Chemicals Analyst

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 overall objective of the UNEP's Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. 

The Knowledge and Risk Unit gathers, compiles and analyses state of the art information and data, including through monitoring activities, inventories and assessments, to allow policy-makers to make informed decisions on the sound management of chemicals and waste. The Unit executes projects and covers topics related to persistent organic pollutants, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and chemicals in products, among others. The Unit also addresses issues of concern highlighted by governments, such as antimicrobial resistance, and assists in implementing mandates received through the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) on the Global Chemicals Outlook II (GCO-II). The unit assists countries in implementing the Minamata Convention on Mercury by supporting GEF-funded projects such as Minamata Initial Assessments, National Action Plans on artisanal and small-scale gold mining, as well as projects to reduce mercury use and waste from products and processes. 

The unit is a technical partner of a GEF funded project GEF-funded POPs Global Monitoring Plan Projects in Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands being executed by the Chemicals and Health Branch of the Economy Division. Furthermore, the unit is implementing “Project 522.3 Generating and sharing knowledge for influencing decision-making on sound management of chemicals and waste” that gathers the implementation of the above mentioned GEF project, as well as the generation of knowledge, in particular the Global Chemicals Outlook II and the Report on issues where emerging evidence indicates a risk to environment and human health. 

The Chemicals and Health Branch, Knowledge and Risk Unit requires the services of a consultant to provide assistance to the Branch in activities related to the generation and the sharing of knowledge (project 522.3), and in particular on Persistent Organic Pollutants Global Monitoring Programme, Global Chemical Outlook II, projects supporting the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and on issues of concern. 

The ICA will deliver on mandates related to Persistent Organic Pollutants Global Monitoring Programme, and UNEA-2 and UNEA-4 mandates on Global Chemical Outlook II, and on issues of concern.

Under the supervision of the responsible Programme Officers, the duties of this assignment are to: 

Sharing of Knowledge (POPs GMP, GCO II, issues report, Mercury):

• Develop thematic or sectoral summaries of technical information, to be used as the content for communication material such as infographics or 2 pagers.

• Assist in making data, figures, and key messages accessible to various stakeholders and the public through various media, including web, charts and infographics and newsletters. Prepare scripts for videos as needed. Liaise with UNEP Communications Division as needed.

• Distil and compile relevant data from the GCO-II, the issues report , the POPs GMP work on mercury, in a user-friendly format for outreach and communication purposes, with a specific focus on linking and disseminating through existing databases under the MEAs and UNEP (such as SCP hat, or the world environment situation room), and other relevant locations.

• Organize webinars, briefings and outreach events, and support high level representation, including  power point presentations, as needed. 

Generation of knowledge (GMP POPs, Issues of concern) :

• Provide input to the development of the addendum to the issues report and technical reports of the POPs GMP work.

• Conduct further targeted research (through literature review or surveys) on issues of concerns or recommendations from the GCO II.

• Facilitate workshops and meetings for the organization and ensure the outcomes are properly documented by means of reports. 

Cross cutting tasks:

• Contribute to project development and monitoring, including review of partners inputs and deliverables.

• Contribute to drafting reports to donors and providing lessons learned and best practices for the purposes of UNEP corporate reporting.

• Support the Knowledge and Risk Unit in preparations for the fourth session of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) Intersessional Process and the fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM 5), including on topics related to issues of concern, indicators framework, and GCO II in the Science Policy interface discussions. This can take the form of documents and events to organize.

In addition, the ICA will provide further support as required and requested by the Head of the Knowledge and Risk Unit.  

Monitoring and Progress Controls

Measurable outputs and milestones

Sharing of Knowledge (POPs GMP, GCO II, issues report, Mercury):

• Outreach and awareness-raising materials, drafted 

• Data, figures, and key messages from POPs GMP, Mercury, and GCO II and issues report are transformed into charts and infographics,  newsletters, video scripts or web stories.

• Data and information distilled and compiled for the communication of information related to GCO-II, the issues report and the POPs GMP work.

• Successful organization of webinars, outreach events and high level representation, with power point presentations prepared.

Generation of knowledge (GMP POPs, Issues of concern) :

• Addendum to the issues report and technical reports of the POPs GMP work prepared.

• Targeted research conducted on issues of concerns or recommendations from the GCO II.

• Successful organization of related workshops and meetings, with reports prepared.

Cross-cutting tasks

• The UNEP website is updated in a timely manner with content and updates, including communication and outreach materials

• Background documents and contributions from UNEP to IP4 and to ICCM5 include well summarized recommendations, in a timely manner, and events well organized.

Education

• A university degree in Chemistry, Health, Environment, Economics / or Natural Sciences with a proven professional experience is required

• A Master's Degree in Sustainable Development, Environment, or Health is an asset

Experience 

• Minimum two years of experience related to sound management of chemicals in intergovernmental organizations or related fields is required. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of international chemicals and waste management topics is required.

• Experience in managing, analyzing and synthesizing information, including related to technical topics on sound chemicals management is required. 

• Experience in supporting development of science-based reports, in particular research as well as management of comments from a large array of stakeholders is required.

• Experience working with partners and diversity of stakeholders from various countries, including developing countries is desirable.

• Experience working with UNEP or other UN agencies is an asset. 

Languages

Fluency in  English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations languages (Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an asset.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.