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.  Coordination activities, data exchange, strengthening networks: The contaminated sites expert will actively support and contribute to enhancing collaboration, coordination, and knowledge exchange among thematic expert groups and regional and international networks: • Actively participate in Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings and contribute technical expertise on contaminated site management and soil pollution. • Collaborate with thematic expert groups composed of regional, EU, and international experts to: o Facilitate the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and innovations related to soil pollution and contaminated site management. o Promote synergies between regional initiatives and global frameworks addressing soil pollution and health impacts. • Strengthen collaboration with established regional and global networks to: o Data sharing and knowledge dissemination on contamination challenges and solutions. o Advocate for adopting harmonized methodologies for the identification, assessment, and management of contaminated sites. o Enhance coordination among national, regional, and international stakeholders working on soil pollution and its impacts on health and ecosystems. • Develop or contribute to progress reports, summaries, and recommendations from TWG and expert group discussions.  Capacity building: The contaminated sites expert will design and implement targeted capacity-building initiatives to strengthen the ability of Western Balkan countries to address soil pollution and its cascading impacts: • Needs assessment: Conduct a capacity needs assessment to identify gaps in knowledge, skills, and resources among stakeholders in addressing soil pollution and contamination risks. • Training programmes: o Design tailored training programmes focused on the management of contaminated sites, including site identification, risk assessment, and remediation strategies. o Include training components on the health impacts of soil pollution and its effects on critical receptors, with a specific focus on water resources and ecosystems. o Incorporate region-specific case studies, international best practices, and practical tools into the training materials.  Identification and selection of pilot sites: The expert will provide hands-on technical support and capacity-building through field activities on selected pilot sites: • Collaborate with national and regional stakeholders to identify and select pilot sites for practical demonstration activities. • Developing the methodology for ranking contaminated sites for pilot selection and conducting site visits on the proposed pilot sites. In summary, the ultimate result of the consulting services is to provide technical support in the implementation of the project, ensuring the sustainability of the project’s results and contributing to develop an expert network at national, regional and if possible, international level.

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 the job training 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. To effectively continue the project implementation, a Contaminated sites management expert is needed to support UNEP’s team in the coordination and implementation of the project activities. The Contaminated sites management Consultant, 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 both the above-mentioned Italian funded projects and their implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

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; • At least five years of experience in working with the remediation of contaminated sites is an asset; • 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.