International Consultant (Circular Economy Expert)

Expected tangible and measurable output(s)/deliverable(s): 1. Deliverable 1 — A detailed workplan, including concept notes, TORs, risk management, and safeguards (human rights, gender, and Leave No One Behind), was developed and submitted. To be delivered by: 15 September 2026 — 5 working days • A detailed workplan outlining methodology, timeline, sources, analytical approach, and stakeholder engagement strategy, validated by UNODC. • Concept notes for all required activities (analysis, national consultations) including methodology for desk research for gap analysis and impact analysis of the gaps in current standards for recycling facilities in the four main project countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Viet Nam) against internationally recognized requirements for environmentally sound management and for leave no one behind (LNOB). • Draft TORs for national consultations and list of required inputs from national partners or UNODC staff. • A risk management and safeguards plan integrating human rights, gender equality, leave no one behind (LNOB), and data‑protection considerations. Acceptance criteria: workplan is complete, actionable, internally coherent, and approved by UNODC WasteNet project coordinator and UNEP supporting expert. 2. Deliverable 2 — Participation in the WasteNet Regional Workshop was completed, and technical inputs, including a presentation and post-event technical note, were provided. To be delivered by:30 November 2026 — 10 working days • Active participation in the WasteNet regional workshop (November 2026), to present technical insights on circular economy, the environmentally sound management (ESM) standards for recycling facilities and their role in compliance and in preventing illegal waste shipments • Deliver a presentation during the workshop, prepared with UNEP and UNODC guidance. • A post‑event technical note (2-3 pages) summarizing key policy and operational takeaways relevant to Output 2.2, including implications for the upcoming gap analysis and consultations. Acceptance criteria: note is evidence‑based, clearly structured, and directly feeds into Deliverable 3. 3. Deliverable 3 — A desk-based gap analysis (output 2.2.1) was conducted to assess national environmentally sound management (ESM) standards in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam against internationally recognized requirements, including the EU Waste Shipment Regulation, and to identify gaps and propose solutions for coherence and inclusivity. To be delivered by: 25 February 2027 — 40 working days • A comprehensive draft report (approx. 30–40 pages + annexes) mapping national environmentally sound management (ESM) standards for recycling facilities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Viet Nam against internationally recognized requirements (including elements reflected in the EU Waste Shipment Regulation). • Identification of regulatory, procedural, and operational gaps, including direct or indirect impacts on marginalized groups and communities. This shall also include gaps in the environmentally sound management (ESM) standards, gaps in the implementation of the environmentally sound management (ESM) standards for recycling facilities, and the impacts of these gaps on environmentally sound management (ESM) and leave no one behind (LNOB). • Proposed evidence‑based solutions for enhancing coherence, inclusivity, and alignment with circular economy principles. The evidence-based solutions shall be in line with the requirements of the EU regulation and Directives. The input shall also cover the current challenges for adapting/designing and the legal framework for implementing these solutions. • A review of the first draft will be conducted based on feedback and recommendations from UNODC, UNEP, and consulted stakeholders. Following the incorporation of these inputs, a second draft will be submitted to UNEP and UNODC for further review. The delivery will be considered complete once all comments and recommendations from UNEP and UNODC have been fully addressed. Acceptance criteria: methodology is transparent; findings are well‑substantiated; footnote referencing is following academic rigor; the first draft of the analysis meets UNODC and UNEP quality standards and is ready for peer review. The final draft considers, addresses and integrated comments and recommendations from UNEP, UNODC and consulted stakeholders. The consultant must ensure that all draft and final documents are properly formatted, incorporating a complete table of contents, numbered and captioned tables and figures, appropriately labeled images, and any additional formatting elements required by academic and UN standards. 4. Deliverable 4 — National consultations were designed and facilitated with government counterparts, Basel focal points, enforcement agencies, private and informal sector representatives, and civil society organizations in the four project countries. (Output 2.2.2) To be delivered by: 30 April 2027 — 20 working days • Design and facilitation of four national consultations (one per project country), each involving government authorities, Basel focal points, enforcement agencies, private sector, informal sector, and civil society. (UNODC team will be in charge of logistics and will support the consultant to liaise with the participants) • Develop all the background technical materials and documents, including invitation letters and general information for organizing the consultations, including agendas, participant lists, consultation materials, and facilitation notes for each country. • Summarize report for each workshop, including documentation of stakeholder feedback and validation of key findings from Deliverable 3. Acceptance criteria: consultations completed in all four countries, with support of the UNODC national professional officers; post-meeting documentation and notes are complete, clear, and demonstrate meaningful engagement across sectors. Meeting report and results of the evaluation survey are submitted within two weeks after the meetings take place. 5. Deliverable 5 — Four country reports and a consolidated analytical regional brief were prepared and submitted, incorporating peer-review comments and required revisions. To be delivered by: 30 July 2027 — 45 working days • Four countries specific reports (one per country) integrating consultation results, peer review inputs, and required revisions from UNODC and UNEP. • A consolidated analytical regional brief (10–12 pages) summarizing cross‑cutting findings, policy coherence opportunities, and recommended actions for aligning national waste management systems with circular economy and environmentally sound management (ESM) requirements, including regional harmonization of requirements. • All deliverables must incorporate safeguards for human rights, gender, leave no one behind (LNOB), and impacts on vulnerable/marginalized groups. Acceptance criteria: all reports are complete, incorporate all peer‑review feedback, and are cleared by UNODC and UNEP as final.

Home-based

01/09 - 31/07/2027

Specific tasks to be performed by the Consultant: Under the supervision of UNODC WasteNet programme coordinator based in Bangkok, and under the guidance of UNEP Circular Economy (CE) experts, the consultant implemented the assigned WasteNet activities, including conducting a desk-based gap analysis of environmentally sound management (ESM) standards applicable to recycling facilities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The consultant also organized and facilitated national consultations to formulate recommendations for improving existing waste management systems of recycling facilities and aligning them with circular economy principles and internationally recognized ESM standards.

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a field related to Circular Economy, Waste Management or Sustainability is required. A first-level university degree in the aforementioned fields in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum 7 years in Circular Economy(CE), waste policy or environmentally sound management (ESM) of recycling, with experience relevant to the project activity is required. Good knowledge of the Basel Convention is required. Good knowledge of the EU Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) is desirable. Experience with regulatory gap analysis; multi‑stakeholder consultations is required. Knowledge of the ASEAN context is desirable. Demonstrable good report writing skills is required. UN experience, gender/human resource (HR)/ leave no one behind (LNOB) mainstreaming, and in‑country experience is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English, with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Not available.