Regional Consultant – E-waste management and Financing Approaches

Result of ServiceThe five Micronesian countries will be equipped with actionable national briefs and a regional implementation roadmap, including tailored financing mechanisms (e.g. ARF, EPR) and regulatory templates. The consultancy will strengthen national and regional readiness to operationalize e-waste stewardship systems, initiate policy reforms, and mobilize resources for collection, dismantling, and export systems in line with the Basel Convention and circular economy principles. Work LocationHome-based Expected duration3 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: Under UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) 2022–2025, waste prevention and sound management—particularly of hazardous and problematic waste streams such as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)—are recognized as core priorities. The Circularity in High Impact Sectors programme (which includes electronics alongside textiles, plastics, and mining) provides the framework for action. Electronic products have complex value chains and pose significant risks to human health and the environment if not managed sustainably. The electronics sector is therefore a key entry point for advancing circularity transitions, especially in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) where waste volumes are rising but recycling infrastructure is limited. In this context, UNEP is strengthening its regional support to Pacific SIDS—particularly Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, and Kiribati—to develop policy and financing approaches for sustainable e-waste management. These countries face common constraints such as fragmented regulatory frameworks, limited capacity for dismantling or export, and lack of sustainable financing mechanisms. The proposed consultancy will contribute to UNEP’s regional programme on sustainable electronics by translating strategic recommendations into country-specific policy options and implementable financing models. In particular, the consultancy will support five Micronesian countries—Palau, FSM, RMI, Nauru, and Kiribati—in identifying practical regulatory, institutional, and economic mechanisms that can accelerate the development of sustainable, regionally coordinated e-waste systems. This assignment contributes directly to the Chemicals and Pollution Action Subprogramme, particularly under the workstreams on circularity in high-impact sectors, integrated waste management, and enabling policies for sound chemicals and waste management. B. Duties: (1) Objectives: To design implementable regulatory and financing instruments for sustainable e-waste management in five Micronesian countries, drawing on and advancing beyond existing regional assessments. (2) Output expectations: (A) Five national briefing notes detailing: - Legislative readiness and gaps, - Tailored ARF/EPR options - Institutional roles and responsibilities, - Potential for integration with customs and trade systems. (B) One regional roadmap and implementation guide: - Proposed shared standards for collection, dismantling, export, - Operational guidance for ARF-based models (fee setting, fund management), - Basel compliance guidance and capacity needs. (3) Performance indicators: • Timely submission of all outputs by agreed deadlines • All deliverables submitted in Word and PDF by agreed deadlines • Outputs reviewed and accepted by UNEP technical team • Outputs validated through at least one round of stakeholder review per country • Evidence of consultation with key stakeholders (meeting summaries, participant lists) • Outputs tailored and specific to each country’s policy environment, as assessed by UNEP. C. Specific tasks and responsibilities: A consultant will work directly with and will be supervised by Head of IETC. Also, a consultant will work with other consultants and staff members in a UNEP electronics team. The tasks of the consultant are: • Review findings from previous regional studies (e.g. PacWaste, SAICM e-waste reports). • Design context-specific, implementable ARF systems, including: - Fee structures by product category, - Customs collection modalities, - Fund management templates. • Recommend mechanisms for accreditation and disbursement to compliant recyclers (e.g. handling fees). • Draft outlines of enforcement pathways and options to integrate e-waste into broader waste and trade regulations. • Identify quick-win actions or pilots (e.g. school-based collection, container aggregation, local dismantling workshops). Qualifications/special skillsEducation: • Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental management, environmental policy, public administration, business 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 6 years of professional experiences in waste management, circular economy, chemicals and pollution control, or environmental policy • Demonstrated experience in designing or advising on e-waste or hazardous waste regulations, financing mechanisms (e.g., ARF, EPR, levy), or national solid waste strategies. • Experience working in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), particularly in the Pacific region, is strongly desirable. • Experience working in stakeholder consultation and drafting technical or policy reports for governments or international organizations. Languages• Demonstrated capacity to write UN documents in English. 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.