Consultancy Announcement: National Project Preparation Experts:
Circular and POPs-free Plastics in Africa (GEF ID 11049)

Introduction

The Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the African Region (BCCC-Nigeria) is inviting applications for the positions of National Project Preparation Experts for the project “Circular and POPs-free Plastics in Africa (GEF ID 11049)” which is being implemented by UNEP, with BCCC-Nigeria as the Executing Agency.

The objective of this project is to reduce the import, production and use of POPs in plastic-containing products and the generation of uPOPs in selected African countries (Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe).

The project consists of the following four components:

• Component 1: Policy and economic instruments targeting POPs containing plastics
• Component 2: Circular economy practices to reduce POPs in problematic plastics
• Component 3: Environmentally sound management of plastic waste containing POPs
• Component 4: Knowledge management, capacity building and communication

Currently, the project is in the PPG (Project Preparation Grant) phase where funding has been approved for the further preparation of this full-sized project. The PPG will be supported by the appointed national experts/consultants. They will mainly support national baseline collection and coordination in each project country.  The below organogram presents all actors involved in the development of this project during the PPG. The national consultants will be supervised by the BCCC-Nigeria coordinator.

Deliverables

(i) National stakeholder mapping report & support to national consultations

• Mapping of industry sectors present in the country (importers, producers, distributors, retailers) and their economic importance. Scan to include plastic manufacture or import and use of plastic inputs to automotive, electronics, textiles, building products.
• Formal recycling and treatment sector related to POP-containing plastics
• Informal sector e.g. recycling, collection, suppliers
• Trade associations
• Ministries

(ii) National priority problem analysis & scoping report – inception report & final version after comments by partners

• Desk study to identify plastics, resource and chemical use in the above mapped sectors, using existing trade, regulatory, industrial association and other data sources and contacts.
• Prioritization of key sectors based on guidance provided by Executing Agency and international experts, as well as from national governments, including the following criteria:
  • Amounts of chemical and plastic use in production and manufacture (plastic, automotive, electronics)
  • Amounts of imports of items with plastic or chemical content (vehicles, electronics, textiles, building products)
  • Potential for impact via commitment from either governmental policies, or business commitment to make fundamental changes in design and chemical management in the sector

(iii) Baseline report on priority sector/ problem– initial draft & final version after comments by partners

• Data and statistics on import and use of plastics products/ plastic components or chemicals used by the priority sector including literature review, surveys, access to regulatory or other sources
• Data and statistics on recycling/waste management of plastic products
• Relevant national and regional plans, policies, trade agreements, enforcement capacity (including relevant policies to sector, import, trade, plastics, circularity, chemicals use, waste management, NIPs, NIP updates, Stockholm Convention national reports)
• Baseline initiatives and cofinance partnerships
  • Chemical management in plastics production
  • Waste separation of plastics containing toxic chemicals
  • Waste management of hazardous plastics
  • Non-toxic circular economy initiatives
  • Finance and investment into sustainable industrialization and plastics alternatives
  • Identification of gaps and needs
• Contribution to cross cutting strategies developed by the regional EA
  • Climate risk assessment for the country and industry
  • Social profile / gender in industry – female employment in production and waste management; proportion of workers on short term contracts or informal sector; occupational/chemical accidents reporting
  • Communications and awareness strategy

(iv) Collect product samples for POPs testing and report on sample analysis.

(v) Provide a preliminary list of options for interventions, and consult with industries/ cofinance partners/ministries to also get stakeholder comments.

(vi) National validation workshop support

(vii)  Support to other PPG activities as needed

Consultants will be expected to work within very strict timelines and deadlines for the various deliverables. Timelines for achieving each deliverable will be communicated to recruited Consultants. The PPG phase of the project is expected to terminate about November/December 2023.

Requirements

(i) Education: Advance University Degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering or  related fields

(ii) Work experience: Five years experience in the fields of chemicals and wastes; industrial experience in a relevant sector (electronics, automotive, textiles, experience in Africa; and experience in the plastics sector. Knowledge in chemicals is desirable.

(iii) Excellent report writing and presentation skills.

(iv) Language: English required

Applications

Applications should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae and copies of educational and other qualifications, and  be sent by email only to:

The Executive Director

Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the African Region

1, Ijoma Road

University of Ibadan

Ibadan, Nigeria

Email address:  pconianwa@yahoo.com

          Copy to: oluseunbadejo@gmail.com

In addition, an applicant wishing to be appointed consultant for a particular country, should also copy the corresponding email listed below:

Kenya:             cyrus.mageria@gmail.com

Nigeria:           elichucks@gmail.com

South Africa:    smolefe@dffe.gov.za

Uganda:           patience.nsereko@nema.go.ug

Zimbabwe:      christopher.mushava@ema.co.zw

Deadline

Applications must be received not later than 18 February, 2023.