Marine Litter Consultant at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

The consultant will provide drafts of all deliverables for review, and final versions where all comments and inputs are incorporated, based on work plan agreed by the COBSEA Secretariat and relevant partners. All deliverables are to be developed and finalized based on UNEP and COBSEA visibility guidelines and considerable requirements of donors or partner agencies. The consultant is responsible for maintaining regular communications with the COBSEA Secretariat and providing progress and information as well as all background resources/data/information collected for the preparation of all deliverables under this contract in editable and accessible formats adhere to UN values and codes of conducts, respect the intellectual property rights of the UN and follow a human rights-based and inclusive approach.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the guidance of the COBSEA Secretariat and the COBSEA Working Group on Marine Litter, and in coordination with project partners, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

Management and implementation of the project, including pilot activities

This includes:

• Developing and monitoring of partner agreements and liaison with project partners under the guidance of the Programme Officer on Marine Litter in the COBSEA Secretariat;
• Developing a GANTT chart of project activities, including partner activities, continuous tracking of implementation and budget use, and identifying any risks and challenges;
• Providing regular progress updates to the COBSEA Secretariat, WGML, project partners and donors;
• Developing information material on project activities and outcomes for internal/external reporting and outreach, such as presentation slides and input to newsletters;
• Developing the final project report in line with the donor agreement with guidance from the COBSEA Secretariat.

Develop a toolbox on ghost gear recovery and management in coordination with project partners

This includes:

• Consultations with partners, stakeholders and potential users on the format, content and accessibility of the toolbox to inform development;
• Identifying/confirming sites, activities and implementing partners for pilot activities in consultation with COBSEA Secretariat and regional partners;
• Coordination with project partners toward enhancing 1 to 2 pilot activities on ghost gear recovery and management;
• Developing case studies and videos to showcase 1 to 2 pilot activities and build capacity for replication, in coordination with project partners and the project video editor/designer;
• Identifying 2 to 4 additional good practices from the COBSEA region for replication/scaling up and developing case studies including through desk research and interviews with relevant stakeholders/agencies;
• Coordinating the development of guidance resources on sustainable ghost gear recovery and management for communities and/or tourism businesses (such as dive operators) in collaboration with project partners;
• Conceptualizing the format, coordinating the design, and compiling resources of the toolbox, to provide practical guidance and replicate good practices for dissemination through UNEP and COBSEA channels and the East Asian Seas Regional Node of the GPML.
• Coordinate a regional event on ghost gear prevention and gear marking.

This includes:

• Developing a concept note, programme and participant list for the regional event in coordination with project partners;
• Making logistical arrangements for the event in close coordination with the COBSEA Secretariat and project partners;
• Preparation of event materials, presentations and talking points;
• Implementation of the event, including giving presentations, moderating, and leading discussions;
• Development of outcome documents in consultation with participants and partners, under the guidance of the Programme Officer on Marine Litter in the COBSEA Secretariat;
• Developing a meeting summary with key outcomes and action points in collaboration with project partners

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in environmental sciences, sustainable development, waste management or other relevant field is required. A first level university degree with additional two years of qualifying experience maybe accepted in lieu of Advanced degree.
• At least 7 years of working experience in waste management, environmental policy and management, or sustainable development, preferably in relation to marine litter, plastic pollution or solid waste management is required;
• Experience of environmental policy and management in the East Asian Seas region is desirable;
• Experience in planning and managing complex projects and programmes is desirable
• Experience in knowledge management, communication and outreach is an asset;
• Experience working with bilateral/multilateral donors and development partners in the East Asian Seas is an asset;
• Experience working with government officials, local authorities, community stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, and waste management entities is desirable;
• Working experience in a multicultural environment including United Nations is an asset;
• Previous involvement in and knowledge of Regional Seas and/or COBSEA work is desirable

Closing: 02 January 2023