National Consultant to Develop Regulation on Prevention of Environmental Lead Exposure

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Purpose of Activity:

• Develop Environmental Regulation on prevention of lead exposure and legislative actions.
• Lead is a highly toxic metal with no known safe level of exposure, particularly harmful to children, pregnant women, and vulnerable populations. Exposure to lead can result in severe and irreversible health consequences, including cognitive impairment, behavioral issues, anemia, kidney damage, and cardiovascular diseases. In children, even low levels of lead exposure can cause developmental delays, lower IQ, and learning difficulties.
• Introducing and enforcing regulations on environmental lead exposure is an urgent public health and environmental priority for Bhutan. Such regulations will enable the country to protect its population, especially children and pregnant women from the silent and long-term harm of lead exposure, safeguard future generations, and support sustainable development pathways.

Background

Bhutan faces a significant public health challenge stemming from widespread lead (Pb) exposure, particularly affecting its young population. The first National Blood Lead Level Survey conducted in the country in 2024 revealed alarming statistics, with 76% of children aged 1-6 years exhibiting blood lead levels at or above 3.5 micrograms per decilitre (μg/dL), a threshold indicative of potentially serious health risks. This situation is further exacerbated in monastic institutions, where 86% of children tested showed similarly concerning lead levels. Equally troubling is the finding that 59% of pregnant or breastfeeding women also have elevated blood lead levels, posing risks to both their health and the development of their children. This pervasive issue transcends geographical and socioeconomic boundaries, affecting both rural and urban areas, as well as households of varying wealth.

The survey identified several key sources of lead exposure in Bhutan. Among consumer products, jinlab, traditional religious pills, emerged as a major concern, with over 44% of samples exceeding the safety threshold. Spices, particularly turmeric and chilli powder, and kitchenware, especially brass and metal utensils, also showed significant lead contamination. Other sources include toys, religious items, and paints, albeit at varying levels of contamination. Industrial activities, such as the use and recycling of lead-acid batteries, potential lead mining, and improper management of electronic waste, represent additional pathways for environmental and human exposure. Metal artisan workshops and vehicle repair shops also present risks due to lead-containing dust and fumes.

The consequences of lead exposure, especially in children, are severe and can lead to cognitive impairment, irreversible brain damage, lower IQs, academic challenges, and a range of other health problems. Economically, widespread lead poisoning can significantly impact a nation’s productivity, with estimates suggesting potential GDP losses exceeding 9% in South Asian lower and middle-income countries.

To address this critical issue, the national lead survey report recommends a multi-pronged approach involving stringent regulatory measures, comprehensive public awareness campaigns, and robust multi-sectoral collaboration. Specific recommendations include establishing mandatory lead limits in consumer products, enhancing testing and certification programs, regulating industrial activities involving lead, and implementing effective e-waste management strategies. Protecting children from lead exposure is not merely a health concern but a national imperative to ensure a healthy and prosperous future for Bhutan.

Justifications:

Currently, Bhutan lacks specific regulations or standards that govern the use of lead in consumer products such as paints, toys, cosmetics, foods, utensils and traditional medicines. The importation, manufacturing, and disposal of lead-containing materials, including the monitoring and control of environmental lead sources are not regulated. This regulatory void poses significant risks to public health and environmental safety. Development of regulation on prevention of environmental lead exposure is critical to safeguard children and women from lead exposure. Engaging a consultant is therefore critical to bridge this legislative gap by developing a comprehensive and enforceable regulatory framework that is aligned with international best practices and global standards.

Developing effective regulations on lead exposure requires specialized technical expertise, including a sound understanding of legislative policy in the country, toxicology, lead risk management, and scientifically established safe exposure thresholds. It also demands familiarity with global best practices of global, such as the WHO Global Lead Paint Elimination Campaign, and knowledge of successful regulatory models implemented in other countries.

Critically, it involves the ability to translate complex scientific evidence into clear, actionable, and legally sound policy language. Given the limited in-house technical capacity within national institutions for this highly specialized work, hiring a qualified consultant will ensure the resulting regulation is evidence-informed, technically sound, and tailored to Bhutan’s national context.

Scope of work:

The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Health, Department of Climate Change and Environment, Bhutan Standards Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Centre for Disease Control and relevant stakeholders to:

1.Review and assess existing national policies, laws, legal framework standards, and institutional mandates related to chemicals, consumer safety, environmental health, and public health against global practices.

2.Conduct a comparative review of international standards and best practices on lead regulation (e.g., WHO, UNEP).

3.Conduct regulatory gaps and enforcement assessment to identify legal deficiencies and inconsistencies.

4.Develop a comprehensive national environmental lead regulation, including:

• Definition of lead-containing products/materials.
• Permissible limits for lead in consumer goods and environmental media.
• Provisions for import, production, labeling, packaging, and disposal.
• Institutional responsibilities and enforcement mechanisms.
• Public awareness, reporting, and compliance measures.
• Monitoring mechanism including market surveillance on lead contaminated consumables.

5.Identify and engage key stakeholders from government agencies, CSOs, private sector and development partners for consultations on regulations of environmental lead exposure.

6.Develop an actionable road map and recommendations to improve legal, policy and enforcements.

Work Assignment Overview:

Work Assignments Overview

Deliverables/Outputs

Delivery deadline

Prepare inception report clearly outlining the timeline, methodology and the work plan for the assignment.

Drat Inception Report and workplan with timeline.

1 week after contract signing

Conduct desk review on existing national policies, laws, legal framework standards, and institutional mandates pertaining to lead poisoning, national gap analysis on regulatory framework related to lead exposure.

Report on desk review of regulatory practices and national gap analysis.

4 weeks after contract signing

Prepare a draft report on comprehensive environmental regulations for lead, including standards for permissible levels in air, water, soil, and consumer products. Aligning regulations with international best practices and Bhutan’s environmental policies.

Draft regulation on the prevention of Environmental Lead exposure.

4 weeks after submitting the desk review

Facilitate stakeholder consultations with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, industries, and civil society, to gather input and ensure inclusiveness.

Report on the stakeholder’s consultation to develop the regulatory framework.

1 week after submitting the draft environmental lead regulations

Submit Finalize Environmental Regulation incorporating all inputs and feedback from the stakeholder consultation.

Final regulation on the prevention of Environmental Lead exposure.

2 weeks after the national stakeholder’s consultation.

Prepare a roadmap with institutional arrangements, M&E plan, and capacity-building needs for the implementation of lead regulations, including monitoring and enforcement mechanisms; and A detailed report summarizing the consultancy process, findings, and recommendations.

Final consultancy report with Implementation Roadmap.

2 weeks after the finalized regulation

Deliverables and payment schedule:

The consultant’s payment terms and conditions shall be as below:

1. Inception Report, Workplan, and Desk review Report including gap analysis on regulatory practices – 20%

2. Draft Regulation, Implementation roadmap and M&E + capacity building plan on Environmental Lead Regulation with detailed provisions – 30%

3. Final Regulation, Implementation roadmap and M&E + capacity building plan on Environmental Lead Regulation with detailed provisions incorporating all inputs and feedback from the stakeholder consultations – 50%

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

1. Qualification:

• An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in Environmental Law, Environmental Health, Public Health, or related field.

2. Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in legal framework analysis, policy development, and environmental regulation will be an advantage.
• Familiarity with WHO and UNEP frameworks on lead and chemical safety.
• Experience working with UN, especially UNICEF, WHO and UNEP on similar assignments will be an asset.

3. Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Demonstrate communication and analytical skills, and able to manage diverse viewpoints and work in demanding situations.
• Understanding of lead toxicity, exposure pathways and health environmental impacts.
• Demonstrate experience in drafting national laws, standards or health-related regulations.
• Ability to review existing national laws, legislations and identify gaps.
• Skills in conducting desk reviews, facilitation of stakeholder’s consultations on complex agenda, situational assessments including strong report writing.
• Demonstrate technical knowledge on environmental laws, public health, environmental health.

Submission of Proposals and Evaluation Criteria

Proposal should include the following:

• Consultant’s qualification and experience with detailed CV.
• Technical proposal outlining approaches and methodologies.
• A lump sum fee in BTN indicating a breakdown of professional fee for the anticipated number of working days, including fee.
• Name(s) of collaborator(s) with CVs (if applicable) with their full curriculum vitae.
• Reference to similar work (final products or links to previous work can be shared along with the proposal).

Selection will be done by UNICEF Bhutan as follows:

1. Technical Evaluation (75 points)

• Education Qualification – 15 points
• Relevant Work Experience – 30 points
• Technical Proposal – 30 points

Note: Candidate should score minimum of 70% out of 75.

2. Financial Evaluation – 25 points

Procedures and Logistics

1. The consultant is expected to use his/her computer and office space
2. The consultant will report the progress periodically to Health and Nutrition Officer of UNICEF Bhutan, who will monitor the progress, provide further directives and endorsement of the report.

Remarks:

1. The candidates must submit the financial proposal along with the technical proposals.
2. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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