Result of Service

The Consultant is expected to complete all tasks and deliver all outputs, as specified in the Functional Description 4 (work plan). The work of the expert will be directly monitored and overall supervised by the UNEP project team and the Head of the UNEP Vienna-SCC Office. • Technical input in the development of technical legislation addressing pollution prevention and control taking into account the existing policies, regulations, and institutional frameworks related to contaminated site management and pollution prevention in the Western Balkans. • Collaborate with regional, national, and local stakeholders, including government authorities, international organizations, NGOs, and private sector actors. • Actively participate in project steering committees, technical working groups, and stakeholder consultations. • Facilitate data exchange, knowledge sharing, and networking among regional and global experts to strengthen collaboration and coordination. • Promote the alignment of project activities with international frameworks, such as the EU Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). • Designing of a tailored training programmes to strengthen institutional and technical capacities for managing contaminated sites and preventing pollution, with a specific focus on the permitting and enforcement aspects. • Develop public awareness campaigns to inform stakeholders and communities about the impacts of pollution from contaminated sites and illegal landfills on human health and the environment. • Prepare progress reports, technical documents, and policy briefs to communicate project outcomes and recommendations. • Document success stories, challenges, and lessons learned to inform future initiatives. • Develop a list of “quick start” project concepts and ideas.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

1 April -30 Nov 2025

Duties and Responsibilities

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 topic of pollution represents one of the most pressing health issues worldwide, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development offers, through the SDGs and its pollution reducing targets, a great chance for triggering concrete initiatives to tackle pollution. In September 2023 the Italian Ministry for Environment and Energy Security – (former Italian Ministry for Ecological Transition) and United Nations Environment Programme agreed to sign a Donor Agreement to implement the Project “Southeast European Sub-Regional Platform to Beat Pollution (SEEPP) – Strengthening the capacity in the management of Contaminated Sites in the Western Balkans to reduce pollution into the environment”. In December 2024 the Italian Ministry for Environment and Energy Security – (former Italian Ministry for Ecological Transition) and United Nations Environment Programme agreed to sign a Donor Agreement to implement the Project “Enhancing Enforcement Capacities and Public Awareness to improve the management of contaminated sites resulting from non-compliant and illegal landfills in the Western Balkans”. The projects are part of UNEP Programme of Work on Chemicals and Pollution Action, area of intervention “3A – Human health and environmental outcomes are optimised through enhanced capacity and leadership in the sound management of chemical and waste”. Output 3: Regional and national leaders and partners moves towards integrated policies on sound management of chemicals and waste across countries, sectors, and issues. The objectives of the two Projects are: • To reduce pollution, increase environmental protection practices and improve human health, through strengthening institutions and capacities of the Western Balkan Countries in identifying and prioritize their pollution-prevention and related environmental priorities, and the development of an evidence-based approach to developing policies and measures to tackle key pollution issues. • To support the governments of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in identifying and addressing contaminated sites, specifically targeting illegal and non-compliant landfills. The project is structured into coordination and technical components addressing the objectives mentioned above:  Coordination activities, data exchange, strengthening networks: Actions to improve the exchange of environmental information and good practices to be aligned to the current digital/environmental needs and establish synergies with other relevant initiatives .  Data survey and collection of data on contaminated sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, including mapping illegal and non-compliant landfills: and to create a GIS-based map for monitoring and prioritizing remediation efforts.  Capacity building: Design and implementation of training programmes to increase the capacities of the WB countries in addressing soil pollution, as well as the impacts on human health and other receptors, with specific focus on water resources.  On site activities on one or more selected pilot to design of preliminary characterization plan. The two projects have been started already and connected with other regional initiatives particularly important addressing the topic of these projects. Within this context, UNEP is looking to bring on board an environmental pollution prevention Consultant, who under the supervision and overall guidance of the Head of UNEP – SCC Vienna Office, will be responsible to effectively implement and carry out expert’s services in the frame of the South Eastern Europe Pollution Platform and its implementation in the Western Balkan Region. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders to maintain a thorough understanding of project dynamics and to successfully implement the project. The consultant is also expected to participate to the meetings with the UNEP’s team and the main beneficiaries’ institutions at Counries’ and at regional level, monitor trends in the country, other similar projects, government and donor initiatives at national, regional and international level. The Consultant will undertake the following duties and responsibilities under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the UNEP project team, the Associate Programme Management Officer and UNEP WB Projects Coordinator of the UNEP – Vienna Programme Office – SCC, who coordinate the implementation of the mentioned project on behalf of UNEP as part of the overall programme: • Coordination activities, data exchange, strengthening networks: Establishment of the Thematic Groups on pollution. The expert will actively support and contribute to enhancing collaboration, coordination, and knowledge exchange among thematic expert groups and regional and international networks. • Strengthening capacities of WB countries in addressing pollution-prevention, with specific focus on soil and water pollution, and related environmental priorities: Capacity building activities The expert will contribute in: o Designing targeted capacity-building and awareness raising programmes to strengthen the ability of Western Balkan countries, to address soil pollution and its cascading impacts, with a focus on permitting and enforcement. o Technical input in developing technical regulations on soil pollution. o Develop a list of “quick start” project concepts and ideas. • Identification of pilot site(s) and design of preliminary characterization plan: Identification and selection of pilot site The expert will collaborate with national and regional stakeholders to identify and select pilot sites for practical demonstration activities. The criteria for the selection of the pilot will be also developed.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, environmental engineering or other related fields. • A minimum of 7 years of work experience relevant to the assignment is required; • 7 years of experience in integrated environmental permitting is required. • Demonstrated ability to coordinate and drive communications with international partners and manage operational activities with relevant stakeholders. • Previous working experience in Southeast Europe would be considered an advantage; • Outstanding written and oral communications skills; • Proficient in MS Office, various media and social media applications; • Excellent work ethic and interpersonal skills; • Excellent time-management skills; • A positive attitude and enthusiasm about project goals; • Flexibility in responding to additional requirements; • Accountability for management of time and task completion; • Accountability for achievement towards fulfilling project aims and objectives; • Ability and flexibility to travel to project sites. Corporate Competencies: • Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; • Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNEP; • Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; • A strong client orientation attitude to both local and international partners.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE 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.