Software Benchmarking Consultant

Result of ServiceThe primary outcome of the consultancy is the development of key studies and documents based on the analysis of international systems as a model for gathering information on the production, import, export, use of chemical substances, storage, transportation and accidents, as well as models that allow the development of a national inventory of chemical substances that will serve as a basis for planning risk management measures. It will also enable a better assessment of the national situation and conditions of chemical substances placed on the national market and the collection of more accurate information to be sent to the Secretariats of the Rotterdam, Stockholm and Minamata Conventions, contributing to the implementation of these AAM and GFC. It will also contribute to inspection activities and the prevention of accidents with chemical substances, aiming to reduce the environmental impact caused by them. Under the overall supervision of UNEP Brazil Office Representative, the consultant will be required to undertake: • Participate in meetings with UNEP Brazil Office, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Industry, Development, Commerce and Services, the Brazilian Institute of Environment, and the institutions in charge of chemicals substances management in the European Union, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the United States and Sweden. • Conduct consultations with partners, including national institutions, NGOs, and international organizations. • Collect and analyze data from national and international institutions. • Draft the reports, and requirements to the improvement and development of the systems. • Incorporate feedback from UNEP and stakeholders to refine and finalize documents. • Ensure the revised documents and systems requirements aligns with the scope of work, MMA and UNEP expectations, and systems possibilities in Brazil. • Prepare and present the reports, and a complete analysis of the systems, and the new systems requirements. Specification of the work products: Product 1a: A document containing a comparative study of electronic systems for registration, inventory and control of chemical substances existing internationally, at least in the following countries: Canada, Sweden, European Union, United States, Chile and Colombia. This study must contain the following aspects: registration format of substances, templates of forms and mandatory fields to be filled in by companies, best webpages layout, basic information in inventory systems, indication of the most complete information, classification methodology, update period, databases that are used by each institution. Product 1b: A document containing a study of national and subnational control systems that are useful for providing information on the management of chemical substances. The Study must contain at least the following information: - Critical assessment of gaps in existing national systems for generating and obtaining data and information on the management of chemical substances. - Proposal of measures to address gaps in national systems and improve national institutional capacity. At least the information and functions below should be sought in the evaluated systems, and other complementary functions that are useful for the proper functioning of a complete system may be indicated: - Collection of information on the production, import and use of chemical substances (including persistent organic pollutants - POPs and mercury); - Identification of producers and importers of chemical substances; - Collection of preliminary information as one of the criteria for prioritizing chemical substances for risk assessment; methodology of prioritizing chemical substances; - Collection of socioeconomic/gender data related to chemical accidents; - Requirements for secrecy and security/confidentiality of information provided by producers and importers of substances, when categorized as confidential; - Artificial intelligence tools for prioritizing chemical substances for risk assessment; - Filter functions to manipulate, select and search data; - Production of management reports; Alerts on the need to prepare and send export notifications when applicable (Rotterdam Convention); - Provision of updated information on accidents with chemical substances; - Identification of the best routes for the safe transportation of chemical substances; transport monitoring systems; - Disclosure to the public of relevant and non-confidential data on chemical substances. Product 1c: Report on the national needs regarding the national chemical management system development, including the possible enhancements to existing systems. - Assess national needs regarding the development of a national chemical management system, including possible improvements to existing systems. - Conduct a survey of the technical requirements needed to make the chemical inventory system compatible with systems already used by the government. - Conduct a survey of the IT capacity of the agencies that will be involved in maintaining the chemical management system. - Prepare a report demonstrating the requirements and technical specifications of the chemical management system modules. Product 1d: A document containing the requirements for the development of the modules of the chemicals management system with a presentation of the work at an interinstitutional meeting. The report demonstrating the requirements and technical specifications of the chemical substance management system modules must include: - Collection of information on the production, import and use of chemical substances (including persistent organic pollutants - POPs and mercury);- Identification of producers and importers of chemical substances;- Collection of preliminary information as one of the criteria for prioritizing chemical substances for risk assessment; methodology of prioritizing chemical substances; - Collection of socioeconomic/gender data related to chemical accidents; - Requirements for secrecy and security/confidentiality of information provided by producers and importers of substances, when categorized as confidential and according to the Brazilian Protection Data Law; - Artificial intelligence tools for prioritizing chemical substances for risk assessment; - Filter functions to manipulate, select and search data; - Production of management reports; Alerts on the need to prepare and send export notifications when applicable (Rotterdam Convention); - Provision of updated information on accidents with chemical substances; - Identification of the best routes for the safe transportation of chemical substances; transport monitoring systems; - Disclosure to the public of relevant and non-confidential data on chemical substances. The proposal for the electronic chemical substance management system must include at least the four modules: A) chemical substance registration and inventory module. B) chemical substance import/export module, including the Harmonized System (HS) classification, relating to the Common Mercosur Nomenclature (NCM) classifications with the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), and integration with Siscomex and Imports declaration form (DUIMP). C) hazardous product transportation module – integration with the National Hazardous Product Transportation System (SNTPP). D) chemical accident registration module. Product 1e. Five documents on the final systems requirements to the national inventory of chemical substances, improvement of other government systems (foreign trade, transports, accidents), and integration of the systems. . The electronic system proposal foresees integration with two other important control instruments: Emergency Action Plan, General Transport Plan and Area Plan, in addition to the improvement and interaction of the National Environmental Emergency System (Siema). The consultant will prepare and present the work developed at an inter-institutional meeting. Work LocationHome-based Expected duration6,5 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. 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 UN Environment Programme is the United Nations systems designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. 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 overall objective of the UN Environment Programme'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. The UNEP Brazil Office, located in Brasilia - DF, works closely with the Brazilian Government and other stakeholders, 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 and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change – MMA are partners to the operationalization of the Special Programme to support institutional strengthening at the National level to enhance the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the Minamata Convention on Mercury and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management. The aim of this consultancy is to contribute to the UNEP work in the area of sound chemicals management in Brazil, in particular in the context of the development of a national and international benchmarking research about chemical substances registration, transportation, commerce and accidents. Besides the study of present systems in Brazil and other countries, another delivery is a proposal of improvements in current systems as the development of a chemicals substances inventory system too. The incumbent will work remotely, home-based, and will be supervised by the Representative of UNEP Brazil. Qualifications/special skillsACADEMIC: • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Information Technology Management, Systems Analysis and Development, Computer Networks, Databases, or a related field to exact sciences, or health and medical sciences is required. PROFESSIONAL: • A minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience in programming, computational logic, software engineering, systems analysis, database programming, or related areas is required. • Relevant work experience in the field of products registration/chemical substances is desirable. • Experience in reports advisory on regulation, trade legislation, products registration or related areas is desirable. • Work experience with government entities in Brazil is desirable. • Experience in research to analyze and compile relevant information from desktop research and stakeholder interviews are desirable. • Excellent writing skills in drafting technical documents and reports, by summarizing critical information from research and consultations, and tailoring the language and styles towards policy makers and businesses; proven experience in authoring publications is desirable. • Experience with international donors and/or other public, non-state or private actors in developing countries, preferably in the LAC region, in the management of international technical cooperation projects, is desirable. • Experience in the UN System is desirable Languages• Fluency in English is required. • Fluency in Portuguese is required. 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.