s Programme of Work in Guatemala. UNEP´s Mexico Country Office collaborates with the Mexican and Guatemalan governments and other stakeholders in areas ranging from low carbon and resilient growth, resources efficiency, environmental governance, to projects on ecosystems and climate change, and supports Mexico in its transition to a low carbon and green economy. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division at the UNEP Headquarters 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 a 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 center of excellence on environmentally sound technologies with a focus on holistic waste management. Under the Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) 2022–2025, UNEP developed a waste management programme aimed at achieving zero waste, which includes waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Additionally, under the same MTS, the Circularity in Sectors programme was established, identifying the electronics sector as one of the priority high-impact sectors, leading to the development of the “Circularity in the Electronics Sector” project. To achieve these ambitious objectives, the project’s intervention strategy focuses on three key areas: 1. Generating scientific, economic, industrial, and financial evidence to influence policies on circular electronics and encourage the adoption of sustainable business strategies. 2. Building alliances and partnerships to drive the industry toward circular practices, ensuring coordinated action among key stakeholders. 3. Implementing circular electronics projects that demonstrate the effectiveness of circularity, providing a proof of concept for industry transformation. Under this project, UNEP-IETC and UNEP Mexico’s Country Office will implement a Circularity in the Electronics Sector initiative in Mexico, focusing on: 1. Establishing strategic partnerships. 2. Updating the e-waste inventory in Mexico. 3. Assessing and strengthening the legal framework. 4. Designing an integrated circular economy roadmap for the electrical and electronic sector. As part of this initiative, the proposed Project Coordinator will contribute to the project team in the following areas: The Project Coordinator will play a crucial role in managing and coordinating the implementation of the project \"Strengthening Circularity in the Electronics Sector in Mexico.\" The position is essential for ensuring smooth execution of project activities, stakeholder engagement, and the achievement of project objectives related to e-waste management, policy development, and circular economy transition in Mexico. Key responsibilities include facilitating partnerships, overseeing research and data collection efforts, ensuring the integration of circular economy principles into policy recommendations, and coordinating project outputs in collaboration with UNEP-IETC and other key partners. The Project Coordinator will also ensure that gender considerations and international best practices are embedded across all activities. This role is critical in addressing urgent environmental and regulatory challenges related to electronic waste, bolstering Mexico’s transition toward a circular economy while ensuring alignment with UNEP’s global strategies and the Global Electronics Management Programme (GEM). In this sense, UNEP Mexico will need the technical expertise of a Project Coordinator to implement the activities of the Circularity in the Electronics Sector initiative in Mexico and to provide guidance to the project team located in the five regions mentioned above. The Consultant will be supervised Regional Officer for Chemicals and Waste based in Mexico and by UNEP International Environmental Technology (IETC) Project Manage and will work 40 hours per week, from Monday to Friday, full time at UNEP Mexico’s Office located in Mexico City, Mexico. Qualifications/special skillsACADEMIC: - A Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Waste Management, Circular Economy, Public Policy, International Relations, Engineering, Biology or a closely related field, is required. - Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Waste Management, Circular Economy, Public Policy, Engineering, Biology or a closely related field is desirable. PROFESSIONAL: - Three(3) years of experience in environmental projects, waste management, circular economy, e-waste policy, or environmental data collection, or project management is required. - Proven expertise in conducting waste inventories, data collection, and analysis is desirable. - Experience engaging with government agencies, private sector stakeholders is desirable. - Proven experience in multi-stakeholder coordination, preferably with international organizations, government agencies, and private sector partners is desirable. - Familiarity with legal frameworks, trade policies, and international agreements related to e-waste and electronics is desirable. LanguagesLANGUAGE: - Fluency in Spanish is required - Fluency in English is required Additional InformationSPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: - Strong research, analytical, and report-writing skills, are desirable - Strong project management and organizational skills are desirable. - Proven ability to manage different stakeholders is desirable. - Be computer literate in standard software applications is desirable. - Knowledge of Excel and other database programs is desirable. - Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views is desirable. - Ability to deliver timely and high-quality results under tight deadlines is desirable. - Excellent coordination skills, and an ability to follow instructions, work under pressure as a part of a team, or independently as required. Excellent attention to detail is desirable. COMPETENCIES: Professionalism: Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situation. Integrity: Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviours; Acts without consideration of personal gain; Resists undue political pressure in decision-making; Does not abuse power or authority; Stands by decisions that are in the Organization’s interest, even if they are unpopular; Takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise, is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. 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.