Programme Support and Policy Analysis Consultant

The ultimate result of this consultancy is the timely delivery of high-quality analytical and policy outputs supporting UNEP’s work under PAGE and the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The consultant will produce technical analyses, policy briefs, and reports that strengthen green economy policy processes in Mongolia, Thailand, and Cambodia, and contribute to the development of a report on strategies to address mercury supply and trade under the Minamata Convention. Overall, the assignment will deliver concrete, reviewable outputs that improve the quality of UNEP’s evidence-based policy work and support Member States in implementing environmental commitments.

Remote

7 months

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. Industry and Economy Division (IED) is to deliver effective strategic guidance and high-impact action to support the transition towards inclusive, low-carbon, resource-efficient, and resilient economies. Its work is guided by ambition, innovation, credible science, and alignment with global environmental goals, while responding to the specific development priorities and needs of Member States. The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) supports countries in aligning economic and financial policies with sustainability objectives to foster inclusive growth, generate employment, reduce poverty and inequality, and strengthen environmental sustainability. PAGE brings together the expertise of five UN agencies—UNEP, ILO, UNDP, UNIDO, and UNITAR—to deliver integrated policy, analytical, and capacity-building support. UNEP is currently supporting country engagements under PAGE in Mongolia, Thailand, and Cambodia, alongside a growing portfolio of South–South cooperation and knowledge exchange activities. These engagements involve multiple national counterparts, implementing partners, and UN agencies, and require targeted technical analysis, preparation of background materials, documentation of technical inputs, and support to stakeholder-facing deliverables to ensure timely and coherent delivery of analytical outputs, policy recommendations, and capacity-building activities aligned with national priorities and PAGE objectives, under UNEP staff coordination and quality assurance. In parallel, the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury is implementing activities under its Programme of Work for 2026–2027, including follow-up to decision MC-6/1 adopted by the Conference of the Parties. This decision requests the Secretariat to develop a report presenting strategies to address the supply and trade of mercury for Parties not in compliance with Article 3 of the Convention, in collaboration with Parties and relevant organizations with expertise in illegal trade. The development of this report requires the review and synthesis of information from Parties and other relevant sources, including national reports submitted under Article 21 of the Convention and national action plans on artisanal and small-scale gold mining submitted under Article 7, as well as the analysis of existing strategies to prevent the diversion of mercury from legal supply chains to informal or illegal uses. The process also involves engaging with Parties, the Implementation and Compliance Committee, and other stakeholders to consolidate inputs and identify practical approaches. Specific tasks and responsibilities Specific tasks and responsibilities per outputs: (Analytical support to the Minamata Convention report): •Review and synthesize existing information on international and national strategies addressing the supply and trade of mercury in the context of the Convention •Prepare an analytical note on best practices and methods used to identify, document, and report illegal or non-compliant mercury trade and related activities, including relevant data sources and approaches to assess scale and nature •Draft case studies illustrating national or regional responses to illegal mining and trade in mercury, drawing on available data and stakeholder inputs (Analytical support to PAGE): •Prepare draft technical inputs for the Sustainable Budgeting Approach (SBA) validation workshop and final sustainability plan, including technical background materials and a synthesis of policy recommendations. •Prepare draft technical materials for UNEP’s participation in Green Economy Week, including agenda inputs, technical presentations, analytical background content, and policy messaging. •Prepare draft analytical inputs for the study on green and nature-based production, including assessment of market competitiveness factors, value chain bottlenecks, financing mechanisms, and policy recommendations. •Prepare final technical inputs for the analytical study on green and nature-based production and value chain development in Thailand, including policy analysis, financing mechanisms, market competitiveness factors, international benchmarking, and draft policy recommendations. •Prepare technical inputs for international benchmarking analysis related to Mongolia’s mining sector study, including alignment analysis, sustainable finance readiness, and draft policy recommendations related to green mining governance.

Advanced university degree in environmental policy, economics, public policy, international development, or a related field. A bachelor’s degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying working experience in economics, trade and environmental policy may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in project management and coordination, policy analysis and support related to international trade and environment or green economy is required. -Demonstrated experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder processes, including engagement with government counterparts, international organizations, and implementing partners, is required. -Experience working within the United Nations system and/or with government institutions is required. -Experience in green economy, sustainable finance, trade-related policy, or fiscal policy is desirable. -Experience related to multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), including knowledge of compliance, reporting, or implementation processes, is an advantage.

Fluency in English and strong writing skills are required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language 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.