Regional Consultant – Circularity in Electronics Sector in Central Asian region

Result of ServiceThe consultancy will result in strengthened national and regional enabling environments for circular electronics in Central Asia. At the national level, the consultant will have supported the development and integration of circularity principles—such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), reuse, repair, and sustainable design—into Kazakhstan’s evolving waste and electronics policy frameworks. At the regional level, the consultant will have contributed to the consolidation and operational strategy of the electronics alliance in Central Asia, facilitating shared regulatory approaches and technical cooperation across countries. At the regional level, the consultant will have contributed to the development of a coordinated policy approach among Central Asian countries, supporting the harmonization of regulatory standards, facilitating knowledge exchange. The ultimate result will be a coherent set of technical, institutional, and policy outputs that: • Enable Kazakhstan to operationalize national circular electronics regulations, • Advance a regional roadmap for circular electronics policy coherence across Central Asia, and • Strengthen the governance, visibility, and functionality of the Circular Electronics Alliance as a platform for stakeholder coordination and regional collaboration. These outcomes will directly support UNEP’s Chemicals and Pollution Action Subprogramme under its strategic objectives on circularity in high-impact sectors, integrated e-waste management, and enabling policies for sustainable electronics. Work LocationHome-based Expected duration4 months (full-time) 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. The Centre promotes and advocates sustainability of waste management and disposal, based on the circularity principles and through the life-cycle approach. Sound management of waste contributes to all three pillars of sustainable development. In particular, 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. UNEP-IETC is also contributing to the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee processes from the waste management perspective. (2) Purpose: 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. The Centre promotes and advocates sustainability of waste management and disposal, based on the circularity principles and through the life-cycle approach. Sound management of waste contributes to all three pillars of sustainable development. In particular, 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. UNEP-IETC is also contributing to the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee processes from the waste management perspective. B. Duties: (1) Objectives: • To facilitate the development of a regionally aligned approach to circular electronics regulation and policy across Central Asia. • To strengthen the Circular Electronics Alliance as a regional coordination and knowledge-sharing platform. (2) Output expectations: • One regional guidance document or roadmap for harmonized policy/regulatory approaches in Central Asia. • One strategy document for circular electronics alliance development, including governance structure and thematic focus areas. • Two technical or knowledge products (e.g., best practice briefs, stakeholder maps, investment cases, or policy guidance tools). (3) Performance indicators: • Timely submission of all outputs by agreed deadlines • All deliverables submitted in Word and PDF by agreed deadlines • Peer review by UNEP and CIS stakeholders • Evidence of stakeholder input (e.g. consultation, interviews) • Robustness of policy and quantitative analysis as evaluated by UNEP. C. Specific tasks and responsibilities: The consultant will carry out the following tasks in close coordination with UNEP and relevant partners: 1. Baseline Assessment and Stakeholder Mapping in Central Asia region: • Review existing policies, laws, and initiatives related to e-waste and circular electronics in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. • Identify and map key stakeholders across government, industry, NGOs, and regional institutions. 2. Facilitate Regional Regulatory Alignment: • Draft a regional guidance note or roadmap outlining harmonized approaches for circular electronics regulation across Central Asian countries. • Coordinate bilateral or multilateral discussions under circular electronics alliance to gather inputs and build consensus. 3. Strengthen the circular electronics Alliance: • Co-develop a strategy paper for circular electronics alliance, including suggested governance, engagement modalities, and initial workstreams. • Provide content and technical input for at least one circular electronics alliance-hosted knowledge event or coordination meeting. 4. Prepare Knowledge and Communication Products: • Develop at least two knowledge products (e.g., technical notes, stakeholder briefs, best practice cases) to support awareness-raising and policy uptake. • Contribute to communication materials for donor and stakeholder outreach as needed. 5. Reporting: • Provide regular progress updates to UNEP (monthly reports or as requested). • Submit a final report summarizing all activities, findings, and recommendations by the end of the assignment. Qualifications/special skillsEducation • Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental policy, environmental engineering, nature science, waste management, industrial policy, international business, international development, or a related field. • A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Professional experience: • At least 7 years of professional experiences in circular economy, waste management, industrial policy, or environmental policy, with a focus on electronics or e-waste. • Demonstrated experience in supporting regulatory development or policy advisory work, especially related to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), sustainable product design, or circular business models. • Experience working with or advising governments, international organizations, or multilateral environmental initiatives, ideally in Central Asia or comparable regions. • Experience of working for the UN entities on waste management issues • Experience in creation of Alliances or Coalitions in the Central Asian region preferably in the domain of waste management • Experience of coordination of projects related to electronics sector and sector of electronic waste • Experience of organizing of regional events (conferences, forums) in Central Asia is desirable • Exposure to different regional networks including those of decision-makers is desirable Languages• Demonstrated capacity to write UN documents in English. • Working knowledge of Russian is highly desirable • Working knowledge of other Central Asia languages is an asset 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.