Expert- Chemicals Management for the Mauritius Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) Initiative

Mauritius is implementing this project as part of a partnership initiative being advanced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to assist developing countries to take up all the strategic priorities of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). The SAICM is a policy framework to promote chemical safety around the world. SAICM has as its overall objective the achievement of the sound management of chemicals throughout their life cycle so that, by 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on human health and the environment. This “2020 goal” was adopted by the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 as part of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. SAICM is distinguished by its comprehensive scope; ambitious 2020 goal for sound chemicals management; multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral character; endorsement at the highest political levels; emphasis on chemical safety as a sustainable issue; provision for resource mobilization; and formal endorsement or recognition by the governing bodies of key intergovernmental organizations. The Mauritius SAICM project is funded to the tune of $230k by the Quick Start Programme (QSP) aims at the following: Undertake analysis, interagency coordination, and public participation activities directed at enabling the implementation of the Strategic Approach by integrating – i.e. mainstreaming the sound management of chemicals in national strategies, and thereby informing development assistance cooperation priorities; Develop and strengthen the national chemicals management institutions, plans, programmes and activities to implement the Strategic Approach, building upon work conducted to implement international chemicals-related agreements and initiatives; Develop or update the national chemical profiles and the identification of capacity needs for sound chemicals management. The objectives for this project are to work with the UNDP/UNEP partnership initiative to begin implementing key steps for strengthening the domestic Sound Management of Chemicals (SMC) regime consistent with SAICM, including: Identifying what areas of Mauritius’s national SMC governance regime need strengthening most urgently; Compilation of national chemicals management organization and structures in one document Qualification of the links between priority major chemical management problem areas and human health and environmental quality in Mauritius; Assistance for Mauritius to quantify the costs of inaction/benefits of action in planning/finance/economic language regarding major chemical management problem areas; Initiate assessment and action to manage mercury in Mauritius; Development of a realistic phased plan for strengthening Mauritius’s national SMC governance regime; Propose a path forward to mainstream the highest priority SMC issues in Mauritius’s development planning processes and plans.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP Mauritius Country Office is seeking the services of an qualified International Expert in the field of Chemicals Management to help the Government of Mauritius achieve the goals of the Mauritius/UNDP/UNEP Partnership Initiative for SAICM Implementation. The overall objective of the consultant is to provide specialised guidance to assist the country team in mainstreaming the Sound Management of Chemicals (SMC) into MDG-based development planning and to provide guidance on the formulation of a National Chemical Profile and Mercury Action Plan, through the entire project implementation process. More specifically, the International Expert will be responsible for: Draw lessons learned from the implementation of similar projects elsewhere (such as Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, Ecuador, Uganda etc) and apply them in the Mauritian context; Introduce the rationale for integrating Sound Management of Chemicals into national country development planning dialogue and processes to key stakeholders with emphasis on the methodology proposed for mainstreaming the sound Management of Chemicals and the tools by which to do so; Advise and guide on the composition and on the modus operandi of the Inter Agency Coordination Mechanism (ICM); Provide overall guidance to the local consultants (Senior Economist, National Chemicals Expert, Environmental Health Expert and Policy and Institutional Specialist) for information gathering phase and the formulation of an updated National Chemical Profile and the National Sound Management of Chemicals (SMC) Situation Report; Assist and guide the National Chemical Expert in the formulation of an Initial Action plan for Mercury; Identifying (with the local team) the National SMC-specific opportunities and priorities to address gaps in the National SMC Regime and other major chemical management issues. This is to be included in the National SMC Situation Report and with an emphasis on identifying the highest priorities for SMC action in a) the next 5 year development planning cycle b)with respect to the broader vision to 2020; Providing guidance for the capacity needs assessment in relevant sectors and the development of a Phased Plan of Action to improve SMC; Assistance in the formulation of an Economic and Financial Analysis/ Development Case for mainstreaming certain of the highest priority SMC issues in National Development Plans including the assessment of the costs of inaction/benefits in SMC; Identification of financial sources and mechanisms to fund SMC priorities actions for mainstreaming into national plans including cost estimates for the activities; Propose a path forward for the country to mainstream highest priority SMC issues in Development plans ultimately leading to the formulation of the Mainstreaming Road Map document. In performing the above, the consultant is expected to: Undertake 2 site visits in Mauritius for a cumulative period of 10 working days; Study project background materials, including the project description, updated work plan; Study general national chemicals management information, including, existing relevant policies and legislation and reports of other international and national projects; Liaise with the Project Management team and Interagency Coordination Mechanism (ICM) for information; Contribute as necessary to high level discussions about mainstreaming SMC priorities in Development plans; Participate in Inception Workshop to guide/train the local project management team and local stakeholders; Participate in the Plan of Action Workshop to guide local project team in the finalisation of the Mainstreaming Road Map; Review of deliverables produced by Local consultants; Provide home based technical advice throughout the process via email or telecom; Perform any other task as per directed by Project Management team. Management Arrangements and Deliverables: Under the overall guidance of the PM, National Project Director and Steering Committee, the consultant will work closely with the local project consultants to achieve the objectives of the project. The consultant is expected to undertake scope of work indicated in the TOR during 30 calendar days in 2012-2013. The consultant will work home based with two missions to Mauritius for a total of 10 days over the 2 missions with the following schedule: 5 days for the Inception workshop in September. The consultant will be introduced to the Project management team, the Steering Committee and the local consultants. The consultant will also be required to attend consultations with other stakeholders; 5 days in February 2013 for the Plan of Action Workshop to guide local project team in the finalisation of the Mainstreaming Road Map. The consultant needs to consider this schedule into account when preparing the financial proposal i.e. include the total amount of travel costs and Daily Subsistence Allowance. All relevant background information for the Mauritius Project will be provided upon request and depending on their availability. As for the other information on other countries the consultant is expected to search/source himself/herself. UNDP Mauritius Country Office will provide the consultant with the following facilities Office space with stationary Access to the internet Transport facilities The deliverables to be produced and corresponding timeframe are as follows: Deliverable Time Frame Final National SMC Situation Report 1.5 months after contract signature Priority-setting background document 4 months after contract signature Plan of action for addressing SMC 5 months after contract signature Final Mainstreaming Road Map 7 months after contract signature

Competencies

Specialised knowledge on policies and practices related to the Sound management of Chemicals at the Global, Regional and National levels; At least 5 years of demonstrated working experience in Programme/Project implementation that supports Sound management of Chemicals activities in specific programmes/projects related to the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; Working experience with projects that support the mainstreaming of national chemicals priorities into development planning processes -to promote the MDGs; Working experience with ICCM, IOMC, GEF, SAICM, UNDP and UNEP; Experience with working with government officials at senior policy level, including with Environment, Health, Industry, labour and Finance ministries Good interpersonal skills and experience in preparing and holding trainings and workshops. Good knowledge of Multilateral Environment Agreements, such as the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, as well initiatives such as International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides or any other relevant documentation.

Required Skills and Experience

Postgraduate Qualification (or equivalent) in environmental policy and management, chemistry, natural resources or similar sciences; Fluency in English. Knowledge of French is an asset; Recommended contractors over 62 years of age on assignment requiring travel should undergo a full medical examination including x-rays and obtaining medical clearance from an UN approved Doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The expenses for full medical examination should be included into the breakdown, indicated in the financial proposal. As two missions are planned during the time of assignment, and consultant is expected to travel outside the country of his/her residence, therefore he/she should additionally submit from a recognized physician a statement certifying that he/she is in a good health and fit to travel and has received all required inoculations for the country to which the Consultant is to travel. Contracted Consultants are required to have vaccinations/inoculations at their own expense when travelling to Mauritius.

Expert- Chemicals Management for the Mauritius Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) Initiative