Communication and Stakeholders Engagement Consultant

Result of Service

Under the direct supervision by Regional Coordinator for Chemical and Pollution Actions Sub-programme, the consultant is expected to:

1. Coordinate and serve as focal person for event design, promotions and implementation;
2. Provide input to communications materials and assessment findings for broader stakeholder outreach; and
3. Manage partnerships, relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Work Location

Office-based

Expected duration

5 months

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.
UNEP’s Asia and the Pacific Office geographically serves 41 countries across the region to promote and implement sustainable development solutions. It assists countries of the region pursue sustainability, particularly in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including technical expertise, facilitating access to finance, undertaking cutting-edge science-policy assessments, offering advisory services and strengthening laws, policies, management and governance.

UNEP works with national and local authorities, civil society, other UN organizations, research institutions and the private sector to catalyze the efficient use of the region’s natural assets and reduce the degradation of the environment.

Building on UNEP's expertise in the extensive support of waste management and circular economy in addressing marine plastic litter and plastic pollution, the project will produce a detailed report on the current state of affairs for plastic pollution in Asia and the Pacific. A comprehensive report on the assessment and management of plastic pollution will be developed and discussed with the experts. This report will utilize the tools, assessments, knowledge, protocols and capacity to support plastic pollution management in Asia and the Pacific region. This proposed project builds on the achievements made through CounterMEASURE Phase 1 and 2, as well as the current “Resilience against plastic pollution and climate change in Mekong River Basin” project, which were all made possible through the support of the Government of Japan. Through these projects, UNEP was able to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders in the detection and prevention of plastic pollution in rivers in Asia and actively engage with the Mekong River Commission, national governments, local governments, the private sector, and communities in the fight against plastic pollution.

To build on the momentum of the important work done in the past three years, the project will further enhance the capacity of national stakeholders on downstream management of plastic waste and connect it with the policy, technology, business models, and information tools solutions. The project will help to see a visible shift in the system that addresses the mismanaged plastics overall and plastic leakages in the rivers. This systematic approach will cover the policies and regulations at local, national, regional, and global levels including the UNEA resolution on plastic pollution. The system also includes the capacity to identify the relevant technologies and create an enabling environment through sustainable financing and business models such as close-end and open-end takeback and recycling, and awareness raising of communities for effective engagement such as source segregation and avoidance of littering.

UNEP will organize the outreach of the project results to key regional and global policy fora such as processes of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) under the UNEA 5 resolution on plastic pollution, Japan - Mekong Forum, G7 in Japan (2023), G20 in India (2023), and SPREP and ASEAN processes.

The consultant will provide technical support on event coordination and outreach to foster partnerships and enhance stakeholder participation. Specifically, the consultant will coordinate overall event planning outreach activities to increase awareness and stakeholder involvement in promoting pollution actions in the region.

Qualifications/special skills

- Advanced degree in international development, international studies, sustainable development, communications or environmental management issues is required.
- A minimum of 5 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in communication and outreach is required.
- Excellent proven written and oral communication skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting and analytical skills in Englis are required.
- Experience in stakeholder management in environmental issues is desirable.
- Experience with onsite and online event management platforms is desirable.
- Experience with working for the UN or other international development organization is desirable.
- Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners at different levels and familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

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.