Regional Expert to Prepare Regional Guidelines on Construction and Demolition Waste Management (Level B)

The ultimate objective of this assignment is to develop a guiding document for the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention to support waste minimization, pollution prevention and the reduction of impacts stemming from construction and demolition activities/sector.

Place of residence

12 months

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional levels. 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. United Nation’s Environment Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This consultancy assignment is for the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP)/Programme for the Assessment and Control of Marine Pollution in the Mediterranean (MED POL), Athens, Greece. The Land Based Sources (LBS) Protocol to the Barcelona Convention Protocols was adopted in 1980 and amended in 1996. The amended Protocol entered into force in 2006. At COP 22 held in Antalya, Türkiye (5-8 December 2021), the Contracting Partis endorsed Decision IG.25/5: “Amendments to Annexes I, II and IV to the Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities (LBS Protocol)”. Through this decision, the “Construction” sector was included in the Annex I,A, as a sector of activity, enabling UNEP/MAP to regulate the sector in order to reduce or manage its impacts on the Coastal and Marine environment. As stipulated in Article 5 of the LBS Protocol, the Contracting Parties are required to elaborate and implement, individually or jointly, as appropriate, national and regional action plans and programmes, containing measures and timetables for their implementation. In addition, Annex I (A) of the LBS Protocol defines the list of sectors of activities that needs to be considered in the preparation of such action plans, programmes and measures for the elimination of the pollution from land-based sources and activities, taking into account Annex II (D) of the Protocol, which defines available waste technologies. Furthermore, the Regional Action Plan on Sustainable Consumption and Production in the Mediterranean (Decision IG.22/5) specifically calls for “Development of specific tools/guidelines for assessment of buildings prior to demolition and renovation, with a view to optimizing the use of Construction and Demolition Waste”. The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the MED POL Programme Officer (Pollution), in close collaboration with the MED POL Programme Management Officer, and under the overall guidance of the Senior Programme Officer. The Consultant will analyze global and regional policies and legally binding measures relevant to LBS Protocol and, in line with Article 7 (i.e., “Common guidelines, standards and criteria”) of LBS protocol, develop guidelines for construction and demolition waste at the Mediterranean regional level. TASKS The consultant is expected to perform the following tasks: 1.Prepare a detailed work plan accompanied by a timetable for completion. 2.Develop a questionnaire for collecting data from Contracting Parties on the current state of CDW management, and analyze the data collected for the preparation of the Guidelines 3.Prepare an outline for CDW Management Guidelines, by considering, but not limited to, the EU Waste Management Protocol and OSHA Waste Management Guidelines, structured according to the following chapters; a) Early-stage planning to prevent waste generation. b) Identifying and quantifying waste types. c) Setting recycling and reuse targets. d) Specifying disposal and recovery methods. e) Integrating resource recovery, turning waste into usable materials. f) Available emerging technologies for CWD management 4.Prepare a short summary on CDW quantification methods including practices in EU, Japan and Nordic Countries), but not limited to a) Definition of foundational steps in CDW management (such as Pre-demolition Audits, CDW Logistics, Advanced Treatment & Recovery Processes, Quality Management) b) Estimating waste volumes at construction and demolition sites c) Demolition waste quantification in post disaster areas 5.Prepare a summary of methods for characterizing CDW, considering but not limited to: a) Composition for non-hazardous waste b) Identification of hazardous substances (e.g., asbestos and others) c) Composition and characterization of hazardous waste (e.g., heavy metals, POPs contaminated sealants, insulation foams with HBCD, POP treated wood, etc., that might include materials contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as PCB-containing sealants, insulation foams with HBCD, or wood with POP pesticides). 6. Identify the main environmental impacts of CDW, and present findings in a matrix to facilitate mitigation of the potential environmental impacts, during demolition, separation and sorting, transportation and logistics and final disposal etc., 7.Examine the technical quality of recycled CDW products and their suitability for: a) Pavement construction b) Geotechnical applications c) Concrete production d) Other relevant applications 8.List of main elements for CWD Management plan, focusing on strategies and tools to minimize and manage CDW. a) Early-stage planning to prevent waste generation. b) Hazardous waste containment and management in line with Basel, Stockholm, and Rotterdam Conventions (BSR). c) Mercury or mercury containing waste management in line with Minamata Convention (ESM Guidelines) d) Setting recycling and reuse targets. e) Identifying waste types and quantities. f) Specifying disposal and recovery methods. g) Waste Minimization and Diversion Practices h) Integrating resource recovery (turning waste into usable materials). i) Logistical arrangements and j) Monitoring and reporting k) Other relevant 9.Map available Emerging Technologies in CDW Management and their applications including: a) Building Information Modelling (BIM) for waste estimation and coordination. b) GIS for mapping illegal dumping and optimizing logistics. c) Artificial Intelligence for waste prediction and material recognition. d) Prefabrication to reduce onsite waste generation. e) Remote technologies, such as drones, satellites 10. Prepare and submit an advanced draft of the Guidelines for UNEP/MAP-MED POL review, incorporating outputs from Tasks 2 to 9; 11. Prepare final Draft Guidelines and progress report on the consultancy

• Advanced university degree (MSc. degree or equivalent) in civil engineering, environmental engineering, environmental sciences, Waste Management, or other related discipline is required; • At least 5 years of relevant professional working on waste management, or development of environmental guidelines, policies, or regulatory frameworks, sustainable production and consumption is required; • Strong knowledge of construction and demolition waste streams, treatment, recycling, and recovery is required; • Strong knowledge of the global and regional environmental initiatives related to construction and demolition waste management in CDW in disaster-affected areas, or Best Available Techniques (BAT) and Best Environmental Practices is highly desirable;

•Fluency (written and oral) in English is required; •Working knowledge of French is desirable.

Not available.

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.